Into The Spirit

by Marie Harte

  “Okay. Give la petite fleur a kiss from moi.” Jean gave her a wink as he walked out of the room holding his wife’s hand.

  “I will,” she called.

  Alex joined her. “You’re happy.”

  Eve grinned up at him. “Yes. Jean couldn’t walk five months ago.”

  “Really?”

  “His tank rolled over an IED. He was diagnosed with multiple compression fractures and now look at him.”

  Alex raised a dark brow. “Can’t, he just walked out the door.”

  “I know. Great isn’t it?”

  Alex chuckled. She was beaming, there was no other way to describe it. It was true what that ‘Being’ inside Justine had said, Eve was a true healer.

  “Come on.” He nodded to the curtain. “There is a confused median over here.”

  “Yeah.” The smile dropped from her face as he followed her.

  Stepping around the curtain Alex suggested to Eve, “Maybe we should close the curtain?”

  She nodded and pulled the material around them blocking the view from the hall.

  “Okay, now you can talk.” He squared his shoulders and studied the man closely. He was a good sized man, maybe an inch or two taller than Alex’s six foot one, with sandy blond hair and dark brown eyes. With that hair and the tan he sported, the guy looked like your typical California beach boy, except he wore a hardened expression that had been practiced for years.

  With his fists clenched at his side, the median focused on Eve. “How can you see me?”

  Eve shrugged. “I’ve been able to see souls since I was young.”

  “But how can you, when no one else can? What makes you so special?” Alex had wondered that same questions many times. Why did Eve have this particular talent?

  “I don’t know. It’s been in my family from the start. All Sinclairs can see and merge souls.”

  “Merge souls?” Alex tensed when the blond moved towards Eve.

  “I have the ability not to only see souls but I can merge them back with their bodies if the situation allows it.”

  Another question answered without giving away too much information. Eve was almost as good at being vague as he was.

  The blond remained still—deep in thought—until Eve made the introductions. “My name is Eve Sinclair and this is Alex—”

  “He doesn’t need to know my name.” He cut her off, glaring at the median. It had been drilled into him to never give his real name, and even though he was nothing more than a very old soul he still followed protocol. He could see Eve look up at him, then roll her eyes.

  “And just who is he going to tell?”

  He shrugged. “When he wakes up, who knows?”

  He noticed Eve look over at the body lying in the bed. This median was in a worse condition than he was in, tubes in both arms, IV bags hanging close by, the only difference was this median had bandages wrapped around his entire upper body and his face was a mess, plus his blond hair had been buzzed short on one side and a row of stitches were visible through new hair growth. She was probably thinking the same thing he was…this guy wasn’t waking up.

  Eve gave the median a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes, then gave him a wink, “Alex Hunter.”

  He sighed, irritated with Eve’s deliberate show of defiance.

  “Cade Taylor.” He nodded in greeting. “I am…or rather was, a detective with vice.” He crossed his arms and Alex caught sight of the curious way he looked at him, almost like he knew him. Cade raised his head and nodded. “What happened to you?”

  “Got shot, and you?”

  “Got hit by a truck. It pinned me against the wall and killed my wife.” He looked down at Eve when she sucked in her breath.

  “I’m so sorry.”

  “Don’t be.” He gave a warm smile. “I get to see her now. I’ve been waiting for you.”

  “For me?” Eve blurted out. She couldn’t help it, the words burst out with her surprise.

  The cop had a deep laugh. “Not you.” He locked his eyes on Alex. “You.”

  Eve looked to Alex. His only reaction was to cross his arms and stare back at Cade.

  The room was quiet for some time. Eve became irritated over the lack of communication. What was wrong with Alex, didn’t he want to know why Cade had been waiting for him? Well she did, the suspense was killing her. “Why?”

  Cade glued her to the spot with brown eyes. “Because he’s the Hunter.”

  “Excuse me?”

