by Dana Davis
Daisy chuckled. “I hope you’ve got my link bookmarked.”
The Asian woman gave a tiny laugh. “Who do you think bought that purple afghan?”
“That was you?”
“Yeah. I use my mom’s mailing address for big stuff. She insists, since I live in an apartment. Says she’s afraid packages will get stolen. I think she does it just so I’ll come over more.”
Bridgette made a rude noise. “Sounds like my mom.”
Kali shrugged, her black hair moving around her shoulders, and pressed her phone off. “I don’t mind. We have a good relationship. Since she and my dad retired from the mortuary, they get lonely sometimes. And I think my grandmother drives them a little nuts. The best way to get a Chinese grandmother to have a coronary and go off on your parents is to tell her you’re not interested in getting married.” She grinned.
Bridgette laughed. “I knew there was a reason I liked you, Kali.”
Daisy shook her head. “You’re both terrible.” The car bumped and she grabbed onto the back of Noah’s seat.
They drove through an undeveloped area now, a patch of desert mostly untouched by humans since the gold mining days of the old west. Natives had lived here for centuries before Spaniards and Europeans even knew it existed, and they hadn’t left much behind. The first recyclers.
The Superstition Mountains loomed nearby and Daisy got a chill as she studied the jagged striations that jutted up toward the sky. Somewhere in those mountains, Wil Miller’s body lay buried beneath a cave-in. The ancient Kachina that had bonded with Daisy, giving her strength to defeat the foolish old man and return the skinwalker back to whatever hell it had come from, now stood watch over those mountains.
“You okay, honey?” Noah peered at her through the rearview mirror.
Her sunglasses slid down and she pushed them higher onto her nose. “Yeah. Just creepy being back in this area.”
He gave a quick glance out the window. “I don’t think I ever want to hike the Superstitions again.”
Bridgette sniffed. “That makes three of us.” The redhead enjoyed nature about as much as a fish enjoyed dry land.
“That’s where he died. Right?” Scarlet said.
“Yeah.” Daisy didn’t offer any more information and Scarlet and Kali exchanged a troubled glance. The two women had heard the news when it spread through the paranormal community afterward. But they don’t need the details on how I killed Wil. When the skinwalker spirit fled his body, Wil had screamed in anguish before he finally died.
Daisy fought a shiver at that memory and forced her mind on today. Just ahead, she saw what looked like tombstones jutting up between desert scrub. “Is that it? It doesn’t look too huge. Shouldn’t take us long to find the grave.”
“Sorry I couldn’t get a plot number,” Kali said.
“Holy crap. Don’t be sorry. You saved my life and you’re worried you didn’t get a plot number?”
“It wasn’t just me, you know.”
“Better smile and acknowledge her, Kali,” Bridgette said. “Because she’ll keep thanking you until you do.”
Daisy reached between the front seats to smack her cousin but Bridgette moved just enough that she missed. “Anyway yes, thank you, Kali, for bringing me back.” After everything I put her through, she’s still helping me. “You too, Scarlet.” I have a feeling I’ll be thanking Scarlet again and again after I get this medium crap down.
Kali turned to her and offered a sweet smile. “You’re welcome, Daisy.”
“Ditto from me,” Scarlet said with a smirk. That sent Bridgette into a fit of laughter.
Daisy caught Noah’s expression in the mirror, one of amusement mixed with worry, and guilt welled up. Poor guy. I scared the shit out of him when I died. She gave him a loving smile when he caught her gaze in the mirror and he seemed to relax and focus on the road again.
Barbed-wire fencing surrounded this cemetery that dated back to the old west days, when Arizona had a reputation as an outlaw territory. Though most of the notorious stuff had happened in Tucson, like the O. K. Corral gunfight, Phoenix had its share of old west murderers and thieves. Kali had mentioned that the last burials here took place in the 1920s, so it had been an inactive cemetery for a very long time.
Scarlet said ghosts don’t usually hang out in cemeteries. Maybe that means I’ll get a few minutes of peace out here.
Tires crunched on loose gravel as Noah pulled into the small parking area. The wooden gate was shut but an unlocked chain dangled freely. A sign nailed to a nearby post let them know the hours of operation, dawn to dusk, and that the cemetery was now under the jurisdiction of the local historical and preservation society.
