Read Ravens Deep (one) for Free Online Page B

across the room and snatched it from its resting position. I gripped it tightly in my shaking hands and pressed it to my body.
                     What should I do?
                  I had to do something.
                  “Calm down, you have to calm down,” I repeated quietly to myself.
                  With every moment that passed my feeling of dread grew, knowing that I would have to confront whatever, whoever was there.  I quickly looked around for my phone and then remembered that it was in the kitchen, along with the key to the front door.  I felt panic, I was trapped and somebody else was in this house.
                  “Bloody hell,” I uttered under my breath, realizing the horror of that thought.
                  My throat tightened unnaturally and my skin flushed with a sudden intense heat. But I moved towards the passage, my progress was not quick, knowing that each step potentially brought me closer to meeting someone that wished me harm.  My eyes were transfixed on the open doorway and I did not dare to even breathe. 
                  Terror threatened to overwhelm me, as I looked through the opening into the kitchen, I saw the sinister blackness that obscured the majority of the room. I stared harder, searching through the darkness for a shape that would confirm my suspicions.  It felt that the air had a chill to it -- a consequence of something evil about to happen.  I felt the blood drain from my skin as I heard something breathing -- something was close to me.  Terrifying images of murderers and madmen stalking me in the shadows flew through my mind before I summoned the courage to think rationally, and pull myself together. There were knives in the kitchen drawer, if I could reach them, and then at least I might be able to defend myself if the candlestick failed.  I remembered the
    location of the kitchen light switch -- it was just inside the door
                  I had to turn that light on, but the fear kept me frozen to the spot.
                  Another noise!
                  Someone was opening the pantry door!  All at once, cold logic took over -- whatever it was, it was at the pantry door, and that was at least six feet away from the
    light switch. Adrenaline kicked in, and I moved fast.  I reached into the kitchen, found the light switch and flicked it on, simultaneously aiming my candlestick, ready to strike the intruder that was certain to be waiting for me.     
                  The room was empty.
                  I didn’t quite believe it. Half relieved, half terrified, I took in the whole room. Nothing seemed out of place, but the pantry door was slightly ajar. I knew I closed that door.
                  I didn’t realize that I had been holding my breath, and I started breathing again slowly and quietly, but it sounded loud and laborious to my ears. The deafening sound of my own heartbeat was adding to the din.  Why had no-one come out yet, did they think I was fooled into a false sense of security. I approached the pantry as steadily as my trembling legs would allow, candlestick at the ready.  I would not be a victim, not go down without a fight, I was sure that whoever was in there could hear my heart beating by now and I hoped that courage would not fail me. I took a deep breath and somehow, I found my voice.
                  “Come out, I know you’re in there,” I said loudly.  The silence was deafening and no sound or movement came to my ears. I thought then that maybe I should just grab my phone and key and run.
                  But where would I run to? 
                  I could see my car keys, lying on the surface at the far end of the kitchen.  It was a long way to the other end, I had no choice but to confront whoever was in the pantry.  At least maybe I could retain some