The Hall of Shadows

by M. L. Bullock

  Golden Gamma Cracks Up

  Hollywood Starlet Possessed with Demonic Curse

  Silly things to think, Joanna. It’s not a curse. It’s a disease. That had been Dan’s answer when I cried and worried myself that first week home.

  “It might as well be a curse. See what my mother passed down to me? She had it too, didn’t she?” And it wasn’t long before Vivian began offering me her concoctions; naturally, I refused them. She studied me now, just as she used to study Mother.

  “Didn’t you hear Vivian, dear?” Danny tapped my hand. I saw how it was. He was going to control every detail of my life now. I snatched my hand away and slung back the lap blanket. “What are you doing?”

  “I’m going for a walk.”

  “Nonsense. Our soup will be here soon,” Danny complained as Vivian poured herself a cup of coffee and smiled at me like a cat. There was no sense in arguing with him, so I just wouldn’t allow myself to engage with him.

  “Don’t wait for me.” I picked up my hat from the table. It was a saggy bit of lavender felt with a wide purple ribbon along the edges, but my hair was freshly curled and I didn’t want to ruin my girl’s work. I didn’t normally wear pantsuits, but today was one of those days. And there was the added benefit that Danny hated pants on women. At least he had the good sense not to criticize my wardrobe choice in my current mood.

  Yes, a walk would do me good. I felt restless and incredibly unhappy.

  I left the two of them whispering on the porch and walked down the dusty lane toward the stables. There were new kittens to see, and Paden’s beloved horse Nobleman would be happy to see me. The stable was a rustic-looking building, especially in comparison to the stone façade that rose behind it, but I liked it. The grass always grew thick and heavy around the fence, and there were always patches of wildflowers and wild onions. It proved an aromatically soothing combination. Because it smelled like Paden.

  Sure enough, Nobleman stomped his foot at me. I was happy to see Mr. Lee finishing up his brushing of the magnificent creature. The horse’s black coat shone; he was such a lovely animal. Tall, majestic, almost otherworldly. Yes, he could very well be from another place. As I patted his soft nose, I laid my head against him and listened to him breathe. I wish I had your strength, Nobleman. You’re so strong and beautiful.

  Paden had once told me about Enbarr of the Flowing Mane, a mythological beast that carried its rider to his or her greatest desire. But Enbarr could do this only once in each of his many lifetimes. After he fulfilled his master’s or mistress’ wish, he must be reborn.

  What say you, Nobleman? Will you grant me my greatest wish? Can you carry me to Paden?

  “Please saddle him up, Mr. Lee. I want to go for a ride.”

  “Right away, ma’am.” I left him alone and busied myself with playing with the new kittens for a while. Such sweet little creatures but far too small. Too helpless. I kissed the top of one kitten’s head and put the mewling thing back into the basket. Mother Cat would return soon, I hoped, but what if she didn’t? I supposed that would be the end of them. I wouldn’t think about that right now. Nothing nasty and horrible. I watched them play and cavort; Mother Cat did eventually return, and the kittens immediately started fighting for their mother’s milk. Mother Cat looked very unhappy about it all, but she suffered through their demands. The minutes slid by, and I became impatient with Mr. Lee. He hadn’t called me, and I wondered if perhaps he’d gotten distracted and forgotten all about me.

  No, there was someone in the stall. I could hear heavy boots walking and a soft voice murmuring to Nobleman. The horse was clearly excited by the visitor.

  I didn’t have to get a clear view to see that it was my own dear love. My Paden.

  “Is it really you? You’re here in the flesh?”

  He wasted no time in taking me in his arms. He removed my horrible hat and ran his hands through my hair. Paden liked touching my hair. His skin felt warm and rough, the hands of a man who knew what a good day’s work meant. Not like Danny at all.

  Why must you think of him now, Joanna?

  “I’m here. In the flesh. Home for good. And I have something for you. This is why I left, Joanna.” He kissed me and put something in my hand. His breath was in my ear, and I didn’t want to open my eyes. I never wanted to leave this moment. I was strong when Paden held me. I would be strong. We made one another strong. He squeezed my hand, and I could sense that he wanted me to see what it was that he brought me. It was a ring. A lovely ring with a shiny blue sapphire in the center and tiny diamonds all around it.

