The Lurkers Within: (A Havenwood Falls Novella)

by Danielle Bannister

  His eyes seemed slightly amused. “You couldn’t get me to do anything I didn’t want to, even if you were down on your knees, Agent Young.”

  Oh, he was good. Playing hard to get too. I smirked. “Call me Tasha.”

  I extended a hand, but he didn’t take it, as though proving his point. Maybe he didn’t want to play with me. That would be a first for me.

  “Roman,” he said when I took my hand away. “Well, Tasha, as you’ve probably deduced, I am not with the FBI.”

  “No shit. Everything about this mission hasn’t smelled right, starting with you. Now why don’t you tell me why you brought me here?”

  Davis arrived just then with Roman’s drink. It looked like a regular black coffee, but there was a definite shimmer to it. Like there was oil in it or something. Probably coconut oil or some healthy shit.

  “What the hell is that?”

  “It’s mine and, therefore, not your concern.”

  “You know what?” I said as calmly as I could. “You’re absolutely right. I don’t care about you, or the sewage you’re about to drink. I only care about my partner, Adam. Who took him, and why did you bring us here?”

  He smiled. “That’s more like it.” Roman picked up his cup and took a slow and careful sip before he answered my question. “I invited you here because I’ve heard you’re the best in the business.”

  My eyes narrowed, and I licked my lips. “I’m the best at everything I do.”

  He smiled as though that was exactly the answer he was expecting. “I’m counting on that.” He took another sip as though we weren’t under the gun for recovering Adam’s soul. “Ms. Youn—Tasha, have you ever heard of the Indrori?”

  “That another one of your fancy coffee drinks?”

  He closed his eyes for a moment, as though he were trying not to scold me for being insolent.

  “No. An Indrori is an agglomeration of spirits. One demonic ghost who has figured out a way to absorb the spirits of other ghosts around them, giving it strength unlike anything the world has ever seen.”

  “Well, that’s where you’re wrong. The world has seen it. Well, a select few have. My agency knows all about these soul clusters,” I hedged, trying to remember more information on that one case file I was thinking about earlier.

  He pushed his cup aside. “I’m sure your ‘agency’ has seen a few feeble couplings peppered here and there. I, however, am referring to something far more aggressive.”

  I’d play along, if only to get a clearer picture about what I was up against. “Go on.”

  “We believe that this Indrori has a hundred souls or more currently within his control. He appears to be able to merge and unmerge with these souls at will, according to our source.”

  I blinked at him, fighting the urge to roll my eyes. The guy was clearly yanking my chain.

  “A hundred-plus souls . . . all under the control of one aura? That’s not possible. You should have stopped at ten. I might have believed you then.” There was no way. No way was a thing like that possible if I didn’t know about it. “I would have felt it if there were that many souls in that house.”

  “Perhaps. If they were all in the house at once. My source tells me that the Indrori seems to be able to move in and out of places, separating souls and joining them together at will.”

  I rolled my eyes. “Well, forgive me if I don’t trust your source. I’m in this field, Mr. Bishop. I know what spirits are capable of. And what you’re talking about is impossible.”

  “My source also tells me that there was a breach in the Infernum not too long ago.”

  I raised an eyebrow. The Infernum? It sounded like a nightclub, but somehow, I knew if I said that, he’d be Mr. Grumpy Pants with me, so I let him continue. He seemed to like to hear himself talk. Hell, I did, too.

  “It’s a prison, of sorts, for immortals, and also home to some not-so-friendly ghosts,” he clarified.

  “Let me guess, these hundred or so spirits did the breaching?” I said, waiting for the punchline.

  “Not necessarily. We don’t know how many may have escaped, but there was most definitely a massive energy shift in our town.”

  “I think it may be time you lay off the wacky tobacky, Roman.”

  My comment made no impact on his deadpan expression.

  “Fine. Don’t accept my information, but don’t expect to recover your partner without it.”

  I glared at him. He had me by the short hairs, and he knew it.

