Seduction of Souls

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Seduction of Souls Page 5

by Patricia Gauthier


  “So what have you found out about this Nathaniel person?”

  “Well, a lot more than I know about Charity. Nathaniel was orphaned when he was twelve years old and taken in by the town’s blacksmith. He became his apprentice, learning the trade and most likely poised to take over the business. Oh, and his last name is Buford. The blacksmith, John Connor, still has some relatives living in the area. I thought tomorrow I might be able to go over some of the historical records in town, maybe pick up more info.”

  “My, my, haven’t we been a busy little beaver. So what’s the rest of the plan?”

  “Well, right now there isn’t any. Ryker wants to meet with the rest of his team and plan out how best to approach this. He’s supposed to get back to me in a few days.”

  “Cool. I’m bushed. Are you going to sleep at all tonight, or is this another research marathon?”

  “I think I’ll give a little sleep a shot, but I’m going to try the couch in here. This afternoon I got four hours of uninterrupted sleep. I’m hoping for a repeat.”

  Bryn held her hand up in the Vulcan salute and recited, “live long and prosper,” before turning to run up the stairs.

  RayeAnn laughed and mumbled something about sci-fi freaks and their quotes before stretching out on the couch, covering herself with the throw that was lying over the back. Immediately she fell into a heavy sleep.

  ********

  Charity paused momentarily to put her shoes back on, having taken them off in order to make it through the house as silently as possible. Sneaking out of the house was definitely against her strict, demanding father’s rules, yet what choice had he left her? Through the misty fog swirling violently on the ground Charity made her way to the barn.

  With her heart beating like a large kettle drum, she snuck around the back of the house, carefully searching the mist for her lover, a man her father regarded as too far below her social standing to even consider his request to court her. He had asked for permission many times, only to be turned away on each occasion. The last attempt even had the dogs chasing him off the property at her father’s command.

  She moved silently toward the stables, their usual meeting place, excited at the prospect of lying with him. Loving him had consumed her mind and heart, taking over all sensibilities about the possible consequences. Knowing that he felt the same way about her made her determination to be with him all the stronger. She felt her heart quicken at the awareness that he was already here, waiting for her. Her one true love.

  “Nathaniel.” Running toward her love had never felt so right, as if their love were stronger than the universe itself, as if moving heaven and earth into proper alignment as their bodies came together, uniting their very souls.

  Passion engulfed them as they hurriedly shed their clothes, all the while maintaining eye contact. Their link not being broken from the moment they set eyes on each other. Kissing each other fervently, their skin flushed pink as their fire for each other ran through their bodies. With a fast and furious pace they fulfilled their desires.

  Sated, they lay in each other’s arms in the empty stall of the barn. Without regard for the consequences, they both fell into a deep sleep, only to be startled awake by the roar of her enraged father. His face contorted, red in his fury. He stood in the opening of the barn stall, a horsewhip clinched tightly in his beefy fist, his knuckles white.

  “Charity!”

  RayeAnn startled awake, sweating profusely and gasping for breath. She began to tremble in fear, trying to mentally reassure herself that it was just a dream, not real. She heard Bryn running through the house as she called RayeAnn’s name nervously.

  “In here.” My lord, she needed some sense of reality to hold on to.

  “Are you all right? I heard you screaming all the way up in my room.”

  “Yeah, I’m fine. Charity paid me another visit, only this time I wasn’t picking daisies in a fricking field.”

  “Tell me about it. You’ll feel better once you get it out of your system.”

  She didn’t have to be asked twice. Sitting up on the couch and still dressed in her clothes, she let the story tumble out of her mouth, leaving out nothing. Bryn sat next to her, absorbed in the story. Every once in a while she nodded in understanding.

  After RayeAnn finished the story they sat in silence, both staring off into space, consumed by their own thoughts.

  “Do you think it’s possible that this happened because of the research you did tonight about Nathaniel?”

  “No, my gut tells me it was real, or rather, that it really happened. I was Charity again, not an onlooker, and my research still hasn’t connected the two of them. The only real connection is Ryker’s dream. It makes me wonder if Ryker had a dream as well tonight.”