  Cade sighed and explained, “I was told I had to wait for the hunter and that I would give him something I don’t have any need for. I’ve been racking my brain trying to figure out what I don’t need and it just came to me.” He looked over at Alex. “I don’t need my body.”

  Alex’s reaction was non-existent. He didn’t even ask why Cade didn’t need his body.

  Eve wanted more than that. “Cade, what do you mean?”

  “My wife is dead,” he said flatly. “She isn’t here anymore and let’s face it…” He turned and walked to the end of the bed his body was lying in. “I’m not getting up. Look for yourself.”

  Eve walked to the bed and pulled his chart free, she flipped through the pages then saw it. She felt sick as a deep sense of sadness swept through her, nobody could help this man, not even her and he knew it.

  “Eve?” Alex moved to her side, his heat slowly spread up her side when he touched her waist. She wasn’t sure how he knew she was upset, she didn't want to know, she was just glad that he was there. He amazed her again by squeezing her side.

  She took a shaky breath. “I’m okay.”

  “What’s it say?” he asked quietly.

  She shook her head. She couldn’t say it, not with the guy standing less than a foot away. In the end she didn’t have to.

  “It says I’m a vegetable.” He turned and looked at them. “I was told that in my present state, that if I was to re-enter my body”—he directed his brown eyes on her—“I guess that’s where you come in—I wouldn’t have enough strength to fix my injuries and that I would be trapped until my body dies.” Cade slid his gaze to Alex. “But apparently you do have enough strength.”

  “How do you know that?” Alex asked.

  “Because my wife told me,” he said straight-faced. “And she doesn’t lie.”

  “What makes you think I need your body?” Alex asked.

  “Because I was told ‘you will need what I do not’ and I don’t need my body, which means you do.”

  “Your wife again?” Alex asked, a hint of amusement in his voice. “Sounds like she knows a lot.”

  “Mmm, I think it freaked Justine out a little bit,” Cade shared.

  Alex’s hand dropped away from Eve’s side as he turned to face Cade. His intense look was shadowed as he gave Cade a sideways glare. “Your wife’s name is Justine?”

  Cade nodded.

  “Petite, blonde hair above her shoulders, big brown eyes,” Alex ventured.

  This time Cade frowned. “You know Justine?”

  Eve stepped around Alex in time to see him nod. “She showed up in my room a few days after I woke up in here.” He turned informing Eve, “She was the one that suggested I look for you.”

  Eve’s heart stopped as she looked back and forth between the two men. “She’s dead?” she asked.

  “Yes.” Alex was the one to answer her.

  She locked her eyes with his. “You said you didn’t see the dead.” He had lied to her. She shouldn’t be surprised. He wanted to get back into his body and was willing to say anything to get what he wanted. “Why did you lie?”

  He looked down at her, his gaze bright and clear. “Frankly, because I saw that the idea frightened you and I didn’t think there was any point in scaring you further. Plus, I thought if you knew the truth it may have you changing your mind about coming to the hospital.”

  For a second her heart jumped. Alex was actually concerned about her and her fear, but then he had to ruin it and become all manly, only thinking
about himself. What was the matter with her? Did she actually believe that Alex was concerned about her? He was like every other man she had met, self-centred, life was all about his wants and needs. ‘Merge me back…I have to help a woman…blah, blah, blah.’ The worst thing…she had allowed his arrival to jeopardise her simple existence. Allowed it, even after he told her about his occupation.

  Awesome. She pressed a hand to her forehead. Who allows a man like Alex to enter into their life, let alone their home? Median or not, it was the stupidest thing she had ever done. She should have just got all this over with right from the start. She sighed. None of this would have happened if she had, it was her own fault.

  She shook her head and tried not to let it show that his words had any importance. “Okay.” She shrugged. “So now what?”

  Alex scowled when she inched around him and addressed Cade. “So did your wife leave any other words of wisdom?”

  “No.” Cade looked from her to Alex and back. “She just said I would know what to do.”

  “Which is?” Alex asked from behind her.