  “Tick-tock, Tasha,” he replied. Though his tough exterior showed he was firmly in control of the situation, there was an edge to his eyes. A pleading, almost. In spite of his confidence, I got the distinct sense that he needed my help just as much as I needed his.

  “Fine. Tell me what you know.”

  His lips curled into a smile. “That’s a good girl.”

  Chapter 7

  Forty minutes later, I had heard everything about Havenwood Falls and the thing that was living in that house. What he told me left my mouth hanging open, and not in the good way.

  This entire town was made up of supernatural creatures and humans alike, all of them intermingling with each other as if nothing were out of the ordinary. One of the waitresses in this coffee shop, for example, was a witch, but the manager I flirted with was a human. The owner of the shop was a fae. Naturally.

  “What kind are you?” I asked Roman when I was able to form semi-coherent thoughts.

  Roman leaned across the table, waving his hand around almost like he was trying to swat away a fly, and then clasped his hands in front of him.

  “I am a warlock.”

  “Naturally,” I said, though nothing about him being a witch was natural at all! I eyed him again and reconsidered his hand movement.

  “Did you just cast a spell?”

  His eyes narrowed.

  “I merely muffled our conversation from prying ears,” he said, as though that were the most natural thing on the planet.

  “How are the people—humans, I should say—not freaked out that they are next door neighbors with a vampire, or shifter, or whatever the hell might want to eat them for dinner?”

  “That would never happen. The Court of the Sun and the Moon, the true governing body of Havenwood Falls, ensures things don’t get out of hand, and we don’t end up eating each other. Well, much. The Court knows all. Sees all. Yes, Tasha, even you will get a visit from them, soon enough. Well, besides me, that is.”

  “Me? Why?” I didn’t like the sound of people keeping tabs on me. Especially in a place like this, where there might be eyes everywhere.

  “Like I said, we keep tabs on everyone and everything. Especially the tourists. Plus, we have magical wards and protections in place. That really isn’t your concern at the moment. Taking care of this Indrori is. You are the only one who can fix this.”

  “You keep saying that, but you don’t seem to comprehend my point. Yes, I’m the best in my field, but what you’re asking me to do is impossible. Not with the equipment I have,” I repeated for the third time since he told me about the Indrori. I was like a broken record he refused to listen to.

  He stood up, buttoned his suit jacket, and slid his coat on.

  “Ultimately, the choice is yours, Tasha. Try my plan, as outlined, and bring your partner back to this realm, or leave altogether. But I can guarantee you this: nobody will save your partner if you choose to leave. Our town is currently up against a formidable force that this Indrori may be just one small part of, and saving all of the people of this town comes before one person nobody even knows is here.” With that, he took one final sip from his mug, pulled a fifty-dollar bill from his wallet, and tossed it on the table before he left me alone to consider my options.

  Eduardo came back in as soon as Roman left. He’d been watching our discussion from outside like a hawk ready to pounce if he tried anything funny. It would have been a sweet display of jealousy if we weren’t so royally fucked.

  “So? What was that all about?
” he asked as a few new people entered the shop. They were happily chatting with each other, warming their fingers with hands cupped to their mouths. Completely oblivious to the hell that lived a few blocks away.

  I stood up. “Not here. We’ve got eyes.”

  I glanced over to Davis, who was chatting with his new customers. How much did he know about the town he lived in? Was he one of them? Or was he one of the poor saps left in the dark?

  Spooked, I put on my coat. Eduardo nodded once, and we left Coffee Haven. We walked toward the center of the town square. I ignored the blast of cold air hitting me from all angles, suddenly unable to feel the chill against my skin. It was all I could do not to throat punch the kids on the corner singing Christmas carols.

  “Tasha, slow down. Talk to me. What did that asshat say to you?”

  I slowed my pace and stood in front of the fountain. My eyes glassed over a bit.

  “Did you ever read any fantasy books when you were a kid?” I asked, still trying to process everything Roman told me.

