What happens if I fall? Will I land on the wrong side?
Chapter Thirty-Two
Arnold stops the car at the wrought-iron security gate of Jude’s Lake Forest home. It’s dark and foreboding, like something from a scary movie. I swallow past the lump in my throat as I sink down in my seat.
“Are you okay?” Arnold asks, casting an uneasy glance at the dark gray mansion.
I hesitate, not wanting to leave the safety of his maroon Chevy.
“I appreciate the ride, Arnold.” When I asked him for the favor of a ride, he agreed immediately, no questions. “I wish you’d let me give you money for gas. You’re already spending your day off driving me around.”
“I’m happy to help. Not only do you make sure I always get lunch and dinner when you work, but you bake me cookies, too. Since Louise died, I haven’t had anyone look after me like that.” He reaches over and pats my hand. “Now I get to return the favor.”
No more stalling.
“I guess I’ll head inside now.” I look at the towering gate again and my mouth goes bone dry.
“I can wait right here for you. I brought the newspaper.” His gaze flits from the creepy mansion to me, his tone hopeful.
“No. It’s going to be a while.”
“I don’t mind,” he says quickly.
“That’s okay. I’ll text you when I’m ready.”
Arnold nods unhappily. “Good luck.”
“Thanks,” I reply as I climb from the car. I hide my fear from Arnold. I’ve gone over this in my head a hundred times. I still haven’t figured out what to say to Jude to save Ethan and Brandi, let alone how I’m going to get away from him to search his house for Lola.
I take a deep breath. I can do this. I gape at the massive gray rectangular structure through the metal bars. It isn’t glitzy. It looks super old, but sturdy. Large pillars stand on both sides of the front door. A series of three huge, arched windows line the second floor. The front of the house juts out further than the rest. In history class last year, we studied castles from various periods. I think Jude’s mansion would classify as Renaissance style.
I scan the yard and see dozens of enormous trees. They seem eerie, with their huge, knotted limbs. They look like giant ogres frozen in place.
To my left is a metal box on a steel pole. I press the single large, red button and hear a strange whirring sound overhead. A security camera moves from right to left, stopping as it fixes its lens on me. I wave at the camera awkwardly. The gates creak open slowly, like a huge mouth about to swallow me up.
I order my feet forward, but they don’t want to go.
I think of Ethan and Brandi. I think of Lola.
The driveway runs as long as the street I live on, probably longer. I’m scared to meet Jude on his turf. There won’t be anyone in the next room to intervene or to let Persephone know if Jude does something to me. Jude tortured Dylan with hideous visions. He inflicted a bloody gash on Marcus’ arm. What else is he capable of?
I want to believe that Jude won’t hurt me. I’m his daughter. His only child.
I cross the entrance and the gates slam shut behind me. I suppress a shudder and focus on putting one foot in front of the other.
I continue along the driveway stiffly, hugging my arms across my chest. The tall, gnarly trees lining the driveway blot out the sun and the air is unnaturally cool.
Something screeches above me. My head jerks skyward. One screech becomes a chorus. What is that?
My feet move faster as I search the trees. That’s when I see the small black shapes in the branches. Crows. Dozens. No, hundreds. My blood turns to ice—they’re all staring at me with their beady- red eyes.
I swallow a cry, tucking my head, and my walk turns into a jog. I risk a peek over my shoulder. They’re still watching, but none of them pursue me.
I’m about to go up the steps toward the front door when three brown streaks come tearing around the side of the mansion.
I stop cold. Three Rottweilers block my path, growling, their eyes fixed on me. Oh crap…oh crap…oh crap! They’re twice the size of any Rottweiler I’ve ever seen. Like the crows, I suspect these are Jude’s special hybrids.
Should I run? Stand my ground? Wait for Jude to call them off? He knew I was coming, why would he send his dogs after me?
A female voice somewhere nearby utters a sharp command in a language I don’t recognize. The dogs sit down, whining as they look around. I let out a huge breath and press my palm against my heart, willing it to slow down.
