They both agree, and I take a huge breath. For the first time since my first death, I can finally relax.
***
Josephine
After not sleeping at all before, on what they thought was their last night together, the couple is exhausted. I offer them by bed. Though they are resistant to sleep, it claims them both with the help of one of my herbs. They rest, they recuperate, they heal.
I do, as well, but only after warding the house to the furthest extent of my abilities, and petitioning the spirits to put a hand of protection over all of us.
In the morning, I make a pot of strong coffee, and the smell summons them from the room, all smiles and relief and gratitude.
We further discuss our plan for the laboratory, and each make some phone calls to relevant people. We’re going to their house shortly, to make copies of the soil report and mail it off.
“Miss Josephine,” Grady says, holding my hands, “We can never thank you enough. Ever. Our lives and happiness are indebted to you.” Maisie nods beside him, eyes damp. “Are you sure there isn’t anything we can do for you?”
A gracious denial is on the tip of my tongue, when I have a thought. “Perhaps there is one thing.”
“Anything,” Grady says, gently squeezing my hands.
“As much as it pains me to admit, I am very behind the times, as they say. I could use some help with the internet.”
“The internet?” Grady asks, smiling.
“Yes.” I don’t own a computer, and trips to the library for information had so far been slow and frustrating. What I needed was a younger person who was familiar with the technology and the world wide web to assist me in finding what I was looking for. “You told me that you found the information about the lab on your computer. I need to search for information on a missing person. Can you help me with that?”
“Absolutely. But that seems like a really small favor. Are you sure that’s all you need?”
I cup my forearms, the old pain rising, and the hope with it. “The information we discover will determine if this is a small thing, or a larger one.” And I am hopeful that this will be a very large thing. The spirits put Grady in my path for a reason, possibly many reasons. But hopefully, one of them was so he could help me in this way.
“We can do that now, if you want. Let’s go to our house, make the copies we need, and do that.”
I’m tired still from yesterday’s work, but this invigorates me. “Yes, please.”
He turns to his wife, hand out. “Keys?”
She raises an eyebrow.
“I’ll drive,” he says, smiling.
She passes him the keys and they walk to the car in front of me, hand in hand.
Soon we’re seated at the computer and Ms. Maisie has brought us both a cool drink.
“Okay, what information are we looking for?”
Grady has his hands poised over the keyboard, but I take a long sip of my drink first. I don’t see coaster to set it down on, so I just hold it. “I need to find any mentions of a young female zombie.”
Grady’s indulgent smile flattens into a serious expression. “Another one?”
“Yes, another one.” My voice is clipped, but it’s only because she is not just ‘another one’. She is my daughter, my first born. But I do not want to share that.
He enters the search. “Hmmm,” he says, hand on his chin.
“What is it?” I’m looking at the screen, but I don’t know what most of it means.
“The only things that come up are movie trailers and book titles, that I can tell.”
“Nothing in the news?”
He adds news to the search, and the results look much the same. I sigh, disappointed.
“I’ll look deeper.” He clicks through the pages of results. “Wait.”
Water sloshes over my hand as I move quickly to see the screen.
“There are a few odd news reports here...”
“May I read them?” Only I will know what information is new, what information I can use.
He slides his office chair out of the way, and allows me to pull mine up to the desk.
“Click here,” he says, guiding me.
But the story is an old one, and not about my girl. “How do I go back?”
He shows me how to navigate, and a few minutes later, there is a news story I have not read.
Heart in my throat, I ask, “May I have a pen and paper please?” I didn’t want to lose access to any of this information.
He obliges me, and hands me a notepad and a pen.
With a careful hand, I make notes on the places, the people, other important details. “Now we must look other places, that are not news. Do you know what I am saying? Stories, personal accounts, anything that might sound fake but hold a kernel of truth. Can you help with that?”
He stares at me a moment. “I think I can.”
Together, we search late into the evening. And finally, I think I have something. It is a story about a woman who lost her husband in Iraq. She distraughtly describes thinking she saw him in public from a distance, plain as day, but he showed no recognition of her even when she called his name. And he was with a black female. That is the detail that I care most about. By the end of the account, the woman has convinced herself it was just grief and coincidence, but I know better. And my heart beats hard, because finally I have a lead. “Thanks be to God,” I whisper. Turning to Grady, I say, “I need to find out where this woman lives. Is there a way to do that?”
He is not sure, but I have faith, and it is rewarded when we discover she lives in a town an hour away from my other daughter’s college. I tell Grady as much.
Grady says exactly what I am thinking. “That can’t be a coincidence.”
“No, I don’t think it is.” This must be the sign from the spirits that I had been waiting for.
I say a quick prayer under my breath to thank the spirits, because I knew Mr. Grady had been put in my path for more than one reason.
Soon, I would go visit Marjorie to escape the lab, and be closer to finding my other daughter than ever before. My heart and my wound. My zonbi daughter, Brigitte.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Grady
“So, what’s it like going under cover as a dead guy?”