  Cade shrugged his wide shoulders. “I want you to have my body. I don’t need it.”

  The sadness crept into her chest again. “But—” Eve began.

  Cade cut her off—“The only thing I want is to be with my wife,” he reassured. “I’ve been away from her for too long. God only knows what trouble she is causing.”

  “You must really love her.”

  “Yes, I do.”

  I want a man like that. The thought, caused a lump to squeeze her throat. Instead she had a bossy median who lied to her about seeing dead souls.

  “Can you merge me into Cade’s body?” Alex enquired.

  Eve shrugged. Jerk.

  Damn it. He knew she was pissed at him, although not sure why. One second they were fine and the next she was acting indifferent towards him. “Give me a better answer than that,” he directed.

  “I see you still need to work on your patience.”

  Alex turned to the window where the voice had come from and, though surprised, he grinned all the same. “She’s worse than you.”

  “Who’s worse than me?” Eve asked confused by the sudden change in topic.

  Justine looked at Eve and snorted, “I doubt that.” She turned to her husband as he moved towards her.

  The two stopped short, an inch separated their souls.

  “What have you been up to?” Cade gave his wife a suspicious grin.

  “Same as you, making new friends.” She gave him an innocent pout.

  Alex almost laughed at the look that crossed Cade’s face. “What kind of friends?”

  Eve peered around the room nervously. “Who are you talking to?”

  Alex, knowing it would cause her discomfort, happily informed her, “Cade’s wife is here.”

  Eve visibly stiffened, her face becoming white. “W-what?” she stuttered. “She’s h-here now?” Her eyes became huge as she nervously scanned the room.

  Alex immediately regretted telling her when he saw her reaction. It wasn’t his intention to scare her to death—just a little payback for being cold all of a sudden—especially when he thought things were going so well between them.

  “Eve, calm down,” he tried to soothe her.

  “Tell me where she is.” Eve shivered. When he was slow in answering, she begged, “Please, Alex.”

  “Tell her, Alex,” Justine ordered. “She’s terrified.”

  He crowded close and hoped the heat from his soul would warm her. “She’s standing in front of Cade.”

  Eve looked at the spot in front of Cade, her lips trembling.

  “Why is she so scared?” Justine asked.

  Alex watched the pulse pound in Eve’s neck. He wanted to pull her into his arms but he couldn’t. So instead he ran his hand down her arms and tried to cup her hands in his, savouring the tingle she caused. “Eve had a very bad experience with a dead soul. It merged with a median, it ended up destroying the body and killed the soul in the process.”

  “Oh! Please tell her I’m not like that,” Justine said, then added sincerely, “I would never hurt her. I’ve only come for Cade.”

  Alex turned his attention back to Eve. “Justine wants you to know that she isn’t like that, and she has only come for Cade.”

  “And that I wouldn’t hurt her. You forgot that.”

  He looked up and took a deep breath, gaining some patience, then back to Eve, “And that she wouldn’t hurt you.”

  Eve only nodded.

  Alex gave the couple a sideways glance. “So, Cade just leaves with you?” He studied the blonde. “No, get ready, get set, go?”

  “No. But if it makes you feel better I can say that?” She grinned at him.

  Alex shrugged at Cade. “You married that smart mouth?”

  Laughing, Cade reached for his wife. “Sure did.” His arms encircled her and he stopped surprised. “I can touch you.”

  Nodding Justine informed, “That means it’s almost time.”

  “Almost time for what?” Cade asked dumbfounded.

  “Time for you to come with me,” she announced happily.

  Cade leant down. “’Bout time.” And hesitantly, like she would disappear, he kissed his wife.

  “That was really weird,” Eve whispered. Alex shrugged. It wasn’t weird from where he stood. A husband had just kissed his wife. Even though they weren’t among the living anymore it was clear the love and passion they shared was still strong and very much a part of their relationship. It was an encouraging sight.