The most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen stands in the open doorway. Her jet-black hair, straight and shiny, runs the length of her back. Her green eyes—almond shaped and lined with impossibly long lashes—are stunning. Her form fitting black skirt, emerald green blouse and sleek black leather boots look like they’re straight out of a fashion magazine. I hadn’t thought about who else might live with Jude and I feel like an idiot for not considering it before. He could have a whole houseful of servants for all I know. This lady didn’t look like a servant, though. Maybe she’s Jude’s wife.
“You must be Lucy.” She smiles seductively. “I’m Darcy. Please come in. I will let Jude know you are here.”
“Thanks.” I follow her into the house. She sounds like a James Bond villain. Is she Eastern European? Russian?
The foyer echoes with the click of Darcy’s high-heeled boots on the hardwood floor. It takes a moment for my eyes to adjust to the dim lighting of the foyer. That’s when I notice all the windows are covered with heavy drapes. I suddenly feel claustrophobic.
Darcy leads me down a hall and knocks on a pair of large carved wooden doors. The lightening is too dim to make out the design. She pushes them open without waiting for a response. I take a deep breath. What if I screw this up? What if I make things worse for Ethan and Brandi? Or if Jude asks for something that I can’t give him?
I step inside.
He’s on the phone, a wireless device attached to his ear, and he holds up a finger.
“Joseph, it’s not my problem your deal is falling apart,” he says calmly. “You can’t come to me and expect funding in forty-eight hours.”
Jude’s office isn’t much brighter than his foyer. The décor—modern with sleek black wood and granite surfaces—is stylish, but cold. A single lamp illuminates his workspace but leaves his face in shadow. Jude scans the laptop on his desk, which is clutter-free. His high-back leather chair creaks as he shifts his weight. Two black leather chairs sit opposite his desk.
“Joseph, don’t beg. It’s unbecoming.” I hear the edge in Jude’s voice. “My appointment has arrived. I will call you later to discuss terms.” Without saying goodbye, Jude hits a button on the phone, disconnecting the call. He turns his attention to me. I’ve suddenly lost the ability to speak.
“Darcy, why don’t you get Lucy something to drink?” His eyes never leave my face. “Do you still like those iced tea and lemonade concoctions?”
“How did you know that?”
Jude just chuckles.
Darcy’s heels click their way out of the room and I sit tentatively on the edge of one of the leather chairs. “I want you to stop spying on me.”
“Another demand, so soon?” He smiles, and his voice bounces off the office walls. I feel the blood drain from my face.
“Yes.” I scoot back in my chair, trying to look relaxed. “Stop sending your crows to spy on me. One of them splattered all over the windshield of Marcus’ car. You go to great lengths to protect your privacy. A scene at my school in front of one of my friends isn’t very discreet.”
Jude leans forward, planting his palms on his desk. His black eyes turn into slits. “That’s not possible.”
“The crow had red eyes.” I roll my eyes. “If you want me to trust you, you have to respect my privacy. No spying.”
As Jude mulls this over, I study his office. Next to the black table that serves as his desk is a cabinet holding the largest television I’ve ever seen. It displays si
x separate security screens at once: the front gate, the porch, two other outside locations, the foyer and some other inside location. If he saw me coming, why didn’t he send Darcy out to meet me? Or have her call the dogs off before I got to the porch? Was that a test to see how brave I am?
Darcy brings a glass of lemonade-tea, flashing me another smile as she leaves. Neither of them wears a wedding band. “Is she your girlfriend or your secretary?”
“Darcy wears many hats, but girlfriend is not one of them.” I pick up my drink and down half the glass.
Jude nods at my glass as he rises from his chair. “You used to enjoy them with your grandmother during your summers together. Isn’t that right?” He walks over to a liquor cabinet built into the wall. After dropping two ice cubes into his glass, he adds amber colored liquid from a decorative glass container.
I ignore his question, annoyed and creeped out that he knows so much about me. “What’s that?”
“Bourbon.” He swirls it in his glass. “Would you like to try it?”
