by Dana Davis
“No. This carving is old. Weatherworn. And they only went after those headstones over there. We found beer cans next to them so I’m sure it was just random violence.”
So who the fuck carved the symbol? “Whose baby is this?”
Kali licked her lips and pointed to the next grave. “Hers.”
Bridgette walked around to get a better look at the next headstone, this one also untouched by vandals, as Daisy trailed her. The death date was the same as the baby’s, two days after its birth. “Looks like she died from childbirth. I still don’t recognize the name. Daisy?”
Her cousin shook her head, short hair swaying around her shoulders. “Me either.”
“Okay.” Bridgette folded her arms and faced Kali. “What’s this got to do with us? I mean, besides that spiral on the baby’s headstone, I don’t see anything useful.”
“That’s the other reason I called you. After I saw this, I did some internet searches and found an old newspaper article. This wasn’t a childbirth death. This woman and her baby were murdered.”
Zoey placed a gentle hand on the headstone. “That sucks. Who’d kill an innocent baby?”
“The husband. He was shot by police a few weeks later. When they went through his home, they discovered he’d been killing people for years.”
Everything snapped together in Bridgette’s head like the final piece of a jigsaw puzzle, and she turned to Daisy. “Your rock.” Her cousin pulled it from her pocket with a questioning look then she let out a string of curses. “Well, that was impressive, Cousin. Guess you’re on the same train as me now, huh?”
Daisy nodded and crouched with the rock in her hand. She held it toward the broken tombstone. “Ow!” The rock fell when she jerked her hand back.
“Hot?”
“Yeah.” She stood and rubbed her palm on her jeans. “Guess we can quit hiking for petroglyphs now.”
Zoey studied her. “I don’t get it. Why’s this one so special? It’s not even a real petroglyph.”
Bridgette showed her palm to Daisy. “I’ve got this.” She then turned to Zoey. “Daisy’s hitchhiker was once a serial killer.”
The girl frowned then her mouth made an O shape and she nodded. One hand motioned to the baby’s headstone. “So that was his kid?”
“Pretty sure that’s a big yep.” Bridgette watched as Noah crouched. He used the bottom of his shirt to pick up the petroglyph rock then moved back and offered it to Daisy.
With a timid hand, she reached out and touched it, the silver and turquoise ring on her finger catching the sunlight. It was just like the one Bridgette wore, blessed by a tribal elder for protection. Noah also wore his and Bridgette wondered if she should get rings for Jay and the rest. If Paul will even speak to me anytime soon. Her anger had faded a bit but she still wanted to give Paul a nice smack for the way he’d treated Daisy. Well, I’ll worry about him later.
“It’s cool now.” Daisy stuffed the rock in her jeans pocket and turned to the necro. “Kali? Is he buried here too?”
“Not that I could find. Guess the family didn’t want him next to her and the baby.”
“Can’t blame them for that.”
Scarlet, who’d been silent, moved forward and studied the headstones. “You might want to wait about doing that restoration, Kali. And I hope you’ve got insurance.”
Kali sighed and adjusted her blouse. “Yeah, I know. At least this area is hidden from the street.” She turned to Daisy. “I really wish your guy’s family had picked another cemetery.”
“Sorry.”
“Okay,” Zoey said. “I’m confused.”
Daisy sniffed. “This is the connection to the hitchhiker, where we’ll have to perform the ritual to send him back.”
“Oh.” The girl glanced around, her dark ponytail swaying. “I take it he won’t go willingly.”
Scarlet let out a low chuckle. “Hardly.”
“How did he get loose, anyway? I mean I know he followed Daisy back from the afterlife, but why this particular hitchhiker? Aren’t there others?”
“Because I was here,” Daisy said in a low voice. “A lot of cemeteries are on ley lines, which makes it a place of magick, a natural portal to the other side. He’s connected to Phoenix because that’s where he did his killings. And he’s extra connected to this place because of his wife and child. So when I did the crossing over ritual here, in this cemetery, he gravitated to me. And used me as his ticket out of the afterlife.” Her brown eyes focused on Scarlet. “That about right?” The medium nodded. “So what do we do now?”
