Page 95 of Coordinates of Death

She racked her brain to remember. “No, but I now recall seeing a broken piece of the railing sticking up, but it was too late. That’s what cut me on my tumble down the stairs.”

“That earlier noise sounded like someone was hauling something. Did you see anything else?”

“No. We have to keep searching for the hidden passageway.”

Kordell checked her wound. “I’m going to treat and bandage it.” After he wrapped her arm, he shone a light in her eyes. “Did you hit your head? Does it hurt?”

“No.”

“You’re not showing any signs of a concussion, and your vitals are good, but you need to stay awake.” He harrumphed. “Not that you could sleep in a moaning, creepy house.”

Especially when that house reminded her of a bad time in her life. “Can you help me up? We need to keep looking for that passageway.”

“Slowly.” He slid his hand under her opposite arm and eased her into a seated position. “Stay there for a minute. I’ll get your water.” He unhooked it from her pack, handing it to her. “Drink up. You’ve lost quite a bit of blood and will feel woozy.”

She obeyed. “There are some electrolyte packs in there too. Let’s add it to our waters.”

“Smart thinking.” Kordell did as she suggested.

Ten minutes later, after drinking their water and having a snack, Kordell helped her to stand. “Baby steps, Rory.”

“Yes, Doctor. How long was I out?”

He checked his watch. “It’s midnight now, so probably about five minutes.”

“Feels longer. I’m still groggy.”

He guided her to a chair. “After you rest for a bit, we’ll continue our search. I know you want to save Candace, but you have to look after yourself first.”

Right, like a parent putting their oxygen mask on first, then their child’s. “Have you looked upstairs?”

“No, and before you ask, I’m not leaving you. Not this time.”

“Understood.” She rubbed the back of her head. “Wait, what do you mean by this time?”

He flicked his hand in dismissal. “Nothing.” He removed the dust cover from another chair and sat.

Aurora scanned the room again, searching for any possibilities of a hidden passageway. “This place gives me the creeps just like that house from our childhood.”

“I remember you telling me how some friends made you go in on the way home from school.”

“Yes, that and another experience instilled a deep fear of the place.” Ugh! Had she really just opened that door?

“What do you mean?”

Could she trust him with the past? They had quickly developed a deeper friendship since his arrival only a few short days ago. How could that be possible? “Can I trust you?”

“Of course.” He leaned forward. “SBK is probably listening.”

She pulled her chair closer to him, speaking in whispers. “Only my father knows this, as it’s something I’ve buried deep, but this place and the taunts from SBK have brought it tumbling back into my life.” She inhaled, exhaling before continuing. “Just before you left the Roche family, I was walking home from band practice. It went late as we were getting ready for a huge production, so it was dusk. I was passing the haunted house and got distracted for a second. I didn’t see anyone, but someone snuck up from behind and hit me. Then I woke up inside the house with music blaring. Two masked teenage boys came in and—” She bit back the sobs forming. “They raped me, Kord.”

Kordell hugged her. “I’m so sorry you experienced that. Do you know who it was? Recognize their voices?”

Aurora relaxed in his embrace. His powerful presence sent jolts of encouragement through her body, and she never wanted to let go.

But had to.

She retreated. “They never spoke. Not one word. I had my suspicions but couldn’t prove it.”