“No thanks.” Another test? Is he checking to see if I’m a drunk like Momma.
Or maybe he just thinks he’s funny.
He returns to his seat behind the desk. “You wanted to meet with me. What can I do for you?”
I rub my clammy hands on my jeans. How should I start? My mind is a total blank—as far as I can tell, he’s not hypnotizing me. I’m just afraid.
Stalling, I take a sip from my glass.
I picture Ethan and Brandi. And Lola.
“I want to thank you for making Dylan well.” Never mind that you made him sick in the first place. “I appreciate that.”
Jude takes a drink from his glass and sets it down with such force that I jump. He arches his eyebrows, impatient for me to get on with it. What happened to the look of love and awe he wore during our last two visits?
I take a deep breath and continue. “But…”
My words stick in my throat. After taking another sip of my drink, I rise from my chair, needing to escape the pressure of his dark stare. Jude doesn’t need to hypnotize me to influence me. Just his presence is enough to paralyze me.
I stroll over to the tall bookcases and run my fingers along the leather bindings of his books. On this side of the room, I can breathe.
Please leave Ethan and Brandi alone. Why is it so hard to get the words out?
I glance over my shoulder and ask, “Have you read them all?”
He steeples his fingers. “Most of them.”
I turn back to the books and exhale. I think better when there’s some space between us.
“So tell me, Lucy.” His voice is near my ear. I gasp and spin around to face him. I never heard him move from his desk. “Why did you come today? Are you here as my daughter? Or as an errand girl for Pierce Douglas?”
My heart thunders in my chest. “I have your blood running through my veins, but I don’t know anything about you.”
“What do you want to know, Lucy?”
I shiver at the sound of my name. He draws it out like a hiss.
“How did you do it? The deal with Pierce Douglas. You made him rich.” My mouth is dry again, but I’m too far from my drink. It would probably fall out of my shaking hands anyway.
A small smile plays on his lips as he arches one eyebrow. “Do you want to know what you’re capable of?”
“We already talked about my powers.”
He laughs and the darkness is gone. He’s handsome when he smiles. In that moment, I understand how Momma could have fallen for him.
“You’ve only scratched the surface!” He walks past me and out the office door.
Marcus’ voice fills my head: Get in, ask your favor and get out.
“I came to talk about Ethan and Brandi Douglas,” I call after him.
“You’ll need to earn that conversation.”
Exactly what I was afraid of.
I follow Jude down the hall and up a dark, winding staircase. I run my hand along the walls to keep from stumbling. Is there any chance he means Gram’s powers? Maybe he’s taking me to Lola? “Where are we going?”
“To the roof. It’s the safest place for a demonstration.”
The roof? Suddenly, my legs give out and I stumble on the stairs. I can’t go onto the roof. Marcus isn’t here to save me if something goes wrong. I can’t do this. I’m not ready for whatever Jude has in store for me.
“Are you always this clumsy?” Jude asks, pulling me to my feet and up the stairs.
By the time we make it up two more flights of stairs and Jude opens the door to the roof, I’m out of breath.
It’s bright outside and it takes several blinks for my eyes to adjust. I let the sunlight wash over me, relieved to be out of the darkness. Jude proceeds to the roof ledge, which reaches his thighs and is made from the same dark gray brick as the rest of the exterior. I stay back, near the door we just came through.
Jude won’t hurt me. I’m his daughter, his only child.
He gestures for me to join him. I take several cautious steps forward. Then a few more. He smiles, taking my hand and pulling me to the ledge. The jolt is immediate. I try to yank my hand away, but his grip is too strong.
“I really hate that! With all of your powers, can’t you make that stop?”
He grins wickedly. “I rather like it. It’s like a hug and a kiss from my favorite person in the world.”
I shut up, knowing I would never be willing to greet him with the real thing.
We approach the ledge and my stomach lurches when I see how high we are. Being on his roof is far scarier than the roof at home. My entire body starts to tremble.
“You must conquer your fear, Lucy,” he says. “Once you realize how powerful you are, you’ll never be afraid of anything again.”