  Right on cue the phone rang shrilly on the desk.

  “My guess is yes. Not many people call us at four in the morning.” Bryn reached for the phone and answered the question she knew would come out the phone before it was asked.

  “Yes. She did.” She stood in front of the desk, her free arm across her torso.

  “Are you psychic? RayeAnn never mentioned that to me.”

  “No, I’m not, but I am smart. Here’s RayeAnn.” Bryn extended the phone to her without comment.

  “Ryker? Did you have a visit from Nathaniel?”

  “Yep. I’m guessing Charity visited you, too.”

  At the same time they spoke the same words, “tell me about it.”

  “Ladies, first.”

  And so, yet again she went into her long story about the dream from beginning to end, including the feelings she felt while the dream was going on. She ended with a synopsis of the research she had done that evening and her plans for follow-up.

  “Your turn.”

  “Ditto. Except mine was from the perspective of Nathaniel.”

  “Ryker, has this ever happened to you before? Do spirits regularly visit you in your dreams?”

  “No, never. I’ve seen a lot of really weird shit, but nothing like this has ever happened to me or anyone else on my team. I’ve got some contacts, past professors of mine from college, that I’m going to check with tomorrow and see if I can get a grasp on how to handle all of this. I have to be honest here, I’m not sure what else to do other than let it play out.”

  “Umm, I’m not liking that plan too much. I hate the feeling of not having control over my mind or body, it freaks me out. We need a Plan B. In the meantime I’m going to get myself a large bottle of NoDose.” The words had barley escaped her lips when books started flying off the shelves, swirling through the air before slamming onto the floor violently. Not just one or two books, mind you, more like fifteen or twenty all at one time and from all different shelves.

  Both women began screaming, ducking down and covering their heads with their arms for protection. Bryn rushed to join her on the couch, both of them shaking so powerfully that the couch began to vibrate across the room. Just as suddenly the commotion stopped. The only sound came from the phone that now lay on the floor.

  “RAYEANN! Answer me, goddamn it, what the hell’s going on over there.” With a quaking hand she picked up the phone and answered him.

  “Someone doesn’t like the Plan B idea. We need you to come over here right away. You won’t believe it unless you see it for yourself. Hell, I’m not even sure I believe it, and I just lived through it. I’ll put the coffee on, how soon can you get here?”

  “Already on my way. When I heard the screaming I ran out to the car, should be there in twenty. Don’t touch a thing. Just answer me this, are you and Bryn all right.”

  “Physically, yes. That’s the best I can give you at the moment. Hurry over, please, I’m scared.” Tears stung her eyes as she hung up the phone. Bryn stood next to her and took in the disaster area formerly known as the library. Whatever or whoever it was had thankfully left RayeAnn’s desk alone. Shaking her head, she headed for the kitchen to make the coffee, clutching onto the furniture for support of her quaking
body.

  CHAPTER 8

  “Either someone had a nasty temper tantrum or you’re the messiest researcher I’ve ever met.” Ryker smiled at RayeAnn and tried to lighten the heavy mood that hung in the air.

  He was stunned at the obvious violence of the attack, for he couldn’t think of a better term to describe it at the moment. Suppressing the shiver that wanted to make his body quiver, he surveyed the damage.

  “Did the books fly off the shelves one at a time or all of them at once?”

  “All at once. Why?” RayeAnn frowned as though she found the question odd.

  “Just curious.” He shrugged in a nonchalant way, as if this happened every day of his life.

  “Oh, on my way here I called the rest of my team. They should be arriving shortly, so don’t freak out when someone knocks on the door.

  “Are you insinuating that we’re a couple of hysterical females? You’d have freaked, too! Are you telling me, Mr. cool and calm, that flying books wouldn’t bother you? What gives you the right to judge us? Just who the hell…” His hand covered her mouth before she could finish what she was saying.

  “No. I just didn’t want you to get scared about who would be knocking at your door before five in the morning. Don’t go putting words in my mouth there, Rat.”

