“By then, Grandpa had arrived in town,” I continued. “He sat by my bed in the hospital and never left. He argued with Aunt Maxine, made her cry, but he refused to back down. She threatened to take it to court, but when she realized I was listening ... and crying ... she immediately backed off.
“After that, they shared me to the best of their abilities,” I said. “They didn’t always get along with each other, but they did the absolute best they could for me. You don’t have to worry about me having a bad life. I had the best life.”
I tilted my head, hoping for a familiar whisper to join the babel of strange ones floating through the room. It didn’t happen. Even though I knew it wouldn’t happen, I was disappointed all the same.
“Anyway, that’s all I wanted to tell you.” I dusted off the seat of my pants as I stood and moved away from the gate. “I’ll be around. I’ll keep talking even though you can’t hear. You always said I was a chatterbox, Dad. That hasn’t changed.”
Still nothing, which allowed the weariness to overtake me.
“I’ll see you later.” I was halfway across the room before I registered the hair on the back of my neck standing on end. I jerked up my head, slowly swiveled to search every corner of the room, and then swallowed a gasp when I heard the doors behind me swing open.
I spun so fast I almost lost my balance, my eyes going wide when I realized three wraiths had entered the room. They stood tall, somehow stretched, and their black robes billowed thanks to the overhead fans.
“What are you doing here?” It was only after I asked the question that I realized it was stupid to waste my time with words. Wraiths didn’t communicate. Occasionally they babbled, or said a single word. The only thing I’d managed was to draw their attention to me ... and that wasn’t good.
“Bruja.” I recognized the word as the middle wraith focused on me. “It’s the Bruja.”
They knew who I was. It made no sense that they would recognize me, yet they did. “Get out!” I extended a finger toward the door, a move I remembered from my childhood when I invaded my mother’s personal space. I realized I was channeling her, which was a comfort ... until the wraiths moved in my direction.
They almost looked as if they were floating, mostly because I couldn’t see any feet, and their bony hands were pasty white as they extended them in my direction. I didn’t have a weapon, so I backed up and considered my options.
“Bruja.” The wraith’s voice was a harsh rasp that sent chills down my spine. “Bruja.”
Son of a troll! I was in a pickle now. This was the last thing I wanted. “I don’t suppose you guys would simply call this a draw, would you? We could go our separate ways and no one would have to get hurt.”
The wraiths continued to advance.
“That’s what I figured. I was beside myself as I shook my head. “Okay. Well, I guess that means ... .” I didn’t finish the sentence, instead bolting to my left and heading toward the supply closet. I had my security card in hand as I waved it in front of the scanner. Surprise was my only weapon, and I was banking on the wraiths being shaken enough to give me time to slide inside.
I knew better than to waste precious time glancing over my shoulder. I grabbed the storeroom door handle and opened it far enough that I could slip inside, twisting quickly to throw all my weight on the bar on the opposite side in an effort to yank the heavy door closed.
There was a small window at the top of the door. From my vantage point, crowded toward the floor, I didn’t miss the hiss of disgust on the other side as a ghastly face filled the frame and stared into the dark depths of the room.
Carefully, I released the door handle, but not before testing it to make sure the locking mechanism held. I heard the wraiths pulling and prodding on the other side, but the door didn’t budge. That was good, because this was going to be my new home if I didn’t get some help. With that in mind, I pulled out my phone and searched through my contacts list. I didn’t stop until I hit a familiar name.
He picked up on the second ring. “Who is this?”
“It’s me. Izzy. Izzy Sage.” I had no idea why I added the “Izzy Sage” part. He clearly knew it was me after the first three words. “I’m in big trouble. Wraiths broke into the gate room. I’m locked in a closet and ... I don’t know what to do.”
Instead of yelling and cursing, Braden was unnaturally calm. “Are you safe?”
“For now.”
“I’m on my way. Stay where you are. Whatever you do, don’t leave that room. Do you understand me?”
“Yes.” I wasn’t a fan of his bossy tone, but it wasn’t as if I had a choice. “Please hurry.”
“I’m on my way. I’ll be there before you know it.”
Somehow I doubted that.
THE WRAITHS SPENT SO much time trying to get at me in the supply room that they ignored the gate. That was for the best, because they were caught unaware when the Grimlocks — swords in hand — swooped in.
I watched with grim fascination as Redmond, Cillian and Braden dispatched the creatures within seconds of entering the room. They seemed practiced, as if this wasn’t new to them, and Cormack was calm as he strode to the storage room door and attempted to open it.
“It’s locked,” I offered lamely as we stared at each other through the window. “You need a special keycard to get inside. I think I’m stuck here.”
The look he shot me was pitying. “Or you could simply shove your keycard under the door and allow me to open it from this side.”
Huh. He was cool in the face of a crisis. That was a good thing. “Great idea.” My emotions were blunted as I slid the card under the door and watched as he swiped his way in. He smiled when the door slid open and caught sight of my face. I couldn’t return the expression.
“Are you okay?” Braden brushed past his father and hurried to my side, ignoring the sidelong look Cormack shot him.
