Forevermore Read Free

tell if someone is standing there. I squint, trying to see through the fading light and thick mist. But I see nothing.
    I feel something, though. As if eyes are on me, watching my every move.
    The feeling doesn’t go away once I’m inside the castle. Is someone behind me? I freeze, still as death, and glance over my shoulder. Nothing. Slowly, I exhale. I’m probably just letting my imagination run crazy.
    Stone walls and black wooden rafters make up the enormous great hall. There are three circular chandeliers made of old deer antlers, and a fireplace large enough to walk into. Brass sconces light the hall with a blushed amber glow. At the far end is a large staircase, with one of those menacing gargoyles perched on top of the bannister. There are some other curiosities I’ll have to explore later, things I’ll want to see up close, like the tall, dusty suit of armor in the corner.
    Very different from the small two-bedroom carriage-house apartment Mom and I shared in Charleston. I glance around and swallow a lump of apprehension.
    Like it or not, this is home sweet home.
    Niall turns to me. “Ivy, your chamber is on the thirdfloor, last door on the right. You’ve the place to yourself up there, and it’s equipped with Wi-Fi.” He tells Mom, “Our chamber is on the second floor, love. Grandmother’s is on the first.”
    At least I’m far from her.
    Mom beams at me. “Isn’t this great, Ivy? I already love it, don’t you?”
    I give Mom a smile, although it feels about as fake as Elizabeth’s looked. “Sure, Mom,” I say. I don’t tell her that my stomach is full of rabid butterflies. Or that I wish Niall would at least show me to my room. I guess he figures I’m mature and can handle it myself. And I can. I will.
    Mom waves. “I’ll see you in a bit.” Then Niall whisks her off to show her the kitchen and introduce her to the staff.
    I sigh, sling my violin case higher, and start up the stairs. On my way, I get a good look at the ghoulish gargoyle. Its face, fanged and misshapen, stares right at me.
    The higher I climb, the darker and colder it becomes, and by the time I reach the third floor, only the scant yellowish light from the wall sconces shines a path across the hardwood hall. A faded rug stretches the length of thecorridor. Against the wall halfway to my room sits a lone straight-backed wooden chair. The silence unnerves me.
    At the last door on the right, I stop, turn the brass handle, and throw open the heavy oak.
    My new room.
    I walk in and gape at a space that’s easily as large as our old apartment. My bags have already been brought up and placed neatly against the wall. A mahogany armoire stands in the far corner, and a small writing desk and lamp sit beside the bed. At the foot of the bed is a medieval-looking wooden chest, covered in etchings and bands of iron.
    I walk over to the massive bed. The mattress comes up to my waist, and the four mahogany posts nearly reach the ceiling. A gray plaid curtain made of wool hangs on a wooden rod that circles the bed. I can close myself in when I sleep if I want.
    I guess it’s nice to have the privacy, alone on the third floor. But then my imagination runs wild again. Someone could slip in at any time and kidnap me. Murder me in my sleep. And no one would even hear me if I screamed….
    I try to shake off these thoughts. I walk over to the big picture window beside the fireplace. The same scratchy-looking gray plaid wool not only covers the window seatbut is also used for drapes. I push the curtains aside and peer out.
    The shadowy cliffs completely drop off into the sea, eerily beautiful. An entire panorama of the west side of Glenmorrag’s grounds can be seen. At the farthest corner, I make out what looks to be a stone ruin, right on the property. Intriguing.
    “ ’Tis the old rectory. A fine, cavernous grotto to explore,” a clipped, proper voice says, making me jump.
    I spin around to see an old man in a pressed gray suit standing in my