Both were inextricably linked.
The obscure group who built and populated the Manse led a sheltered if not entirely blameless life of devotion and prayer. That their prayers were not offered to any conventional God was a secret they managed to protect until word of their practices spread across the inlet of the inhospitable sea to the mainland. The consequences of that discovery reverberated through the centuries, the sacred lines carrying surging power, swirling like veins beneath the earth’s skin, creating a beating rhythm of pulsing strength, feeding and breathing with a mystery as ancient as the curse that enveloped them.
Bound by the blood promise that wrapped itself around them, they slowly emitted hollow echoes that traveled ceaselessly — waiting, patiently waiting for the century that would provide sufficient sustenance for release.
With feet already wet from the landing, and with the persistent rain obscuring the gray light that clung to the last few minutes of the day, the six company employees trudged away from the water’s edge and up towards the Manse.
Casey Faraday was still holding onto Andrew’s arm and Bennett hoped he hadn’t been wrong about her. Andrew had offered to help Sheila with her bag but she politely declined while Jo Madley gave no indication she needed or would welcome any offer of assistance. As they neared the large, indistinct shape of the house, the watery light seeping from the grimy windows didn’t exactly cheer them.
‘Looks welcoming,’ Andrew said in his ironic way.
Casey gripped his arm tighter, and his mind began to run ahead of itself while his arm pressed against her breast and relished the soft warmth it found there. ‘Anywhere out of this rain is home at the moment.’
‘If the phone is connected you can ring home, Casey,’ Sheila said sweetly. ‘Let your husband know you’re missing him.’
Before Casey could reply, Bennett said, ‘There is no phone. That’s part of the deal. It’s a survival week. Live rough and develop as a team.’
‘In that case some of us have become good team players already,’ Sheila said.
Any response was postponed by a sudden shout of thunder and the slight rain altered direction and intensity; screaming at them in jets of pure fury. They ran for the house, luggage slowing them.
Behind them none of them noticed the ground undulate, rippling as if forces beneath it were struggling to get free.
Andrew Johnson was first through the door. He threw down his holdall and searched with one hand for the light switch. As the others bustled inside the lights flickered and illuminated in pale shadowed fringes a hallway that would once have been considered grand. Worn black and white tiles shuffled off into corners where dust piled in inelegant mounds. Once-ornate covings were coated with accumulated grime that lent them the appearance of mould, and judging from the underlying smell of the house mould was prevalent throughout.
‘Home sweet home,’ Jo Madley murmured, voicing the thoughts of them all.
‘It’s a survival course,’ Bennett said. ‘And the house seems to be part of the survival.’
‘Stayed in worse on the road,’ Eddie said cheerfully. ‘ We just need to get warmed up.’
Their footsteps echoed on the marble tiles as they began to open doors and check inside. None of the rooms were inviting; most of the furniture was covered in yellowed dustsheets, the windows covered on the outside by wooden shutters and on the inside by thick velvet curtains, drawn tightly shut. At least the electricity seemed to be connected and the lights in all the rooms working.
They weren’t conscious of moving through the rooms as a group, but that’s what they did. It was as if none of them wanted to be alone, even though they would have argued they were merely team building if one of them had mentioned it.
Because they kept together, none of them noticed the curtains rippling as though breathing, and the fresh finger marks on the old dustsheets.
They decided to share rooms. Once Eddie’s coarse jokes were all used up the three women took one large bedroom to the front of the house; there was a huge four-poster bed there and a smaller divan type; and the men selected a room at the back with four single beds in it.
‘No good if we strike lucky,’ Andrew complained and while Eddie ignored the comment, Bennett knew it was made only half in jest.
Unpacking didn’t take long as they had been instructed to travel light and wear warm, practical clothing. Jo went through to the en suite bathroom and as soon as the other two women heard the sound of running water they jumped on the bed and began talking.
‘What the hell were you doing hanging onto Eager Andy like that?’ Sheila wanted to know.
‘And what were you doing making snide remarks about it?’
‘You know what he’s like. You can’t fancy him surely?’
Casey looked at her friend as if she needed to explain the reality of things very slowly. ‘We’re here for what? Seven days? And six nights! Eddie is cute but uptight and bound to take all of this ultraseriously, Bennett is so full of his team leader role he can’t see past his own nose, so that leaves Andy as the only one to have a laugh with. Besides, he’s so keen to preserve his womanizer image he’ll do anything in return for a harmless flirt. I’m about as good on a survival course as I would be running the marathon, so I — we — might just need a friend to get us out of the more strenuous ordeals they have planned. Andy will cover for us.’
Casey spread herself on the slightly damp quilt. Sheila absorbed what she had said and laid beside her. ‘How does that husband of yours ever stand a chance married to a schemer like you?’
‘He doesn’t, but I don’t take advantage…too often.’
Eddie was unpacked and had his things stowed away in two drawers of an ancient wardrobe before Andrew had even opened his case.
‘What’s on the agenda, Mike?’ he asked Bennett.
Bennett hated being called anything other than Michael, which is why so many of his colleagues used the diminutive as often as they could.
Eddie knew that more than anyone. ‘Yeah,
Bennett carefully folded his clothes and wash things into a voluminous drawer in the chest next to his bed before he turned to them. ‘Look, guys, I’m just one of you. Okay? They made me team leader but you know and I know that means shit. We’re stuck with each other for the next seven days. I have no idea what happens tomorrow — I’m supposed to get instructions somehow.“You’ll be contacted” is all they told me. For to night lay off me and let’s just relax. Okay?’
Andrew held up his hands in a gesture of appeasement.
‘
Downstairs they were surprised to find about nine people assembled and waiting for them. A gray-haired man with a close-cropped beard stepped forward and introduced himself. ‘I’m Lomax, the head of the house hold for the week, and this is Mary our house keeper, and the rest of the staff, including the kitchen staff and cook.’ He smiled but it was a dour smile that reminded Bennett of the deep waters of a loch he had once seen near Oban. ‘I dare say you could all do with some food after your pleasant crossing.’
‘I could do with a drink,’ Eddie said and most of the others laughed. Team building included finding weak jokes funny.
Mary ushered the majority of the staff away, to the kitchens, Casey imagined, while one of the younger men walked in a different direction.
‘Young Ben will serve you at the bar. You’ll find the whisky excellent of course, but the bar is stocked with all manner of fancy drinks that you might be more used to than I am.’ Lomax gestured that they should all follow Ben.
Bennett hovered behind as the others all walked through.
‘Is there anything I can help you with, sir?’ Lomax asked, his accent soft and deep.
Bennett swept his hand in the air to indicate the house. ‘The house is large, and obviously has been wonderful in the past.’
‘Your point, sir?’
‘Judging by the dust and the neglect I doubt the Manse houses nearly ten staff on a permanent basis.’
Lomax inclined his head. ‘Waincraft employed us for the week. We have a small launch moored along the
