Fatal Flowers by V. J. Banis

Author:V. J. Banis
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: gothic romance, horror novels, suspense novels, dark fantasy novels
ISBN: 9781434448316
Publisher: Wildside Press LLC
Published: 2012-08-26T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER ELEVEN

The moment I opened my eyes I felt a cold dampness all around me. Somewhere across the gulf a church bell was tolling. Its ominous, slow clanging reminded me of a funeral knell.

I lay there trying to shake off the weary feeling that permeated my body. My mind wouldn’t cooperate for a moment or two. I knew where I was, but the lethargy of my brain wouldn’t permit me to remember anything else.

The stillness of the room was like that of a mausoleum. I ran my hands through my hair and tried to shake off the heavy leaden feeling that seemed to be holding me down. The bell, far and remote, continued to toll; its sound echoed across the water, drifting through my little room.

I rolled onto my side and felt the weight of my leg cast roll with me. Slowly I pushed back the coverlet and tried to concentrate on the day, the hour, the place. I was in Falcon House. It was morning. I tried to think. Sunday. Sunday morning.

Get up, Alice, a voice said somewhere back in the cobwebs of my mind. Get up. There is so much you must do.

Yes, I had to get up, I said to myself. Whatever had to be done, I should be up doing it. The lethargy that I found myself wrapped in was so weighty, like the plaster cast on my leg. I shook my head and tried to clear away the mist.

I swung the heavy leg cast over the side of the bed, forcing the other leg to follow suit, and sat there, head in hands. I glanced at the nightstand and saw the empty milk glass sitting there, reminding me.

The drug. The sleeping potion. Yes, Diana had given me warm milk and it had made me unconscious. No, that wasn’t it. Justin had made me drink something too. I straightened. Justine had been here, in this room. Justin had said...Sarah.

My back went stiff. Sarah. I had to get her out of this house. It all started to come back to me now. Justin wanted to harm her. I had to get her away before something terrible happened.

I got to my feet and instantly I swayed and sat back down on the bed. Whatever I drank had indeed been potent. Had Diana really drugged me?

It couldn’t possibly have been little Sarah. What a preposterous lie Justin had wanted me to believe.

Again I chanced getting to my feet. This time I moved more slowly and stood, teetering slightly, but I maintained my balance and went toward the bathroom, bracing myself against table, bureau, door jamb, sink.

I almost didn’t recognize the face reflected in the mirror. I looked so drawn, so haggard.. I splashed cold water against my face and blotted it with a fluffy towel.

It didn’t really matter how I looked, I told myself. The important thing was to get Sarah out of Falcon House before.... Before what? I couldn’t answer that question, yet I was sure her life was in danger.

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