Anathema (Causal Enchantment #1)(28)

And then it hit me. Perhaps this was all part of the game, keeping me locked up in their fortress so I couldn’t go out and uncover their plot. It was a disturbing idea, but it made more sense than a bunch of maniacal geriatrics getting violent for cheaper drugs.

I had no choice. I needed to escape.

Rushing to my room to grab my jacket, mitts, and purse—and praying no one saw me—I convinced myself that I was doing the responsible thing by sneaking out. If this was all a big game, I’d be free of these lunatics. If it wasn’t and I was hallucinating, then I had bigger issues than protesters. I just had to get out without anyone noticing me. It was a good thing this place was the size of a shopping mall.

“Evangeline! There you are,” Leonardo called out as I stepped into the atrium. His elderly eyes zoned in on my coat.

Busted. “I was cold,” I lied.

“I can turn the temperature up, if you wish.”

“No, that’s alright. I’m good now.”

He nodded. “Okay. Well, would you like me to put a movie on for you in the theater? Or perhaps you’re hungry. We could see what Martha has on the stove.”

“I think maybe I’ll just sit out here for awhile,” I said.

“Great. Why don’t we take a seat over here,” he suggested, heading toward the bistro table.

Leonardo wasn’t going anywhere. He had obviously been assigned babysitter duty. He pulled out a chair for me which I accepted, smiling politely. We sat across from each other in awkward silence.

I decided I may as well get some information out of him. “What is Sofie fighting with Viggo and Mortimer about?”

Leonardo held his hand up to inspect his fingernails. “Oh? I didn’t know they were fighting.”

“Well … I saw Sofie hit Mortimer earlier today. And yesterday, the screaming …”

“Hmmm. I’m sure it’s nothing.” He smiled warmly at me.

That confirmed it. He was either senile or covering for his employers.

More uncomfortable silence.

“You seem fidgety. Is everything alright?” Leonardo finally asked, eyeing my hands, which were strumming aggressively against the table.

No, everything is not alright. You’re hampering my investigation. How was I going to get away? “I’m not feeling well,” I blurted, an idea sparking in my brain.

“Oh. Would you like some Tylenol?” He stood.

“Tylenol doesn’t sit well on my stomach,” I lied.

“Well, I’m sure one of the maids has some Advil or Aspirin,” Leonardo offered.

I shook my head, stalling. “No … what I really need is … Midol.”

“What’s that?”

“Um … it’s for … female problems.” My cheeks heated.

“Oh. Hmm … okay,” Leonardo said, his eyes dropping to the cobblestones. “I’ll go ask the maids.” He started toward the red door, moving slower than usual. I suspected he wouldn’t be in a rush to fill that request—a proper elderly gentleman polling young female maids for PMS pills.

“Sorry, Leonardo,” I whispered, then forced the guilt of my deception aside to race toward the gate. I remembered an ominous–looking solid door beside the car entrance. It had to be the exit to the street, though it appeared more appropriate for a bank vault. I’m sure they needed the best security here, with all their wads of cash lying around.

If I can just get to it before anyone comes out … I was twenty feet from the door when Max’s massive black body appeared in front of it, the other hounds flanking him to create a formidable barrier. A low warning growl rumbled in Max’s throat as I approached. It was deep and threatening and if I hadn’t already developed a certain level of trust and fondness for this dog, I would likely have dropped dead from terror right then and there.

I veered to the right, attempting to sneak around the canine wall. They all shifted their bodies, blocking my path.

“Max? What are you doing? I need to get out,” I whispered, glancing anxiously over my shoulder for Leonardo.

Max whined.

Why would they do this? Unless …”Max, were you ordered to keep me here?”

Another whine and a bow of his head, as if he were nodding. Yes, it was clear he had been. I was imprisoned. Leonardo was the warden and these dogs were the guards.

I had to get out, and fast, but with well over a thousand pounds of ferocious muscle forming a barricade, this was going to be tricky. I needed a distraction. What would distract a dog? Something to chase.

“Look! A kitty, over there! Go fetch!” I whispered excitedly, pointing to the other side of the atrium.

None of them budged. Their eyes didn’t even shift.

“Right. You’re smarter than that. I forgot,” I muttered.

I reached forward and pushed against Max. Nothing. I leaned in, putting all of my hundred and twenty–odd pounds against him. It was like trying to move a concrete wall. I groaned in frustration. These dogs were more well–trained than Jake, the only dog I had ever really known. That golden retriever’s sole purpose in life was chasing his tail and trying to steal thawing meat off the counter.

An idea hit me—a desperate one. I dashed up the stairs and into the house, heading toward the kitchen. Luckily it wasn’t too far from the atrium so I found it easily enough on my own.