by Deanna Chase
I turned to my other guide. I’d seen her the night before when I’d been in my spirit form. She had pale gray eyes and wavy, bright red hair that was still slightly out of control. Her age was hard to pin down, but I’d guess no older than forty. Her face still had a freshness to it that usually disappeared with age. “You’re Lily. If I could hug you, I would. Thank you for your help last night.”
She nodded but didn’t smile at me. There was a grim expression in her eyes.
I frowned. “Is there something wrong?”
She glanced at Bea. “Not exactly, but you should know I don’t approve of what she’s about to do. I don’t think it’s good for either of you.”
“Oh, Lily. You worry too much,” Tru said, knocking her with an elbow.
Lily ignored her as she gazed at me. “You remind me a lot of my daughter. She was spunky and full of life. It’s a pleasure to walk through this time with you.”
“Thank you.” I nodded, completely touched.
She glanced at Bea once more, shook her head, and then vanished.
Tru hovered near me. “She’ll be back eventually. Until then, I’ll keep an eye on you.”
“That’s kind of you,” I said, warmed by her heartfelt expression.
Jade squeezed my fingers lightly. Her eyes were slightly misty with emotion.
I shook my head at her. “You’re such a girl.”
“Look who’s talking.” She used her free hand to swipe my cheek. “Tears. This is just… not you. I mean tears? Come on.”
Oh. Well. I hadn’t even realized I was crying.
I must have looked horrified because Jade laughed and said, “Don’t worry. You’ll live. I hear there’s a first time for everything.”
I smirked at her. It’s not like I never cried. But it was a rare occasion, until lately. Jade had probably seen my waterworks maybe two or three times in the past year, and one was after I’d been physically attacked by an evil ghost… prior to acquiring my guides.
“Ladies, please,” Bea said. “We’re not finished.”
Right. Lily had said she didn’t approve of whatever Bea had planned. “What’s going on, Bea?” I asked, mostly curious. I trusted Lily, but I trusted Bea more.
“Shh. I’m concentrating.”
Jade half shrugged. She clearly wasn’t in on the secret.
“Face each other and make sure you’re holding both hands.” Bea had her arms straight out and her head back. She was either calling on a spell or was possessed. I hoped it was a spell.
“Binder of darkness, free your hold,” Bea said, her tone forceful and strong. “Unwind the spell inflicted on the one she loves and the one she holds dear. Recede back to the depths of the Earth. Rejoin the shadows and restore the life you stole.”
Dark smoke tendrils broke out over Jade’s skin. She jumped back, startled.
“Do not let go,” Bea demanded.
I tightened my grip on Jade’s hands and held on for dear life. Bea was the type of witch you listened to or else bad things happened. It wasn’t that she cursed anything. She’d never do that, but her spells were so powerful that if you didn’t pay attention, you could end up at the bottom of a swamp from sheer stupidity.
The tendrils of smoke intensified as we stood there, filtering off her in waves, turning lighter and lighter with each passing moment until it was a stream of pale gray and then pure white.
Love and goodness rippled from her, straight into my fingertips, filling my heart to almost bursting. My eyes widened. Was that what it was like to be an empath? My entire body vibrated with her spirit.
“Pull it back, Jade,” Bea ordered.
The joy fled and with it, that same dark smoke rippled over my arms and into Jade’s palms. The smoke dissipated exactly as it had before, going from black to gray to white.
“That’s enough,” Bea said.
Jade dropped her hands and I stumbled forward, completely empty. My insides felt hollow, as if everything good I had to offer had been stolen.
I glared at Bea. “What have you done?”
“See for yourself.” She waved, indicating I should look over my shoulder.
Jade let out the first gasp and covered her huge grin with both hands.
I turned. “What’s— Julius!”
Chapter 13
I threw my arms around the solid man who stood before me. He stiffened at first but then quickly relaxed and placed his hands lightly on my hips.
“How’d you get here?” I asked smiling up at him. “What happened after you took on all that magic?”
Jade chuckled.
Julius smiled down at me, his onyx eyes alive with pleasure. “Your witch over there freed me.” He nodded toward Bea.
“How? I don’t understand.” I dropped my arms from around his neck, suddenly embarrassed. Jade and Bea were both watching me be an idiot. Julius and I were not a couple. I shouldn’t be hanging all over him like he was a long-lost lover.
“He couldn’t materialize because his essence was full of tainted magic,” Bea said. “The minute you two got here, I saw it in Jade as well. So the spell I cast siphoned it off. Once it was gone, he was free to go where he wanted.”
I frowned. “But you pulled some out of me too. I don’t have magic.”
“No, but for some reason you’re connected to Julius, and I was able to use you as a conduit. Tainted magic gone. Ghost freed.” She grinned.
Julius stepped around Jade and me, holding his hand out to Bea. “Thank you, mistress. Your kindness is much appreciated.”
“Oh, my,” Bea said, blushing a little as she shook his hand. “Thanks aren’t necessary. I’m happy to help.”
His grip visibly tightened around her hand, keeping her from letting go. And when he started talking again his tone was earnest. “How did you find me?”
