The Bet

“But you didn’t show me which way to go,” Estelle protested weakly. “I didn’t know how.”

“They showed you how,” the woman challenged.

“They chased me,” she argued.

“As you should be chased when you stray so close to people who try to summon the Devil. You are not a bad one, but you ventured too close,” the woman warned.

Estelle didn’t doubt it. Given what had transpired today she now knew that Myles had been her saviour that night in more ways than one. Her gaze met the old woman’s for several moments. She tried to think of something to say but her mind wouldn’t work properly. Strangely, staring into those wise depths of azure brought Estelle calmness and clarity. She knew, somehow, that everything was going to be alright. Just as long as she stayed calm and didn’t make any rash movements, everything would be alright.

“Get out of the house you old bag,” Eva snapped.

Estelle glared at the scornful woman beside her, even though she was not really in any position to anger her.

“She has as much right to be here as you do,” Estelle challenged.

Without thinking about what she was doing she yanked Eva’s arm away from her, twisted around and took several steps into the centre of the hall, away from the ruthless tip of Eva’s blade.

Eva’s gaze widened when she realised what she had done. She whirled on the old woman who began to move steadily toward her. Eva’s gaze fell to something the old woman carried. Her eyes widened. She looked at the woman in panic. Without a word, she whirled around and raced for the front door.

“Don’t,” Estelle shouted.

“Let her go,” the old woman ordered as she raced past her.

“Estelle!” Myles cried from the doorway. He caught a brief glimpse of her skirts as she raced past the door, and redoubled his efforts to subdue Vernon. Estelle needed his help. With all of the strength he could muster he placed one hand on Vernon’s neck and pushed hard. Drawing his clenched fist high, he landed a punch on Vernon’s jaw, and watched the man fall instantly to the floor.

He pushed to his feet, and threw his father a warning look. “Tie him up. I don’t want him getting free again.”

Leaving his father and Isaac to deal with the killer, Myles raced out of the house after Estelle. Strangely, there was no sign of the old woman. That didn’t matter, though. It was more important to catch the woman now chasing after danger.

When he got outside he paused and scoured the gardens at the front of the house. His gaze fell on Estelle, racing steadily toward the moat, and Eva, only a few feet in front of her. With a virulent curse, he set off after them.

Eva slammed to a halt when her toes reached the raging water’s edge.

Estelle slowed down, and walked the last few steps slowly until she came to a stop a few feet away from her.

“There is nowhere you can go,” Estelle murmured. She had no idea what she was going to do now, but wasn’t prepared to allow Eva to go

anywhere except back inside for Myles and Barnabas to deal with. “Not even the Devil can help you now.”

“Stay where you are, Eva,” Myles ordered, his gun levelled on the older woman. “Move away from the edge. There is no place for you to go now.”

Estelle stepped closer to Myles. She looked at him standing so tall and proud with his pistol unwaveringly trained on the killer. She knew then that she was in love with him. It was the only term she could use to describe the warmth that settled deep within her, or the strength she gained from being in his presence. Just looking at him filled her with a quiet pride and joyous wonder that made her want to smile and hold him close. To not have him in her life was to not be complete.

Whatever the future held for her, for him, for them both, she knew she had to keep him a part of her life – somehow. She just didn’t know how yet but everything would work out alright – she was sure of it.

“I am not going to prison,” Eva scoffed. “You are insane.”

“No, you are insane, for worshipping something dark and insidious as the Devil. It has turned your mind and stolen your life just as much as being imprisoned will. Nobody has the right to steal anybody’s life at will, or help themselves to someone’s benevolence whilst plotting dire things against them. It is not for you or anybody to decide who should live or die. This has to end. You are dabbling in the Dark Arts for God’s sake.” Myles made no attempt to hide just how ridiculously stupid he considered her behaviour to be, and wasn’t surprised when her eyes flashed angrily at him.

“You can go to Satan.”

Myles stared at the old woman who appeared several feet beside them. She didn’t even look at him or Estelle. Instead, she addressed Eva.

“He is waiting for you,” the woman continued. “You have stolen too many souls to remain on this earth unhindered. I am afraid he has called you home.”

Eva stared at the old woman blankly. The belligerence she had previously shown them all suddenly vanished. In its place was a terror unlike anything Estelle or Myles had ever seen. Myles stepped protectively closer to Estelle, and watched the old woman swing a small, black pouch from side to side as she moved toward Eva.

“Get away from me with that,” Eva protested, glancing around her desperately in search of a way out of her predicament.