  Eduardo looked at me funny, but answered me anyway. “Do comic books count?”

  I nodded, though my mind was a million miles away.

  His hand caught my shoulder, forcing my mind to stop spinning.

  “Tasha, what’s all this about? What did he say that has you so rattled?”

  “It’s all real,” I whispered, focusing on the fountain a few feet away. “All of it. Vampires, witches, shifters. It’s not just ghosts that walk among us. There really are terrible things that go bump in the night.” I wasn’t so sure why it was such a leap to believe in all the rest, when I knew full well that ghosts were real. But I’d grown up seeing ghosts. Today was the first time that I’d ever spoken to a witch . . . that I was aware of, anyway.

  “What are you talking about? Babe, you’re freaking me out.”

  I stood and watched the fountain, which was still running even in this weather. I tilted my head as I watched what looked like flecks of something shiny in the water. I took a step closer to be sure I was really seeing what I saw. Of course they had a fountain that rained gold. Hell, the water probably wasn’t even water. It was probably unicorn tears.

  “There’s no time to explain it all right now, but,” I said, shaking my head, “I know what took Adam.”

  Eduardo stiffened. “What are we up against?”

  “Something we’ve never trapped before. A super spirit of sorts called the Indrori,” I said, as I turned away from the fountain and headed back toward the house. “So we have to hurry.”

  The sun was starting to set as we raced back to the house. It cast an eerie shadow across everything the darkness touched. The last thing I wanted to do was go back into that house again, especially now that I knew what I was up against, but Roman’s plan was just crazy enough to work. I had to try, for Adam’s sake.

  Eduardo ran after me, quickly matching my stride.

  “Tasha, what the hell is an Indrori?”

  “According to Roman—”

  “Since when are you on a first name basis with our contact?” There was no mistaking the jealousy in his tone. This was not the time to have this discussion.

  I needed him to follow orders. “He’s not FBI. We were tricked into coming here because of our unique skill set—well, my skill set. Roman is one of the guys in charge of this town. He seems to think I’m the only person who can defeat this thing and save Adam.”

  “What, you wanna go back in there?”

  I nodded. “I have to, Eduardo. According to Roman, the Indrori is like a ghost cluster. One soul absorbing the spirits around him.”

  “Like that case in Sweden?” he asked.

  “Yeah, except this one can manage more than a few spirits. Over a hundred. And possibly one more, now that he has Adam.”

  Eduardo stopped walking for a second.

  “Hold up. Since when can a ghost absorb that many spirits?”

  “Since about four hundred years ago. Apparently, there are legends of such a beast existing that far back. There was a mass breakout from the prison that held all these spirits. That’s when we got the call.” My feet were flying back to the house as fast as my words were coming out of my lips. I had a plan, a long shot at best, but it just might save Adam, if I hurried.

  “Tasha, wait up,” Eduardo yelled, catching up with me. I was on a mission. I needed to get back to the house.

  “What prison?”

  I stopped walking and faced Eduardo.

  “Look, there isn’t time to repeat everything Roman told me. Just trust me on this; we are up against the most powerful thing I’ve ever seen. There are five traps to go up against hundreds. Every second I waste explaining how any of this is possible is a second we lose trying to save Adam.”

  “What’s your plan then? Just bust in there, traps blazing, and hope for the best?” he fumed. I knew he was frustrated. I was too, but there just wasn’t time.

  I started walking again. “No. I’m going to use myself as bait.”

  A moment later, he was at my side again. I pulled out a bottle of pills from my pocket.

  “What are those?” He reached for the bottle, but I shoved them back inside and continued walking.

  “Roman gave them to me. They’re placebo sleeping pills. When I get back to the house, I’m going to pretend to be exhausted and pop a few of these to ‘nap’ alongside Adam. He says they won’t be able to resist such a good target. They’ll merge into one, and when the fuckers get close to me, I’ll bag ’em.”

  “Tasha, will you stop for one second? Jesus!”

  Exasperated, I spun around.