  “Paden? Where did you…”

  “It was my grandmother’s, but now it belongs to you if you’ll have me. As your husband.”

  Suddenly Paden was on his knee, and his eyes were focused on me with an intensity beyond his usual kind attention.

  “Will you marry me? Will you be my wife?”

  I gasped in surprise. Could this be happening? Was I dreaming all this?

  “Joanna? Your soup is getting cold. Why don’t you come back to the house and eat? Maybe we can go for a ride in the new Seville after, take in some ocean air.” Danny stepped into the stable, and one of Mother Cat’s kittens skittered in front of him. Paden was still on his knee, my hand in his.

  Dan’s smiling face darkened immediately. He turned on his heel, leaving me alone with Paden as his shadow fell across us.

  As Paden slid the ring on my finger, I muttered my response. But even as Paden held me, I couldn’t shake the sight of that shadow.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Present Day

  I woke up feeling like I’d been run over by a Mack truck. My chest ached, my brain felt fuzzy, and swallowing was a challenge. I shuddered at the vision of Dan’s shadow over what should have been the happiest moment of Joanna’s life. She didn’t know what was to come, but I did.

  And to make matters worse, Alex showed up at my door elegantly dressed and sporting his classic you’re never going to believe this grin.

  “Can’t this wait? I feel like I’m dying, Alex. Just look at my face. Do you think I have measles?”

  “Are you taking that allergy medication I suggested?” I shook the unopened bottle at him and dropped it back in my robe pocket. He wasn’t going to let this go, I could see that. “This won’t take a minute. I just need your signature on this, and then I’ll disappear. Where’s the housekeeper?” Alex stepped inside, closed the door behind him and put the paperwork on the bar.

  “I can’t read much less sign anything responsibly. Aren’t you listening? I feel like I’m dying, and I don’t think this is allergy-related.” I plopped down on the barstool and laid my head on the bar. “I haven’t seen a housekeeper, but then again, I’ve practically been in a coma all day.”

  “That’s troubling. You’ve got a party coming up, and you don’t even have a housekeeper.”

  I lifted my head and reached for the paperwork. “It wasn’t my idea to have a party, Alex. You can’t saddle me with that responsibility. That was your big idea, so I don’t know what to tell you. What is this?”

  He leaned against the counter. “It’s only potentially the biggest deal you’ve ever landed.” He tugged the papers out of my hands and flashed a playful smile. Did he think I was going to beg to see what he brought me? I wasn’t feeling his flirtatiousness. I seriously wanted to crawl back in bed and die quietly. “Maybe I should wait until you’re in a better state of mind. Or mood.”

  “I’m certainly not in the right state of mind to sign a movie contract. And for the record, it has nothing to do with my mood. I’m sick, bonehead. I can’t even read a medicine bottle label. Speaking of which, can you open this? I can’t figure it out.” I slid the pill bottle toward him and took the paperwork back. As Alex opened the bottle, I flipped on the light and glanced at the papers.

  “It’s not a contract. We’re a ways from that yet, but this is a big deal. Here you go. Need some water?”

  “Yes, please. This can’t be right. This is a
rights query for my Joanna Storm book. I haven’t even settled on a title yet. Is this a mistake? Am I hallucinating?” I popped a pill in my mouth and sipped a swig of water.

  “Not hallucinating. They want the book, Megan. The Joanna Storm book.”

  I slapped my forehead and then stared at him. “They haven’t even seen the whole book yet. You aren’t pulling my leg, are you?”

  “What they have seen, they like. Call it timing. I mean, the world is about to hit the twenties again. That’s good for business and for your book. And yes, I have to argue that it is good writing. Very good. Just need the ending. Nobody believes you’re going to uncover the bones of the Golden Gamma, but at least put forth your theory. What do you think happened to her? Tell the readers your conclusion, and let’s get this book to the publisher ASAP.”