  “No more,” Justine scolded when Cade went back for more. “I need to get my job done.” She turned in Cade’s arms and faced Alex. “There isn’t much time. You’ll have roughly seven to eight minutes for Eve to merge you. If you go beyond that Cade’s body will be clinically dead and you’re stuck. Got it?”

  Alex gave her a curt nod.

  Justine pulled from her husband’s arms and stopped in front of Eve. She studied Eve briefly, her head moving in awkward jerks, and then gazed over at Alex with all-knowing eyes. “Jillian is not the only one you need to help,” a deep male tone rumbled. Her voice had changed like this before, something was talking through her. “The other women in your life. They will need you just as much as Jillian, if not more.” Dark eyes blinked. “They can give you what you have been missing.”

  Justine’s eyes returned to their normal brown as she blinked. “Damn it.” She hissed up at the ceiling, “I wish they would stop doing that.”

  Alex raised an eyebrow.

  “What did they have me say this time? Wait,”—she held up her hands—“I don’t want to know.” She swung around and motioned to Cade. “Come on, honey. Let’s get the heck out of here. I want to figure out who keeps doing that to me.” She walked over to him and gripped his hands. “Remember.” She turned to face Alex. “You have no more than eight minutes, after that you’re screwed.”

  Alex watched as the couple simply faded from sight and the clock started ticking.

  Chapter Fourteen

  “What the hell just happened? Where’s Cade?” Eve blinked in shock. One second Cade looked like he had been making out with air and the next he had just disappeared. It was like watching an old creepy film, with bad special effects.

  “Justine took him away.” Alex focused on her face, his expression humourless. “It’s time Eve.”

  “Time for what?”

  “Time for you to merge me into Cade’s body.” She began shaking her head before he even finished. “Yes you will,” he commanded quietly.

  “No. I can’t.” She didn't know what to do. She couldn’t merge him with that body, it had too much damage.

  His hands suddenly reached out and gripped her shoulders. She slowly lowered her gaze to his hands and then back to his face.

  “How are you doing that?” She could feel his heat and the weight of his hands on her.

  He ignored her question. “You will merge me.”

  Her mouth o
pened but nothing came out. She shook her head. She was still waiting for her heart to start beating again. His strength amazed her and terrified her.

  “Yes. You. Will.” He pronounced each word clearly. He was deadly serious and that scared her more than the idea of merging him.

  She began pulling away but he was so strong. He held her in place. Then, she noticed his eyes. The blue was so clear and bright that it sent shivers down her spine. She hadn’t seen him this angry or worked up since the first time she had seen him standing in her kitchen.

  “There is so much damage. What if you can’t…I don’t want to hurt…” She began shaking.

  “You can’t hurt me,” he stressed, then ordered, “I need you to put me in that body, now!”

  She jumped at his order and almost fell back when he released her. Then he shocked her with a prediction, “If you don’t merge me, you might as well shoot Jillian yourself because she is as good as dead without my help. Think you can handle that resting on your shoulders for the rest of your life? Or think about what Jillian’s baby could have grown up to be each time you look at your own child?”

  Tears came to her eyes and slipped over the edge. He was so cruel, using her own fear and child against her. “That’s not fair.”

  “But it is fair, because it’s what you deserve for being so selfish.”

  “I’m not selfish,” she called back. “I just can’t bear the thought of something hurting you.” Her heart thumped in her chest and she placed a hand over it. “Or of you being trapped in that body. It would kill me if I…lost you,” she whispered the last part. She hated that she was crying and she hated it more that she had admitted feelings she had just realised herself.

  If her admission shocked him, she didn’t see it. She lowered her head, mortified by her confession.

  His hands were suddenly back on her shoulders, his heat seeped through her clothes spreading over her skin as he gave her a squeeze. “Nothing is going to happen to me.”

  What about his leaving once she merged him? If this whole merging Alex’s soul into Cade’s body worked, once he woke and was on his feet, he was gone, he had said so himself. And then what? She went back to her normal life? The idea wasn’t as satisfying as she had once thought.