Ghoul of My Dreams (Larue Donavan Series Book 4)

by Rose Pressey

  “Where you going?” I chased after him.

  He tossed his hand up. “I can’t do this.”

  “What do you mean you can’t do this?” I asked.

  He had to do this. My life depended on it. Didn’t he care?

  “Wait. Stop,” I said as I ran out the door after him.

  Stone paused at his car and leaned against the hood.

  “Are you okay?” I asked, touching his arm.

  He ran his hand through his hair. “Yeah, I lost it there for a minute.”

  “Maybe you had a panic attack,” I suggested.

  It was obvious he couldn’t return right now. We needed a rest time to figure out what we would do next. It was getting late anyway and I wanted to go home and wrap my mind around what was happening. My phone beeped and I pulled it out of my pocket to see a missed call.

  I checked the message. It was from Callahan and he sounded even worse than I thought he would. He was convinced I was avoiding him on purpose. I needed to call him back and explain, once and for all, why I hadn’t been talking to him. It wasn’t fair for me to leave him in the dark like this. However, I was torn about also wanting to save him from dealing with the dark shadows.

  “We should go home for the night,” I told Stone.

  He appeared defeated, but nodded in agreement. “Yeah, you’re right. We should call it a night.”

  The ghosts had moved out of the house and were standing by the door. It was nice of them to give me some time alone with Stone.

  “We should plan to meet in the morning. We can go to the house and check out the portal there.” I didn’t want to give him the option of backing out of doing this. He would have to handle it.

  He studied his shoes for a few seconds, and then met my stare. “Okay, we’ll check out the portal in the morning.”

  After heading back to the porch, I told Bonnie and Bethany we were leaving for the evening. I hated to abandon them alone in the house, but I didn’t know what else to do.

  “We’ll be going now.” I motioned over my shoulder.

  “I think we’ll stay at my friend’s house,” Bonnie’s voice wavered as if she was about to break down.

  I touched her arm. “That’s probably best for now. I’ll call you tomorrow.”

  After hugging Bonnie and Bethany, the ghosts followed me back to Stone’s Mercedes.

  “Is he going to be okay?” Marilyn whispered.

  “I certainly hope so,” I said.

  We hopped in so Stone could drive me back to my car. After riding in silence, we finally pulled up in front of Book Nook.

  Stone glanced at me. “I can pick you up in the morning, if you’d like.”

  “That’ll be great.” I opened the door.

  Before that meeting, I had someone else I needed to see.

  Chapter 21

  Karyn Bentley had been the coven leader for Magnolia. She’d moved away and wanted me to take over that title. Like I said, just because I showed a talent for spells, didn’t mean I could take on such a big job. After a long search, the coven finally found someone to replace Karyn. I thought I’d made the right decision by not taking the position. They needed someone with much more experience than me. Plus, with the bookstore and the ghost hunting, I didn’t know when I would have had time for anything else.

  The new leader of the coven was Melanie Black. She’d been part of the coven for a number of years and I knew when her name was first mentioned that she would make a great coven leader. After the vote by the coven board members, she was picked to take over for Karyn. Now, I had to consult with her about the dark shadows. If there was a spell that would help get rid of them, then I needed to know about it. If anyone could give me that information, it would be Melanie. As far as I could tell, she knew just about any spell that was out there.

  I pulled up to Melanie’s condo building and parked in the first spot available.

  “Where are we going now?” Roger asked.

  “You are so impatient. I told you where we’re going. You can always wait in the car,” I said.

  “As if,” he said as he floated right out the car door.

  I headed toward the front door with the ghosts behind me again. They weren’t about to let me go in by myself. I rang the doorbell and waited for Melanie to answer. I called aheadof time to make sure she would be home.

  She answered the door and motioned for me to come in. “Larue, it’s so good to see you.”

  Melanie had short, black hair and big brown eyes. With her flawless skin, she appeared much younger than her forty-five years. I would have guessed her to be twenty-five. She wore black pants and a black and white blouse. I stepped inside her home. The space had large ceilings and many windows allowing in ample light. Melanie had a lot of furniture in a small space, though. Straight ahead was the dining room with the kitchen attached to the left.

  “So, tell me what brings you here to see me today. I know it’s not because you miss me.”

  I laughed. “Well, I do enjoy talking to you, but you’re right, I have a reason for coming by.”

  She leaned back in the chair. “Okay, I’m all ears. How can I help you?”

  “I think I’ve got a dark shadow attached to me and there are other ones following a client around town, basically everywhere she goes. She tried to use a spell to get rid of them, but it didn’t work. I was wondering if there’s a spell that can help to get them to move on from this dimension.”

  “Did she use witchcraft to get the spirits here?” Melanie asked.

  “You mean did she call them with a spell?” I asked.

  Melanie nodded. “Yes, that’s what I mean.”

  “She says no, but she used a Ouija board and I think that was how they got through.”

  She tapped her fingers on the table for a moment and then said, “I think I know exactly what will help. I have a book with a spell.”

  “Oh, that’s wonderful news,” Marilyn said.

  I was thankful to hear that. I was worried she would tell me she couldn’t help.