If I could protect you, I’d do this ritual myself, Daisy. But I’m not a medium. Then a thought came to her. Scarlet needs a vessel to take this hitchhiker in and hold him until she can send him back to the fucking afterlife. “Scarlet?” Bridgette waited for the medium to look at her. “This cemetery being on a ley line gives you an advantage, doesn’t it? I mean in sending the hitchhiker back?”
“It should. But we have to draw him here first to perform the ritual.”
“You’ll need a vessel.”
“Yes.” The short woman pulled to her full height, which was a couple of inches shorter than Daisy, and crossed her arms. “But I won’t let you do it, Bridgette. You’re family. And you’re my friend.”
“I figured that. But I didn’t mean me. You said the person doesn’t have to be willing, just a paranormal, right?”
“That’s right.”
She smiled. “Then I’ve got just the person for you.”
“Bridge?” Daisy sounded a bit startled. “Not Liam.”
She grunted. “Of course not. Fuck, Daisy, I’m not a heartless witch. Besides, he doesn’t fit the unwilling vessel profile, remember?”
“I know you re not. Sorry. He was just the first one who popped into my head. Wait, you don’t mean—”
“Hell yes.” The more Bridgette thought about her idea, the more she liked it.
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* * * *
Chapter 29
Sad Eyes
Bridgette took her temporary badge from the woman behind the desk and crossed to the large, metal gate that kept the patients safe from the outside world. The guard took her keys but let her keep the two bottles of water she’d purchased on the way over. She wasn’t needed for the ritual preparation that would take place at midnight tonight, so she decided to use this time to check on Liam.
Hattie greeted her on the other side. “He’s doing much better, Bridgette. His memory is coming back a little more each day. I’m so glad you found him. We were worried he’d get himself hurt.”
“Actually, he found me.” The patients here weren’t usually violent but they could have episodes and harm themselves.
“Right. You said he showed up at your place the other night. Either way, I’m glad he’s back.” The older woman seemed very fold of Liam. Maybe even loved him.
And why not? He’s been here with her since he got moved from the youth wing.
“Bridgette!” A tiny woman ran to her and put arms around her waist. In her mind, this mortal woman was seven years old. In reality, she was close to Bridgette‘s age.
“Hi, Kimmy.” She gave the small woman a hug and smiled as a grinning face peered up at her. “How have you been?”
“Fine. Wanna see my art?” She always asked the same question. Kimmy pulled a sheet of paper from her pocket, unfolded it and held it up. A moderate-sized house with a saguaro and a tree in the front yard, done in pastel crayons. A tiny face peered out from behind the curtained window. The artwork looked like that of a child.
Bridgette smiled. “That’s really good.”
Kimmy grinned. “Thanks. Wanna come see all my art?”
“Later, Kimmy.” Hattie gave her a gentle touch and a smile. “Bridgette and I need to talk. You go and play now.”
“Okay. See ya.” The girl-woman skipped off and Hattie started walking again.
When Hattie turned right instead of left, Bridgette double-stepped to catch up. “He’
s not in the common room?”
“Not this time.” Hattie held a door for her. “Just call if you need anything.”
“Thanks.”
The garden looked just the same as the last time Bridgette had been here with Liam. Sculpted trees sat in large square pots with various flowers blooming beneath them, small birds singing from their branches. Cement pathways crisscrossed the open area and the sun created shadows that made the place seem even more alive. The hospital surrounded the entire garden area, no escape for the patients. An oasis in the middle of heartbreak.
“Bridgette!” Liam got to his feet as she approached. He pulled her into a quick hug before releasing her. “Good to see you again.” His eyes no longer appeared dull or frightened. Bridgette saw life there. Youthful, exuberant life, despite the lines on his face and the gray in his hair.
She couldn’t help but smile. “Good to see you, Liam. How’ve you been?” She motioned for him to sit on one of the benches next to her.
