House of Dark Shadows by Robert Liparulo Read Free Book Online Page B

house is going to take everything we have.”
    That made Xander shudder. He opened the door, appreciative of the sun.
    David carried the food. Mom had a blanket. As they approached the house, Xander thought about how he and David would begin the inspection as soon as they were settled in. He knew the best way to unearth the house’s secrets was to have an open mind. In the movies, too many people missed important clues because they were looking for something else, some preconceived notion of what they would find. Even with this in mind, he couldn’t help but think they might locate the bodies of the family who had disappeared. Most screenwriters these days would have them buried in the basement. But Xander liked the old Edgar Allen Poe stories like “The Black Cat” in which people were bricked-up in walls. Not always after being murdered.
    Dad, Mom, and Toria tromped up the front steps. Dad swung the door open with a “Ta-da.”
    Mom said, “We’d better get a locksmith out here, first thing.”
    â€œAlready taken care of,” Dad said. “I called him from the car on the way to the park.”
    They streamed in. Xander stood at the bottom of the steps, his foot on the first one. David tested the banister’s strength, then leaned against it. “Xander,” he whispered. “’Member what we were talking about? About the place being haunted?”
    Xander stepped closer. “Shhh.”
    â€œI can feel it.” He said, “Can we share a room? Just for a while?”
    Xander smiled. He was glad David had suggested it first.
    Now he had to be careful about appearing overeager. “Let’s see how it goes.”
    â€œOkay, but . . .” David’s voice trailed off, and he bowed his head.
    â€œBut?”
    â€œI don’t think I can stay here if I have to sleep alone.”
    â€œThere’s always Toria,” Xander suggested.
    David made a face. “That would be worse .”
    â€œThan what ? Getting eaten by vampires?” Xander started up the steps.
    â€œDon’t say that!” David moved in close to him.
    â€œI’m just kidding, David. Don’t worry about it.” They stopped at the open door. Dust moats drifted in the gloom. They were catching the sunlight and were bright as stars in a black galaxy. The others were out of sight; their voices drifted out to Xander. They were obviously talking to one another, but now it didn’t surprise Xander that they seemed to come from different places in the house and from different distances away. Standing next to him, David found his hand and gripped it. He looked at his little brother, who offered no other sign of fear.
    â€œBesides,” David said, “vampires don’t eat you. They drink your blood.”
    Xander thought about responding with something wise like, “Those are normal vampires; this house has a different breed.” But he figured he had scared David enough—had scared himself enough. So instead, he said, “Fine, Dr. Van Helsing. You’re the expert.” And with that, they stepped into the house together.

CHAPTER

thirteen
    WEDNESDAY, 3:17 P.M.
    Victoria told everyone she wanted the room that had been decorated for a little boy, even though the one across and a bit down the hall from it had obviously belonged to a little girl. “Too pink,” she called it.
    â€œShould we let her pick either of them?” David whispered.
    â€œWhy not?” Xander asked.
    â€œThe little boy and the little girl?” David said, as though speaking to an imbecile.
    â€œSo?”
    â€œThey were murdered . What if their ghosts still think those are their rooms?”
    Xander shook his head. “You’re worrying too much. Just watch out for anything weird. Don’t let your imagination get ahead of you.”
    â€œYou sound like Dad.”
    Xander accepted that. “Which room do you want?”
    â€œNot one of those.