  I tried to glare at him through watery eyes, but I was sure that wasn’t coming through. “I’m writing as fast as I can. And the truth is I don’t know what happened to her, Alex. I thought they were interested in the sequel to The Robin’s Song.”

  “I thought so too, and they may still want The Robin’s Cry, but Joanna Storm is the clear favorite at the moment. You hit it out of the park, but we need an ending.”

  “The ending of the book is on the other side of that wall, Alex. If you want an ending, help me knock it down.”

  Alex tapped on the bar with his fingers and shook his head. “What do you think you’re going to find over there, Megan? Call me curious. Have you uncovered something in the research that you aren’t telling me? Is this a theory that you and your new friend share?”

  I wiped my forehead with the sleeve of my robe. Yeah, I was pretty sure I had a fever.

  “Give it a rest, Alex. Micah and Loretta are interested in the subject because Morgan’s Rock is of interest to them. Please, don’t be a jerk. And I’m not sure what’s on the other side of that wall, but I believe whatever it is will be significant. So significant that someone walled the place up and painted a protection spell on it.”

  Alex leaned across the bar, his face so close to mine.

  “You don’t know that’s a protection spell, but it does make for good fiction. Go on, tell me your theory.”

  At one time, I would have kissed him without guilt or reservation. But that was before. Before I fell in love with Paden.

  “You don’t want this cold or whatever this is, Alex. I wouldn’t get that close if I were you.” His easy-going smile vanished from his face. “And I don’t have a theory yet, but I’m knocking that wall down with or without you, when I get to feeling better.”

  “I’ll call the service to see what’s happened to the housekeeper. And if you’re still determined to demolish the house, I will help you—but after the party. Please, after the party. Promise me you’ll wait. If there is a dead body or some other macabre find on the other side, I don’t want it to be uncovered when all the biggest folks in Hollywood are here.”

  I squeezed his hand and agreed as I tried to stop my nose from running. How long would it take for this medicine to kick in? I said, “I think you’re missing one heck of an opportunity here, but okay. Now please go away so I can go back to bed.”

  “Alright. I’ll text you later when I have news about your help. Feel better.”

  “Thanks, Alex. I do appreciate all you do.”

  He tapped the bar one last time and left me alone in my kitchen. What a strange feeling. It was as if Alex took all the warmth with him. I shivered and tugged the robe closer to my body. Locking the door, I picked up the papers and considered going back to my room. I paused at the bottom of the stairs and waited, poised quietly on the bottom step. I could have sworn I heard music playing. Yes, I knew that tune. A hazy tune, A Little Bit of Heaven.

  Love is just a little bit of heaven

  Since I fell in love with you

  Love can make a home a little heaven

  Whenever two hearts are true

  “Joanna? Are you coming?”

  I heard footsteps on the landing above me. Upward they traveled.

  “Hello?” I called as I wavered on the bottom step. I really should lie down. Go lie down before you tumble up the stairs.

  I wasn’t listening to the responsible part of my brain. My heart tugged at me, and I grabbed the railing tightly as I slowly ascended the stairs. Somewhere along the way, I lost my paperwork…but it didn’t matter.

  Paden waited for me.

  Chapter Seventeen

  “Keep them closed. No peeking.” Paden chuckled in my ear. “I mean it. No peeking.” I stumbled forward and couldn’t help but laugh at my husband’s excitement.

  “Have you brought me a unicorn, Paden Kincaid? I’m going to fall if you’re not careful.” I put my hands on the blindfold; I was so tempted to snatch it off and steal a peek at whatever it was that he’d brought me. He was so excited about this gift, and that was contagious. Paden had been gone only two weeks this time, but it may as well have been two months. I’d been so lonely, so very lonely, but I hadn’t been alone. There were ghosts at Morgan’s Rock. Shadows that turned corners too quickly for me to catch them. But all that was behind me now. Paden was here, and I wasn’t alone anymore. And when the time was right, I was going to tell him he couldn’t leave me again. I was Joanna Storm, not the Old Lady in the Shoe. Surely he had enough love for me that he would agree. Yes, that’s what would have to happen. The next time Paden left Morgan’s Rock, I would leave it with him. He’d promised me after Danny and Vivian died that he would take me away.

