3 The Ghoul Next Door
Page 22
I looked down at her chest and the necklace was draped around her neck.
Jane met my gaze. “You think you’re getting the necklace back? I’d give it back to Karyn before I’d give it to you. At least she had experience running the coven, although I think she’s lost her mind for giving it to you in the first place.”
“We’ve come to perform a spell that will force you to give the necklace back. Once the spell is broken, they’ll be taking you away again. You’ll never get out this time,” Karyn said.
Where was this mysterious place that they were taking people? It really was like the land of the misfit witches. I didn’t have time to contemplate it right now. I’d have to ask Karyn later, if there was a later. By the look on Jane’s face, I wasn’t convinced there would be. She looked like she was ready for Armageddon.
There was no time to waste. I had to break free from this spell before I did something that would harm me or someone else. There was no time to go to the usual spell-casting spot. We’d have to do it right there in the cozy bed-and-breakfast around the teapots, delicate china and lace curtains.
What would happen to Mrs. Ragland’s trinkets if the spell picked up the wind like it had when we were surrounded by the trees? It was a chance we’d have to take. The knickknacks could be replaced. Well, most of them anyway. We’d have to hope for the best.
“Are you ready, Larue?” Karyn asked.
“It won’t work. I’ll fight the spell. You won’t be able to get rid of me,” Jane said.
We didn’t respond. We couldn’t give her the satisfaction.
“I’m more powerful than you ever dreamed possible. The longer I’m around you the more I can feed off your energy. You’re helping me destroy you. How ironic is that? It really sucks being you.” She snorted.
“Come on, ladies, let’s form a circle.” Karyn held out her hands.
Jane’s face grew red as we began to chant. I’d never seen that shade of red on anyone’s face before, but we kept going. Nothing could stop us now. We had formed a circle and we weren’t going to let it be broken. Mindy looked a pale shade of green, a stark contrast to Jane’s crimson shade.
Jane ran around the circle yelling at us, but we kept chanting. Karyn’s eyes were determined. And that was exactly what Jane hated to see. It was making her furious. Her eyes flamed, her mouth twisted into an evil grin. She was turning into a demon. Maybe not literally, but she was pretty darn close. The closest I’d ever seen any living person and I’d seen quite a few exorcisms.
When Jane lunged into the circle, Karyn jumped on top of her. Karyn had warned us that Jane would try to fight us off and she had been right. It wasn’t even necessary to perform the magic spell at this moment. Just the act would make Jane so furious that she’d lose her cool. Now if Karyn could just get the necklace from her.
The women rolled around on the floor. Mindy and I exchanged a glance. I nodded and Mindy agreed. We moved forward and climbed on top of Jane. She had Karyn on the ground.
From over my shoulder, Mrs. Ragland said, “Oh my. This is awful. What are you girls doing?”
Furniture was being turned over and I heard glass break somewhere in the room. We’d have to pay Mrs. Ragland back for all that. I knew it was going to be a bad day for Mrs. Ragland but if couldn’t be avoided. With one big pull, Karyn yanked at the chain around Jane’s neck. Karyn fell backward, but the necklace was in her hand. Success.
“Give that back,” Jane panted.
Already Jane’s power was diminishing. Now that we had the necklace, we could perform the spell that would banish the demon back to hell forever. I couldn’t breathe a sigh of relief yet, but at least I was one step closer than I had been just a few minutes ago.
Karyn jumped to her feet. “Come. Let’s join hands,” she said as she placed the necklace around her neck.
I was glad that she’d kept it. I didn’t want anything else to do it with it. The necklace had caused nothing but problems for me. It certainly hadn’t helped. We stepped into the circle again. Jane was still on the floor. She didn’t look as if she had the energy to fight. We joined hands and began the chant again. After several seconds, the wind picked up, whipping wildly around the room. What hadn’t been destroyed during the fight with Jane sure would be now. I wasn’t sure where Mrs. Ragland had vanished to. Probably to call the cops.
Just when the wind had reached what I thought would be its peak, a voice sounded over the roar of the wind.
“I want you all to stop and stop right now.”
When I looked up, I knew where Mrs. Ragland had disappeared to. She was pointing a gun in our direction. Well, if that didn’t beat all. Just when you thought things were looking up, a little old lady drags out a firearm and points it at your head. We couldn’t win for losing.
We slowly released our hands and shoved them above our heads, breaking the circle, and with it, the spell. What would we do now? This would give Jane the opportunity to get the necklace back. Was Mrs. Ragland in cahoots with Jane? She did have that strange glow in her eyes. Or was she just a little old lady scared for her life? I couldn’t say that I blamed her for the latter. A bunch of crazy women fighting and chanting in her living room was enough to scare the heck out of anyone.
