Heiress Apparent — Laura Conway

TERROR IN THE CHINESE ROOM

A hot red light leaped and danced upon the walls, the floor, the ceiling. It came from the open door of the Chinese room. Charlotte stared at it terrified, for now there was the acrid scent of burning fabric. She reached the threshold of the Chinese room...Arabel was still asleep. Charlotte could see her head on the pillow of the big bed. She shook Arabel violently by the shoulder and pulled her out of the bed. "What - what is it?" Arabel muttered slowly. "Fire! The room is on fire. Hurry!" But Arabel stood like a statue, ignoring the spreading flames. She stared with horror at the motionless form that lay at her feet.