It’s our first get-together since I came back, and all our family and friends are here. Everyone who attended my funeral, with the exception of Ms. Josephine, who I’ve told them is a recent friend. And this is the lie we’ve chosen to explain my disappearance and death to them; That I discovered the dumping that Biff was doing at the job site, went to the police, and that led to the FBI asking me to go undercover to gather enough evidence to charge him and the lab company. Completely unrealistic of course, yet infinitely less so than the truth.
“Dark,” I say, “Lonely.”
My brother-in-law Eric laughs, because he thinks I’m making a joke. I give him a tight smile, trying to roll with it.
“No, but really. What’s it like?”
I wrack my brain trying to come up with whatever glamorous descriptor he seems to be looking for. “I can’t really talk much about the details. But it was dangerous.” For me, Maisie, for our baby. For Ms. Josephine. Maybe even for the rest of the world.
That seems to do the trick. He shakes his head in awe. “Man, that’s so cool.”
“Honey, could you help me with this?”
I look over at Maisie as she wobbles a platter of raw hamburger patties like they’re too much for her. But there’s a certain look in her eyes. She’s rescuing me, and she knows it.
I turn and grab the platter and mouth thank you. She smiles and purses her lips and I oblige her with a quick kiss before turning back to the hot grill and transferring the patties to it.
“Eric, are you trying to get classified secrets out of my husband again?”
“Nah, I’m not. It’s just the craziest thing, you know? Like something you’d see in the movies.”
Maisie and I share a loo
k, because the reality was so much crazier than anyone could ever guess.
Right then Eric gets called away by my sister Krissy, and Maisie strolls up beside me as I move some dripping patties off the fire.
We put an arm around each other almost automatically.
“How are you doing?” she asks.
I know she doesn’t mean with the hamburgers, because I’m a grill master, and always have been. I shrug. “It’s weird.”
“I know.” She gives my back a little pat as her other hand goes to her gently rounded belly. She’s barely showing yet, but she does that a lot when she’s thinking.
I lean a little closer to her. “And you? How are you two doing?”
“We’re just fine.” Her smile is brighter than the sunshine. Then she motions toward the grill. “We’re hungry.”
I’m hungry too. And I’m trying not to stare at the red, glistening patties. Trying not to remember how good meat tastes when really, really, really fresh.
I pull her tighter to my side. “They’ll be done soon.” And they will be. They’re cooking fast. I casually move one patty to the cooler corner of the grill. I want mine rare.
Maisie gives me a look, but before she can ask, we hear a shout from across the yard.
“It’s coming on!” Eric says. “Everybody! Come watch!”
I turn the heat down on the grill so the patties don’t burn and grab Maisie’s hand as we walk across the grass to watch the big TV set up on my parent’s deck.
A newscaster is talking over Biff’s picture on the screen and for a second, I flash back to that dark, cold night and the look on his face as he—
Someone places a cold beer in my other hand, and it’s enough to bring me back to the present. With a big inhale, I try to just listen instead of reliving it. Maisie squeezes my hand and I hang on for dear life.
They cut to a video clip of Biff being arrested. He’s red, sweaty, ranting. “I was framed! I had nothing to do with it!” He lunges toward the camera before officers yank him back. “Grady Stone is a zombie! He was dead! I killed him! I have proof! He bit me!” He turns his head to show his mangled ear as the officers yank him back.
“Man, what a wacko,” Eric says to murmurs of agreement from the rest of our family.
The picture changes to the construction site with crime scene tape around it. They’re talking about the toxic waste in the soil from the lab, and the blood the investigators found with it. And, tragically, they found Travis’s body there as well. They think Biff is guilty of foul-play, even though they don’t have all the proof yet.
They’re right, of course. He has to be responsible, though I doubt Biff killed Travis himself, just like he didn’t me. Maybe it was the lab guys for him, too.
Maisie’s hand clenches mine and I know she’s reacting to everything, too.
But then there’s a new face on the screen, lit up with bright, flashing lights. The news is saying he’s the head of Anima-gene Industries, the laboratory where the toxic waste came from. That means he’s probably the one responsible for the chemicals in the first place, and what they were used for. Which is apparently reanimating people. Those chemicals, combined with a bokor and left-hand magic, could only mean that one thing.
He’s probably the one who made the dumping deal with Biff. He’s wearing sunglasses, two big bruisers on either side, also in sunglasses, pushing through a crowd of reporters. He’s the one in charge, so I study him. The sharpness of his cheekbones, the way his jaw juts out, the entitlement in his movements. If I ever see him again, I hope I will recognize him.
“That’s such bullshit,” Eric interjects.
I’ve been so focused on learning his face that I forgot to listen. “What is?” I ask Maisie, still staring at the screen.
“That they can buy their way out of it.” Her voice vibrates with anger. “They’re going to get away with it.”