Her expression turned tender. “A friend of yours. She’s grateful for all you tried to do for her.”
Julius bowed his head. “Grace.”
“Yes.” Bea paused, studying him. Then she clasped her other hand over his knuckles. “None of this was your fault. She wants you to know that.”
I glanced around, certain Grace was there, speaking to Bea at the moment. But I saw nothing. Even Tru had disappeared in my excitement. It was unusual, sure, but Bea had complete control over her space. I had no trouble believing she could talk to any ghost she wanted and could keep out those she didn’t.
Julius finally met Bea’s gaze. She gave him a small smile and then pulled her hands from his.
Julius turned to us, anger suddenly clouding his features. “Why did you go back to that house?”
Jade jerked back in surprise. “Excuse me?”
“It’s entirely too dangerous. A witch tried to kill her there.” He crossed his arms over his chest and glared at both of us.
“Yes. One did. But currently we don’t have any leads on who the witch is or why Pyper is the target,” Jade said hotly. “When and if the Witch’s Council gets involved, we might find some answers. But until then, we’re not sitting around waiting for someone to wring Pyper’s neck.” She placed her hands on her hips and stared him down.
He sucked in a frustrated breath. “The witch wants to complete the ritual.”
“That part we know,” Jade said, calmer now, but still clearly irritated. “But we don’t know why. Why three witches? Do they have anything in common? And what does the ritual accomplish? If you have any answers or suggestions, we’re all ears. But until then, I’m going to do whatever I can to get to the bottom of this. Either get on board or butt out.”
“Oh, yikes,” I said with a laugh. Jade was usually pretty polite and mild mannered. It appeared he’d pushed a button. “I guess she told you.”
“It’s not funny, Pyper.” She glared.
“I know.” I tried to sober my response, but I
couldn’t help the chuckle that escaped my lips. “Sorry. It’s rare I get to see you kicking ass and taking names when it doesn’t involve one of the evil assholes of the week.”
She rolled her eyes, but her lips twitched.
I winked at her.
Julius just stared at us in disbelief.
I patted his shoulder. “Don’t worry. Hang around us long enough and you’ll get used to it.” I sat down and sipped my tea. The cool liquid soothed my raw throat. I leaned back, relaxing for the first time since I’d found Ruby in her shop.
Jade sat beside me and picked at a cookie, crumbling it into little pieces.
“What’s wrong?” I asked her as I waved for Julius to take a seat. He ignored me, standing just behind my chair as if he was guarding me.
“I don’t know what we should do next. We have the ledger, but after today, I’m not sure it’s wise to find Shelby’s place and go poking around.”
“What choice do we have?”
Julius cleared his throat. “You could talk to the original three victims.”
I turned to stare at him. “Can you bring them forth?”
His smile turned rueful. “I’m afraid only you can do that. But I do know where they’re buried.”
Jade perked up. “Now that plan has merit. At the very least we might be able to find out the details of the ritual. From there we could work backward.”
“That sounds like an excellent plan,” Bea said, joining us. “Until then, I think it’s best if you adopt a buddy system. Always stay close to someone who has magical power just in case.”
“I agree,” Jade said. “You should stay with us.”
“Jade, I don’t want to—”
Julius placed his hand lightly on my shoulder. “I’ll keep her safe.”
The weight of his hand settled me, and I smiled up at him.
“I have no doubt you will.” Bea nodded sagely.
Jade sighed, knowing she was beat. It wasn’t that I was choosing Julius over her, I just wanted to be in my own space and Julius made that possible.
“Excuse us for a moment, will you?” Jade waved at Bea. “I think we have a few things to discuss.”
“Of course, dear.” Bea held the door open. “After you.”
Jade slipped past her, frowning while Bea pretended to not notice her frustration. No doubt she was irritated that Bea had agreed Julius could be my “buddy.” “I’m sure it’s coven business.” She winked and let the screen door slam behind her as she entered her house.
I stood up and took Julius’s hand in mine. He didn’t protest, but he wasn’t exactly an active participant either.
“Escort me into the garden?” I stared up at him through my lashes.
He bowed slightly. “I’d be delighted, my lady.”
Arm in arm, we descended the porch steps and walked slowly around the grounds, pausing near a bed of bright purple flowers. “I’ve always loved it here. Bea’s home is full of joy. I swear if I try hard enough, I can feel it infecting me. Makes me less moody. More peaceful.”
“It feels safe,” Julius said, caressing my fingers, which were wrapped around his forearm.
“That too. But that’s not the primary thing I feel.” I bent down and put my finger out next to a butterfly. “It’s what I imagine family feels like.”
He knelt down next to me. “You don’t have family?”
I concentrated on making sure my index finger was in the exact right spot and gently nudged the butterfly onto my knuckle. Once I was standing again with the gorgeous butterfly stretching its wings right there on my finger, I shook my head. “No blood relations that I know of. Jade and Kane and the rest of the gang are my family now.”
Julius reached out and tilted one of the red flowers toward us without breaking the stem. “Those who choose to walk with others are always stronger in the end.”