  “What?” I snapped.

  “You aren’t thinking rationally. You just told me that we’re up against a demonic coven all rolled into one mega badass boss and you just want to waltz in there with a weapon that has no hope of bringing that many spirits down?”

  “First off, we aren’t doing anything. You’re no longer on the mission. Not one foot back in there. Do you understand?” He started to protest, and I held up a finger. “That’s an order. You are powerless against what’s inside. You can’t see them like I can. You won’t be able to escape if they come for you, and I’m not risking you being taken, too.” I could see his macho-man argument coming, so I tried to soften my tone. I ran my hand across the side of his face. “I can’t lose you, Eduardo. I don’t know if I’ll be able to get Adam back, but I won’t risk you. I won’t. You are not to step one toe on that property.”

  “So what am I supposed to do? Just wait outside?” Eduardo was clearly pissed. I’d never taken him off a mission before.

  “No. You’re going home. Go back to Coffee Haven. Roman has arranged for the bus to pick you up and drop you at the airport. Your ticket info should be in your email soon.”

  “This is bullshit, Tasha. I won’t leave you.”

  I took his hand, defusing his anger, and pressed my lips against his gently. “You will, because this is a direct order. Go. Now.”

  His expression changed when he heard the pleading in my voice. It was a manipulative tactic, sure, but one I had to use. The only way to get him to safety was to make him believe he had my heart. I couldn’t help it if he was foolish enough to believe I had one to give.

  Leaning in, I gave him one final kiss and walked away. Eduardo didn’t follow me, as I knew he wouldn’t. He wouldn’t disobey an order, even one as impossible as the one I’d given. He was a soldier first and foremost, and I used that to my ultimate advantage. This was between me and the shitstorm waiting for me back at the house.

  Reaching into my jacket, I touched the pills again, clutching the bottle in my hand as I went over the plan in my mind. Once I rounded this block, I’d have to pretend that nothing was amiss. I needed to go back inside, cool as a cucumber, and act like Adam was still sleeping, and then quickly join him.

  One nagging problem was that I had no idea how they had taken down Adam so fast. Normally, a demonic spirit attacked only at night when we were at our weakes
t. Even then, it’s a bite or claw mark. They sucked Adam’s entire soul out in a matter of seconds in full daylight and with Eduardo in the next room! Then again, we’d never dealt with this many souls all at once. Apparently, they could do things I couldn’t even fathom.

  The hardest part of the plan would be sneaking a trap into the bed with me before they tried to attack, but I had something in mind for that. These assholes may be able to merge into one supreme being, but there was one thing I had that no one could resist, dead or alive.

  Back at the house, I unlocked the door and let myself in, humming lightly as I did.

  “Adam? You up yet?” I asked, closing the door behind me. Three red spirits entered through the walls to watch me. “I’m afraid we’ve lost our son to the slopes,” I said, faking a laugh. “Although it may have been the snow bunnies he was interested in more than the trails.” I reached into my jacket pocket and grabbed the pills, then threw the coat onto the couch. I aimed it directly at a spirit, who didn’t move as it came down on him. The jacket worked its way through him like a cloud of smoke, my phone spilling out on the cushion next to it. A moment later the spirit had reformed. That was not good. Spirits I was familiar with usually took hours to reshape themselves when disturbed like that. This one did it in a matter of seconds. These guys were strong. Far stronger than I had anticipated.

  Trying to steady my nerves, I ventured up the stairs as fast as I could without actually running. Clearing the landing, I made my way into the bedroom with my red shadows following close behind. In the hall, I was joined by two others.

  “I told him to have fun, and I was gonna come back to the house and,” I walked in to discover Adam still flat on his back, “pass out.” I chuckled, keeping my disguise up.

  I glanced at the clock beside him. Almost two hours had gone by. Fuck. I had to work fast.

  “Napping sounds like a great idea,” I whispered. Adam’s bag, which held one of my traps, was at the foot of the bed. “But first, a shower.”