For a moment they stood still, looking at Nicole, who appeared to be deciding what to do. Zoe pointed hard at the door. Nicole shook her head.
Narrowing her eyes, Zoe jutted her finger at the door again – more insistent this time. The look on her face said she wasn’t about to back down. After a second, Nicole held up her hands in surrender.
They all took a step towards the door but almost immediately Nicole whirled on Allie, pushing her back. She held her hand up in a ‘Stay here’ gesture.
Allie couldn’t believe it. Had she come this far only to be stopped at the end?
‘Come on…’ she mouthed, pleading.
Nicole was unmoved. She pointed fiercely at the earth under Allie’s feet.
Every muscle in Allie’s body was tensed, poised for the fight ahead. Ready to catch Jo’s killer if he was in there. Ready to hurt him.
But there was no way Nicole would let her in there first.
Fine then. They can go first. I will be right behind them.
She nodded her submission. Zoe, who would hate being told she couldn’t go in, gave her a sympathetic look before shooting to the edge of the door where she waited for Nicole, who was soon next to her.
Nicole gestured at something Allie couldn’t see, and then in an instant they were gone.
As soon as they were out of sight, Allie ran to the door and hid herself in the shadows beside it. If anyone tried to get out she would be on them before they knew what hit them.
She stood like a statue, staring at the doorway unblinking for so long her eyes filled with cold tears. She listened fiercely for anything – a scream, a cry. But the stream roaring in the distance and her heart thudding out a surprisingly steady rhythm were the only sounds.
Just when she thought she might go mad from not knowing, Zoe appeared in the doorway. The candlelight behind her was so bright for a moment it looked as if her hair was on fire.
Wordlessly, she motioned for Allie to follow her.
Inside, the air was hot and still, perfumed with the scent of smoke and melting wax. As the girls moved, the candle flames danced on the waves of air made by their bodies. In this light, the medieval paintings that covered the grey stone walls seemed to come alive.
They were meant to be seen this way, Allie realised.
On one wall, a gigantic red devil shoved suffering souls down into Hell, while others climbed a ladder to Heaven. But if they were meant to be saved, why did they look so afraid?
Elsewhere a dragon swooped upwards in pursuit of a dove just out of reach of its claws. The paint had always looked aged and dull before, but in the candlelight the dragon’s rustred scales shimmered with life.
But Zoe and Nicole weren’t looking at those. They were staring at another painting: of a tree very much like the yew by the churchyard wall. The painted version was filled with colourful fruit and birds. Its tangled roots spelled out the words ‘Tree of Life’. It was Allie’s favourite painting in the heavily decorated church.
This was where the candelabra had been carefully arranged in an arc.
As Allie drew closer she could see that something was on the painting.
‘What is it?’ she whispered.
Nicole’s eyes were still locked on the painting. Raising her hand, she pointed at the tree trunk.
Only then did Allie see the folded piece of paper impaled into the wall by a hunting knife.
Who would do that? she thought wildly. Who would damage a painting that’s nearly a thousand years old?
The problem was, she knew exactly who would do that.
Moving slowly, as if in a dream, she stepped inside the encircling candles. She heard Zoe and Nicole whisper her name, cautioning her. Calling for her to stop.
But she didn’t. She couldn’t stop.
Because the paper held one word, written in confident, slanting handwriting: ‘Allie.’
TWELVE
T
he heavily carved hilt of the dagger was cold in Allie’s hand but she didn’t flinch. She wrapped her fingers around it and yanked it from the old stone wall with force, catching the paper as it fluttered loose.
Silky to the touch, the heavy paper unfolded like fabric.
Dear Allie
I must apologise for choosing such a dramatic means of communication, but you see I needed to get your attention. I trust I have it now.
You have chosen the wrong side in this war, Allie. However, it may surprise you to know I don’t blame you. I, more than anyone, know how convincingly Isabelle can pretend to love. How seductive Lucinda can be. How strong are the ties of family that bind us. But they are lying to you, Allie.
So far, you have disappointed me. For that there will have to be consequences. I’m sorry to say these consequences may be severe.
And yet the course upon which we find ourselves is not unchangeable. If you see the error of your ways and change your mind now, you will be welcomed into my organisation as Christopher has been. Everything will stop. You can take your rightful place in a seat of honour. You deserve that seat, Allie. You also deserve the truth. I alone am willing to give you that.
All you have to do is come to me. I am always watching. If you look for me, I will find you.