by Lea Nolan
I scratch my head, which is still spinning from the whole contacting-dead-people thing. “Um, I’m pretty sure I know what a haint is—it’s a ghost, right?” She nods in response. “But what the heck’s a boo-hag? And is it something we’re going to have to worry about while we’re fighting The Creep?”
She sighs. “Oh, child. It’s just about the worst thing you’d ever encounter during a full moon. It sheds its skin and slips into your house, then climbs up on you, riding your chest while you’re sleeping, sucking the life out of you. When it’s done, it jumps into your skin and takes over your body. Evil doesn’t come close to describing it.”
I shudder as a chill runs up my spine. “Thanks. Now I won’t be able to sleep in peace.”
She laughs and waves me off. “I doubt you’ve got to worry about a nasty boo-hag. Remember it clothes itself in skin, and last time I checked, that’s in short supply in your house.”
True, but now that we’ve pulled that second memory from the knife, and seen how Sabina worked the curse, we should be able to break it. “But not for long, right? I mean, the Psychic Vision gave us everything we need to reverse The Creep, right?” I hope so, because I don’t think I can take much more of this magic stuff. I’m so drained, I’m not sure I’ll be able to get up off the floor anytime soon. Maybe she’ll let me sleep over.
She shakes her head. “It did, but I’m sorry to say we’re no closer to knowing what to do.”
My chest sinks from the unexpected punch in the gut. “How can you say that?” My voice is faint as I lean my throbbing head against my hand. Just when I thought we’d gotten a break, this stupid curse crushes me. “We saw what Sabina did and watched her create the spell. Why isn’t that enough?”
She reaches down and grasps my shoulder. “For two reasons, child. Those words she used when she cast the spell—I don’t know what they mean. I’ve never heard anything like it. It’s not Gullah, even an early version of it. And second, even if I knew what she said, I don’t pretend to have her power. You saw the way she commanded the wind and water, created a funnel cloud, and then used the earth to create a fire. I didn’t even know that was possible.”
My mind races as it calculates the horrific implications of this latest revelation. Ever since I learned about the Beaumont curse, I sort of forgot about Jack and switched my concern to Cooper. I was so sure we’d be able to reverse The Creep, and Jack would be fine. But now, that seems impossible. Without a translation for Sabina’s strange, lyrical words and some way to whip a whole lot of water and wind around, not to mention light a fire in the middle of all that, Jack’s going to die. And then, my best friend—and now boyfriend—will lose his soul. And I’ll be the only one who understands exactly what happened. Well, except for Maggie and Miss Delia, of course.
My throat tightens. “So you’re saying he’s doomed.” My voice breaks. “Just like Cooper.” My chest shudders as fat tears flow down my cheeks into my lap.
She pats the back of my bowed head. “Now, now, Emma. Don’t lose hope. Those plateyes didn’t show up for nothing. They multiplied because they knew we’re getting close. If they thought we couldn’t crack this, they wouldn’t bother. There’s got to be an answer we don’t see yet.”
I wipe the hot tears from my face and sniff the snot back up into my nose. “Really?”
She smiles. “Really. Now let me set to work on those words of hers.” She chants Sabina’s foreign phrase perfectly from memory, then nods and sucks her teeth. “That’s the key, I’m sure of it.”
“Do you think we’ll figure it out in time to save Jack?” I bite my lip, afraid to hear the answer.
Her eyes soften. “I hope so, child. I hope so.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
After returning home and indulging in a two-hour nap, I’m feeling strong enough to check in with the guys. “So how’d it go? Did you get the necklace?” I plop down on the couch next to Jack and, because Dad’s not home, put my feet up on the coffee table. Cooper and I have decided not to tell Jack about our relationship. He’s got enough problems. He doesn’t need to worry that Cooper will abandon him for me. We’ll wait until after he’s cured to break the news. Although now that we’ve hit another honking road block, that might take awhile.
