I suddenly remembered that Sylvia was still downstairs all by herself. I couldn’t believe I’d just left her there in my hurry to get away from Noah. What was wrong with me?
I looked around the attic, again feeling that sense of unease and dread. “Whose room was this?” I asked, my eyes going to the antique cot. “Did someone have a baby here?”
“Our great-grandmother used it as a nursery,” he replied. “She gave birth to all five of her children in that attic.”
“My God,” I whispered. My eyes returned to those scratches over the bed. Had Noah’s great-grandmother been in so much pain giving birth that she’d dug her nails into the walls? I shuddered. The thought almost put me off having kids for life. Then again, epidurals weren’t exactly readily available for home births, especially in those days. I whispered my next question before I even had time to fully comprehend it. “Did all the babies survive?”
“Only three of them as far as I know,” Noah said.
Well, that explained the negative energy in the room. “That’s awful,” I said quietly, taking in the space once more.
“It was common in those days.” His voice was equally quiet.
A long silence fell before I spoke again. “Swear you didn’t push Sylvia.”
“I swear it,” he replied fervently and without hesitation. “Come down and ask her what happened yourself.”
I guess I could do that. Feeling embarrassed by my overreaction, I turned the handle and opened the door. Noah stood on the other side, his eyes a little wild. I paused to study him a moment. Something wasn’t quite right, but maybe he was just out of sorts from the struggle and chasing me up here.
I stepped out, my arm brushing his as I moved past him. We eyed each other warily, but neither of us spoke.
A wry smile tugged at his lips. “I can’t believe you bit me.”
“You wouldn’t let me go. I didn’t have a choice.”
His eyes blazed. “What a violent delight you are.”
I rubbed my arm and lowered my gaze. “I’m sorry I overreacted.”
“It’s okay,” he said, a smirk in his voice. “I kind of liked it.”
My eyes flicked up, widening at his statement. He tilted his head, eyelids lowered as he reached out to stroke my cheek. I stepped away from his touch and made my way downstairs. I wasn’t in the right frame of mind for him to be touching me like that.
I sensed him close behind when I entered the living room. Sylvia was back in her wheelchair. Noah must’ve come back down to pick her up before coming and talking me out of that creepy attic bedroom. I was sure it was once a bright and airy nursery, but now it was a morbid, mould infested hovel, and I promised myself I’d never step foot in it again so long as I lived here.
I strongly believed all buildings absorbed the energy of the events that took place in them, and that attic had absorbed some seriously messed up vibes. No. Doubt.
I went to Sylvia, kneeling down in front of her and taking her small, frail hands into mine. I loved the feel of her hands, they were always so soft, like angel’s wings.
I met her green eyes, my voice gentle as I asked, “Sylvia, did you fall out of your chair on your own?”
She stared at me, some kind of pain in her expression, as her gaze briefly went to Noah who was standing directly behind me. I felt his presence like it was scoring itself into my back. I didn’t like the flicker of uncertainty before she looked back to me, her voice small when she answered, “Yes.”
I breathed fast, my face hardening. Something about her reply seemed off, and the way Noah was hovering behind me, like a silent threat, made my stomach twist. Was she lying for him? Or was I being overly suspicious? That freaky attic room had messed with my head. I still couldn’t shake the bad feeling it gave me and the lingering unease.
“Okay, well, can I get you anything? A cup of tea, maybe?”
“No, thank you, l-love. Irene will be over soon to put me to bed.” Her voice was so small, barely a whisper.
I rose to stand and gave her shoulder a squeeze before turning and walking by Noah. My head was scrambled, and I really didn’t know what to think. I went into the kitchen and saw through the window it was raining. I cursed under my breath. After what just happened I was of half a mind to go and stay at Aoife’s. I didn’t want to sleep here tonight. For some reason I just didn’t feel safe.
I saw myself in the glass, my face drawn into an intense expression. Then, over my shoulder Noah appeared, and I jolted.