“I want you all to get out of my home right this moment.” She gestured toward the front door with the gun.
I chanced a glance over at Jane. She was trying to get to her feet. If we didn’t hurry, she would jump back up again.
Before I had time to think about what to do, the gunshot rang out and with it a scream too. Jane had jumped up and lunged for Karyn. At that moment, Mrs. Ragland had pulled the trigger.
Karyn screamed out. “Jane, are you okay?”
I knew Jane was a bad person, but it was still Karyn’s sister and I knew she wouldn’t want her hurt. Thankfully, the shot had hit her in the leg. She wasn’t going anywhere. Now if only we could convince Mrs. Ragland to allow us to continue the spell, preferably in her living room.
Karyn leaned down to her sister. “You’ll be okay. We’ll call for help. Just keep pressure on the wound. In the meantime, we have to break the spell. Jane, if we don’t the demon will come after you too. He tricked you into thinking that he was only there to help you. He just wants to help himself.”
Jane nodded. She didn’t have the strength to argue.
Mrs. Ragland had dropped the gun. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to shoot it. The gun just went off.” She fell into the green velvety chair.
Mindy ran over and grabbed the gun, placing it on the sofa behind us.
Karyn gestured for us to hold her hands again. “The ambulance will be here soon. We have just enough time to finish the spell.”
Chapter Forty-Six
By the time we had finished the spell, talked with the police, and saw Jane in the hospital, it was morning. Mindy had insisted we stop for blueberry doughnuts before going back to Book Nook. I’d drop her off at her car, then tell Beth I was taking the day off. I needed rest and I knew she could handle the store without me.
Now that the spell had been broken, the vile and evil feeling trying to take over my mind removed, and Jane taken away, there was one more thing left to do.
“How do you get rid of Candy Cherry?” Mindy asked as we stood at the counter of Book Nook.
“Now that the ghosts have no hold over me, I can tell them to go into the light. They’ll have no reason to say no and no way to fight me without Jane’s spell.”
Mindy let out a deep breath. “I need a margarita. This is more than I can handle.”
She was telling me. I had to remember to stop by and pick up some tequila for later.
The ghosts stood in front of me.
“I’ve had enough of you two and it’s time you went to the other side.” I pointed at Candy Cherry and Mr. Fine.
I didn’t tell them that I wasn’t sure which other side they would end up on. But by the black hole that appeared in the side of the bookstore wall, it looked like they were goi
ng to the deciding room—they would be going to the judge’s score card for that decision.
Elvis watched from beside me. I knew he wasn’t going with them.
“You think you’re so special, but you’re not,” Candy Cherry spewed. She knew what was happening and she still couldn’t be nice.
“Sorry about everything,” Mr. Fine said.
I nodded, but said nothing. What could I say? It was nice that he’d offered the apology though, even if it was a little too late.
“Why did you do this?” I asked, not really expecting an answer.
“Because it was fun. It’s the way I am and it’s what I like to do,” she said with a laugh in her voice.
“What you like to do? What’s that? Wreak havoc in people’s lives?”
She shrugged. “If that’s what you want to call it, then yes.”
“You helped Jane do a lot of mean things,” I said nastily.
“I’ve helped a lot of people do mean things and if I get a chance I’ll do it again.”
I pointed toward the spot on the wall. As if they had no control over their actions, they walked single file toward the black hole. At least they weren’t trying to fight it. Things could have been ugly, and I was too tired to fight any more.
“What’s happening?” Mindy asked.
“There’s a black hole in the wall and the ghosts are going into it.”
“Not Elvis,” she screeched.
I waved my arms. “No, not him… Candy Cherry and Mr. Fine are leaving.”
“Are they going down there?” Mindy pointed toward the floor.
I shrugged. “I have no idea. I think they’re just going to a holding room for now until that decision is made.”
“I hope I never have to go to that holding room,” she said.
“I don’t think you have anything to worry about.” I draped my arm around her shoulders and squeezed. “By the way Candy Cherry talked and acted though, I think she’ll be going on the down escalator.”
Mindy shivered. Candy Cherry turned and glared at me right before she crossed over into the black mass. Then Mr. Fine followed into the dark abyss. I was glad to see them go. When they’d disappeared from sight, the hole instantly sealed shut with a vacuum suck at the end. There was nothing left—no evidence that they’d ever been there—and I was grateful. Good riddance.
“They’re gone now.”
“Are you sure they won’t come back?” Mindy asked.
