Dance of Death Read online

  Contents

  Prologue

  PART ONE: Madeline

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  PART TWO: Tobias

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  PART THREE: Madeline

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  PART FOUR: Tobias

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  PART FIVE: Madeline

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  PART SIX: Tobias

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  PART SEVEN: Madeline

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Epilogue

  About the Author

  Prologue

  Shadowbrook, New York, 1793

  Tobias choked. A horrible wet, gurgling sound.

  He raised his hands to his neck. He felt the cold metal blade of the scalpel sticking out of his throat.

  He felt his warm blood flowing under his fingers. It ran down his chest, soaking his shirt and waistcoat.

  I cannot remove the scalpel, Tobias realized. If I do, my blood will gush out, and I will bleed to death at once.

  “You are a dead man, Tobias.” His enemy watched him bleed, gloating.

  “You will never interfere with me again,” the chilling voice continued. “I don’t need you. I don’t need your beautiful fiancée. I will choose a new victim. And you won’t be around to stop me the next time. You will be dead.”

  The papers, Tobias thought. His head spun as he forced himself to step forward. I must destroy the papers. No one else must learn how to perform this evil ritual. No one else must ever discover these wicked secrets.

  My laboratory. I must reach my laboratory. Tobias wrenched the drawing room door open and staggered into the hall. With each breath, he heard air whistling through the gash around the scalpel.

  He heard his enemy behind him. “That’s right, Tobias,” his enemy taunted. “Crawl away like an animal and find a place to die. I will give you a decent burial. Do not worry.”

  Tobias felt strong hands slam against his back. He sprawled facedown on the floor. Then he heard the drawing room door slam shut behind him.

  Darkness engulfed him.

  Tobias slowly crawled down the hallway and up the staircase toward the secret passage. He gasped for air, his own blood choking him. Burning hot pain seared his throat.

  He knew he could move faster if he stood up. But he was too weak.

  I must save my strength, he thought as he dragged himself into his enemy’s bedroom. He slid open the hidden panel. He dragged himself down the secret staircase to the long, dark, tunnel leading to his underground lab.

  I must reach my laboratory. Those papers must be destroyed!

  Tobias’s blood dripped onto the laboratory floor as he hauled himself inside. He could see the ancient papers he’d studied for weeks scattered across the top of his desk. A single candle burned near the inkwell.

  I’ll burn the papers, Tobias thought. That will be the end of them forever. If only it could end all of this evil too!

  Tobias pulled himself into his desk chair. His hands trembled as he lifted the papers and held them into the candle’s flame.

  Tobias placed his head in his hands. It is done, he thought. Then he caught sight of a sheet of paper hidden under his desk. He bent over to retrieve it. He felt dizzy and sick. The room grew black.

  Slowly his vision cleared. Too much, he thought. I’ve lost too much blood. Any moment now, I will die.

  He pushed the sheet of paper toward the candle. The writing on it caught his attention. I’ve never seen this page before, he thought.

  Tobias set the sheet down on the desk. The loops and curls of the old-fashioned letters swam and dipped before his eyes.

  Concentrate, he thought. I must concentrate. Why is this one different from all the rest?

  This page explains the secret to destroying the evil soul-stealer! he realized.

  Tobias fumbled for his journal. He knew he didn’t have much time. His fingers felt numb as he dipped the pen into the inkwell.

  I must write this down. I must leave a record of the way to defeat the soul-stealer. Then maybe my life will not be wasted after all.

  The soul-stealer draws his power from the blood of his victims, Tobias wrote in his diary. But, if the soul-stealer himself bleeds, his power is destroyed. The blood from his victims will flow from him, leaving him helpless. He will grow old and die.

  That’s it! Tobias thought. That’s the secret. If my enemy bleeds, then he will die.

  Tobias lifted the final paper to the flame of the candle. Then, almost exhausted, he dipped his pen in the inkwell one last time.

  He wanted to leave a final message for Honoria, the girl he loved. I will never forgive myself for what happened to you, Honoria, he thought. But I will leave you my journal. Someday, you will know the truth.

  Honoria, he wrote, if you find this journal, I want you to know that I will love you forever. I am so sorry for what I’ve done to you. And for my part in this evil.

  I swear that my spirit will not rest until my enemy is defeated and his evil destroyed.

  Tobias took a shuddering breath. Blood spurted from his throat onto the journal.

  I feel so weak, he thought. So cold. I can’t feel my hands anymore. My legs and feet are frozen.

  The end is coming, my Honoria. These are the last words I will ever write.

  If only I had listened to you! None of these terrible things would have happened. We could have been happy, far away from here.

  If you can find it in your heart to do so, forgive me. I beg you.

  Your loving, Tobi—

  PART ONE

  Madeline

  Chapter

  1

  Shadowbrook, New York, 1873

  I am safe, Madeline Simms thought. This is a new town. This is Shadowbrook. I am safe. Nothing bad will happen to me here.

  Madeline stood on the platform of the tiny Shadowbrook railway station. She sighed as she stared down at her best dress, rumpled and travel-stained after her long journey. She smoothed the fabric with her hand.