“Nice of you to join us, Em.” Jack nudges me in the ribs with his elbow. “I wondered if you were going to sleep clear through tomorrow. I guess all that non-curse breaking gets pretty tiring.”
He has no idea.
Cooper kicks the sole of Jack’s outstretched flip-flop. “Hey, be nice.” He glances up at me and smiles. His powder-blue eyes gleam and send that delicious chill through my body. Memories of last night roll through my mind, flushing my cheeks with amorous heat.
I squelch a sigh. He’s perfect. And if I have anything to do with it, he’ll stay that way. The darkness will not swallow him.
Cooper winks. “You’ll have to forgive your brother, Emmaline. He’s grumpy from chasing Missy around all day.”
“That’s only because you haven’t managed to swipe that necklace before now.” Jack crosses his arms and turns to me. “Dang, Em, I’ve never known anyone to be so busy doing nothing. We followed her to the grocery store, the gym, a restaurant, and her salon.”
I snort. “What’d you do, stalk her?”
Cooper shakes his head and smirks. “Nah, not really.”
Jack kicks him back. “Of course we did. How else are we supposed to get the ruby and reverse this?” He rips off the glove, then lifts his arm and jerks up the rash guard sleeve. The moldy scent of decay floods the room. Cooper and I both groan and slap our hands to our noses. The end of his radius and ulna are bare now, and a new, wider band of flesh is red and bulging. It takes up half of his remaining forearm.
I silently chastise myself for making him believe the necklace is the key to breaking his curse and not Cooper’s—which, of course, they don’t even know about. But I can’t reveal the truth. It’ll crush Cooper to know I lied, and then we’ll be over before we’ve even begun. It’s better to change the subject. “Look, I’m sorry you guys wasted your time. What were you thinking, anyway? Don’t you think she got a little suspicious with you two popping up everywhere she went?”
Jack glares at me through his long black lashes. “Do we look that stupid?” He peers at Cooper, who’s chuckling at his annoyance. “We were discreet. Besides, she’s not the brightest halogen. She wouldn’t realize we were following her unless we strapped on neon signs and waved at her.”
I can’t help but laugh. But before his ego’s boosted too much, I shrug my shoulders and try to bring him back to earth. “Yeah, but what was the point? Did you think she’d fall unconscious in the freezer aisle, and you’d get to rip it off her neck?”
He quirks his brow so hard the creases form an S. “No, but I figured she’d at least take it off while she worked out or when she had her massage at the spa.”
Cooper nods. “Actually, I thought it was a good idea, too. We were ready to sneak into the women’s locker room and go through her stuff.” He mashes his lips together and scratches his temple. “Am I the only one worried about how easy it’s getting to commit crime?”
Jack waves him off. “Don’t stress, dude. It’s only temporary.” He turns back to me. “It was a great plan, except Missy wore the stinking thing the whole time. I mean, even during her yoga class and when she was on the elliptical.”
I wince. “Ew, it must be crusted with sweat.”
Jack shrugs. “Probably, but who cares, right? I’ll take it any way I can, slimy or not.” He lifts his arm. “This is already the grossest thing ever. A little sweat doesn’t scare me.”
A wave of sadness overwhelms me. He doesn’t realize how bad it’ll get before it’s too late to save him. Hot tears build up behind my eyes and threaten to well over. Normal, Emma, act normal. Nothing’s changed—Jack’s still got The Creep, and Miss Delia’s working on a cure—so there’s no need to volunteer the news about our latest obstacle. I grit my te
eth and gulp the rising sob back down my throat.
Cooper leans toward Jack. “So, genius, what’s our next move? I tried to sneak in their room last night, but…”
“But what?” Jack knits his brow.
“It’s just…well, you know.” Cooper turns the most adorable shade of pink. “Their room isn’t exactly quiet at night, if you catch my drift. I’d hate to walk in on something I shouldn’t see.”
A little throw-up lurches into my mouth. Beau. Missy. Then Beau and Missy. I shudder. On second thought, Jack was wrong. His arm isn’t the grossest thing ever—this new picture in my head is. By a long country mile.
