Page 14 of Chillingham Castle

“I wouldn’t mind starting in the chapel,” Jack said.

“Fine, we’ll take the corridors,” I agreed and carried on with my breakfast.

The swish of skirts was obvious; what wasn’t was the direction it was coming from. There was a slight tap of shoes walking, but I couldn’t pinpoint from where. A few minutes ago, a cold chill had settled over the corridor we were in, and we’d all smelt roses. Those were the preludes to Lady Mary’s appearance.

Eyes peeled, my team and I waited and were rewarded by hearing the rustle of a dress.

“Lady Mary, we’re so sorry for your grief,” I said quietly and respectfully.

“No grief,” my Ovilus spat a few moments later.

I looked down, confused.

The sounds stopped, and I didn’t know if she’d left.

“Lady Mary, the story is you’re searching for your husband,” I replied.

“No.” Somehow the single word sounded amused.

“You’re not?” I confirmed.

“No.”

We swapped glances; this was a puzzle, and now we’d been told.

“Why are you here?” I asked.

“Home.”

I paused. “You’re still here because this is your home?”

“Indeed.”

“We’re sorry for what Ford did,” I said.

“Betrayal.”

“Would you like to pass over?” I inquired. “We can help you rest.”

“Certainly. Not.” Now the Ovilus sounded indignant. I couldn’t resist a smile.

“Lady Mary. Are you aware of this new evil that has appeared?” I queried.

The chill grew even colder, and we could see our breath in puffs of air. I’d triggered something. Shit.

“Death. Stalks. Chillingham.”

“Chillingham is not in the directory of words,” Gizmo exclaimed over the radio.

“What can we do to beat it?” I inquired.

The Ovilus growled. That sound was not programmed into it. “That’s not Lady Mary,” I murmured.

“Death.”

“Here we go again,” Lich quipped.

“Damnit, where is it?” I asked, my head on a swivel.