In the Shadow of the Lilac: IV: Shatter
History, Ghosts, and Haunted Balls, oh my!
Welcome to In the Shadow of the Lilac! This is projected to be a five or six-part wholesome spooky serial. Previously intended to conclude with Part V today on Halloween, due to having been under the weather, I’ll be posting the finale (whether that is Part V or Part VI) sometime in November. If you’d like to receive it in your inboxes, please be sure to subscribe to the section “It was a Dark and Stormy Night.”
Synopsis: When Melody and Zion Holcomb move to Lavender Vale ahead of their parents, they expect the peaceful Gilded Age town to be a breath of fresh air. They can’t begin to guess that a century-old mystery has been lying in wait for them to solve. . . and the answers lie buried in the halls of the Hotel Lilac.
Last seen: A break-in at the Emporium - a family history which Grant was reluctant to share - and a spectre that returns even in the secret hallways of the Hotel Lilac.
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“Melody?”
Melody jumped at the sound of Grant’s voice next to her and the garland of berries flipped out of her fingers, sending painted pearls tumbling.
Grant poked his head out from an open in the wall, with a puzzled frown for her as the beads rolled to a stop at his feet.
“Why didn’t you follow me?”
“Why didn’t you know the lights went out and he showed up?” Melody demanded, still shaking a bit and frustrated with herself for it as she struggled to catch up the beads. He stopped to gather them and tucked them in his pockets. His brow creased as he knelt beside her.
“He?”
“The spectre!”
“To the first question, I’m afraid that sliding door jams easily, and the library was pitch-black with all the windows shuttered. Are you okay?”
“Yeah I just don’t like his face coming at me in the dark,” she mumbled. “How was he here anyway? I thought you told me to stay away from the trees. And Grant, you never manage to be around when it is!”
“Curious. I wonder if it could be one of the other employees. It would fit, perhaps.”
“Except it started before I began working here,” Melody pointed out. “Unless you told somebody about Zion and I when we first came. I like mysteries, but this one is creepy when it’s just me.”
“Yeah and usually he’s seen in the woods, or near them,” Grant hesitated. “Listen, Melody, I have an alibi this time, at least. But the lock on the door we took is faulty, and he could have followed us in. I don’t know why he’s picking on you, Melody. Not yet, but I’m going to scour this village until I know exactly who has a costume like mine.”
He pressed her fingers.
“Come on, let’s get these into the library.”