Free Claire Delacroix by Once Upon A Kiss Page A

waited a few moments, then surreptitiously checked the door. She fully expected it to be secured from the outside.
    But it was unlocked.
    To Aurelia’s further amazement, the corridor outside was empty. The distant sounds of hammering carried to her ears, but no guard was posted watchfully outside.
    Ha! They must think her witless, after all! She propped open the door with her toe and slid Julian’s magic square into the slot, exactly as he had done.
    Nothing happened.
    But there had been a light when Julian did it. Perhaps she did not know the proper incantation. Who knew what Julian might have muttered under his breath, or whispered in his mind? She stepped out into the corridor, trying to examine the slot in better light.
    The door closed with a resolute click.
    Aurelia turned the handle, but the door was locked against her! She was trapped in the corridor, of all foolishness! What kind of malicious magic was this?
    In desperation, Aurelia shoved Julian’s card into the slot once more, but this time, a red dot glowed thrice.
    It was a sign. Three was a powerful number, that much was certain, and red, a color of protection for ages past.
    It must be safe to enter the chamber once more.
    Aurelia cautiously tried the handle again, and magically, the door was now unlocked. She darted inside, fingering the card, and marveled at Julian’s power. Aurelia fought to make sense of Julian giving her the ability to lock herself outside of the room and could not.
    Perhaps his spell had twisted itself backwards. Such things happened when magic was wrought in haste.
    Or perhaps Julian was less powerful than Aurelia had feared. Now that was an encouraging thought! Aurelia grinned with satisfaction and her mind worked furiously. What should she do? At any moment, Julian could repair his spell and trap her inside the chamber.
    This might be her only opportunity to find her sire without observation.
    Clearly, her father was either dead or imprisoned. And if Aurelia were in Bard’s place, intending to let Hekod be forgotten, where would she have imprisoned the deposed king? The answer was simple beyond all.
    In the sea caves.
    Aurelia clutched Julian’s magical talisman, scanned the corridor once more, then abandoned her room. She darted down the corridor in the opposite direction of the great reception hall. When Aurelia opened the last door at the end of the corridor, she found a flight of stairs markedly less ornate than those she and the priest had climbed.
    No one was behind her. Aurelia lunged down the stairs. There was only one door at the bottom, red letters above it declaring: FIRE EXIT.
    On the door itself, a sign read: For Emergency Exit Only. If Door Is Opened, Alarm Will Sound.
    Aurelia hesitated, then frowned. Who would sound this alarm, if no one saw her open the door? She looked over her shoulder, but she was definitely alone.
    Ha! More lies! Aurelia was developing a very low opinion of Bard’s household security. She shoved open the door and a shrill ringing suddenly filled her ears.
    Oh no! Julian had laid a spell on the door!
    Aurelia muttered something unladylike under her breath. Her heart thundering in her ears, she fled Bard’s hall as fast as she could. Hopefully there was no witchery left to discern her path.
     
    * * *
     
    Baird’s head snapped up from the travertine marble samples when the fire alarm went off. “Is this another test? I thought they were done yesterday.”
    “They were,” the job foreman confirmed, then looked worried. “It might be a real fire, sir.”
    The intensity of Baird’s response surprised him. He wouldn’t let Dunhelm burn under any terms. He scanned the hall anxiously but, to his relief, saw no flames.
    “Well, better safe than sorry.” Baird’s tone was calmly authoritative despite his fears. People immediately turned to do his bidding. “Everybody outside - get all your team out - we’ll meet on the lawn in front of the main entrance and have a head count.”
    “Yes,