The Witch Of Stonecliff. Dawn Brown

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СКАЧАТЬ she hesitated as if instinctively sensing something about him wasn’t on the up-and-up. The knots tangling his insides squeezed tighter.

      “You know what people say about me.”

      Oh he knew, all right. Probably better than anyone else. “I’ve heard the rumors.”

      He slid behind the wheel, not giving her a chance to argue further, and waited for her to get in.

      She slipped into the seat, closed the door behind her with a thunk and positioned herself as far from him as their tight quarters would allow. Hell, he’d have guessed he was the one rumored to kill people if he didn’t know better. Irritation prickled the hair at the back of his neck.

      He switched on the engine, shifted gears and started back down the drive toward the road. He glanced at Eleri stuck to the door, gripping the handle with one white-knuckled fist as though she were waiting to spring out of the moving car if need be.

      “Be careful, love. You press any harder and you might fall out.”

      Eleri scowled. “You ought to be worried about yourself.”

      “Me?” He lifted his hand from the gearshift to tug on his seatbelt. “I’m safe and secure.”

      “That’s not what I meant.” She shifted to face him. Her mouth stretched into a smile as hard as her glare. “Aren’t you worried about your safety? They pulled twelve bodies from The Devil’s Eye, and you’re alone in the car with the woman who put them there.”

      “Is that a confession?”

      “No,” she snapped. “That’s what everyone believes. You do realize you’re the ideal victim? A single male, late twenties to early thirties. No attachments. Just like the other men who vanished from this place. You might as well have ‘prey’ written across your forehead.”

      Cold settled in the pit of his stomach like an icy brick. Still, he kept that unconcerned smirk in place, his shoulders loose. At least, he hoped he did. “What makes you so sure I’ve no attachments?”

      Eleri snorted and turned away to look out the passenger window. “Why would anyone come here if they had somewhere else to be?”

      “I have attachments.” He shot her a brief glance before turning his attention to the winding drive through the windscreen and away from her scrutinizing stare.

      “Are you married?”

      “No, but I have family. Parents. Siblings. People who would look for me if I should up and vanish.”

      “Is that a warning? In case my murderous impulses overwhelm me?”

      Was it? Maybe. He glanced at her as the car approached the gateposts. This was only the third time he’d seen her, and only the second time up close. He tried to imagine the delicate features of her face pinched tight with effort and concentration. The slender fingers of one hand tangling in his hair, jerking his head back, while the other pressed a cold blade to his throat.

      A shudder rippled through him. She watched him, arms folded over her chest, a smug smile pulling at her mouth.

      She hadn’t been the one to wield the knife. He knew that for certain. So how did she fit into the murders?

      “Which way?” he asked.

      “Turn right. The same way you came.”

      He nodded and she stayed quiet as he steered down the narrow road, thick woods rising up on either side of them. Despite Eleri’s silence, Kyle could feel her gaze boring into him as she studied him, measured him. Cool sweat sprang to his skin, that all too familiar anxiety beginning to build.

      He tightened his hold on the steering wheel and concentrated on drawing deep, even breaths. Once the tension gripping him eased, he forced his stock nonchalant grin and glanced her way. “Am I that lovely to look at?”

      Those black eyes narrowed. “I beg your pardon.”

      “You’re staring. While I’m flattered, I—”

      “Don’t be,” she snapped. “If I told you the rumors were true, would you leave?”

      Eleri’s words sent a chill scuttling along his spine.

      “No.” Not until he knew for certain. Not until he could prove it. Not until she led him to the others.

      “Turn right.” She pointed to a nearly invisible break in the trees.

      He slammed his foot on the brake and cranked the wheel. The car’s back end fishtailed as he steered up the drive. Unlike the gravel-covered drive leading to the main house, this one was little more than two narrow ruts cutting through the trees.

      Once the spring and summer foliage took root, the pathway could very possibly disappear entirely. It would be swallowed up by the woods, leaving him trapped amongst the trees. The idea left him cold.

      The car emerged into a clearing. A dark stone building rose up before him. This house was older than Stonecliff, possibly by a good hundred years. He had no idea how modernized the place was inside; for all he knew he would have to dig a hole in the woods every time he needed to shit.

      He stopped the car, and before he could even cut the engine, Eleri had hopped out, slamming the passenger door behind her. He climbed out and followed her to the front door, where she waited for him to unlock it.

      Once he pushed open the door, Eleri moved passed him, her rubber boots thudding on the wood floor. She pressed a button on the wall, and the overhead light flared to life. Without a word, she crossed to the room to the right of the stairs and stood in the opening. He sauntered up behind her to what appeared to be the lounge, judging by the settee and chairs set up before the old stone hearth. No telly. Just as well. He had better things to do with his time.

      “Someone’s been in to make the house ready for you.” Eleri’s dark stare moved over the furniture. She folded her arms over her chest, lips pressed in a flat line, clearly irritated by her own observation. “I should go.”

      “You don’t have to. The least I can do after you graciously guided me here is offer you a brew.”

      “Not necessary.” She shifted around him and started for the door.

      Despite having his offer of tea shot down, Kyle wasn’t ready to give up. She was his best link to what had happened to him two years ago. His only link. She didn’t seem to recognize him. Did that mean she was as innocent as she claimed, or just a brilliant actress? He needed for them to be friends, for her to trust him so she would let her guard down and give him the answers he wanted. “Let me drive you back, at least.”

      “It’s faster for me to walk through the woods.”

      So much for that. He followed her outside as she hurried across the drive toward the edge of the trees.

      “I’ll see you tomorrow at dinner, then,” he called out.

      This time she stopped and faced him. “You’re making a mistake staying here, but if you refuse to leave, you should at least make every effort to avoid Stonecliff.”

      She СКАЧАТЬ