“I don’t think it’ll be possible for them to ever come back.”
I knew my time alone and ghost-free was limited though. It always was. There would be more ghosts. Who would show up the next time, I had no idea. I just hoped this time it was nice ghosts. And maybe if I was lucky I could convince Elvis to stay. Something told me he wouldn’t go for it though. He had more important things to do, I was sure.
Elvis leaned against the counter with a satisfied smile on his face. “Those two won’t be missed around here.”
Usually it was me who told the ghosts it was time to leave. But this time Elvis was informing me that he was needed somewhere else.
“Do you have to go?” I asked.
He winked. “I’m sorry. I’d love to stay and hang around with you and Callahan, but you all don’t need me anymore.”
That was what he thought. I could have an Elvis concert every night. I never thought I’d ask a ghost to stay, but I wanted him to stick around.
“I can’t tell you how much fun I had with you here and I hope I wasn’t so much of a pain to deal with.” I wished I could reach out and hug him. Touching Elvis Presley? Why, I’d probably faint on the spot.
“You were wonderful and I had the most fun time. Thank you for talking with me and for your hospitality. Callahan is in good hands with you. I know it’ll work out just fine for you all.”
“Where do go from here?” I asked.
“I’m not sure, really. I think I’m headed back to Memphis to see some old friends. I make the rounds a lot between friends and family often. It’s nice seeing everyone.”
“I bet it is.”
“Thank you again. Please tell Mindy goodbye and I’m honored to have such a loyal fan.”
“I’ll make sure to tell her and she’ll be really happy.” I glanced over at Mindy.
“What did he say? What did he say? Was he talking about me?” Mindy asked, practically bouncing up and down with excitement like a kid wanting candy.
Elvis and I laughed. “He wants to thank you for being a fan.”
She giggled. “It was my pleasure,” she said while blushing.
“Will you come back and visit?” I asked.
“You can count on it. Will you tell Callahan that I said goodbye?”
“Of course. Give my love to your mother,” I said.
“ ‘Til we meet again, may God bless you. Adios.” He saluted, then turned away.
The light that usually appeared when ghosts left didn’t appear this time. I knew Elvis had other people to help. Elvis might not still be alive, but his time on earth wasn’t finished. He still had things to do. I waved and smiled as he disappeared.
Mindy touched my shoulder.
“Elvis is gone,” I said wiping a tear from under my eye.
I was getting used to having live performances. It just wouldn’t be the same to go back to my MP3 player.
“Elvis has left the build—”
“Stop right there.” I threw my hand up. “Don’t say it.”
Mindy laughed and I joined her.
“Oh, come on. It was perfect. You knew I had to say it.”
“Yeah, I guess it was inevitable.”
For once there was silence. No chatter of ghosts. No weird thoughts in my head. Peace and quiet until the bell on the door jingled and we looked over. Callahan walked toward me with my favorite chocolate-covered cherry latte in his hand. His gorgeous smile was from ear to ear and it made my stomach flip.
“Latte?” he asked.
I rushed over and Callahan scooped me up into a hug. I’d always felt like an outsider, as if I really didn’t belong. No matter who befriended me or welcomed me into their little circle. I was always the awkward outsider looking in on all the fun. Maybe the real reason I’d felt like an outsider all my life was because I’d always been holding a secret.
Outside Book Nook’s window, I spotted Matt and the TV crew pull up next to the curb in the SUV. Now that my secret of speaking to the dead was out would I be able to fit in? Only time would tell.
About Rose Pressey
Rose Pressey enjoys writing quirky and fun novels with a paranormal twist. She’s always found the paranormal interesting. The thought of finding answers to the unexplained fascinates her.
When she’s not writing about werewolves, vampires, and every other supernatural creature, she loves eating cupcakes with sprinkles, reading, spending time with family, and listening to oldies from the fifties. Yeah, she loves Elvis. She can’t help herself.
Rose lives in the beautiful commonwealth of Kentucky with her husband, son, and two sassy Chihuahuas.
www.rosepressey.com
rose@rosepressey.com
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Table of Contents
Copyright
More books by Rose Pressey
Dedication
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Four
Chapter Twenty-Five
Chapter Twenty-Six
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Chapter Thirty
Chapter Thirty-One
Chapter Thirty-Two
Chapter Thirty-Three
Chapter Thirty-Four
Chapter Thirty-Five
Chapter Thirty-Six
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Chapter Forty
Chapter Forty-One
Chapter Forty-Two
Chapter Forty-Three
Chapter Forty-Four
Chapter Forty-Five
Chapter Forty-Six
About Rose Pressey