Freaky Rites (A Mystic Caravan Mystery Book 6)

by Amanda M. Lee

  “I figured you would.”

  “I’m sick of these things.”

  “That makes two of us.”

  18

  Eighteen

  Once we were sure the grounds were empty (and the clowns and midway folk locked away for the night) we returned to what was quickly becoming our regular spot to study the specters. I wasn’t surprised to find Max in attendance, his expression serious as he watched the figure with the hat do a little a dance for his benefit.

  “I’m really starting to hate that guy,” Kade muttered, shaking his head.

  “You’re not the only one.” I moved to his side and linked my fingers with his. “You’re not the only one he’s been following.”

  Kade’s eyebrows flew up toward his hairline. “What do you mean?”

  I related my afternoon adventures with Troy. When I was done, everyone started speaking at once.

  “What is he?” Dolph asked.

  “Do you think the ghosts are really watching everything we do, even during the day?” Nixie asked.

  “I want to smash all their faces in with my ax, but that won’t do any damage, so we need to figure out what else to do,” Nellie exploded. “The more violent the better.”

  It wasn’t funny, but I couldn’t help but smile at the reactions. “I think Troy is okay. I’m guessing he was only a curiosity because he was here. The hat ghost is clearly still hanging close and fixated on Kade.”

  “Yeah, and it’s not creepy at all,” Kade groused, making me laugh out loud when he shot the ghost the finger. “I hate this guy.”

  “I think he knows that,” Max mused. “That’s his entire purpose. He wants to irritate you, unnerve you. Stop being such an easy mark.”

  Kade’s mouth dropped open. “Well, excuse me for living.”

  Max sighed but didn’t back down. “I’m not trying to offend you. In fact, it’s the opposite. I’m trying to get you to realize that you’re playing right into these creatures’ hands.

  “I think Poet is right,” he continued. “The ghosts aren’t here to glean information from us. They’re here to distract us. Someone wants us to stick close to the fairgrounds and not venture anywhere else. I think that’s a directed effort.”

  “But what are they trying to keep us from?” Luke asked, appearing out of the gloom behind me and moving close. He had full makeup on from his work in the main tent, which usually put him in a good mood, but he was all business. “What do they want?”

  “I don’t know.” Max looked as frustrated as I felt. “I’ve tried scanning them for information. I’ve come up empty.”

  “I’ve tried the same,” Raven supplied. “There’s nothing there. That’s why I don’t believe they’re really ghosts.”

  “I think we all agree with that,” I said. “They’re not ghosts by any stretch of the imagination.”

  “Shadow hunters,” Nellie said. “They live in the shadows and hunt us. Your friend Caroline gave them the name, and she’s right. That’s what they’re doing.”

  Hmm. That was interesting. “Maybe they’re doing the same thing to her,” I suggested after a beat. “Maybe they’re keeping her locked in her house at night and that’s why she still lives there.”

  “I don’t know,” Luke hedged. “We didn’t spend much time with her, but she didn’t seem unhappy with her surroundings. I think she likes the isolation.”

  “Or she’s getting something from it,” Naida suggested, frowning at my mirror woman and making a growling sound in the back of her throat. “This one is different.” She pointed for emphasis, so there could be no confusion about who she was talking about. “The guy with the hat is more animated, but I think she’s in charge.”

  “What makes you say that?”

  “There’s something there.”

  “You can read her mind?” Raven asked. “I’ve tried with several of them and found blank slates. It’s as if we’re in a classroom and the teacher is yet to write anything on the board.”

  “I can’t see thoughts,” Naida replied. “There’s still something about this one. She seems more … intense. She watches Poet’s every move. And I swear she’s actually thinking before acting.”

  I stared at the figure in question, sticking out my tongue and blowing a raspberry to see if she would react. Sure enough, she bobbed her head back and forth, like a really angry chicken that wanted to go nuts on me if given the chance. She didn’t move to cross the line, though. She stayed exactly where she was.

  “I don’t know that we can prove that,” I said after a beat. “She does seem different, although I can’t be sure I really believe that or it’s simply because you pointed out her actions.”

  “So, what should we do?” Luke asked. “We haven’t made a lick of progress since these things first appeared. If we’re going to test the theory that they’re here to stop us from leaving, isn’t the obvious next step to allow someone to cross the dreamcatcher?”

  Kade immediately balked. “No way. I don’t like that idea one bit.”

  “He’s not necessarily wrong,” Max said, feigning patience. “We can’t do nothing. If we expect results, someone needs to cross the line. I can do it.”

  He was already moving when I extended a hand and grabbed his arm. “Wait. I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

  “And why is that?” Amusement licked Max’s features. “You said yourself that I’m the strongest one here. I should conduct the test for that very reason.”

  “That’s exactly why you shouldn’t,” I countered, firm. “You’re the only one who can heal, yourself and others, if something happens. If they attack and manage to do actual damage – which I’m not sure is a possibility, but we are operating in the dark – then we need you to handle the healing. I believe you have to be conscious for that, right?”

  Max shook his head. “I hate to admit it – mostly because I can already see what you’re going to suggest next – but I get what you’re saying.”

