The sky over the Scottish Highlands was a haunting grey as Wolfe and Bunny arrived at Glenshire Castle, their home for the next few days. The ancient stone structure loomed above them, its turrets stretching toward the mist-shrouded hills. The wind swept around them, carrying the faintest hint of damp earth and distant heather, as if the land itself held whispers of old secrets.
Bunny stepped out of the car, her breath visible in the cool air as she took in the sprawling castle. "Now this," she murmured, a mix of awe and excitement in her voice, "is exactly what I pictured when you said we'd be staying in a haunted castle."
Wolfe chuckled, coming up beside her and taking her hand. "The place does have… character," he agreed, though his gaze moved thoughtfully over the towering structure.
"Come on," she said, tugging his hand as they walked up the cobblestone path toward the castle's heavy oak doors. "Let's go find these ghosts, shall we?"
Inside, the castle was as grand and foreboding as the outside suggested. The air held a distinct chill, and the stone walls were lined with antique portraits and elaborate tapestries depicting old battles and clan gatherings. Their footsteps echoed through the hall as they made their way to their room, passing suits of armour and faded banners that seemed to watch their every move.
Their room was situated in one of the upper wings, its arched windows looking out over the misty moors. A large, four-poster bed draped in deep green velvet took up most of the space, and a fireplace crackled with a low, welcoming fire.
Bunny dropped her bag, her eyes sparkling as she gazed around. "Can you believe people used to live in places like this?" she said, moving to examine a worn tapestry hanging beside the bed. "It's like stepping into a different world."
Wolfe set his bag down carefully, his usual composure settling over him as he scanned the room. "The walls have seen plenty, I'm sure. This castle has survived battles, fires… who knows what else?"
"And the ghosts, of course," she added, grinning as she turned to him. "The groundskeeper mentioned that a lady in white haunts the east wing. Aren't you just the tiniest bit curious?"
He shrugged, his expression unreadable. "I prefer the company of the living."
She rolled her eyes, laughing as she pulled him towards the window to look out over the moors. "Come on, Wolfe, it's just a bit of fun. Maybe she'll give us a story to remember."
Wolfe's gaze drifted out to the fog-laden hills, but his attention seemed divided, as if his mind were already elsewhere. Bunny noticed the shift, her curiosity piqued. She was growing accustomed to these moments, the fleeting distractions that pulled him away even when he was standing right beside her.
"You're not going to disappear on me tonight, are you?" she teased lightly, trying to break the lingering silence. "I'd rather not hunt for ghosts alone."
Wolfe looked down at her, his expression softening as he wrapped an arm around her shoulders. "I wouldn't dream of it," he murmured, though she caught a flicker of hesitation in his eyes.
They spent the evening exploring the castle's winding corridors and hidden nooks, weaving through narrow staircases and shadowy hallways that seemed designed to disorient. Bunny marvelled at the ancient relics lining the rooms—everything from cracked shields and rusted swords to cabinets filled with rare books. Wolfe listened with polite interest as she speculated about the lives of the castle's former inhabitants, but she couldn't ignore the way he occasionally drifted away, glancing around as though searching for something.
As they wandered into a dimly lit room at the end of one corridor, Bunny's excitement grew when she noticed a door concealed behind an ornate tapestry. "Look!" she said, her voice hushed with excitement. "It's like a secret passage!"
Wolfe's gaze sharpened as he stepped closer, but his expression remained calm. "It's probably just a storage closet," he replied, his voice casual, though his eyes lingered on the door.
"Only one way to find out," she said, tugging on the iron handle. The door creaked open, revealing a narrow staircase descending into darkness.
Her eyes sparkled with delight. "I have to see where this goes. Are you coming with me?"
Wolfe hesitated, glancing down the staircase before shaking his head. "You go ahead. I'll wait here—make sure no one comes after you, in case you need to make a quick exit."
"Fine," she said, though a hint of disappointment laced her voice. "But you're missing out on the adventure."
With a final smile, she slipped down the stairs, her steps echoing in the narrow stone passage. Wolfe watched her go, his fingers tapping restlessly against his side as he glanced down the corridor. He knew this castle well; he'd memorised its layout, and the passage Bunny was exploring would lead her to a lower wing, eventually circling back to the main hall. But he had other plans, and with Bunny occupied, he could proceed without raising suspicion.
As her footsteps faded, Wolfe moved to a section of the wall, pressing his hand against a stone near the edge of the tapestry. The stone shifted under his touch, and a narrow doorway opened, revealing a hidden room. He stepped inside, quickly closing the door behind him as he moved toward a small, inconspicuous alcove at the far end of the room.
From his coat pocket, he withdrew a small, leather-bound notebook and a flash drive, both containing information he'd need for a future mission. He tucked them carefully into the alcove, covering them with a loose stone before stepping back and smoothing his coat.
Wolfe's hand lingered on the edge of the hidden compartment, a hint of reluctance in his gaze. This life—the secrets, the double dealings, the constant need to stay one step ahead—had always been a solitary pursuit. But with Bunny in the picture, he felt the strain of it more keenly, the way his double life pulled him away from the quiet moments he craved with her.
He took a breath, clearing his thoughts as he stepped out of the hidden room, securing the stone wall behind him. He quickly made his way down the corridor, hoping to reach the main hall before Bunny finished exploring the passage.
Meanwhile, Bunny had made her way to the lower wing, her curiosity tempered by the eerie silence surrounding her. The castle seemed to close in around her, each creak and echo amplifying in the stillness. She paused in front of a grand, dusty mirror, her reflection ghostly in the dim light, and felt a slight chill run down her spine.
She glanced back, half expecting Wolfe to be standing there, but the corridor was empty. A small pang of unease settled in her chest, and she quickened her pace, winding her way back through the corridors until she found herself in the main hall.
Wolfe was already there, standing by the fireplace, his face illuminated by the warm glow of the flames. He looked up as she entered, his usual calmness settling over him as he offered her a slight smile.
"Find any ghosts?" he asked, his tone light, though she sensed a trace of something guarded in his gaze.
"No ghosts," she replied, studying him as she crossed the room. "But plenty of secrets. Some hidden passages are just waiting to be explored."
"Sometimes secrets are better left untouched," he said, his voice quiet, almost contemplative.
Bunny tilted her head, giving him a searching look. "You know, you're full of little mysteries yourself, Wolfe. You disappear without a word, keep your secrets close, and I can never quite tell what's going on behind those eyes of yours."
He stepped closer, his hand brushing against her arm. "Some mysteries are better savoured slowly," he replied, his voice soft as he met her gaze.
Bunny felt her breath catch, the warmth of the fire flickering over his face as he looked at her. In that moment, the world beyond the walls faded away, leaving only the two of them in the castle's quiet heart. She leaned in, her fingers tracing along his collar as his hand settled at her waist, pulling her closer.
Their kiss was slow, lingering, an unspoken understanding passing between them in the dim light. Bunny felt the weight of his secrets, and sensed the tension he carried, but in his arms, she found a strange comfort, an assurance that whatever walls he kept up, he was here with her, at least for now.
They stood in silence for a while, the fire crackling softly in the background, until Wolfe finally pulled back, his gaze lingering on her as he spoke. "Let's not spend all night chasing ghosts," he murmured, his tone laced with a hint of something wistful.
Bunny nodded, sensing the layers of meaning in his words as they made their way back to their room. But as they moved through the shadowed corridors of Glenshire Castle, her curiosity only deepened, and she couldn't shake the feeling that the real mystery she was uncovering wasn't in the castle's walls but in the man who held her hand.