  “What did you just call me?”

  “RAT. Those are your initials, R.A.T. It’s a little thing I do, calling people what their initials spell.”

  “Well, don’t. I don’t want to be known as a rodent.”

  “Hey, blame your parents. I just call it like I see it.”

  “And another thing, don’t ever cover my mouth again while I’m speaking. This is my house, buster, and I’ll say and do whatever the hell I want in it. How rude.”

  “I had no choice, you were rolling completely off the grid there. It was the only way I could get your attention. If you want me to stop, then pay attention when I’m trying to talk to you.”

  “All right, enough children. Do I have to put you in separate rooms on a time out?” Bryn stood with her hands on her hips, glaring at both of them and looking as angry as a wet chicken. “Now, shake hands and play nice, or no dessert tonight.”

  RayeAnn stuck her hand out, but instead of taking it, Ryker pulled her into his arms and kissed her within an inch of sanity. The tingling she felt throughout her body was about a man and a woman and nothing else. Nothing otherworldly, but certainly magic, zinged throughout her body. The only word that came to mind was more. When he deepened the kiss, pressing his tongue to her lips she responded immediately. Soon their tongues were caressing each other in a sensual, slow dance. Her mind drifted dreamily as her hands moved over his muscled back. When he broke the kiss, releasing her body at the same time, she fell onto the couch in stunned silence, something that she had to admit didn’t happen very often to her. Especially the silence part.

  She looked into those deep blue eyes of his, sensing that the kiss had stunned him just as stupid. Neither one regained the ability to speak before someone came knocking at the door, bringing her back to reality with a little jump. On her way to the front door she spoke to him over her shoulder.

  “That was the best handshake I’ve ever had.” Smiling broadly, she swung the heavy oak door open to greet her guests. Still a little weak kneed from the astounding kiss, she made a mental note to piss him off more often.

  Two attractive men stood on her porch, hopping from one foot to the other in an effort to keep warm. The blond hunk spoke first while his breath came out in a fog of warm air.

  “Hi, I’m Jarrod, and this is Tim. We’re here with Soul Search, Ryker called us.”

  “Great, come join the party. Can I get you two anything? We have fresh coffee, juice, water, whiskey…pretty much anything you want.”

  “Coffee would be great, thanks,” Jarrod answered for both of them, motioning back and forth with his finger between the two of them.

  When RayeAnn looked up she saw something she thought she would never see in her lifetime. Bryn, hard working, take no prisoners in love, tell it like it is Bryn, was gaping like a twelve year old girl with a crush on the new handsome English teacher. She could practically see the little hearts circling around her head. Looking behind her she wondered which man had her in such a state. No question about it, Tim was practically drooling.

  “Bryn, would you mind helping me get Jarrod and Tim their coffee?” When she didn’t answer immediately, RayeAnn tried to cover for her.

  “Oh, gosh, where are my manners. Jarrod and Tim, this is my best friend and roommate, Bryn. Bryn, may I present to you Jarrod and Tim from Soul Search.”

  As subtly as possible she gave her friend a short, quick jab in the ribs with her elbow, trying to bring her back to life.

  “Oops, sorry, didn’t mean to poke you.” She stepped into Bryn’s line of vision to break the trance.

  “Umm, nice to meet you both. Ryker will show you around while we get the drinks. Make yourself at home.”

  Purposely they walked casually to the kitchen. Maturity did have some rewards and one was learning to not scream and jump up and down until you we sure guys were done checking out your ass on your way out. Once the door was closed completely, they were silently cheering, giving each other high fives and body bumping like two seasoned football players.

  “You first. Tell me all about that amazing kiss I witnessed. Was it as good as it looked?” Bryn prompted, her hands giving her the come-on motion.

  RayeAnn rolled her eyes as if she were tasting something divine while her hand hovered over her heart. “Better. The best I’ve ever had. It was…I don’t know a better way to describe it.” She let out a huff of breath while a satisfied grin took over her face. “I noticed you were stunned by Tim’s brilliantly good looks. Come on, spit it out.”

