Blinding Light (The Bloodmarked Trilogy Book 2) by Alicia Deters Page B
Authors: Alicia Deters
Ads: Link
continued to inch forward at snail speed.
I spent the rest of the ride soaking up the solitude while it lasted. My mind never once wandered into dangerous territory. I thought about my lack of travel experience and all the places I would one day like to see. After watching miles of frosty, white washed pines go by and reading names on several signs like Bear Creek or Antler Road, I was so ready for a beach vacation. Luckily, the whole ride was pretty peaceful and uneventful. No cravings.
†
Seven hours after departing the airport, we finally pulled onto a narrow, unmarked road off the highway, barely visible unless you were searching for it. Allen stopped to put the SUV in four-wheel drive and add chains to the tires. We trudged carefully through the mounds of drifts. Century-old firs and pines loomed high above us on either side of the invisible path.
About a mile down the road was a sharp curve to the left. We opted for the slimmer lane to the right, which was marked with an imposing stone wall and wide open wrought iron gate.
Fortunately for Allen, this drive was recently cleared of snow. A decent pile stood to the left of the gate. Above the snow mound, a metal plaque glinted in contrast with the stone wall. The engraving read Wolf Creek Manor. Go figure.
“This is the place, mam,” Allen explained.
Awesome. Can’t wait , I replied silently.
The trees began to thin as we ascended the drive sluggishly. We rounded a large bend that opened up to an expansive, barren yard. Standing proudly, in the middle, was a grand French chateau.
I wasn’t exactly sure what I expected. Maybe a substantial concrete building surrounded by chain-link fences rimmed by barbed wire and men outfitted with assault rifles and uniforms. Maybe that was just my imagination providing the picture of what I assumed would be my home for the unforeseeable future, but I certainly did not expect to be shacking up with Daddy Warbucks.
As we rounded the circle drive, we came to a full stop in front of a stone staircase guarded on either side by intimidating wolf statues. They sat tall, baring their teeth at any unwelcomed visitor, which was probably everyone. Especially me.
“Let me get your bags, miss,” Allen offered.
“No, thank you, Allen. I can manage. Stay put and keep warm. Besides, I only have the one bag,” I answered as I handed him a generous tip for braving a natural disaster.
“Thank you, miss.”
“Get home safe, Allen.” I shut the door, turning to gaze up at my new home.
It was three stories high with turrets on either end, encapsulated by tall spires. Each turret contained oriel windows supported by thick corbels. My eyes were drawn inward to the receded stone façade of the connecting towers and the even more receded walls of the main building. There were gabled dormers rimming the rooftop, which were bordered by battlements. The steep pitch of the roof drew my eye line to what looked like spotlights perched at the very top. Maybe I wasn’t so off base with the prison inferences.
The sound of people shuffling around inside refocused my attention to the massive double doors in front of me, tucked beneath a sturdy depressed arch. Light footsteps approached and stopped just beyond the entryway.
Let the fun begin.
Before I made it to the top step, the front door swung wide open to reveal a perky Helen dressed in a pencil skirt and loose ivory blouse.
“Lucy, you made it,” she said with a smile, but I saw the ‘It’s about time’ in her eyes.
“I’m here,” I stated, unsure of what I was supposed to say. Thank you for uprooting me from my home didn’t seem very grateful. That was the bitchiness of a 21-hour trip talking. I knew it wasn’t her fault I was here. I needed to act more appreciative for her help, but I still knew nothing about this woman, other than the fact that she knew my mother.
It was nearly dusk, and I just wanted to unwind and put off this whole vampire hunters-R-us meet and
I spent the rest of the ride soaking up the solitude while it lasted. My mind never once wandered into dangerous territory. I thought about my lack of travel experience and all the places I would one day like to see. After watching miles of frosty, white washed pines go by and reading names on several signs like Bear Creek or Antler Road, I was so ready for a beach vacation. Luckily, the whole ride was pretty peaceful and uneventful. No cravings.
†
Seven hours after departing the airport, we finally pulled onto a narrow, unmarked road off the highway, barely visible unless you were searching for it. Allen stopped to put the SUV in four-wheel drive and add chains to the tires. We trudged carefully through the mounds of drifts. Century-old firs and pines loomed high above us on either side of the invisible path.
About a mile down the road was a sharp curve to the left. We opted for the slimmer lane to the right, which was marked with an imposing stone wall and wide open wrought iron gate.
Fortunately for Allen, this drive was recently cleared of snow. A decent pile stood to the left of the gate. Above the snow mound, a metal plaque glinted in contrast with the stone wall. The engraving read Wolf Creek Manor. Go figure.
“This is the place, mam,” Allen explained.
Awesome. Can’t wait , I replied silently.
The trees began to thin as we ascended the drive sluggishly. We rounded a large bend that opened up to an expansive, barren yard. Standing proudly, in the middle, was a grand French chateau.
I wasn’t exactly sure what I expected. Maybe a substantial concrete building surrounded by chain-link fences rimmed by barbed wire and men outfitted with assault rifles and uniforms. Maybe that was just my imagination providing the picture of what I assumed would be my home for the unforeseeable future, but I certainly did not expect to be shacking up with Daddy Warbucks.
As we rounded the circle drive, we came to a full stop in front of a stone staircase guarded on either side by intimidating wolf statues. They sat tall, baring their teeth at any unwelcomed visitor, which was probably everyone. Especially me.
“Let me get your bags, miss,” Allen offered.
“No, thank you, Allen. I can manage. Stay put and keep warm. Besides, I only have the one bag,” I answered as I handed him a generous tip for braving a natural disaster.
“Thank you, miss.”
“Get home safe, Allen.” I shut the door, turning to gaze up at my new home.
It was three stories high with turrets on either end, encapsulated by tall spires. Each turret contained oriel windows supported by thick corbels. My eyes were drawn inward to the receded stone façade of the connecting towers and the even more receded walls of the main building. There were gabled dormers rimming the rooftop, which were bordered by battlements. The steep pitch of the roof drew my eye line to what looked like spotlights perched at the very top. Maybe I wasn’t so off base with the prison inferences.
The sound of people shuffling around inside refocused my attention to the massive double doors in front of me, tucked beneath a sturdy depressed arch. Light footsteps approached and stopped just beyond the entryway.
Let the fun begin.
Before I made it to the top step, the front door swung wide open to reveal a perky Helen dressed in a pencil skirt and loose ivory blouse.
“Lucy, you made it,” she said with a smile, but I saw the ‘It’s about time’ in her eyes.
“I’m here,” I stated, unsure of what I was supposed to say. Thank you for uprooting me from my home didn’t seem very grateful. That was the bitchiness of a 21-hour trip talking. I knew it wasn’t her fault I was here. I needed to act more appreciative for her help, but I still knew nothing about this woman, other than the fact that she knew my mother.
It was nearly dusk, and I just wanted to unwind and put off this whole vampire hunters-R-us meet and
Similar Books
