The Secret of Spellshadow Manor 4, Bella Forrest [books to read romance .TXT] 📗

as he saw a door ahead of him, slightly ajar. The only people he knew with keys were the guards, and the only guards he knew were Lintz and Demeter, but he couldn’t see them anywhere nearby. Taking a deep breath, he skirted the open door, his back pressed to the opposite wall, hoping he could get past it without something emerging from within.

Alex froze at the sound of whispered words. It sounded like his name.

Barely breathing, he listened more closely, wondering if the voice would speak again.

“Alex,” it whispered, undeniable this time.

He followed the sound, pushing gently on the wooden door. It swung open with a rusty creak, leading into a dimly lit room strewn with dust-sheeted furniture. Alex stepped in cautiously, realizing afterward what an idiotic thing that was to do in a place like this—just because somewhere looked safe, that didn’t mean it was.

Fortunately for him, the figure that greeted him was a familiar one.

“Alex Webber, as I live and breathe.” The shadows glinted with the flash of a grin Alex knew would be sardonic.

Elias unfurled from the darkness at the far side of the room, emerging from beneath the pale glow of a torch like a performer sliding into the spotlight. All he needed was a top hat and cane, though Alex wasn’t sure a hat would stay on top of his insubstantial head.

Slipping through the air, the shadow-man rose up to his full, wispy height, draping himself casually against the wall, though it seemed as if he was once again having trouble with the shadowed fronds of his being. Alex wondered if the barrier magic was playing havoc with Elias, as Alypia’s version had done at Stillwater. This time, he didn’t seem to be having issues holding his actual self together, but his whole shape appeared to crackle, fizzing and snapping in places. Even Elias himself seemed startled by it, jolting in surprise every time his body sparked. He was clearer, at least, than he had been at Stillwater, and looked more like his old self.

“I should have known it would be you. Creepy noise, creepy place, creepy shadows—guaranteed to be you,” Alex groaned.

Elias cackled deep in the back of his black throat. “Very good, Webber—you’re learning. Still not smart enough to avoid following said creepy whisper into an unknown room in the depths of a prison full of criminals… but alas, we must walk before we can run,” he teased, his face contorting into what Alex thought was meant to be a frown of displeasure. “Ugh! I’m starting to sound like that halfwit Demeter. If I start spouting half-formed proverbs, feel free to send me back from whence I came—I implore you. I’d rather die a thousand deaths than use fortune cookies as my sole source of inspiration.”

Alex hated to admit it, but seeing Elias brought him a sense of relief and more than a hint of amusement. What he hated even more was that he knew Elias could tell.

“How can you be here?” Alex asked, trying to erase the smile from his face.

“I am an exceptional creature. I can go anywhere I please,” Elias purred, elegantly brushing misty fingers through starry tendrils, where hair might be found on a physical being.

Alex sighed. It seemed they were back to mystery, though he was used to it by now.

“I think you missed me,” Alex taunted.

“You amuse me,” Elias said simply, turning his wispy wrists as if flicking away a buzzing insect. “You pass the time between here and eternity. I suspect I’ll grow bored of you one of these days.” Before Alex could retort, the shadow continued. “Speaking of amusing things—bravo on the exquisite mess you made of Alypia.” Elias grinned, the expression as eerie and unnatural as ever upon his shifting, ever-moving face.

The back-handed compliment made Alex uncomfortable. He could take no pleasure in what he had done to her, especially as it didn’t seem to be stopping her pursuit of him. All he could derive from the experience was an intensified fear of her volatile retribution. The fact that Elias was taking such delight in it made him all the more nervous. Nothing Elias found joyful was ever something to celebrate.

“I’m not sure it did me any favors,” Alex said.

Elias swooped closer, scrutinizing Alex. “If you’re worrying about that old hag coming after you, don’t just yet. Don’t get me wrong—she’s beyond peeved, and you should see the state of her face, but she’s still a way off from a full recovery. After the havoc you wrought upon her, who wouldn’t be?” he murmured, his galactic eyes glinting. “She’s a strong mage, but nobody is strong enough to fend off two savage beasties and come away unscathed. Well, nobody but me,” he boasted. “I could have taken them on, though I’m not sure I’d have expected such moxie from a kid like you.”

Alex wasn’t sure how the shadow-man managed it, but every word from Elias’s mouth managed to make him feel disgusted and comforted in equal measure.

“Well, you’re wrong, because she’s already trying to get to me. She’s tried to make a portal a few times,” Alex said grimly.

“Lintz and his precious creepy-crawlies will hold her a while, you mark my words.” Elias’s shifting features tightened in a twisted expression of glee. “Those golden creatures were intent on her demise, and they went to town, believe me—the memory of it still brightens my day. I doubt you’d recognize the old girl if you saw her. I’m sure she’ll make herself decent before she comes for you—she’s not one to head into battle without her mascara on. If somebody is trying to get through, they’re doing it on her behalf. Some of her cronies no doubt, trying to curry favor with the boss—first one through wins a prize! I’ve seen the old witch with my own two eyes, and she is going nowhere just yet.”

Alex still found it difficult to stomach the memory of the injuries he had inflicted on Alypia, and the recollection