Free Forbidden Secrets by R.L. Stine Page B

hands together and moved them toward the ceiling. Then she spread them apart—“until it became big and powerful. And beautiful. With all the colors of a rainbow and more.”
    Lucy waltzed across the room. “The fire roared like thunder. And the man and woman inside began to dance. They danced in the flames.”
    Lucy stood on tiptoe. “The flames were so beautiful. Red. Orange. And blue. They swirled around. And when the woman screamed, they swirled faster and faster.”
    Lucy began to spin around, laughing and laughing. “The flames got brighter and hotter until they were everywhere. Dancing around my mother and father.”
    Savannah stared in stunned horror at Lucy. Why is she laughing? Why does she sound so excited? She’s describing the fire that killed her parents!

Chapter
    23

    S avannah climbed off the bed. “Lucy, you don’t have to tell me any more.”
    Lucy stumbled to a halt, breathing hard, her cheeks bright red, a frightening, wild-eyed look on her face. “The flames got hotter. My mother screamed!”
    Savannah wrapped her arms around Lucy. “It’s all right, Lucy,” Savannah said quietly. “It was long ago and it’s over now.”
    Lucy wrenched free. “They kept dancing. They kept dancing without me!”
    Lucy ran from the room. Savannah started to go after her.
    â€œLeave her alone,” Mrs. Mooreland said harshly.
    Startled, Savannah spun around. She had forgotten that Mrs. Mooreland was in the room.
    â€œShe’s upset,” Savannah protested. “She needs—”
    â€œShe needs to be left alone,” Mrs. Moorelandsnapped. “Lucy is right about the prophesy. But she didn’t tell you everything. Lucy—”
    Mrs. Mooreland stopped speaking and stiffened, her eyes focused on something behind Savannah.
    Savannah turned and saw Tyler standing in the doorway. “I forgot to ask if you would like to change rooms,” he said. “Will the smell of the smoke bother you?”
    â€œNo,” Savannah assured him, “I opened the window. I think most of the smoke is gone now.”
    Tyler gave her a short nod. Then his gaze slid past Savannah and settled on Mrs. Mooreland. “Savannah and I are moving up the wedding date.”
    â™¦Â â™¦Â â™¦
    Two mornings later, Savannah unpacked the wedding gown she had brought all the way from Whispering Oaks. Her mother’s wedding gown.
    She showed it to Hattie so the young maid could find matching lace for a veil. When Hattie left, Savannah ran her hand over the white silk and sighed.
    Maybe Tyler is right. Maybe things will change once we are married. Victoria will realize that no matter what she says or does, we will not return to Whispering Oaks. And Mrs. Mooreland and Lucy will have to accept the fact that I never plan to leave Blackrose Manor.
    Savannah lifted her gaze to the charred window frame. After hearing the excitement in Lucy’s voice when she described the fire that killed her parents, Savannah suspected the girl had set fire to the drapes.
    A horse screamed in terror.
    Savannah ran to the open window. “Whisper!” she cried. The big black horse bucked and reared
    â€œNo,” Savannah whispered. Hattie was in the saddle, clinging to Whisper’s mane.
    She can’t control him, Savannah thought. She’s going to fall.
    Savannah started for the door. She heard Whisper scream again. Then she heard a dull thud.

Chapter
    24

    â€œN o! No! No!” Savannah cried as she ran down the stairs. She dashed out the front door.
    Hattie lay on the ground, her right leg twisted at an unnatural angle. Savannah could hear her moaning.
    Whisper pranced around her, tossing his head.
    I have to get him away from Hattie. “Easy, Whisper,” Savannah crooned as she edged toward the horse.
    She could see the whites of his eyes. He’s terrified, she thought.
    Savannah took a step closer. Whisper reared up.