  “Poet is definitely right about Max not crossing the boundary,” Raven said. “Because she’s going to suggest she be the one to do it, I think we should simply cut to the chase and agree that she makes the most sense.”

  “Oh, thank you so much for volunteering me,” I drawled.

  “You were going to do it yourself, and you know it.” Raven was unruffled. “You make the most sense because you have a mirror ghost. Max can’t do it, and we’re not sure Kade can protect himself. That leaves you.”

  “Wait.” Kade’s face flushed, and even though the illumination was limited I could see the worry glittering in his eyes. “This is an absolutely terrible idea. She’s already been attacked once.”

  “Which simply means we know they’re interested in her,” Raven said pragmatically. “She’s the best person for the job.”

  Kade wasn’t ready to acquiesce. “What about Nixie or Naida? They’re magical.”

  “But the shadow hunters show no interest in them,” Luke pointed out. “The best test is the one that helps us get to the heart of the matter quickly.”

  Kade was stymied. “You’re willing to risk Poet’s life for a test?”

  “I’m willing to be right here and yank her back across the line if necessary,” Luke corrected. “We’re stuck in unchartered territory. We don’t have a choice.”

  Kade gazed from face to face. Finally, his eyes landed on me, and I felt anger and worry colliding as he fought to maintain his temper. “You’re going to do it no matter what, aren’t you?”

  I held my hands palms out and shrugged. “I think I have to. We need answers.”

  “But … .”

  “It’ll be okay.” I reached over and wrapped my fingers around his wrist. “Look at all the backup I have. This won’t be like what happened the other night when I was sleeping. Raven and Max are here to yank my butt out of the fire if it gets too hot.”

  “I don’t like it.” Kade kept his voice low. “Something could happen.”

  “And something even worse could
happen if we don’t figure out what these creatures are capable of,” Max pointed out. “I think it’s necessary.”

  “That’s easy for you to say,” Kade grumbled. “She’s not your girlfriend.”

  “That doesn’t mean she’s not dear to me.” Max patted his shoulder. “I understand this is difficult for you, but we really need to make it happen.”

  “Fine.” Kade forced out a sigh, resigned. “If something happens to her, I’ll kill all of you.”

  “Duly noted.” Max winked at me as Kade gave me a quick kiss. “Don’t go too far out, Poet. We need to be able to grab you quickly if something happens.”

  “I understand.” I tugged on my skirt to straighten it, my eyes landing on my mirror as I sucked in a breath. “Here I go.”

  I took one brave step over the line, my eyes flicking between the shadows as I waited. At first, the creatures showed zero interest. It was as if I hadn’t done anything of note. Then my mirror moved closer.

  I stared into her sightless eyes – they were more empty sockets – and frowned when I realized she was mimicking my stance. She posed exactly like me, her head tilted to the side, and it was very clear she was mocking me.

  “Under normal circumstances I might like your attitude,” I offered. “These are not normal circumstances.”

  The specter moved a bit closer and I swore she was smiling, even though she didn’t have a mouth.

  “It’s clear she’s trying to intimidate me,” I volunteered. “It won’t work but I think that’s what she’s trying to do.”

  “Definitely,” Max agreed. “I … Poet, look out!”

  The quick change in his demeanor caused me to jolt. It was too late. The ethereal woman moved fast and already had her ghostly fingers wrapped around either side of my head before I could react.

  Watch.

  She didn’t say the word out loud, but I heard the command in my head. I fought the panic washing over me, but the darkness invading my mind didn’t make it easy. I tumbled into the abyss despite my best efforts, and then I fell for what felt like forever.

  I FELL SO LONG I thought I would never hit bottom. I didn’t thump when hitting the ground as much as slide into existence. I recognized right away I was in another time, though. The place seemed somehow familiar. This was hardly the first instance when my subconscious was taken on a wild ride so I recognized the signs of my new reality.

  “What am I doing here?” I glanced around, my eyes narrowing when I recognized what looked to be a tall building rising down a cute pathway that cut through various buildings and tents. “That’s the Falk Mill.”

  “Very good.”

  I practically jumped out of my skin at the second voice, swiveling quickly to find a woman standing behind me. She was dressed in a skirt made of natural fibers. It ran almost to her feet. Her hair was pulled back in a tight bun and her cool blue eyes were accusatory as she looked me over.

  “You’re the mirror ghost,” I blurted out for lack of anything cooler to say. “I recognize you.”

  “I’m not sure what you mean by that.” The woman crossed her arms over her chest. “You’re … interesting.”

  That was rich coming from a ghost who I didn’t think could possibly be a ghost. The fact that she managed to yank my mind through time was simply too much to comprehend. “Who are you?”

  “It doesn’t matter.”

  “It matters to me,” I persisted. “I need to know who you are.”

  “What good will knowing my name do you?”

  “I’m not sure.”

  “Then why should I give it to you?”

  “It’s simply polite,” I gritted out. “When grabbing someone by the head and forcing them to time travel you should offer your name first.”

  I couldn’t be sure, but I was almost positive that the woman’s lips curved as she fought a smile. “Fair enough,” she said finally. “I am Gillian Dodd. This is my home.”

