Total pages in book: 51
Estimated words: 47359 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 237(@200wpm)___ 189(@250wpm)___ 158(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 47359 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 237(@200wpm)___ 189(@250wpm)___ 158(@300wpm)
“You’re an angel, thanks so much. Now can I get you anything before bed?”
“No thanks, I’m fine. Goodnight, Martha,” Lara said and headed upstairs to her room. Her mind was racing with ways to carry out her plan that had suddenly struck her out of the blue. If she called Michael Valaine and asked to see him, he could refuse, but if she simply showed up at his door, how could he turn her away? She would explain that she wouldn’t take much of his time, a few questions that’s all and maybe she could even get a quick look at some of his unique books on vampires.
She hurried into flannel bottoms and a thermal top and was about to hop into bed when she was struck with the urge to look out the window that faced Main Street. She tried to stop herself, but the impulse was too strong to resist. Was it that she wanted to see if the shadow still lurked there?
Lara turned away from the window before she reached it. “You’re being silly,” she scolded herself. Then suddenly, as if an unseen force took hold of her, she rushed to the window and pushed the curtain aside.
The distorted shadow stood in the middle of the street, and she swore that it was looking up at her window—at her. As much as she wanted to, she couldn’t look away, couldn’t move, and then in the blink of an eye it vanished.
As soon as movement returned to her limbs, she ran to the bed, jumped in, and pulled the covers up to her chin. Whatever was the matter with her? She had never been frightened that easily even as a child. Her curiosity had always proven stronger than her fears.
Why did the shadow frighten her?
Nonsense, this was all nonsense. Besides, tomorrow she would be done with the Village of Mull and on her way home. The shadow could find someone else to stalk.
Lara yawned, turned on her side, and closed her eyes, but she didn’t turn out the light.
CHAPTER 2
Lara stood staring at the house and smiled. If she didn’t know any better, she would think that she had been swept away to the British countryside to a stately manor home. She had to admit it was stunning especially with the wooded hills framed behind it, though its gothic veneer did make one pause before approaching it.
She had been at Molly’s Place, a quaint little eatery whose omelets were to-die-for, by nine and had asked around for a ride to Valaine’s home. Molly, who wore a perpetual smile that was contagious, had expressed how it must be serendipity since her husband Joe was headed that way and could drop her off.
So here she was on Michael Alexandru Valaine’s doorstep at ten o’clock in the morning with the hope that he wouldn’t turn her away. Having to be back in the village by twelve gave her about two hours, at the most, to interview him and with a bit of luck and get a look at his vampire book collection.
Lara no soon as knocked on the door than it opened. A stocky, elderly woman in a brown wool coat stepped out, yanking her hood up and over her short, white curly hair.
“Go on in, he’s expecting you, not that he’s happy about it. Can’t say I blame him. You can thank Molly for Mr. Valine agreeing to see you. She called ahead, which is what you should have done, and she explained that you were a nice young woman who needed only a moment of his time. So, make sure it’s only a moment you take. He’s in the library, up the steps to your right, the door on the left.” The elderly woman shook her finger at Lara. “Then make sure you’re gone before the snowstorm hits.” With that she yanked her gloves from her coat pocket, slipped them on, and walked down the path.
Like she would want to be stuck here, Lara shivered at the thought. She turned to the large oak door that stood ajar and with steps born of let’s-get-this-over-with more than confidence stepped into the house.
The large foyer captured the eye with its highly polished wood and numerous framed, painted landscapes. She turned to close the door, but it had already clicked shut. She left her suitcase near the front door and hurriedly followed the elderly woman’s directions and took the few steps to her right to find herself in a narrow hallway with two doors...one to the right and one to her left.
The one to her left stood ajar and she knocked on it as she eased it open and called out, “Mr. Valaine? Lara Bennett here. I’ll only take a moment of your time.” She pushed the door open further and stepped inside. It was a magnificent room, walls of bookcases and every shelf overflowing with books. A fire burned brightly in the fireplace and overstuffed chairs urged you to grab a book and have a seat. Lights on the various side tables created ample lighting, though shadows lingered in corners—and one moved.