I turned my gaze on his, noting the wistful sadness in his eyes. “Did you walk alone?”
He let the flower go and stood up, causing the butterfly to take flight. Averting his gaze, he shoved his hands in his pockets.
I bit down on my lower lip. Crap. I hadn’t meant to say that. At least not in those words. “Sorry. I didn’t… I mean, did you have blood family here in New Orleans?”
“That was a long time ago, Pyper.” He crossed the yard, heading toward the big house rather than Bea’s smaller one.
“Wait.” I ran to catch up with him. “We don’t have to talk about it. I mean, I know how bad things can be. My mom, she was wonderful. A hard worker, loving, would’ve done anything for anyone. But she was never home because she had to work two jobs to keep a roof over our heads. And my father, well, he left. Just packed up and left without any good-bye. I’m not saying my life was terrible. My cards were better than a lot of people get dealt, but it wasn’t the big happy family with three kids and a golden retriever in the yard either. I can’t imagine what—”
“Pyper.”
I shut my mouth and stared up at Julius.
“You don’t have to explain yourself.”
“I know.” I wasn’t even sure why I was going on about my parents. It wasn’t something I talked about… ever.
He gazed down at me, confusion and pain in his troubled expression. Then he reached up and fingered a lock of my hair. “This blue streak suits you.”
“I like a little color in my life.” I’d always hated my dark hair. Why’d I have to take after my dad instead of my mom, who’d resembled a golden goddess with her fair features and honey-blond hair?
“A little?” He chuckled. “You might be the most alive person I’ve ever met. You make me feel real.”
“You are real.” I placed my hand on his chest, reveling in the strong beat of his heart. “Do you feel this?”
He placed his hand over mine. “I feel you, your warmth.”
“This,” I said, removing my hand and pressing his tighter against his chest. “That rhythmic thump inside your chest? That’s your heartbeat. And I feel it when you’re around. How can that not mean you’re real?”
He took a step back, putting just enough distance between us that we were no longer touching. “I’m a ghost. I’m solid now, but more often than not, I live in a place between worlds. I’m here but I’m not. So, no. For you, for your world, I’m not real. Not in a way that matters. I’m a drifter. Always have been, always will be.”
The unspoken part of what he hadn’t said hung in the air between us. I’ll never be anyone’s family. Never around long enough to form solid ties. I wanted to protest. Wanted to wrap my arms around him and insist he was wrong. Because he was. But he also wasn’t.
I chose to pretend I didn’t know what he was saying. “The question is, why are you solid? Why now?”
“Because history is repeating itself? Perhaps I’m here to help end the cycle.”
“Could be.” I mimicked his stance and slid my now-chilled hands into my pockets. “But I met you months ago. You were solid then too.”
He nodded. “The ability sort of comes and goes. But when you’re around, it’s easier.” He smiled at me again, and this time a small sparkle of joy lit his eyes. “You make me stronger.”
I stepped forward and brushed a lock of hair out of his eyes. “I have no idea why, but I like it.”
Chapter 14
“This way,” Julius said, striding into the Lafayette Cemetery in the Garden District, where Grace and Thelma were buried. We were starting with Grace because her tomb was closest.
I stood at the gates, trying to settle myself. A dozen ghosts already surrounded me, each vying for my attention.
Please take a message to my daughter.
They convicted the wrong bastard!
All I needed was one more day.
What happened? Why am I here?
My tomb needs a makeover. Tell that
cheap husband of mine to hire someone to fix the crumbling cement.
And on and on it went.
“Can’t we shut them out?” I asked Tru, fighting the claustrophobic feeling when they all rushed toward me. “It’s not usual for me to see them.” While I could sometimes see ghosts, more often than not I had to communicate with them through my guides. But not here in the cemetery. They all obviously realized I could see them and were already swarming like bees.
Sorry, darling. This is where their energy is contained. If you want to go in there, you’re just going to have to endure.
“Want me to cast some sort of spell?” Jade asked.
“Like what?”
“I don’t know. A repellent spell? To keep them away from you maybe?” She frowned, wrinkling her nose. “That doesn’t seem useful if you’re going to talk to Grace does it?”
“No. It doesn’t.” I watched Julius walk among his kind, ignoring the lost souls trying to cling to him. I shuddered a little. Even though in general ghosts no longer scared me, it was a little creepy. Some of them were zombified, barely shadows of what they used to be. It was sad and terrifying to imagine turning into one of them.
“We could skip this one. You already talked to Grace once before, using the dress, right? You could do it again,” Jade said.
“Maybe. But I had to speak to her through one of my guides. It looks like here, it’d be face-to-face. And possibly more reliable information, considering our words won’t have to go through someone else.”
She glanced around, and as she turned her head, I noticed she was biting her cheek—a surefire sign she was dying to say something else but wouldn’t. Well, good. If she didn’t think I wanted to hear it, chances were high she was right.
Julius stopped in the middle of the cemetery and turned back toward us. “Coming?”
“Yes,” I said without hesitation and took my first step into the City of the Dead. A dozen ghosts surrounded me instantly.