  Gillian Dodd. Gilly. “This is your home?”

  Gillian nodded as she turned her attention to the bustling activity around us. I could tell right away that this was Gillian’s memory because the other people – the ones walking to and from the store and fields – paid us no attention. “I lived here for five years. That was the longest I lived anywhere. This is definitely my home.”

  I swallowed hard. There was something about the way she watched the others that told me she wasn’t a big proponent of home being where the heart is. “What happened to you here?” I remembered the other dream, the one in which I was tied to a stake and seemingly burned from the inside. “What was going on here?”

  “Come with me.” Gillian’s tone told me she wasn’t in the mood to be trifled with. “We don’t have much time.”

  “Why is that?”

  “Your friends will have you back with them very quickly – they’re not happy, by the way – and you only have a short time to see what you need to see.”

  “And what’s that?”

  “The ruination of a town.”

  She was so ominous I could do nothing but make a face at the back of her head. “That was a bit dramatic.”

  “So is what’s about to come.” Gillian stopped at the top of a hill and pointed. “Do you see that?”

  I followed her finger with my gaze, my heart constricting when I saw what looked to be a stake in the center of the town. “I see it.”

  “There will be a reckoning tonight, although my tonight is long in the past.”

  “They think you’re a witch, don’t they?” It was the only thing that made sense. The stories I’d heard and the dream I lived through were both pointing to the same conclusion. “They decided you’re a witch and responsible for warping the saw blade.”

  Gillian nodded. “I was single after the death of my husband and stayed to help. That turned out to be a mistake. Nobody trusts a single woman.”

  “It’s too bad you weren’t born in a later time. That’s no longer true today.”

  “Yes, well, we can’t change things like that.” Gillian licked her lips as she watched a man affix ropes to the stake. “You can’t save me. You can’t stop what happens.”

  I had no idea why she was telling me that. “Okay, but … you have to be showing me this for a reason.”

  “I need you to know.”

  “But … why?”

  “Because some things shouldn’t be forgotten, or buried.”

  She was talking in riddles. “Why are you guys hanging around the circus? I mean … what do you hope to accomplish by doing that? Did someone send you?”

  “Everything will make sense in time.” Gillian’s eyes were sober when she locked gazes with me. “Your friends are about to take you. Remember what you saw in the dream. Remember what you saw here. You’ll figure it out.”

  “How can you be sure?”

  This time Gillian’s smile was completely genuine. “Because I have faith. It’s the only thing that sustains me. Now, go. Think hard. The answers are there if you put everything together. I promise.”

  “POET!”

  I bolted to a sitting position on the ground. Somehow, while I was out, Kade and Luke had managed to drag me back over the dreamcatcher so Max and Raven could heal me. I wasn’t nearly as jarred by this visit to the past as the previous one.

  “Are you okay?” Kade threw his arms around me and tugged me close. “You scared the crap out of me.”

  “I’m fine.” I patted his back and met Raven’s gaze over his shoulder. “I know who Gilly is.”

  “I figured that woman wanted to show you something,” Raven said. “What happened?”

  “Gillian Dodd. She moved to Falk with her husband, but he died. She stayed behind and was accused of being a witch.”

  “That explains what you saw in your dream,” Max said. “They were burning her at the stake.”

  I immediately started shaking my head. “No, they didn’t burn her.”

  “What did they do?”

  “That’s what we need to find
out. I’m not sure what they did, but I guarantee it wasn’t good. If we find out what happened to Gillian I think we’ll be able to piece together everything that happened in this town.”

  “And what if we can’t find records on Gillian?” Raven asked. “It was a long time ago.”

  “Then we’d better start looking first thing in the morning. I think we’re stuck if we don’t find that specific answer.”

  Raven exhaled heavily and nodded. “Okay. At least we have somewhere to look.”

  I was excited by that prospect. We were finally getting somewhere.

  19

  Nineteen

  I thought Kade would be a hovering mess the next day. I slept long and hard, no disturbing dreams. That allowed him to drift off without having to worry about me, and he was more pragmatic when he woke in the morning.

  “What’s the plan today?”

  He sat next to me at the picnic table, breakfast finished but the cleanup remaining. He seemed almost chipper, which was fairly impressive given how shaken I knew he really was.

  “It’s a normal day at the circus.” I wiped the corners of my mouth with my napkin. “We all have jobs to do, including you.”

  “You know what I mean.” Kade sipped his coffee. “You’re not going on another adventure across the dreamcatcher today, are you?”

  It was as close as he was willing to come to admitting he was terrified. I took pity on him. “I have no intention of leaving the fairgrounds. I promise. We’re going to need another planning session before we decide how to proceed.”

  “We’re also going to need to get some research in,” Raven added. “I’m taking my computer to the House of Mirrors. I can spend time trying to ascertain exactly who Gillian Dodd was and what happened to her in Falk.”

  “Even if you find that out, what good will it do?” Kade was plaintive. “Maybe we should pack up and take off today. We’ll claim we have an emergency or something and leave.” Multiple heads snapped in his direction, causing him to widen his eyes. “What did I say?”