I woke up to the sound of raw, jagged screaming echoing through the halls of the mansion. It was a sound that set my nerves on edge immediately, but Lucy, who was still curled up right beside me, recognized her mother’s voice instantly. She bolted upright, her small face pale and alert with a look of pure panic that made my heart ache.
"Let me take you down there," I said, reaching out to steady her. Lucy stopped for a second, her breathing shallow, but she let me climb out of the bed. I could feel the waves of anxiety rolling off her, but she was such a sweet, patient angel that she didn't try to run ahead. She stayed right by my side, matching her pace to mine even though I could tell she wanted to fly down the stairs.
My head was spinning so badly that the floor felt like it was tilti