Jack crosses his arms and stares at his outstretched legs. “I was hoping she’d take it off at night, but after today, I wonder if she ever does. I think our best bet is to just keep following her. Who knows? Maybe Emma’s right. Maybe she’ll trip on one of those stilettos of hers and knock herself out. We wouldn’t want to miss a perfect opportunity to grab it.”
Cooper chuckles. “That would sure make it easy, wouldn’t it?” Then his face falls. “You’re not suggesting we trip her or anything, right?” He hitches a worried eyebrow. “Because stealing is one thing. Hurting people, even Missy, is another.”
Jack cocks his head. “Don’t be an idiot. Violence is only very rarely the answer. I’ll figure something out. It just might take some time.”
I stare at his arm and count the weeks between today and Cooper’s birthday. Time is the one thing we don’t have. Jack’s disintegrating every couple of days. How can he be so casual about this?
I purse my lips and approach this gently. “Um, Jack, you need to figure this out soon. Actually, sooner than soon.”
“Yeah, I know. I’m working on it.”
I rub my throbbing forehead. “Really? Because you seem kind of laid-back about it.”
“I got this. We’re cool.”
Heat rushes to my cheeks as words trip from my mouth. “No, we’re not. We’re running out of time.”
Cooper leans forward. “What do you know, Emmaline? Did something happen at Miss Delia’s today?”
Jack’s brow furrows. “Yeah, weren’t you supposed to do another one of those Psychic Vision things? Did you see who created The Creep?” He winces and pinches the bridge of his nose. “Stupid headache is back again.”
I exhale and try to figure out how to answer their questions. “Yeah, I saw it all right. It was pretty horrible.” Launching into the story, I explain what I saw and stick to the facts, skirting all references to how Lady Rose’s progeny was cursed because of the necklace. To reduce Cooper’s and Jack’s panic, I play down the plateye attack, putting as much positive spin on their presence as possible. Despite the guys’ horrified expressions, I force a smile and act as if being attacked by four seething beasts is no big deal.
I shrug. “Really, Miss Delia said it’s actually a good thing that so many showed up. They wouldn’t multiply if we weren’t getting close.” Cooper strains to keep his cool, but after last night, I know no matter how I spin it, his protection meter is off the charts. To keep from tipping off Jack, I avoid eye contact with Cooper and try to stay focused.
“So while we work out the Break Jinx, I need you guys to get the necklace because—I don’t know if you’ve noticed, Jack, but The Creep is moving faster up your arm.”
He lifts his hand. “Duh. That’s not a news flash.” He drops his ruined arm. “Believe me, I understand what’ll happen if we don’t get the ruby.”
No, he doesn’t, because I haven’t told them about the Beaumont curse. Images from both Psychic Visions fly through my head, and dread swells in my gut. There’s still a slim chance Miss Delia and I will decipher Sabina’s words and generate enough power to seal the elements together, but without the ruby necklace, Cooper will be lost.
A brutal concoction of despondence and fear churns my stomach. Who am I kidding? We probably won’t be able to save Jack, either. I’ll lose them both. Forever.
I suddenly feel so small, so battered from fighting Sabina’s relentless twin curses. After watching the visions, I understand why Sabina wanted revenge. Bloody Bill and Edmund did a horrible thing and had it coming. But why do both curses have to exact so much havoc on the two people I love the most? What did we do to deserve this?
Maybe it’s the pressure of hiding the lie, the post-traumatic stress from the plateye attack, or my anger toward Sabina for creating these horrific spells, but Jack’s smug expression puts me over the edge, igniting a fury that explodes and travels from my heels to my hair. I clench my fists and shout, “You think you know everything, but you don’t know squat.”
