Checkmate ⚢

Chapter 27 Skin

A/N

Sorry for the delay in updates! I hope you guys enjoy this chapter as much as I had enjoyed writing it!

Althea's driving was quiet and smooth, unlike the others who Hana rode with. Also unlike herself when she almost got herself killed with Fallon and Liezel last time.

The escape at the Samhain Festival was an easy one. Althea and Hana blended through the crowd and tiptoed away. She knew its courtesy to notify their friends of an explanation before they leave but tonight some sort of glamor embraced them, making the girls act on pure impulse.

With almost an hour of endless winding roads, the house that apparently belonged to Althea Lancaster was a huge one. Hana knew a fly could enter her wide-opened mouth any second; she kept rubbing her eyes as if she would stop seeing this mirage.

"Welcome home, milady." An old maid with a black dress and gray hair tied into a bun greeted them the moment the car's engine died with the rest of the family's servants

"Good evening, Edith," Althea said, with a brazen smile.

"Did you have an excellent day at school?" Edith spoke conversantly before her eyes landed on Hana. "Oh my, we have a guest!"

Althea handed the car keys to a chauffeur, dismissing him. Hana's eyes bulged the entire time, as she looked around the moat that surrounded the castle-like manor.

The pathway leading to the front door was paved with the same tiles and apparently, they had been cleaned recently, for they were wet. She dragged her feet along, forcefully clutching her bag pack and steadily marching towards the impressive entrance door as she followed the heiress.

The maids fumbled about as they looked tried to get a glimpse of Hana and the costume Althea was clad in, murmuring with their soft voices. Althea paid them no mind. Hana was oblivious to the attention the servants gave her.

"Oh milady!" Edith gushed. "You won the Moonlit Witch title, your mother would be so proud."

"I'm proud indeed. Edith, my guest, and I will be at the art studio. I want zero disturbances unless we are called for late dinner."

"Of course, Lady Althea," Edith and the rest of the maids bowed.

"Where are Aunt Cameron and my cousins?" she added.

"Oh, they are out and about, milady."

Althea gave out a deep sigh. "Out partying again, she's done nothing but disgrace the Lancaster name."

Somehow, Hana noticed the foul sound and strained voice when Althea talked about her family. Awkwardly to unwrap herself of the tension, she touched the door's rapper, curiously outlining the 'C' engraved just beneath it, and then with a firm grip, she pressed it to the iron surface, producing a rather peculiar sound.