  Dark circles shadowed her big brown eyes. Wisps of her black hair poked out from underneath her bonnet.

  I look awful, she thought. I wanted to make a good impression. I wanted Cousin Deborah and Cousin Marcus to like me on first sight.

  She owed them so much. They generously offered to take her in when her whole world had collapsed around her. When she had no one who cared about her. No place to go.

  Madeline clutched her carpetbag a little tighter and glanced around the platform. Where was the servant who was supposed to come for her?

  The carpetbag felt heavy. It held Madeline’s few possessions. All she had in the world.

  Except for my memories. But it’s better not to think about them. Better not to dwell on the past. Safer to forget what happened to Mama and Papa.

  If she thought about the past, Madeline was sure she would start screaming. Then Deborah and Marcus would know she was insane. They would send her away. Lock her up. They would never take her in.

  I am not crazy, Madeline told herself fiercely. I’m not like Mama. I won’t end up like she did. I don’t care what anybody says.

  “Excuse me, miss. Would you be Madeline Simms?”

  Madeline started. She hadn’t noticed the horse and buggy pull up right in front of her.

 
Madeline stared at the old man seated atop the black buggy. His face was so thin it reminded Madeline of a grinning skull. And his body looked like a collection of skin and bones draped with some baggy clothes.

  Madeline felt a cold shiver ripple through her, even though the day was warm.

  Death has come for me. Like it came for Mama and Papa. I don’t want to go!

  The old man leaned forward. Madeline could feel his dark and beady eyes fixed on her face. She shivered so hard her teeth began to chatter.

  I must get a hold of myself! This must be the servant my cousins have sent to fetch me. He doesn’t really mean to scare me. He can’t help that he is so thin and odd-looking.

  If I let my imagination start to run away with me now, I’ll never survive here. I’ll never survive anywhere. I can’t let this old man see how nervous I am.

  “Yes, I’m Miss Simms,” Madeline answered. She felt pleased that her voice only squeaked a little.

  The old man nodded. “I thought so,” he replied. His smile widened, showing big gaps between his teeth. He cackled as he clambered down from the buggy. “You have to be don’t you? Ain’t no one else here.”

  He’s joking, Madeline realized as she watched him hobble toward her. She felt a rush of relief. He’s teasing me.

  Madeline felt herself relax a little. The old man hadn’t noticed her nervousness. He hadn’t noticed anything wrong with her.

  And no one else will either. Because there isn’t anything wrong with me. I’m perfectly normal. As normal as everyone else around here.

  “There now,” the old man said as he approached her. “You’re worn out, aren’t you? And I’m late besides. I’m sorry about that, miss. But the horse was a little jumpy. You won’t tell Mr. Marcus I was late, will you? He’d be awfully mad.”

  “Of course I won’t,” Madeline answered warmly, pleased that she could put the old man at ease.

  See? There’s nothing to be afraid of, Madeline thought. He’s just as nervous as I am.

  “You give me that bag and I’ll stow it in the buggy,” the old man continued. “Your cousins’ house ain’t far from here. We’ll be there in no time, once we get started.”

  Now Madeline could see the kindness in his dark eyes. He’s trying to make me feel welcome, she thought.

  She felt the last of her nervousness vanish. She’d been right the first time. She was going to be safe and happy here in Shadowbrook.

  “Who are you?” she asked the man as he took her bag.

  “My name is William,” he answered.

  He put Madeline’s bag in the back of the buggy, then helped her up onto the narrow bench.

  “I see to the grounds and to the horses for Mr. Marcus,” William continued.

  “My cousins live outside town, don’t they?” Madeline asked.

  William nodded as he climbed up beside her. “That they do, miss. Just the other side of that hill. You’ll get to see a nice bit of the town on our way.”

  “Shadowbrook is a nice place, isn’t it?” Madeline asked.

  William clicked his tongue to the horse. The buggy started forward, bouncing and swaying. Madeline held on to the handrail.

  “Oh, yes, miss. Indeed it is. Folks are friendly, too. I’m sure you’ll soon feel right at home here.”

  I hope so, Madeline thought. I need a home.

  The horse’s hooves made comforting clops as the buggy moved through the paved streets. Madeline liked what she saw of Shadowbrook, she decided. Its wide streets were lined with tall trees. Now and then, Madeline heard a bird call.

  She enjoyed looking at the large, fine houses. They were set back from the road with smooth, green lawns in front of them. And every house had a lovely garden.

  As the carriage rolled through town, Madeline felt surrounded by an atmosphere of peace and serenity. I’m glad I came here. This is a place where the past can’t touch me. A place where I can heal.

  William clicked his tongue to the horse once again, urging it up a steep hill at the outskirts of town. Madeline guessed her cousins’ house wasn’t much farther.

  She felt anticipation rise within her. I’m almost there. Almost safe. Almost home.

  She caught a glimpse of a tall white house with dark green shutters at the top of the hill. A beautiful rose garden filled the side yard. It was the loveliest house she’d seen so far.

  “Whose house is that?” she asked William eagerly. “Is it Cousin Deborah and Cousin Marcus’s?”