Jack’s eyes flash with as much surprise as anger. “Who do you think you are? I’m the one who’s falling apart!” He slams his bony hand on the coffee table. The tips of his phalanges crack and splinter, and the top of the middle one snaps clean off.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
Cooper guides the station wagon down the country lane toward Miss Delia’s house. We’ve driven this road several times since the museum heist, so the overgrowth is mashed down, making it easier to avoid the rocks and potholes. It’s overcast and chillier than normal, so for once we don’t need to blast the air conditioner.
Cooper glances at me in the rearview mirror, his eyes filled with concern. “I know you and Miss Delia think you can handle things on your own, but if those plateyes show up again, I want you to call us. Missy’s meeting some friends for lunch in Beaufort, so we’ll be nearby. It won’t take us long to come and get you.”
I wish I could sit in the front seat with him, holding his hand. But that would give Jack a giant clue that things have…evolved between Cooper and me.
Jack’s lip curls. “Hey, speak for yourself. I didn’t volunteer to fight those hellhounds. I’ve got enough problems.” He raises his elbow to remind us that, if things proceed as usual, the rest of his forearm is likely to burst tonight. And that he’s irretrievably lost the tip of his middle finger. He’s soaked his phalanges in water and slathered them with moisturizer every night since, trying to keep them moist. I’m sorry for him, but the upside is, it’s reduced his enthusiasm for flipping the bird. At least he was kind enough to keep everything covered up and the stink under his rash guard. He crosses his arms. “If you want to be a hero go right ahead, but count me out.”
I roll my eyes, then turn my attention to Cooper. “Thanks, but Miss Delia’s got plenty of whiskey. We’ll be fine.” I toss him a surreptitious kiss from behind Jack’s back.
He smiles but then looks stern. “I’m serious, Emmaline.” His voice drops. “Those things keep multiplying. At some point you won’t be able to hold them back, no matter how much liquor you’ve got.”
“Maybe, but we’ve got hoodoo magic on our side.” I waggle my brows and grin, hoping he’s thinking as much about our second and third beach dates as I am. “Besides, I don’t want to take you away from your mission. We need the necklace.”
He nods. “I know. I’ve got a good feeling about today. I overheard Missy planning a trip to a jewelry store with her friends. There’s no way she’ll keep the ruby pendant on if she’s considering other necklaces.”
Jack twists in his seat to face Cooper. “So, brainiac, how are we going to get it if we’re outside the shop watching them?” He looks out the window at the silver sky. “Which won’t be a lot of fun if it starts to pour.”
Cooper shrugs. “Aw, what’s the matter, you afraid you’re going to melt? Trust me, you aren’t that sweet.” He laughs and steers around the last big hole in the road. “Besides, you’ll be fine. There’s an umbrella in the trunk. If we see her take off the necklace, we’ll go in there, distract them, and grab it. Easy.”
Jack blinks. “Right. Easy.”
I laugh. “Let’s hope so.”
We round the bend in the lane. The bottle tree sways in the breeze, its multicolored glass the only bright spot on this usually gray morning. A tuft of white cotton lies on the ground under its gigantic canopy. I
squint to make it out, then realize the dark green lump next to it isn’t grass—it’s a housedress. Unease crawls up my spine. I throw open the back door of the still-moving car.
Cooper’s eyes widen in the rearview mirror. “What are you doing, Emmaline?”
“Stop the car!” I yell.
He slams on the breaks as I release the seat belt, bolt from the car, and charge toward the crumpled body lying on the ground. Miss Delia’s features come into view. So do the crimson splotches that cover her face, dress, and legs.
No! No! No!
A surge of adrenaline charges through me, catapulting my heart into overdrive. I scream her name, then dive to the ground to grab her bloody hand. Pounding feet run up behind me.
“Miss Delia,” I cry again. I gently jostle her soiled shoulder to rouse her, but she lies motionless with her eyes shut. Shock and fear swell in my chest as my trembling fingers search her broken body. She’s been mauled and is covered with at least a hundred bite marks that have torn into her clammy skin and shredded her dress. Her tattered flesh hangs in places, slathered with frothy drool and slashed by the plateyes’ jagged teeth.