“That’s true, if only I had both your powers and the powers I’m supposed to inherit from my grandmother.” Will he take the bait and bring me to Lola?
Instead, he leans in close, a gleam in his eye. “Watch this.”
He steps onto the ledge and then casually hops off, disappearing from view.
I cry out in alarm and peer over the ledge. I expect to see his body twisted and broken on the ground below. But there he is, standing squarely on his feet, hands on his hips, staring up at me. I struggle to catch my breath. I watch in amazement as he puts his hands on the brick and scurries back up, just like Spiderman. That’s impossible. A dark, queasy feeling swirls in my stomach.
Seconds later, Jude jumps over the ledge, smacks imaginary dust from his hands and smiles. “Your turn.”
“Uh….no, I don’t think so.” I feel dizzy and reach out to grab the short brick wall to steady myself.
Jude holds out his hand. “You have nothing to fear.”
“I only have half your genes. I could die.”
“Only one way to find out.” He grins, his eyes bright with adrenaline or whatever else runs through his veins. “Now…jump or I’ll throw you over.”
My legs threaten to give out.
“Lucy, you’re going to be fine!” He laughs heartily. “People with far less power than you have done this without breaking so much as a fingernail.”
When he throws his head back like that…and laughs…for that moment, there is nothing evil or scary about him. “Really?”
The laughter is gone and he grows serious. “You’re my daughter, Lucy. I would never allow harm to come to you. Would it make you feel better if we did it together?”
Strangely, this offer does make me feel better.
He extends his hand again. The tightness returns to my chest. What if he lets go? I’ll break lots of bones, including my neck.
I glance over my shoulder at the door. Jude will never let me leave. I have to do this or forget about freeing Ethan and Brandi from whatever he has in store for them. Or is this to pay my debt for Dylan?
I place my hand in his, feeling the familiar energy surge between us.
He pulls me onto the ledge. The wind pushes
against my body. My stomach rolls and a sour taste fills my mouth. I close my eyes against the dread, knowing what it feels like to fall.
“Lucy, focus on landing on your feet.” His voice is loud as he instructs me. “Don’t lock your knees. Land softly.”
“Land softly,” I echo. I tighten my grip on his hand.
“Are you ready to experience the greatest rush of your life?”
I open my eyes and look at him, at the crazy smile on his face. Does my terror excite him?
Without waiting for my response, he steps off the ledge and yanks me with him. My heartbeat is sluggish. I feel an unfamiliar tingling in my chest. Am I having a heart attack? I scream my head off all the way down. This is it. Sixteen-year-old girl with gorgeous boyfriend dies after evil father convinces her to step off a four-story mansion, every bone in her body broken on impact. Gorgeous boyfriend is quoted as saying: Yeah, she was crazy. Just like her mother. I knew it all along.
I forget about not locking my knees and landing softly. It doesn’t matter though, because seconds before we hit the ground, Jude lets go and I tumble onto the grass. Coming up on all fours, it takes a moment to catch my breath. Slowly I rise to my feet and take an inventory of my body.
I’m not hurt. The words replay over and over through my head. I check again. Arms, legs, feet, knees, back, head. Fine. I’m fine. Better than fine actually. I thought for sure I was having a heart attack. My cheeks flush hot. I throw my head back and laugh.
“How was it?”
I whirl around to face him. “Let’s do it again.”
“First you have to climb back up.”
He shows me where to place my fingers between the bricks. Then without any effort at all, he climbs upward, his feet doing some of the work. He really does look like Spiderman. I stare from the ground, my mouth open. I have zero upper body strength.
Jude leaps off the roof again and lands with a soft thud beside me. He places his fingers on the brick and nods for me to do the same.
I learn pretty quickly that he isn’t going to baby me. I can huff and puff and whine all I want. He just tells me to try again. And again. And again. It takes a couple dozen tries before I can mimic the way he grips the brick. Climbing has more to do with quick movements than strength. My lack of confidence makes me hesitate, and I drop to the ground after making it several feet up.
The Girl and The Raven Page 20
