Tales from the Haunted Mansion, Volume II by Disney Book Group

Author:Disney Book Group [Arcane, Amicus]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Disney Book Group
Published: 2017-04-15T00:00:00+00:00

Ernie knew something was wrong the moment he walked through the door. There was an aura of evil about the dining room. Okay, that’s a little dramatic. But there was a mysterious stranger at the head of the table, where his father usually sat. The stranger stood, as a gentleman does when someone new enters a room. He was tall, about six foot six. And handsome, in an unconventional way. “You must be Ernest,” he said with an eastern European accent.

Ernie felt his legs give way to gravity. He knew at once that the fiend who had drained Chelsea Browning and others of their blood had been invited into his home as a dinner guest. Ernie’s sister was seated to the stranger’s left, entranced by his signet ring, which featured an engraving of the Lupescu crest. His father was fiddling with a bottle of Bordeaux. Ernie’s mother rushed in from the kitchen, collecting Ernie, taking his arm in hers. “We have a surprise guest!”

The stranger met them halfway, extending his hand. It was the same hand Ernie had seen clinging to the side of the house, and he refused to shake it. “So. Who invited you?”

His father stepped forward, a stern look in his eyes. “Ernie, shake the Count’s hand.”

The Count! It was confirmed, though the long black cape had given Ernie a clue; this wasn’t one of his dad’s pals from the plumber’s union. The Count shook his hand with a grip like a steel vise. It was quick, but long enough for Ernie to understand. The Count could crush him. Along with the rest of the family if he so desired.

Ernie’s mother broke the silence. “This is amazing! We’re related to royalty. A real live count.” Ernie’s mother smiled. “Honey, pop open the wine!”

The Count bowed modestly. “My title is an anachronism. I am merely your humble guest.” He noticed an item in Ernie’s left hand. “What is that you have?”

“A wall sconce,” replied Ernie. “It also holds mail.”

“May I see?” The Count reached out to take it, and Ernie shifted it behind his back, in a somewhat rude manner.

His mother was mortified. “Ernie, what’s gotten into you?”

With little choice, Ernie handed over the sconce. The Count examined it, intrigued, turning it over, poking the sharp tip. “Take caution, young Ernest. This could break the skin, no?” He handed it back to Ernie.

“I-I’ll be careful.”

“I know you will.” The Count nodded.

Ernie’s father beckoned them to the table. “Don’t be rude. Let the Count sit down. He must be bushed from all that travel.”

“The Count flew all night to get here,” added Ernie’s mom. Under different circumstances, Ernie might have laughed. But there was nothing funny about this situation. Thinking fast, he excused himself, saying he had to wash up before dinner. “Allow me to hold that for you, Ernest,” said the Count, pointing to the sconce. “We wouldn’t want you to hurt yourself.”

“I’ll keep it, thanks!” Ernie scooted from the dining room, ducking into the first-floor bathroom, where he put in a frantic call to Vicky and, in one long breath, told her everything.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.