She took off her seatbelt, scooted forward, and retrieved a bottle of sunblock from a small compartment between the front seats. After lathering the white cream on her face and neck, she passed the bottle to Noah, took up her purse, wondering whether she should’ve left it at home like Bridgette and Scarlet had, and got out. Kali scooted out behind her. Four doors clicked shut and the car beeped when Noah locked it.
He stepped to Daisy and took her hand. “You okay, honey?”
She didn’t say anything, just gave his hand a reassuring squeeze and took in a long breath of the desert air. It felt good. The wind picked up and made a whistling noise as it traveled between some of the taller headstones. Unruly palo brea trees rustled, their green, angular bark reaching in all directions. The place could use some gardening but it felt peaceful enough, especially with the birds calling out all around them. Daisy even had to concentrate to hear traffic humming on the nearest freeway.
“Just warning all of you.” Bridgette pushed her blue-tinted sunglasses up with a finger as she gazed around the cemetery. “I’m keeping my senses open starting now.”
“We’ll have better luck if we spread out,” Scarlet said. Pink nails scratched at her tanned arm. “On second thought, I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
Daisy followed her gaze and caught movement just as something vanished behind a headstone. A trussing spell popped to her lips and she shook her head. That doesn’t work on spooks, you big dummy.
From Kali’s expression, she’d also seen it. Necros couldn’t call on spirits without putting part of themselves into the afterlife. And she said she can’t communicate with them here. Lucky woman. Why did I have to get medium powers? I couldn’t have become a necro? Once up on a time she’d feared even getting close to a necromancer. She eyed Kali again. Wonder if the fates would let me exchange powers?
Bridgette watched her, obviously hearing her thoughts, and she gave the redhead a comforting smile. Don’t worry, Bridge. I’m not going crazy. Yet.
Another something moved in Daisy’s corner vision. Scarlet’s idea seemed better and better by the second. “Yeah, you’re right, Scarlet,” she uttered as she kept a good grip on Noah’s hand. “We should stick together. So much for your no ghosts in cemeteries rule.”
Like Daisy, Scarlet wore jeans and boots today. She looked like any other middle-class Phoenix woman out for a desert walk. Boy, is that the farthest thing from the truth.
Scarlet turned and her ponytail swung slightly. “It’s not a rule, just a generalization. Except for their burials, most don’t. But as a newbie medium, you send out vibes to the afterlife. They’re attracted to you.”
And you’re just now telling me this? “Why didn’t you say anything back at Kali’s cemetery?”
“Too many ears.” Scarlet snickered when Daisy frowned. “It’ll take a while to learn how to control that aspect of your new powers. Which is why I’m sticking with you like glue for the next few days. Just keep an eye out and you’ll do fine.”
Noah put an arm around Daisy’s waist and gave a supportive squeeze. “Hey, at least you’re not a faery like me.” His attempt at lifting her mood.
“What?” Scarlet and Kali said in unison. They both looked amused, even behind the dark shades they wore.
Despite her anxiety about her new power
s, Daisy chuckled. “A few months ago, Noah found out his paranormal ancestor was a Grogoch.”
“And a Grogoch is a faery?” Kali said.
“Yep. A hairy, homebuilder type that helps out around the house.” Her husband had no active powers, though. In fact, it had taken a spell just to learn about his paranormal ancestry. Before that, Daisy and Noah had both thought he was pure mortal.
Scarlet, who stood a couple inches shorter than Daisy, gazed up at him. “I wouldn’t mind a strong, hairy guy helping out around my house. You got brothers?”
Like a lot of powerful mediums, Scarlet was single. Well, divorced actually, after five years of marriage. Her ex was a third cousin to Daisy. Scarlet’s parents were mediums of similar strength, which was probably why they stayed married as long as they did. Most mediums had trouble keeping a steady relationship. Scarlet’s divorce was amicable and she stayed in touch with Daisy’s side of the family. Daisy almost laughed out loud at that. Once accepted into a paranormal family, it was almost impossible to get away.
