Page 31 of An Unlikely Knight

The sight of it washed over her like balm. Memories stirred, a childhood spent racing across the sprawling lawns, climbing trees in spite of scraped knees, and sneaking into the kitchens for stolen sweets. Since her birth, she and her parents had lived there until the long commute to the city became too much, prompting them to settle in a smaller home in Edinburgh. But the estate had never stopped being a second home. Weekends had still been spent at Ashcraig Hall, their quarters kept just like they’d left them.

Now, only Aubrey lived here, but the house remained full of promise. Erin and Aubrey planned to share the home one day, raising their children together in the historical setting. The thought should have been comforting. Tonight, it only felt fragile.

“Can I sleep in your room?” Erin asked, her voice quieter than before. “I’m still a bit shaky.”

Aubrey didn’t hesitate. “I was going to suggest it if you didn’t. I don’t want to be alone either.” She pushed open the car door, the creak of the hinges sounding louder than usual.

Erin followed suit, stepping into the cool night air. She made sure to lock the car out of habit, though it was highly unlikely anyone would come all the way up a secluded private drive just to steal her ten-year-old vehicle.

And yet, as they walked toward the house, the sensation of being watched prickled along Erin’s spine.

Despite sharing the large bed with Aubrey, Erin couldn’t relax. Her restless tossing and turning kept her cousin from sleeping as well, earning a few annoyed sighs from the other side of the mattress. When Aubrey’s breathing finally settled into the soft, rhythmic pattern of sleep, Erin slipped from the bed, careful not to wake her, and padded toward the kitchen. A hot toddy—cinnamon tea with honey and a splash of whiskey—would do the trick.

She rarely took pills unless the pain was unbearable, but dousing tea with alcohol wasn’t exactly a wholesome alternative. Still, the warmth and effect of the drink sounded perfect.

Making her way down the dimly lit corridor, her ears strained for anything out of place. The old house, built of sturdy stone and brick, had its share of familiar sounds—the groan of aged wood, the occasional pop of settling beams, the whisper of tree branches scraping against the windows. Those who’d lived there had grown accustomed to the natural symphony of Ashcraig Hall. And yet, Erin was certain she’d recognize the moment something didn’t belong.

Her phone’s flashlight cast long, eerie shadows against the walls. Every few steps, she paused, holding her breath and listening. Each time, she felt foolish and continued forward, reminding herself there was nothing to fear.

The kitchen, spacious and steeped in history, welcomed her with its familiar comforts. Like many homes of its kind, a large picture window overlooked the back garden, and a glass-paned door led into the conservatory. In daylight, the view was lovely, rows of flourishing herbs, a tangle of roses climbing trellises, and beyond that, the wilder sprawl of the land. Even at night, Ashcraig Hall filled her with a sense of belonging. A future here wasn’t just possible—it was something she longed for.

As the kettle whistled, she prepared her tea, stirring in honey and a generous splash of whiskey before settling at the table. Her thoughts drifted back to the wizard’s warning. The memory of his voice sent a shiver coursing through her, the cold edge of his words lingering like a shadow in her mind. How far did his punishments truly go? The freed men spoke in hushed tones of horrors she had only caught fragments of. Were his threats real, or simply meant to terrify?

If only she could speak to Padriag. He would know. He could tell her whether Meliot’s warnings were mere intimidation or something far worse.

Determined not to forget a single detail, Erin pulled open a drawer, retrieving a pad of paper and a pen. She scrawled out the wizard’s words, careful to capture them precisely. Then, as the quiet house pressed in around her, she let her thoughts spill onto the next page—half-formed ideas, tangled fears, scattered possibilities.

By the time she glanced down, two pages were filled. Most of it was likely useless, but somewhere in the ink and frantic scribbles, she hoped to find the answers.

“Wow,” a male voice said.

Erin jumped and let out a yelp, the tea sloshing over the cup’s brim onto her hand, then splashing onto the tabletop. Thankfully it had cooled enough that it didn’t burn.

Padriag stood at the kitchen entrance, looking around with a frown. “Well this is unexpected.”

“How are you here? I don’t think I called for you,” Erin sputtered.

A bit disheveled, Padriag wore an unbelted tan colored tunic that hung to just above his knees. His silken red hair poked out in all directions, and he rubbed his eyes and yawned as if he’d been roused from a deep sleep.

His wide shoulders lifted and lowered. “I have no idea. Wait, is this a dream?” Walking closer to Erin, he pinched her arm.

“Ouch,” Erin rubbed the spot and glared at him. “You are supposed to pinch yourself.” In actuality, it had not hurt. Unsettled by his presence, she stood and reached for a kitchen towel to clean up the spilled tea, needing to do something to keep from doing something stupid like throwing herself into his arms and confessing how scared she was.

“Where are we?” Padriag asked through another wide yawn. “It’s a nice kitchen.”

“Ashcraig Hall, my family home,” Erin replied. “It is and has always been a beautiful home. Aubrey, my cousin, lives here at the moment.” She let out a breath. “I came here tonight because I was afraid to be alone.”

Immediately his countenance changed, and he moved closer. “Did something happen?”

Tears threatened and Erin blew out a breath. “Would you like something to eat? Drink?”

Padriag shook his head. “Not right now. Thank you. Tell me what occurred.”

Her legs felt shaky, Erin blinked away tears. “Its best we go to the other room. I need to sit down.”

Once in the adjoining room, she lowered to a sofa and Padriag joined her. “Tell me what happened.” He took her hand, and she was surprised how comforting it was.

“I went to a séance, Aubrey and I, we both went. Honestly, I didn’t expect anything to come from it. But something did.” Erin continued on, telling Padriag what happened at Evalyn’s house and exactly what the entity she assumed was Meliot had said through the woman.