Creeping Shadow (The Rise of Isaac, Book One) by Caroline Peckham Read Free Book Online

you say you need to go back to the house for something?" she suggested. "And search his room."
    Oliver nodded and hope ignited in his chest. "That could actually work."
    May grinned. "I know."
    * * *
    The next morning they walked into the kitchen where Ely was busying about. Oliver cleared his throat as he stepped into the room and their grandfather swung around. He was in the middle of preparing them breakfast, scrambling eggs in a frying pan.
    "Ah!" he said brightly as they entered. "I was about to call you two. Take a seat."
    Oliver perched on a stool beside May at the breakfast bar as Ely dished them out eggs and toast. His stomach grumbled loudly in response and Ely chuckled lightly.
    As they ate, Oliver kicked May under the table to prompt her.
    She took a sip of juice before speaking. "Um, Ely?" she said innocently.
    Ely looked up from his food with a pleasant smile. "Yes, my dear?"
    "I was wondering if you'd give us a tour of the grounds? It's so pretty here and we haven't spent much time in the countryside before, especially in the snow." May gave him her puppy-dog eyes which Oliver knew had worked on their mum a thousand times.
    Ely's shoulders straightened a little. "Yes, of course. I'd be happy to show you around. Perhaps after breakfast?"
    "That'd be great," Oliver said, giving him a warm smile.
    The snow had fallen heavily in the night, carpeting the world in a thick layer of white. They followed Ely out of the front door, down the aged steps and onto the steep driveway that disappeared into the woodland ahead. The snow sat atop the leaves like a dusting of sugar.
    Ely turned on his heel and led them away from the drive around the back of the house towards an expansive snow-covered garden which was glaringly bright beneath the grey sky.
    "There used to be stables on the grounds but they were demolished by my great grandfather almost a century ago. It's a shame really," Ely said, pointing towards a flat area beyond a large pond. "I have drawings of them that a stableboy did. I keep them in the library."
    "There's a library here?" May asked curiously.
    Oliver glanced back at the house as they descended the hill towards the pond. Snow sat in the water, turning to an icy slush on the surface.
    Ely continued to describe the history of the house and grounds but Oliver grew increasingly preoccupied with getting back to the manor.
    "Um, Ely?" he interrupted.
    Ely raised his eyebrows at him.
    "Sorry, I just need the bathroom. I'll meet you back here," Oliver said, hurrying back towards the house before Ely could answer.
    Showers of snow were kicked up by the toes of his shoes as he ran. He glanced back as he headed around a corner of the house and relaxed as he spotted Ely and May still standing by the pond several hundred yards away.
    Oliver ran up the stone steps and pushed through the door into the entrance hall. He kicked off his wet boots and charged across the hallway to the stairs where his socks slipped on the polished floor. He hurried up the spiral staircase, feeling a flood of adrenalin fuelling his muscles as he ran down the corridor towards Ely's room.
    He reached for the handle and turned it, praying it wasn't locked. He let out a breath of relief as the door opened then crept across the floor toward the desk. It had been tidied since his last visit so he pulled open drawers one at a time, checking the contents. He was careful to leave everything where he found it.
    Oliver felt the minutes ticking by and his heartbeat began to increase.
    After searching every nook and cranny of the desk he stood back away from it, gazing around the room in frustration.
    He spotted a wastepaper basket tucked beneath the desk to one side, concealed in the shadows. He felt a swoop of excitement and dove toward it but, just as he grabbed hold of the wicker bin, the ker - clack of the front door shutting sounded.
    He cursed internally and started hurriedly checking through the contents. He could hear someone on the stairs and