Page 32 of Magic in the Music (Magic and Mysteries #4)

“We have managed to have some of the journal translated,” Samantha’s mother announced as she rushed into the music room followed by the other mothers.

Samantha sat forward and grasped his hand tightly, no doubt from fear that the news would not be good.

Samantha pulled back with a gasp. “Is she stuck in there?”

Cassian asked the question.

“No, she was able to avoid the curse because she was learning a new piece of music and glancing at her hands more often than she would a song that she already knew. She first noticed the very tips of her fingers fade, and realized they tingled and got away from it.”

“She was able to leave the room?” Samantha asked, which Cassian repeated.

“Yes,” Samantha’s mother answered. “It had not claimed enough of her to keep her close.”

“Unlike me,” Samantha mumbled and fell back against the settee.

“When the enchantment and danger was discovered because it had tried to claim others, several witches and wizards tried to send the piano here apparently, but it would not leave. Only when someone tried to transport the entire room to Nightshade Manor did it work and it has been here, behind closed doors for nearly seventy-five years.”

“If the door has been sealed all of this time, why was it open and playing when Samantha came downstairs?”

“We do not yet know, but someone is working on the translation and we hope to learn more soon.”

At least they knew something, but hopefully the next time the women returned they would have a solution and not a history lesson.

“Here is the wine, brandy and tea,” Nina said as she returned with the tray.

“Thank you,” Samantha murmured and he did not have to hear music or see auras to know that she was disheartened.

“They will find an answer, Samantha,” Cassian assured her, grateful that she could not hear his music and realize he was not as confident that a way would be found out of this predicament.

She simply nodded.

“They managed to solve other mysteries and break curses. They will this one. Nobody is going to leave until you are free of this room.”

The reminder was as much for himself as her.

“I want to believe you…”

“Then believe me and believe in them.”

“I will try.” She then placed a hand over her mouth and yawned.

“You should rest. You said that you did not get much sleep last night.”

“I am afraid to,” she whispered. “What if I wake and you can no longer see or hear me, or the piano…”

Cassian placed a finger against her lips. “I will be here and if it appears that something is happening to you, I will wake you instantly.”

Her blue eye flickered with fear and uncertainty.

“I promise, Samantha.”

She eventually gave a nod. “Would you mind getting me a blanket?”

He rose and crossed to the other side of the room to lift a blanket that had been draped over the back of a chair then placed it over Samantha who had curled up on her side on the settee.

His heart contracted with a tenderness so fierce that it hurt. The woman he loved was trapped and there was nothing he could do to free her.

What if the witches could not find a way to break the curse?

That was his biggest fear. But, if that came to be, he would never leave Nightshade Manor again. This time it would not be because Nina could not leave the Sacred Grove but because Samantha could not leave this room and he would never leave her alone.

* * *

She had actually slept! Samantha had no idea how long but her mind was clearer now as some of her panic had subsided, only to be replaced by a quiet, steady fear.

What if there wasn’t a way out of this predicament?

Was she doomed to remain basically a ghost until she died?

If Cassian was the only person who could see and speak with her, it would be unfair to ask him to stay with her, but she would be unable to survive without him. She would not be able to eat or drink and he wouldn’t go to France.

“I wonder what time it is?” she asked as she pushed the blanket aside.

With I sigh she sat up and looked around, wondering where Cassian had gone, only to find him in a chair, feet on an ottoman, sound asleep.

Perhaps there was a way that she could eat and drink without his assistance.

She glanced around the room, then wandered to areas that were not really explored, and noted a cabinet. Inside were glasses and decanters of likely brandy or wine. There were also small plates, napkins and cutlery.

What if she could use those items to eat and drink, if someone else poured and put the food on the plate?

She took them out and placed them on the table before the settee so that they were ready when it was time to experiment.

She smiled when a low snore came from deep in Cassian’s chest and wandered to the open door.

Taking a deep breath, she attempted to step through but ran into an invisible wall. At least it was soft so she didn’t injure herself.

Samantha was about to turn away when voices drifted toward her. They were further away than Cassian had been when he spoke with St. Alban so she was unable to make out the words. However, she could still hear the music in tones from rooms away, thankful that not all of her powers now failed her.

She strained to listen for any clues but all she could surmise was that they were all witches discussing the situation and they were worried.

Did that mean that they had not found a way to break the curse, or there was no way to free her?

Samantha’s heart pounded heavily, painfully, spreading through her chest and up her neck as every muscle constricted, threatening to cut off her air.

She forced a deep breath then blew it out slowly, trying to gain control of her emotions. She needed to remain calm, especially when she knew nothing for certain. The music in their tones may not be as dire as she assumed. It was music in a tone, not words of despair.

Further, she should not worry about a future that had not yet been decided then strained to listen some more but voices had dropped to a whisper as did their music, and she could barely hear it.

What had they discovered?

“Oh, I wish one of them would just come and tell me so I do not have to wait in suspense.”

“What?” Cassian asked, his voice was still heavy from slumber.

“I am sorry. I did not mean to disturb you.”

“You did not.”

She suspected that he was just being polite but since she could not hear his music, Samantha had no idea if he spoke the truth.

“Do you know what time it is?” she asked.

“No. I will go find out and bring some tea or water.”

“Thank you.”

He started for the door and just as he was about to exit, she called to him.

He paused and turned around. “Could you also find out if they have learned anything else or have an answer?”

He smiled, his silver eyes warming. “Of course.”

She hated when he was gone, but she should not expect him to be by her side constantly.

Which meant, if the witches could not find a way to free her, she would somehow find a way to free Cassian.

With that thought, she went in search of pencils or a quill and ink then something that she could write on. Except, she would need to be very careful in her use of anything found as there would be a very limited supply and she might be stuck in here for years.