  “He’s gorgeous!” Bryn giggled briefly. “Do you think he’s interested in me?” She bit her bottom lip.

  “Umm, duh! Of course he’s interested.” RayeAnn put her hands on her hips and shook her head.

  “Do you think Charity and Nathaniel have anything to do with our reaction to these men? Both of us have extensive man experience, yet here we are acting like a couple of school girls. It’s so unlike us. We’re always the ones in control…always.”

  “Maybe that’s why you went off on Ryker. You felt your control slipping and it scared you.”

  “Damn, you’re smart. I think you’re exactly right about that. But I also think we need to keep that little tidbit to ourselves. Did I mention he has a degree in psychology?”

  “No problem. Let’s get this coffee out to them before it gets cold.” They loaded all the coffee and accessories onto two trays and walked calmly back to the library.

  ********

  Jarrod and Ryker stood with their arms folded across their chests, staring at Tim and waiting for an explanation. He refused to make eye contact with either of them, looking around the room so hard he almost wrenched his neck. Tim finally looked into Ryker’s curious eyes.

  “Well, spill it. What the hell just happened between you and Bryn? Do you know her?” Ryker began the interrogation.

  Tim ran his hand through his hair and down his face. “Hell, I don’t know what happened. I’ve never laid eyes on her before today, at least I don’t remember ever having that shit happen before. It was like I was dumbstruck.”

  “No kidding. I was tempted to bring out a tissue and wipe the spittle from you mouth. Man, you were gone. Has this ever happened to you before?” Jarrod added his bit, enjoying the tag team approach.

  “Never. I don’t know what to make of it.”

  “Let me ask this. Did it feel as if some other entity had entered your body, or were you fully aware the whole time?”

  “It was all me, though I wish I could blame it on someone else. Why?”

  “RayeAnn had an incident at our first meeting. She felt as if some other energy had entered her body, and I’ve felt that with Nathaniel, although so far that has only been while I�
��m dreaming. Just checking to see how strong this…presence is.” Turning toward the library he motioned the men to follow him.

  “Whoa. What the hell happened here?”

  “That’s what we need to figure out. RayeAnn called me tonight to tell me about a new encounter she had with Charity. While we were discussing options, she mentioned the possibility of just ignoring the whole situation. That’s when all this stuff started to swirl around the room. I heard it, but I could sense the anger coming right through the phone. Someone definitely didn’t like the ignore it plan and let us know in no uncertain terms that it would not be tolerated. This is hard to ignore.”

  “I’ve never seen anything like this. It looks like a tornado went through the room. Judging from the gaps on the shelves, those two aren’t tall enough to have done some of this damage, even standing on a chair.” Jarrod, the most experienced of the three, nodded in agreement.

  Ryker looked around the room and sighed. “We need to come up with a plan for our investigation. I don’t want to miss anything, so I think we’ll need to bring in the heavy equipment. Camera’s, EVP’s, EMF meter…the works.” He paused. “Do either of you know of a reputable psychic or medium?”

  “Yeah, I’ve got someone I know. Do you want me to contact her now or wait until we have more data?” Tim continued to survey the room while scratching his head.

  “Let’s see what we can get with the equipment first. You guys have anything important you need to get done, do it today. I have a feeling this isn’t going to be a quick case that we’ll be able to tie up in a neat little package. There’s some serious shit going on here.”

  He had his doubts about their ability to handle a case as large and active as this one. It was well outside his scope of experience, but then he didn’t know anyone with more experience than he had. At least no one still alive.

  CHAPTER 9

  Two days later they had all their equipment in place. Massive electrical cords ran throughout the house, tucked neatly against the walls, to support all the cameras and equipment required to do a full and thorough investigation. Since activity by the assumed ghosts of Charity and Nathaniel had happened during both day and night, one of the team was on the premises at all times. Command central had been set-up in the library and all the monitors and recording devices were set out around the room. One person on a wheeled desk chair monitored everything, rolling from one monitor to the other.

 

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