  We’ll walk in the sunshine together, Joanna.

  But it hadn’t happened, and I was growing impatient with his excuses. Yes, that’s what they were. Excuses. I wasn’t so sick that I couldn’t travel. Not if we were discreet. Nobody would know anything at all if he stayed close to me.

  “Can I open them now? This is all too mysterious, Paden.”

  Suddenly he pulled off the blindfold and I blinked against the sunshine. A gray mare trotted toward me. Mr. Lee smiled broadly as he escorted the beautiful animal to us.

  “Magadan? That’s not possible!”

  Paden kissed my cheek and led me to the fence. “No, she’s not Magadan, but I think Magadan Two has a nice ring to it. Or Maggie.”

  “She’s so very like my Magadan. I can’t get over the similarities. What a wonderful animal! Thank you, Paden! And this is why you left?” I smiled as I walked through the gate and into the yard to meet my new friend. “I love the name Maggie. I think she’s gorgeous.”

  “Yes, that’s part of the reason. But that’s not the only surprise I have for you.”

  I laughed with delight. “You must be joking. More than this?”

  “So much more than this, darling. But don’t ask because I’m not going to tell you. You’ll have to wait until tonight. In the meantime, pet Maggie and I will see you in just a bit.”

  “Where are you going, Paden? Don’t you want to see me ride?”

  “I do, dearest, but I have to meet someone. Mr. Lee, make sure she doesn’t break her pretty head,” he said playfully. I wasn’t in the mood to laugh at such a joke, but I did in the interest of keeping the peace. I would make my demands later, and I wanted to be sure he was in a good mood.

  “You aren’t leaving home again, are you?”

  “No, Joanna. I’ll see you in the dining room. Enjoy Maggie. She’s only just arrived, though, so go easy on her.” He left me alone in the yard with Magadan Two. Mr. Lee lingered about, but I smiled at him.

  “I can assure you I feel fine, Mr. Lee. You can tend to your duties. I’ll just lead her around the yard a bit.” He smiled and tipped his hat, remarking on the animal’s beauty before he left. I thanked him for his kindness and took the reins. She was indeed a lovely creature. I patted her and brushed her velvet nose, but she didn’t know me, not yet, and she wasn’t as keen to fall in love with me as I was with her.

  “It’s okay, Maggie. I understand, but I can assure you I will be a good friend to you. You’ll just ha
ve to learn to trust me.” She snorted and tugged away from me, but I didn’t release the reins. I sighed and walked her to the stable. I worried that Paden would leave unexpectedly, that he would leave me here, and I refused to be left behind like his extra pair of shoes.

  “Mr. Lee, she’s all yours. I’ll come back to visit her this evening before dinner.”

  “Yes, miss. By the way, Miss Storm, I’ve been meaning to talk to you. Well, it might not be my place to say anything, but…”

  “Mr. Lee! Nobleman hasn’t gotten his lunch yet, and the fellow is getting impatient. What’s the matter, dearest? You didn’t want to take your new animal out for a ride?” Paden was there, his cheeks two patches of red as if he’d run back here.

  “Sorry, sir. Just tending to it now. Excuse me, miss.”

  “I thought you had something to do, Paden. Have you canceled your plans?” I smiled with some delight.

  “What did he say to you, Joanna?”

  “Mr. Lee? You haven’t answered me, Paden. And that’s what I wanted to talk to you about. I want you to make me a promise. Please, promise me that you won’t leave me again.” I clutched his hand and did my best not to cry. I had warned myself about this earlier. If I wanted to be believed, I needed to act rationally. I wouldn’t tell Paden about the dreams. I saw him in my dreams and he was warning me about something, but I couldn’t make out what he was saying…and then suddenly Vivian was there. She was strange in my dreams. Still the lovely Vivian that I knew, only paler and covered in red painted symbols. She showed me her arms freely now. No more hiding them under long sleeves and floor-length dresses. She was scarred, and she wanted me to see her scars.

  “Joanna, I plan to stay with you forever. We will never be parted again, dearest. That I promise you.”