I nodded, clasping my shaking hands together. “I am. It happened fast. I’m sorry I had to call you. I didn’t know what else to do.”
“That’s why we’re here.” Braden slipped his arm around my shoulders and led me toward the table. “Cillian, see if you can find a bottle of water in that fridge.”
Cillian nodded without hesitation, offering me a friendly wink before turning on his heel. Redmond was busy prowling the room while Braden and Cormack invaded my personal space.
“You need to tell me what happened,” Cormack instructed, his tone firm. “I need to know everything that occurred so I can fashion the appropriate report.”
“They just appeared. I don’t know how they got in.”
“What were you doing here so late?” Braden asked gently. “I didn’t think you guys worked overnight. That’s why we’re instructed to hang onto souls if they come in after a certain hour.”
“I wasn’t working,” I hedged, decidedly uncomfortable. “I brought someone here to look around and was about to leave myself when it happened.”
“Who did you bring here?” Braden’s voice took on an edge. “Was it a ... date?”
“A date? Why would I bring a date here?”
“I don’t know. Maybe that’s your thing.”
“It wasn’t a date.” My temper ratcheted up a notch. “I can’t believe you’d even think that.”
“What else am I supposed to think?” Braden challenged. “You’re new to the area. You haven’t made friends yet.”
“No, but I have an aunt.”
“Oh.” He rocked back on his heels. The explanation was supposed to be placating, but it seemed to have the opposite effect on Braden.
“I asked her to talk to Maxine,” Cormack supplied, taking the bottle of water from Cillian and passing it in my direction. “I thought she would be able to help. I’m guessing that’s why she was here.”
I nodded as I accepted the bottle and twisted the top. “She was hoping to be able to find a trail, but she came up empty. She says she needs time to think because she’s never dealt with a situation like this bef
ore.”
“I think we can all safely say that,” Cormack said dryly. “How did the wraiths get in?”
That was a good question. “I don’t know.”
“Has the door been replaced?” Cormack turned his attention to Cillian, which made me realize he was looking to him for an answer. “That was high on our to-do list, but I didn’t pay attention when we came in.”
“It’s the same door,” Braden volunteered, his eyes remote as he shifted from one foot to the other. “It hasn’t been switched out yet.”
“Then the wraiths must have entered after Maxine left,” Cillian surmised. “She didn’t know to tug hard to latch it.”
“That door must be replaced tomorrow,” Cormack ordered. “The door is our biggest concern. After that, we have to track down the mutated wraith. ” His eyes slowly tracked to me. “Did any of the newer wraiths cross the threshold?”
I shook my head. “That’s what I was worried about, but they were distracted trying to get me out of the closet. I don’t think they realized they were working on a limited timetable. They didn’t even look in that direction once I was in here. I was all they seemed to care about.”
“Well, we lucked out there,” Redmond said as he joined us. “Still, I think we should keep a guard on this room and then have that door switched out pronto in the morning. We can’t risk this happening a second time.”
“Agreed.” Cormack blew out a sigh as he regarded me. “We’ll get Izzy back to her room, post a guard here and then pick this up in the morning.”
That sounded like a workable plan to me. Of course, that could’ve been the exhaustion talking.
Fifteen
Despite the excitement, I slept hard. Braden and Cillian insisted on driving the cart back to the boathouse so they could walk back together. They didn’t appear frightened at the prospect of wraiths attacking, but I was fearful on their behalf.
I watched from the upstairs window until they disappeared into the darkness, and then I climbed into bed. I was certain sleep would be elusive. I was wrong.
When I woke, I wasn’t alone. My instincts told me that, and I was instantly alert, ready to fight in case my life was about to be threatened. I found Aisling sitting at my small vanity, playing with my makeup and studying her reflection.
“Do you think it’s normal to look so bloated before giving birth?”
I wasn’t expecting the question. “You don’t look bloated.”
“I look like a beached whale.”
“You look like a woman who is about to expand her family,” I corrected, dragging a hand through my mussed hair and regarding her with curiosity. “How did you get inside?”
“My brothers are masters at getting around locked doors.” She swiveled in the chair and fixed me with an appraising gaze. “How did you sleep?”
“Better than I expected.”
“Yeah. Adrenaline will do that for you.”
“I guess.” I kept up a continuous combing motion with my fingers. “What are you doing here?”
“Well, because everyone in my family planned to spend the day here to make sure the gate was secure, I insisted they include me. They didn’t like it at first, but I’m betting you can guess who won.”
It took everything I had not to smile. I figured that would encourage her, and I was under the distinct impression that was the last thing her family wanted. “I thought your husband wanted you out of the line of fire.”
“That’s why I’m here with you and not near the gate. My father insisted I serve as your chaperone, at least until lunch. That’s when they figure the new door will be installed.”
That was disheartening. “I don’t need a chaperone.”
“Don’t worry. He played it up as if I would be the one looking out for you, but I’m well aware that he expects you to watch me. You’ve had a steady string of messages sliding across your screen.” She pointed toward my cell phone, which was plugged in and resting on the nightstand. “I’ll bet half of them are from my family, and my dad is explaining how you should go along with what he said without telling me differently.”
