Chapter 20
A shiver, like a cold hand, ran down my spine as my eyes lingered on the yellowed page. Tome of Fates. It was the same title my mum had wanted me to find. I shut the book, putting it aside. If last night was the creation of my imagination, then how could I have even known about this title existing?
The breath I took was almost frosty as I got off the bed. I pulled a warm, stretched out sweater over my head, and slipped into the hallway, ignoring the butler’s warning to not wander after dinner.
The old rug was squashy under my slippers as I made my way toward the library.
The corridors tangled around me from the pale light of the candle in my hand.
I reached the familiar wooden door, only to find it already open.
There was a distant light flickering through the crack, but as I stepped closer the room turned dark.
Just as last night. I gently pushed the door in but it still opened with a high creak.
Stepping inside, I raised the candle higher above my head, lighting the room with warmth.
Everything was static. There was no sound other than a grandfather clock’s low ticking from one of the close by hallways.
I hurried to the shelf where I’d seen the Tales of Thornhill book last night, hoping to find the Tome of Fates there as well.
I ran my fingers over the spines of the books, before I tiptoed up to see the ones on the higher shelves.
The hardwood floor creaked under my slippers, and I froze before releasing a nervous breath.
The manor was immense. Why was I so afraid of waking someone?
I squinted my eyes at the book titles and thought back to my cramped flat, where even a midnight bathroom break could wake the other up.
There was no sign of any Tome of Fates so far.
The floor creaked again, but this time the sound came from behind me. I spun around, the candle flame flickering out in my hand, plunging the room into pitch-black.