Chapter Nine
Oh God, if Camillacould see her now...
Julia didn’t know if she’d scold her, cry, laugh, or break the window down with her. Probably the latter. Definitely the latter. And if Theodore could see her ... No, she wouldn’t think about him. Even though this was all for him.
She didn’t know how long Tabitha would be able to hold them off. It turned out she really was a witch. Julia had watched her start a small fire, chanting and holding her hands over the small patch of grass outside the pub. She’d sworn that she wouldn’t let it do any serious damage, but the delay should provide her with enough time in the Pitt house to find the instructions. This was why she was now standing in their living room, a scarf covering the lower portion of her face, with glass in her hair. She wished she’d had the foresight to ask Tabitha for an easier way in.
She’s a witch, not a magician, Julia.Right, if I were an ancient list of instructions binding a soul to the manor for all eternity, where would I be hiding?
Their house was no manor, but it was large and ancient-looking. Spiderwebs covered the many doors and corners, as well as a thick layer of dust. She ran a gloved finger along a nearby surface, smoothing the dust between her fingers. She gave a cursory glance at the bedrooms, living room, and bathroom, with no luck, even with her leaving no stone unturned and testing all the floorboards for any hidden compartments. Her fingers closed around another doorknob. She opened it. Inside was an office. A high oak desk and leather chair, and drawers. Lots of drawers. And a safe! Bingo, she thought. There must be a key around here somewhere...
Finally, after at least ten minutes of looking, she found a book with a hollowed-out compartment with the key to the safe inside. It clicked as she opened it.
Sparkling jewels, money, and documents filled the safe. Her eyes caught on an age-yellowed envelope. The document inside was just as yellowed. Fitting, she thought, considering what it held, what it stood for, it should be rotting. She placed the envelope in her bag and locked the safe, returning the key to its rightful place.
That’s when she heard it.
Theclinkof the key turning in the front door lock.
Shit!
This was bad, this was very, very bad. Getting thrown in jail bad.
She swallowed, willing her heart to calm. Maybe she could talk her way out of this? Or at the very least, beg and plead for mercy.
Not that that’s a good idea, Julia, they are keeping a centuries-long curse going just to protect their family name. Something tells me they aren’t going to listen to reason.
She was a sitting duck in here, though. The window wasn’t large enough to elicit an escape attempt. She’d have to leave the way she came and just pray they were distracted. She crept out of the room, staying close to the wall. Her heart nearly jumped for joy when she saw them head upstairs, the distinct smell of smoke following them. Once they were no longer in sight, she made for the door.
“What on earth do you think you’re doing?”
Damn.
She whirled around to the sound of Sandra’s voice, so shrill and loud she had to suppress the urge tosshher.
She opened her mouth to speak, to say something, anything. Even “Oh sorry, wrong house”would do at this point, but she realized Sandra would recognize her voice instantly, so she continued to run for the door.
That’s when Sandra picked up the biggest umbrella she’d ever seen, hooked it around her bag strap, and yanked her backward.
Julia let out a little yelp.
Sandra chuckled. “Not so tough now, are you? Who do you think you are, breaking into my house?”
The umbrella struck her head with a loud thwack. She could swear she felt her brain rattle around her head like a children’s toy. Warmth seeped from where she’d been struck.
“Luke! Get down here now! Intruder!”
She didn’t even want to think about what they’d do to an intruder. She pushed through the pain and shrugged out of Sandra’s grasp, grappling with the door handle and running into the cool night air. Running and running and running until she couldn’t anymore.
The sound of footsteps and shouts behind her had long ceased. She hid behind an old oak tree for at least half an hour before running all the way home, blood dripping down her face.
****
Julia burst throughthe front door, her heart a wild thing, beating against her rib cage.
“Theodore—” she began, but there was no need, he was sitting on the bottom step of the staircase with his head in his hands.