  Melanie got up from the table. “I’ll be right back with the information.”

  Melanie walked down the hallway and left me sitting with the ghosts all around me. Of course, she didn’t know they were there.

  Marilyn stood beside me with her hands on her hips. “I sure hope this works, Larue.”

  “Sounds like a bunch of hocus-pocus to me,” James said.

  I figured he would say as much. “It’s not hocus-pocus,” I whispered.

  “Did you say something, Larue?” Melanie asked.

  “Um, no, wasn’t me,” I said.

  Now Melanie would think she was hearing voices. After a couple of minutes, she returned with a small book in hand. It was brown leather with gold trim and words etched on the cover.

  She placed it on the table and turned to a page in the middle. “This is the spell I think will work. You could tweak the words a bit, but I think it will be fine.”

  I peered down at the page and read over the spell. I really didn’t know if what she said was true, but I had to trust her on this one. I couldn’t just see a spell and know if it would work or not. That was why I knew they had picked the right coven leader. I sure hoped the spell worked.

  “You can take the book with you, but I do need it back. I know you of all people will take care of it.”

  I picked up the small hardcover and clutched it to my chest. “Of course. I can make a copy of the spell and then return the book to you.”

  “Take your time, it’s no hurry,” she said.

  “I really appreciate it.” I stood from the table. “I should go and try the spell before something bad happens.”

  Her expression turned serious. “You don’t have much time, do you?”

  I wouldn’t even ask how she knew that. She probably sensed my fear. She was right though. I really didn’t think I had much time.

  “Thank you again for everything,” I said as I walked toward the door.

  “Let me kno
w if you need any more help with the spell.”

  I didn’t want to put her in the middle of this. I had needed the help of the entire coven before to break the spell that had been placed on Callahan. I hoped it didn’t come to that this time. With any luck my skills had developed enough so I could handle this on my own.

  I waved and headed for my car with the book under my arm.

  “You have to get this right, Larue, or it will be bad,” Roger said.

  “Thanks for reminding me that a lot is at stake, Roger. I would have never known if not for you.”

  He rolled his eyes. “Just trying to help.”

  I pulled the car away from the curb. “I appreciate it.”

  “She’s being sarcastic,” James said to Roger.

  I bit my lip to keep from laughing at the ghosts. At least they kept me entertained and that was a bit of a stress reliever, I suppose.

  Chapter 22

  It was late so I figured I would call Callahan in the morning. Although it would probably have to be after we went to Elisa’s house. If that portal was like the other one, then I had a feeling I was right about them being connected. I lay in bed staring at the ceiling wondering how I could find out for sure. Since the portal was meant for ghosts to travel through, then it would make sense that a ghost could go in and have a look around. But, would I be able to convince one of the ghosts to do that for me?

  They were scared of their own shadows, so I figured there would be no way I could get them to go into it. If there was some way for me to enter the portal myself, I would. Sure, I would be scared, but I would give it a try anyway. I had to get rid of these demons. I stayed awake for hours trying to devise a plan that would allow me a way into the portal. If the demon was attached to me and I went in, perhaps I could leave him there. I could possibly outrun him.

  Once I was out of the other side, Stone could close up the portal entry on one end and I could do it on the other. Maybe the whole idea was crazy, but it was all I had come up with as a solution. I doubted the ghosts would go for the idea. Stone probably wouldn’t either. The problem would be to find a way for me to gain entry. Since the portal had been on the ceiling at Bonnie’s house, I assumed this one was, too. It would be impossible to get inside the portal if it was on the ceiling.

  I’d settled into the normal routine of reading to Marilyn before bed. Of course I’d fallen asleep with the book in my hand again. At least I hadn’t dreamed again, not that I remembered anyway. When the sun popped up the next morning, I’d only gotten a few hours of sleep. I’d placed a call to make sure it was okay that we stopped by the Elisa’s house. I didn’t tell her we were looking for a portal to another dimension, though. That crazy kind of info was better left told in person. I’d quickly showered and had coffee. I was too nervous to have breakfast.

  “You should eat something,” Roger said as he trailed along behind me. “You need your energy.”

  “Look at you being all grown up.” I laughed.

  He smirked.

  “Now, there’s the Roger I know.” I wiggled my finger at him.

  Marilyn laughed. I had no idea where James was. I hadn’t seen him yet this morning. Maybe he was still mad at me. I’d just finished my coffee when my cell phone rang. I really hoped it wasn’t Stone calling to cancel. That was a blow I didn’t think I could handle.

  “I’m glad it’s you,” I said when I answered Mindy’s call.

  “Well, that’s what I like to hear. How did things go last night?”

  I sighed and sat down at the kitchen table. “We ran into the girl who bought the witchcraft books. We went to her house and found a portal… it’s a long story.”

  “All this paranormal stuff is way beyond me,” Mindy said. “Is there anything I can do to help?”

  The last thing I wanted was to put her in danger. The doorbell rang.

  “Listen, I have to go. Stone is here. If I need anything I’ll call.”

  I wouldn’t, but it made Mindy feel better.

  “Just be careful,” she said before she hung up.

