Chapter V

The next morning I found myself standing again in front of that old grandfather clock.
Now I knew for sure that behind it is a secret passageway. The questions is how do I open it? I first thought that if I set it manually to a certain hour it would open but that means that whenever the clock strikes that certain hour the secret passageway would be revealed. I do not think that Ademar would like that, therefore I dismissed this ideea. I tried moving the second hand and the minute hand backwards but nothing happened. Then it hit me. What if I stop the second hand from moving just for a few seconds. The time stands still forever for vampires and it would be fitting. I did so and finally the grandfather clock moved revealling the secret passageway. I took a peek behind it and it was pitch black. I could not see anything so I returned to the living room and I grabbed a candle holder. l could not find any flashlights and my phone was in my room and I did not want to go back after it. I lit all three candles and I entered the secret passageway. It was not only pitch black in there but also cold. I was wearing a midi silver satin dress and I wished I brought a shawl with me. It was too late for that now because the pasageway closed as soon as I entered. I could not see much in front of me, the light from the candles did not reveal much. I searched for a light switch but there was none. I do not think Ademar needed one because he can see in the dark like I see during the day. There were stairs in front of me. The passageway was narrow, good thing I was not claustrophobic. I slowly went down the stairs. I did not know where I was going but I was very curious to see where the passageway led. After about five minutes I reached the bottom. I think this was the cellar. I did not like the smell in there. It was stuffy. I looked around and saw some wine racks. A lot of them. I grabbed a bottle to look at the lable but there was not one on it. I grabbed another bottle and again no lable. In the light of the candle I saw the contence of one bottle. It looked like red wine but it was too thick. I continued to look around. I had a feeling Ademar was close by. I made a few steps and I saw it. A wodden coffin with gold and silver roses manually painted on. I put the candle holder on the floor and sat on my knees next to it. The stone floor was cold but I did not mind. I put my arms around the coffin and I rest my head on it. I stayed like that for a moment thinking if I should open it or not. I knew Ademar was sleeping inside and I should not disturb him but I wanted so bad to open it. Just to make sure he is alright. I lifted my head and I opened the coffin. I was right Ademar was sleeping peacefully inside. I stared at him for a while and just as I was about to close the coffin he opened his eyes.
"Mon ange."
This was the first time I heard him speaking French. Ange means angel in French. He called me his angel.
"I am no angel."
"You are to me."
Standing like that on my knees with my long fair hair and the silver dress I was wearing in the dim light I must have looked like a praying angel.
"How did you figure out how to open the passageway? How did know there was one behind the clock?"
"I heard you coming up the stairs yesterday . I knew there was something behind the clock. Time stands still for vampires so I stopped the seconds hand for a few seconds."
"My clever angel! No one has been down here except me. No one has seen my coffin except you."
I did not know what to say. I felt honoured.
Ademar got out of the coffin and offered me his blazer.
"Let's get out of here! You are going to catch a cold."
The light from the candles faded away and now I was blind as a bat. I still had the candle holder in my hand but I forgot to bring matches with me.
"Ademar are you still here?"
I received no answer but I felt a cold hand grabbing mine. His hand was cold and mine was warm.
"I am still here."
I was sure we would return the same way I got there but Ademar led me to a tunnel. I walked next to him but could not see anything. He was guiding me to another exit. After five minutes I saw a light at the end of the tunnel. It was a small round metal fence gate that was blocking the exit. Ademar took out a key from his trousers' pocket and opened the gate for me. He remained in the darkness.
"Sorry I cannot come with you! I will go back and use the stairs. Wait for me in the living room."
"OK."
I looked around to see where I was. I recognised the place. It was the garden. I entered the castle through the French doors and waited for Ademar in the living room.