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Though his words were cal the back of Kara’s neck Jerean was uncharacteristically silent

“I know you’re all going to the third floor,” Jonathan went on “And that’s your business But I’ll tell you right now, tread lightly Don’t take anything for granted… and don’t believe everything you see”

The warning ell-an, ready to kick hi else

“And be respectful,” the janitor finished He nodded again, as if agreeing with hiive you”

His eyes shifted over to Kara He tipped his hat with one hand, and flipped the machine back on with the other It whirred instantly to life, drowning out anything else anyone ht’ve said

Kara clutched her coffee a little tighter as they headed for the grand staircase

Twenty-Five

Access to the third floor hadn’t just been roped off, the entire thing had been blocked A wall had been built — and painted to rand staircase didn’t continue its upward climb

“Daan “I wouldn’t even have noticed the stairs continue at all, if not for the door”

In the center of the makeshift as a door to apparently nowhere It looked like every other door in the upstairs hallway, only the brass plate where the room number should be was blank

Kara inserted Jonathan’s skeleton key The knob turned, and the door creaked open

“Ladies first,” she said

She got only a half step when Jeremy stopped her with a hand on her arm She looked annoyed

“What, you don’t think I should go firs—”

“No, not at all,” he cut her off “You’re just gonna need this”