“Really?” I cocked an eyebrow and leaned to retrieve the phone. I was curious as to whether she was right. She was. “Actually, I have instructions here from your brothers and father. I don’t understand how they all got my number. I only gave it to Braden and Cormack.”
“We share everything in the Grimlock family.”
“That sounds invasive.”
“You have no idea.” Aisling’s expression turned expectant. “Because they’re being alphaholes, I thought we could take advantage of the situation. How does breakfast sound? After that, we can do some shopping. You need some warmer clothes.”
“I’m on duty.”
“Yes, but my father is the boss and he can shift your duties. Shopping will be a lot more fun than watching my brothers posture and test that door three million times.”
She had a point, but still ... . “I don’t know.” I chewed my bottom lip. “I’m pretty sure a good employee doesn’t shirk her duties four days into a new gig.”
“And I’m pretty sure that I want breakfast ... and a trip to the mall. Once this kid comes, I won’t see the mall for months. Everyone keeps telling me that. I want to shop until I drop now and get it out of my system.”
“Okay.” I saw no reason to argue. She was right about her family. Cormack’s insistent message instructed me to keep Aisling busy and out of trouble. Shopping seemed a good way to do that. “Do you have a car? I don’t.”
“Really?” She pursed her lips.
“I haven’t had time to purchase one.”
“That’s a form of shopping.” Aisling grabbed her phone from the vanity. “I’ll message Dad that we need a vehicle. He’ll force one of my brothers to hand over his. I can’t drive right now because I’m too big to fit behind the wheel. You’ll have to do it.”
“As long as you know where we’re going.”
“Oh, I know exactly where we’re going.”
“THIS IS A NICE AREA.”
Aisling picked Somerset Collection mall or our shopping extravaganza. We ate a delicious breakfast at a cutesy diner in the parking lot and then hit the main building ten minutes later. The facility was filled with high-end shops, including a skywalk, and Aisling seemed at home, so I readily followed her.
“What are you looking for?”
“Clothes for you,” Aisling replied without hesitation. “I like your style, and it’s fine for summer, but you need something to get you through the next two months. Weather in Michigan is seasonal, which means you essentially need three different wardrobes.”
I knit my eyebrows, confused. “Three? There are four seasons.”
“Yes, but you get the same weather in much of spring and fall, so you need to plan ahead for three climates. Winter is a frozen tundra. We’re mostly beyond that, so you can ignore it until the fall. Summer is hot and humid. You’re probably used to that in New Orleans, and from what I can see you’ve got it covered. That leaves spring and fall. You need layers so you can bulk up and strip down.”
“I can probably manage until summer hits,” I hedged. I didn’t have much money for shopping, especially because I needed to purchase a car. “I thought you were shopping for something specific.”
“Oh, I’m shopping for everything.” Aisling dug into her small purse until she came back with a black card. “It’s on Dad. He said to get whatever we needed.”
I balked. “I’m sure he meant that for you.”
“And I want to get you things.” Aisling wasn’t the sort to back down, which made me uncomfortable. “Besides, this is what he gets for trying to trick me. If he thinks I’m going to be bamboozled by shopping, he has a rude awakening in his future.”
I didn’t like the look on her face one bit. “I think that we should focus on you and I’ll handle my own clothes.”
Aisling snorted. “Oh, we’ll see about that.”
IF I THOUGHT AISLING was a for
ce to be reckoned with in the real world, watching her work in a mall setting was downright terrifying. She knew her way around the stores, to the point the concierge desk kept sending people out to collect her packages so they could be carried to Braden’s BMW when we were done.
I was in awe. And, truth be told, I was a bit amused.
“Your father doesn’t care that you’re wearing out his black card?” I asked when we decided to take a break and catch lunch in the food court.
“My father is a wealthy man who likes to spoil me.” Aisling dug into her bourbon chicken with zest. “Honestly, he won’t care a bit. He’ll blow smoke, complain a little and then he’ll make sure I have the waffle bar of my dreams for breakfast tomorrow morning.”
“It must be nice. Not the spoiling so much as knowing that he’ll always be there.”
Aisling studied me as she chewed, waiting until she swallowed to speak. “I know what happened to your family. I heard my father and Braden talking last night. I’m sorry. That must have been rough.”
My skin prickled under her intense scrutiny. “I don’t really remember it.”
“I know that, too. It’s better not to remember it. Trust me.”
Maxine’s words from the previous night filtered through my brain. “I know what happened with your mother. I’m sorry about that. I can’t imagine what you must’ve gone through when she fell.”
Instead of reacting with sadness, Aisling snorted. “Did Madame Maxine give you the details?”
“Kind of. She filled in the blanks after Braden told me.”
The way Aisling’s chin snapped up told me she wasn’t expecting that. “Braden told you?”
I bobbed my head. “You seem surprised.”
“He hasn’t wanted to talk to anyone since it happened, including me, and we were there together at the end.”
“You saved him, right?”
Only The Lonely (A Death Gate Grim Reapers Thriller Book 1) Page 14