  “That place?” William answered. “Oh, no. That house there belongs to Dr. Justin Fear.”

  The horse snorted and shied to the right. “Here now, Buttercup. Easy now,” William soothed the horse. “I declare, I don’t know what’s the matter with her today, miss. She’s not usually so skittish.”

  The horse gave a shrill whinny and reared. The buggy rocked and shook. Its front wheels jerked off the ground, then crashed back down. Madeline grabbed the handrail with both hands.

  “William! What’s the matter? What is it?” she cried.

  But William didn’t answer. He was too busy trying to control the horse. The animal seemed possessed. It screamed and slashed the air with its hooves.

  Then it plunged forward—straight toward a man standing in the middle of the road.

  The man waved his arms wildly. His dark hair whipped around his face.

  “Run!” Madeline screamed at him. “Run!”

  The man opened his mouth in a silent scream.

  We’re going to hit him!

  Chapter

  2

  “I can’t hold her, miss,” William bellowed. “Jump before it’s too late!”

  Madeline gathered her skirts and leaped from the buggy. Her body slammed into the ground. The breath whooshed from her lungs.

  The horse screamed. It reared again—its hooves poised over Madeline’s head.

  I’m going to be crushed! Trampled to death!

  No!

  She forced herself to roll out of the way. Pain shot through her body. Dust filled her eyes and nose, choking her.

  Move! she ordered herself.

  But she couldn’t.

  Her ears were ringing. She heard Buttercup’s screams and William’s desperate commands. But they sounded far away. So, so far.

  Blood from a cut on her forehead dripped down into her eyes. Her vision blurred.

  Where is the man who was in the road? Madeline thought suddenly. I can’t see him! I can’t see him! He’s been crushed!

  Madeline reached up to wipe the blood from her eyes. Pain lanced through her skull.

  Then … darkness.

  ♦ ♦ ♦

  “Miss Simms. Miss Simms, can you hear me?”

  Madeline slowly came to her senses. Where am I? she wondered. Then she remembered the accident.

  She opened her eyes and blinked against the glaring sunlight. A young man’s face came into focus. He moved closer, bending over her. His eyes are the same bright blue as the sky, Madeline thought. And his hair is golden blond.

  He is an angel, she thought. I must be in heaven.

  “Are you all right?” Madeline’s angel said.

  “Am I still alive?” she asked him.

  The young man’s face lit in a beautiful smile. “Of course you are,” he replied in a deep, warm voice. “Though I’m afraid you will have quite a few bruises. Why did you think you weren’t alive?”

  “Because of you,” Madeline answered. “You’re so beautiful, I thought you must be an angel.”

  The young man laughed. Madeline felt herself blush all the way up to the roots of her hair.

  Why did I say that? she thought. Proper young ladies don’t just blurt out such things. He’ll think I’m trying to attract his attentions. I don’t even know who he is.

  “I beg your pardon, sir,” she murmured. She struggled to sit up. The simple action made her head throb painfully. She winced.

  “Go slowly, now,” the young man cautioned. “You’ve got quite a bump on the head.” He clasped on
e of her hands gently.

  His skin felt cold and clammy—like a snake’s. Madeline jerked away.

  “I’m so sorry,” the young man apologized. “There wasn’t time to mention—” He broke off and shook his head.

  “My name is Dr. Justin Fear,” he continued after a moment. “I saw your accident from my house up on the hill. I came to see if I could help.”

  “Thank you for your kindness,” Madeline stammered. She felt foolish now reacting so strangely to his touch. His hand was just cold, she told herself. There was no reason to pull away like that.

  “I remember William said that the beautiful house on the hill belonged to Dr. Fear,” she continued, trying to make up for her rudeness.

  “How nice you noticed my house,” Dr. Fear replied graciously. “And you needn’t call me Dr. Fear. My name is Justin.”

  Madeline felt that using Dr. Fear’s name was much too familiar. They’d only just met. But she couldn’t bring herself to refuse him.

  “Very well … Justin,” she answered.

  The warmth she saw in Justin’s eyes made her tingle all over. The sensation almost made her forget how cold his skin felt.

  “William!” Madeline cried suddenly. She struggled to her feet. “What’s happened to William? Is he all right? How could I have forgotten about him?”

  “William is just fine,” Justin told her. “He’s right over there, trying to keep the horse calm until you are well enough to travel on to your cousins’ house.”

  “And the man?” Madeline asked. “The one in the road. Was he badly injured?”

  Justin looked at her, a frown marring his perfect features. “What man?” he said.

  “The one in the road,” Madeline repeated. “The strange-looking man who frightened the horse.”

  “William,” Justin called out. “Why did you say nothing about a man in the road?”

  “Because there wasn’t one, sir,” William called back.

  Madeline felt a cold chill race through her. “There was a man, I tell you,” she insisted. “I saw him.”

  Justin silently regarded Madeline. He frowned slightly.

  Madeline’s stomach began to churn. He thinks I’m crazy. That I’m imagining things just like Mama did. But I’m not. I’m not!