I grit my teeth as I hear the lab will pay for cleanup and a huge fine, but the man plead ‘not guilty’ to the charges and was released without bail. But, the reporter says there is another on-going investigation, on the possibility of illegal human research.
I would have to hope that investigation turned something up further, because Maisie is right, it is bullshit. They were guilty too. There would be no justice until they paid for their crimes. All of them.
But then they show Biff’s mugshot one more time, and I am filled with vindication. He looks exactly like a criminally-insane person, and he is going to spend a long, long time behind bars. I try to put the bitterness I feel away and let that be enough, but it still burns inside me.
Then my family and friends enfold me as the segment ends, telling me how glad they are that I’m okay, that I’m here. My father hugs me wordlessly, silently, as my mother wipes away tears. They’d had a hard time with everything, and losing me had aged them irrevocably.
Over their shoulders, I see Maisie, hands clasped over her stomach, tears of gratitude and love in her eyes. And next to her, Ms. Josephine, who I consider a lifelong friend, if not family. I tip my head to her, eyes burning, because thanks to her, I have my family. I have my whole life back, and even if the others never come to justice, that’s enough.
In fact...it’s everything.
***
Josephine
“Are you sure you have to go?” Ms. Maisie’s eyes are damp as she nestles under Grady’s arm for comfort.
“Yes, I’m sure.” I straighten my head wrap and stand up straighter. “There is work for me to do.”
They both nod solemnly, understanding, superficially at least, what I mean.
“Please drop us a note when you get there.” Maisie reaches out her hands and I hold them in my own. “And thank you,” she says. “Thank you so much, for everything.” And then she folds me up in her arms for a hard hug.
“I am but a servant to the loa, under the direction of Bondye. But...” My arms tighten, too. “You are very welcome.”
I’m pleased with the way things turned out with Mr. Grady. It delights me to see evil lose, and goodness win. It happens much too rarely in the world these days. Of course, there is still more to do, more evil to defeat.
However, I cannot help but feel a flush of satisfaction and elation that God heard my prayers. It is heady stuff, to have the ear of the Good Father.
But then again, he has his ways of making sure I stay humble.
My large suitcase is already in the trunk of the taxi, and I can no longer delay.
“God bless you.” I smile as I kiss both cheeks of Maisie and then Mr. Grady, and then I wave as I get into the taxi.
I watch through the back window as we pull away, waving as they wave to me. My old heart has stretched like elastic to include them. But they allowed me to place some charms in their home for protection, and I have prayed and made offerings to the loa to watch over and intercede for them. I might have delayed longer if I hadn’t had the revelation that they would be safe.
I turn around when they are out of view, and sigh. I’m already missing my house. I haven’t been in it very long since I was pretending to be homeless. And now I must leave it again already.
Then I shrug, because a house is just a shell. My heart lives elsewhere. And, the work always comes first. Though I don’t know when, I will be back someday.
For now, there is more to do. The spirits are calling me west, toward my daughters. I can delay no longer.
But I am ready and hopeful for a few more creature-comforts this time around. These bones are getting too old to sleep outside again.
But as always, I will do what is asked of me, and hope for the best. You give good, you get good, and that I believe.
***
Thank you for reading Bind My Body!
This is a new type of story for me, so if you enjoyed it, I would very much appreciate a review.
If you loved Ms. Josephine and you’d like to read a preview to book 2, Hold My Heart, please send me and email or message me on Facebook, and I will give yo
u the link!
[email protected]
Turn the page to learn more about me and my other books.
Happy reading!
Find more by Jayelle Morgan!
Elemental Hearts Series
HOT warriors, cool elemental powers, extraordinary romance!
Newsletter
Sign up for a FREE book!
Plus information on Book 2 in the Undying Love series, Hold My Heart, as well as contests, promotions, and conversation.
About the Author
Jayelle writes paranormal and fantasy romance. She lives in Michigan with her husband and two kids. A Romance addict, nature lover, and chronic daydreamer, she often finds herself absorbed in romantic visions of different worlds and characters. Sometimes, she even writes them down.
http://www.jayellemorgan.com/
Website
Come chat with me on Facebook!
<<<<*****>>>>
All Hallows Academy: Thirteen Days of Halloween by Majanka Verstraete
Episode One
Copyright © Majanka Verstraete 2020
Genre: Paranormal Romance, Reverse Harem
Dedication
This book is dedicated to my cats, the two cutest, most adorable little furballs this world has ever seen. Thank you, Snoebels and Teigetje, for being my loyal companions while I’m writing, and for always reminding me when it’s time for a break by blocking my keyboard.
Book Blurb
All Hallows Academy is one of the most prestigious universities in the world for witches and wizards and being accepted into All Hallows is an honor Lavinia Bloodbane and her best friend Jensen have been dreaming of for years.
A Cursed All Hallows' Eve Page 33