  I hurried to the door with the ghosts following me. James had finally appeared. Where had he been? Stone was standing on my porch when I opened the door. His hair was a bit disheveled as if he hadn’t sleep a wink. He wore jeans with holes in the knees and a wrinkled white T-shirt.

  “What happened to him?” Roger asked.

  “Good morning,” Stone said with a half-smile.

  I figured that was about as cheerful as he could sound.

  “Let me grab my purse and we can go,” I said.

  I snatched my pink wallet that had just my essentials. I didn’t want to take a full purse, but I also hated to leave home without my license… and, I’ll admit it, some lip balm. Soft lips were important in fighting demons and other supernatural powers, didn’t you know? I climbed in the front seat of Stone’s car and the ghosts got in the back, as usual.

  “Are you nervous?” Stone asked as we headed toward Elisa’s house.

  “I’m okay. What about you?”

  He watched the road ahead of us. “I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t.”

  At least he was honest. He wasn’t trying to be a tough guy who showed no fear. Sometimes it was okay to be afraid. We pulled up in front of the house and he cut the engine. He stared at the house. Would he go in or try to drive off?

  Finally, he opened the car door. “Okay, let’s do this.”

  I followed him to the front door. Elisa answered on the first knock, as if she had been waiting for us right there.

  “Please come inside.” She gestured.

  Following Elisa into her home, we stepped into the living room. Sunshine streamed through the windows. Things seemed peaceful, but how long would that last?

  She folded her arms in front of her waist. “Things have been quiet this morning.”

  I hated to tell her, but that was probably about to change.

  “Did you find something new?” she asked.

  “Actually, we think there is an entry area for the spirits. Stone is going to look for it, if that’s okay?”

  Her eyes widened, but she nodded. “Sure. But, what will you do if you find it?”

  Elisa actually seemed pretty calm about the news.

  I paused, and then said, “We hope to get rid and the spirit for good, as well. They’ll be no chance that it will ever return.”

  I didn’t want to tell her how dangerous this spirit was. Stone started walking around the house, hoping to pick up on the portal.

  “I can’t remember exactly where it was. It’s been a long time.” He stepped into the hallway and moved toward the back of the house.

  Watching Stone as he stopped at the end of the hallway, I thought it might be in the same location as the other one. I peered up, wondering if I would feel it, too.

  When I looked at Stone, he was staring down at the floor. “Here it is.”

  I frowned. “It’s not on the ceiling.”

  He shook his head. “No, this one will be on the floor. They enter here and come out at the other one.”

  I didn’t understand why they were traveling from one house to the other anyway.

  “What do they want?” Elisa inched a little closer.

  “I think they want souls.”

  Elisa’s eyes widened.

  “Right now, they want my soul.” I tried to sound casual. Honestly, how blasé could I sound when discussing soul-sucking demons? Not exactly as if I was talking about a picnic in the park.

  “What will you do?” Elisa asked.

  She’d handled the news surprisingly well. No running and screaming out of the house.

  “Well, I think I have a plan,” I said.

  Stone raised an eyebrow. “Really? What is it?”

  “I figured I can somehow get inside the portal. The demon will come with me and then I can leave it there. When I come out, we’ll close up the entry.”

  “That’s the craziest idea I’ve ever heard,” Stone said.

  �
�Do you have any other ideas?”I asked, placing my hands on my hips.

  He studied my face. “No, I guess I don’t.”

  “That’s why you have to try mine,” I said.

  Stone waved his hand. “No. Beside the fact, I don’t think it will work, I also think it is too dangerous.”

  I glanced at Elisa. “Sometimes we have to take risks.”

  “Larue, I don’t want you to take that kind of risk,” Elisa said.

  “Yes, Larue, this isn’t a good idea,” Marilyn said.

  “I don’t think you should do it,” Roger said.

  “I think you should go for it,” James said.

  Everyone gaped at him like he was crazy.

  “We shouldn’t even be debating this. Getting inside is impossible,”Stone said.

  I didn’t want to think that way. I wanted to keep a positive attitude. As we stood there debating what to do, I felt the air turn cold. It was a bitter chill that went down to the bone.

  “Where is that coming from?” Elisa asked.

  “I don’t feel the cold, but I can see your breath,” Marilyn said.

  Just then, the dark mass appeared at the end of the hall. It had been some time since I’d seen it. I had been stupid to think it had gone or that it was going to leave me alone. The shadow had started out small, but it grew in size rapidly. Silence filled the room. Stone turned to face the dark shadow, placing himself in front of Elisa and me. I doubted this thing was going to let Stone come between us. If it wanted me, then it was going to get to me any way it could. The thing rushed forward. Elisa gasped as it went through Stone and attacked me. I fell back and hit the floor. The next thing I knew, the ghosts were standing over me peering down. Stone was next to me. It didn’t register what he was saying for a minute.

  He pulled me up. “We need to leave.”

  “What are you talking about?” I rubbed my head.

  “Until we figure out what we’re doing, then we need to leave.”

  I got to my feet.

  “What about the thing that just attacked you? What if it attacks me?” Elisa sounded more panicked now.