CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Holding my breath, I tiptoe down another few steps. The main building is quiet, but I don't trust that. This whole place is full of surprises.

A clock ticks on the wall. Ten minutes to go. I should have just gone to the clock tower hours ago and waited for Alec there, but the thought of being in that dark, ominous building all by myself creeped me out.

Suddenly, footsteps sound on the stairs above me. Panicked, I look for somewhere to hide.

I reach the bottom of the stairs and look to my left. Most of the doors are closed, but there's one at the end that's slightly ajar.

I put my hand on the knob and push. It gives easily.

Panic flooding my stomach, I step inside. Crouching, I look through the crack as Madame Aldine descends the stairs and heads toward the offices. It's not until she's out of sight that I breathe a sigh of relief.

"Funny running into you here."

I nearly jump out of my shoes.

Whirling around, I find someone sitting in the windowsill, the window cracked behind th