You’re family for life. So she’s stuck with me, whether she wants me or not. But now that I’m a medium, what does that mean for me and Noah? Daisy pushed that last thought as far from her mind as she could manage.
Bridgette eyed her before turning to Scarlet. “Strong, hairy guys who do housework are quite the catch.” That got a chuckle from Kali. “But Noah’s brothers are married. And they’re probably just as bossy as he is.”
Noah sighed and Daisy eyed the three other women as she tugged her purse strap farther up on her shoulder. “If you ladies are done teasing my husband, we have a necro to find.” And a hitchhiker, a little voice in her head uttered. Like I’d really forget about that.
Bridgette took a couple of steps then turned. “Rebecca’s also a psi-vamp, remember? So, if we do happen to find her, don’t get too close. That goes for all of you. She can take your energy before you realize what’s happening.”
Psi-vamps were sneaky bastards who had the ability to siphon the life-force from others, usually a self-defense mechanism, but one that they could call on at any time. From what Daisy had read, some even got high off it. Take too much too often and the victim would die.
I don’t need to be reminded to stay far away from that bitch’s touch. Not after what had happened in the mausoleum when she was searching for a way to help her mother’s soul. She had felt faint, dizzy, and found herself on the floor without realizing what had happened. Several hairs had been pulled from her head, most likely used in Rebecca’s necro rituals to find her mom’s soul. If it hadn’t been for her sore head and losing time, Daisy might’ve thought she’d simply been ill and fainted. I was lucky. She only incapacitated me. And that was from just one brief encounter. No way do I want Rebecca getting her hands on me again. Or any of us.
Bridgette led them through the palo verde trees, brittlebush, cholla, and other desert shrubbery and cacti that dotted the area. Perfect hiding places for snakes. Daisy and Noah stayed close together as they meandered between the gravestones. Some were clearly legible, some mere rocks with names and dates etched into them, others crumbled beyond repair or recognition.
As Daisy bent to study a marker, a dark figure came out of nowhere and brushed against her arm. She let out a squeal and instinctively clutched her purse, as a trussing spell sprang to her lips. When she looked again, she saw nothing and let the spell die.
Another damn spook. Her skin where the figure had touched her felt like ice and she rubbed at her arm, trying to quell the gooseflesh. “What the hell type of ghost was that?”
Scarlet didn’t answer. She simply marched past Daisy toward a nearby headstone, this one weathered beyond reading. “Hey! Watch where you’re going. Come back here!” Then she shook her head and mumbled something as she made her way back. “Sorry, Daisy. I forgot to warn you about that. Been a while since I’ve taught anyone. Sometimes they’re sort of in-between this world and the next. When that happens, they’re dark, like shadows. And they can suck the warmth out of a place faster than you can say, boo.” Scarlet placed tentative fingers on Daisy’s arm. “Still cold?”
“Yeah.” She shivered.
“Shadow spirits don’t always pay attention to where they’re going.” Scarlet hooked a thumb over her shoulder. “Some, like that one, don’t notice the living. Even a medium. They’re attracted by our powers but they’re too focused on something else to realize we’re here. Try to stay away from them if you can, Daisy. There’re other side-effects besides the cold, especially for newbies.”
Daisy’s heart hammered against her ribs. First, I travel to the afterlife and almost get trapped there. Forever. Now the dead not only find me among the living, but they’re touching me? And they give off side-effects? Holy crap! No wonder mediums are so damn vague about their powers. “What kind of side-effects?”
“They can disorient you. It’s unpleasant but not fatal.”
Daisy took in a long breath. Okay, you can handle that. You went to the afterlife, remember? Souls touched you there and you were fine. The silent pep talk didn’t calm her this time. I’m not in the afterworld now. Things are different here. How the hell did I get into this mess? She blamed the Kachina. That ancient protection doll had expanded her powers somehow. I’m a witch. I’m not supposed to be a medium.
She felt Bridgette’s eyes on her but ignored the gaze as she took a step toward another grave. Her stomach suddenly roiled and she grabbed onto a headstone as she swallowed to keep from vomiting. Her purse fell to her wrist and swung back and forth, adding to her nausea. She closed her eyes.