“Oh, I’ve been better. But I’ve also been worse. Much worse. Dead, in fact.” He laughed.
Bridgette chuckled. She couldn’t help it. His laughter seemed contagious. “Yes, I know.”
“Of course you do.” He took the offered bottle of water, cracked the lid and took a long drink. “Thanks. I’ve missed out on so much, haven’t I? And I’ve been thinking about my future. Now that my parents are gone.” The sad look lasted only a moment, replace by a tiny smile. “Well, they’re not really gone forever, now are they?”
The last time she saw him at Daisy’s place, he’d barely remembered his name. He hadn’t spoken this much since they were teenagers, before the tragedy that sent him into a stupor. Bridgette enjoyed seeing him this way but she still wanted to know what the hell Daisy, Scarlet and Kali had done to him during that ritual. Whatever it was, it seemed to have a positive effect.
“Where’s all this coming from, Liam?”
“I’m not sure. I just woke up this morning feeling better and remembering a lot of things. About you. And your visits with me here.” He reached out and took her hand. “You came more than – well, anyone else.” She knew damn well he meant his family. “I don’t remember a lot of details about your visits. But I do remember your face and your touch. The rest is kind of a blur. And the afterlife is pretty much a blur too, except for a few things. Oh, and a couple of friends came to visit me this morning.” He grinned.
“You mean dead friends?”
“Yeah. Isn’t it great? I remember bits and pieces of them too. Over there, I mean.” He frowned and shook his head and she placed a hand over his. “There are holes in those memories, but everything that happened before the carnival is clear now. The doctors are going to run more tests on me but Hattie says I seem to be recovering fast.”
“I’m so glad, Liam.” This boy, man, her friend, even if he didn’t remember much of the last twenty-two years, seemed as close to her as a brother.
He squeezed her hand. “Maybe when I get out, we can go on another date.”
Uh-oh. “Liam.”
“Only no carnivals, okay?” He chuckled.
“Liam.”
“How about a movie? Watching them on the TV here just isn’t the same.”
“Liam, please.”
“What?”
She swallowed as his eyes moved to hers and, for the first time since she could remember, they didn’t move away. “I have a boyfriend.”
“Oh.” He gently pulled his hand out of her grip. “Well, that’s okay. I don’t remember you talking about him, though. New boyfriend?”
“Recent, yes. But we’ve known each other since high school.”
“That’s nice. Well, we can still see a movie together, right? Or go for coffee. Isn’t that still popular? As friends, I mean.”
She offered a sincere smile. “I’d really like that.” At least I didn’t have to say the friends line to him. Men don’t usually take that very fucking well.
“Good. That’s good then. It’s a date. A friend date. When I get out of here. A just friends date.” He repeated it as though he were afraid he might forget.
“A friend date. Oh, I almost forgot. I brought you something else.” She dug into her skirt pocket and pulled out a folded paper bag. “You still like peanut butter cookies, don’t you?”
His eyes lit. “You bet! Thanks.” He opened the bag, pulled out the bakery cookie and took a large bite. “Oh, that’s a good cookie.” Crumbs flew out of his mouth.
Bridgette laughed. “Glad you like it, piggy.”
He closed his mouth and his grin grew so wide she thought his face would split in two. She was very glad he had his medium powers back. Not that she envied him those. No way. But those powers would keep the hitchhiker from him and give Bridgette one less person to worry about until the ritual. Related or not, after all these years Liam was part of her family.
He pushed the cookie toward her. “Wanna bite?”
“No thanks. It’s all yours.”
He grinned again. “Mine.” With three quick bites, the cookie disappeared into his mouth.
Bridgette chuckled and gave him a playful smack on the arm. “You really are a pig.” It was so good to have him back in this world again.
He washed the cookie down with water, swiped the included napkin across his mouth, then stared at one of the nearby trees for a moment. “Bridgette?”
“Yeah? You okay?”
His gaze found hers again. “I’m scared.”