Noah grabbed her arm to help steady her and took her purse from her. “Daisy, you okay? You look a little green. Are you sick? Maybe we should go home.”
The nausea subsided after a few deep breaths. Thank the universe. She stood upright and gazed at Noah’s worried face. “I’m okay now.” But she did have a slight headache. She turned back to Scarlet. “Don’t tell me that was—”
“Afraid so. They’ll stop affecting you like that, eventually. But you might want to keep some soda crackers and aspirin handy for a while.”
Daisy took her purse back from Noah, looped it over her right shoulder, and gave Scarlet a steady gaze. “Uncle.”
The medium cocked her head, dark brown hairs fluttering loose from her ponytail. “What?”
“Uncle. Uncle. I quit. I don’t wanna be a medium.” It came out like a whiny child but she didn’t care. “I respect you, Scarlet. Always have. But I never wanted your powers. Not even a little bit. I never wanted to be anything but a witch.” Well, that’s not exactly true. In high school, she wanted to be a telepath like Bridgette, so she could eavesdrop on other students, and especially the teachers.
Scarlet gave her a sympathetic look. “You’ll have to take it up with the universe, Daisy.” She started walking again and her gaze shifted to the various tombstones. “But don’t hold your breath. I tried for years to get rid of my powers.”
For some strange reason that made her feel a little better and she walked behind Scarlet. “Really?”
“Yeah. My parents were upset with me about it. They enjoy being mediums. Especially the respect they get from other paranormals. I never got off on it. I just wanted to be a normal kid. Back then, I would’ve taken being a witch over a medium in a heartbeat.” Scarlet turned to her. “Gives a whole new meaning to the song ‘Born This Way’, doesn’t it?” A smirk danced on those thick lips, which were still bright with pink lipstick.
Despite Scarlet’s attempt at levity, Daisy couldn’t help feeling sympathy for the woman. The medium rarely shared personal stories like this. In fact, until Daisy started showing signs of being a medium herself, Scarlet had seemed closed off at times, even cold. “And now?”
“Now?” Scarlet’s gaze swept around the cemetery. “I can’t imagine my life without them. Don’t get me wrong, witch. Some days I want to scream and break every damn mirror in my house or drink myself into a stupor. But that’s not every day.�
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Daisy took care not to glance at Scarlet’s wrists that were covered by the long-sleeved blouse she wore. The medium had old scars across each. Someday, maybe Daisy would learn that story. She could just make out Scarlet’s gaze beneath amber lenses. They revealed nothing.
Okay, she’s going to make me dig for info. Fine. I can play that game. Daisy crossed her arms and cocked her hip. Her purse slipped down to her elbow but she ignored it. “So, I’ll want to smash a mallet over my head some days but not others?”
“Pretty much. Once you’re trained, anyway.”
Fabulous. “And until then?”
Scarlet’s pink lips pressed together for a moment, the only outward sign that she was apprehensive. “Why don’t we just concentrate on getting through today?”
Okay. One day at a time. I can do that. Concentrate on the here and –
A loud engine and the sound of tires on gravel drew her gaze to the tiny parking lot. A red truck that had seen better days pulled up next to Noah’s Camry.
Just what we need. Witnesses. Daisy watched as two people got out, both wearing jeans, tee shirts, and backward baseball caps. One tall, one short. Men or boys? She couldn’t tell from this distance but they were thin and lanky so she guessed they were young.
“Fuck,” Bridgette uttered.
She studied her cousin. “What? Who are they?”
“Rednecks. And they’re packing so keep a trussing spell handy. You take the short one.”
Shit. “Okay.” Daisy’s heart raced like a greyhound at the tracks. I really don’t want to get shot again. Getting grazed hurts like hell. I really, really don’t want to feel that again.
Thanks to Bridgette’s healing spells, Daisy had only a light scar to show for the bullet that had grazed her arm at Rebecca’s place. Mario had apologized numerous times for accidentally shooting her, especially when he found out his girlfriend, the one he thought he was protecting, was really a psi-vamp, soulnapping necro, but that didn’t make the memory of it any less painful. Bridgette even had to bribe him with cash before he agreed to be a spy for them and watch for Rebecca’s return.