She put an arm around him and he let his head fall to her shoulder. “I know.” I don’t need telepathy to see that. I’d be fucking scared if I just came out of a stupor to find I’d aged twenty-two years, my parents had died and the rest of my family had abandoned me. If I ever see his siblings, I’ll kick their sorry asses. “We’ll get through this, Liam. Together.” I owe him that much at the very least. “As friends. As family. I’m here for you.”
She held him as he wept.
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* * * *
Chapter 30
Go to Hell
Once again, Daisy stood in Kali’s cemetery. At midnight. This time no full moon illuminated the area, so they had to rely on battery-operated lanterns tucked beside a headstone. She didn’t think anyone would notice them from the street, since the building hid them from view, but she’d asked everyone to wear black just in case. And Kali had informed one of her security guards, a cousin, that they’d be here tonight.
Daisy took in deep breath and let it out, trying to expel some of her nervousness. Okay, so at least we shouldn’t have any interruptions. She offered a silent prayer to the universe to keep everyone safe.
Scarlet stood on one side of her, Kali on the other. Zoey stood facing Daisy, the jeweled Dream Catcher box in her hands. The rest sat on folding chairs, out of the way but close enough if they were needed for something. A protective circle should keep them from harm and they’d been instructed not to cross it once it was laid out. Simon’s sister, Cleo, sat near the others, tied up and with Aunt Marge’s trussing spell on her. Marge, Fay and Brendon would alternate trussing spells, and anything else they needed to cast, to keep the female siren pliant, but the ropes were there for backup. Jay had his mother’s gun tucked into a holster beneath his jacket, just in case.
I don’t want anyone getting away this time. No herbal concoctions this time either – Daisy wanted the sirens completely aware for this ritual. If this worked, she wanted the whole terrifying story told, in hopes it would be the last time any siren stepped foot in the Phoenix area.
Simon lay tied up on a blanket, trussed under Bridgette’s spell. For the moment, anyway. The redhead would have to release him for the ritual, until the hitchhiker entered his body, then she could truss him again, while Daisy worked with Scarlet and Kali to send the ethereal nasty back to the afterlife. Both sirens looked genuinely scared now.
Good. As much as Daisy hated hurting anyone, Simon deserved this. And most likely, he would come out of it just fine. A bit sore
and maybe scarred, but he’d live. At least, that’s what Scarlet had told her. I certainly won’t let Noah or Bridgette be the bait. Bridgette, who had her senses open, gave her a sideways look but she ignored it. “Let’s get this over with.”
Scarlet placed the large mirror against the baby’s headstone behind Simon. The baby that once shared flesh and blood with the hitchhiker, the ingredient that connected him to this world and would ground him to this place so they could send him back to the afterlife. Scarlet removed the blanket from the mirror and spread it on the ground. Zoey took a seat at the edge of the blanket, out of reach of anything that might appear near Simon and the headstone. The girl looked nervous.
I really wish her box hadn’t ordered her to be here. Daisy reached down and touched her arm. “We’ve been to hell and back together, remember? We can do this.” That got a smile from her young cousin and a whimper and look of terror from Simon. “You should’ve stayed on your island like we told you, Simon.” His sister began to grunt and moan beneath her gag. The trussing spell kept her from moving anything but her eyes. I hate doing this to anyone, especially an unwilling paranormal. If I had Rebecca here right now, I’d use her as the vessel. The bitch. But I don’t.
She jumped when Scarlet touched her then offered an apologetic smile. “We’re ready,” the medium said.
Kali pulled a drawstring bag from a larger one and moved in a counterclockwise circle around the small group, sprinkling bone dust on the ground. One of the ingredients needed for the ritual. Daisy didn’t want to ask the necro where those bones had come from or who they belonged to. I really don’t want to know. She held her own drawstring bag and she opened it, following behind Scarlet. The medium sprinkled crushed deadly nightshade over the bone dust. Daisy’s bag held powdered belladonna, the final ingredient for the protective circle, and she sprinkled it onto the ground, thankful that Bridgette’s spells could be cast from outside the circle.
I only wish Zoey could be on that side too.