“I agree. I had quite the unpleasant visit from them earlier.”
“What?”
“Yes, they somehow convinced the children to lead them to me and then proceeded to grill me on how I tricked you into coming here. They are more than a little curious why everyone here calls you Celine.”
“They can’t learn the truth, they need to leave. I wish they could have left earlier.”
“You’re worried about them getting hurt here?”
Josie nodded her head in affirmation. “And stumbling on information that they shouldn’t have.”
“Monday will be here before you know it.”
“But will they leave?”
“Celine, if they don’t, it’s on them, you need to accept that.”
“No, Gray, they MUST go.”
“Is there some other reason you want them to leave? I understand the danger and the complication of finding out the truth about you, but this seems like something more.”
“Every day that they stay here leads me one day closer to not being able to be me.”
“By me you mean Josie?”
“Yes, you knew when I came that I intended to stay Josie and return to my old life once this was settled.” Gray pulled his arm away, leaning forward on the swing. “I need you to make sure they leave on Monday.” He didn’t answer. “Gray?”
“Yeah, I’ll make sure they’re gone.”
“Thank you,” she said, putting her hand on his shoulder.
He smiled, settling back into the swing and wrapping his arm around her, giving the ground a kick sending the swing sailing faster. “You’re welcome. You know I always have your back, Celine.”
Josie returned her gaze to the water. She knew what he said was true. He did always have her back, and she trusted him. Leaving Gray would prove difficult, but she had more pressing concerns now. She focused her gaze on the beauty in front of her, the calm before the storm. She would need every bit of strength she possessed to get through this, she couldn’t waste it on needless worrying.
Chapter 21
Damien laid in bed, listening to the silence in the house. He couldn’t sleep; too many things raced through his mind. There were so many unanswered questions, things he couldn’t figure out, things he couldn’t process. He had never seen Josie like this; she was different somehow. It wasn’t only how she was treating him; it was also her general behavior. There was a shift in her personality. It had to be something they were doing to her. Were they drugging her? Was it some form of mind control? He struggled to find answers, solutions that made sense. One aspect that bothered him was how familiar she was with these people. She exhibited a level of comfort with them he’d only seen her display with her own family.
As he grappled with the situation, a bloodcurdling scream ripped through the silence. He shot upwards to sitting, listening in the darkness. At first he heard nothing more, but then he overheard voices, one sounded like a child crying. Within a few moments footsteps pounded toward his room. They stopped nearby, and he overheard Charlotte’s voice. “Gray, it’s Maddy, something’s wrong. Get Celine, perhaps she can help.”
Damien crept out of bed and opened his door a crack, peering out. Moments later, both Gray and Josie came racing past. “What happened to her?” Josie asked Gray.
Gray responded, “I’m not sure. She’s been having nightmares, talking strange…” their voices faded as they disappeared down the hall.
Damien exited the room, creeping down the hall after them. As he rounded the corner into another wing, light streamed from a door that was ajar. Voices came from inside. Sneaking closer, keeping to the shadows in the hallway, he listened to the commotion coming from inside the room.
Maddy was still sobbing. Damien crept closer, risking a glance around the corner into the room. Josie was sitting on the bed, holding the child in her arms. Gray sat on the bed’s edge on the other side of Maddy. Avery was looking on from the foot of the bed. Her mother, Charlotte, had her arms around Avery. Damien crept back so he would remain hidden but within earshot.
“No, no,” Maddy shouted through tears, “I don’t want to close my eyes, I don’t want to see him again.”
“It’s okay, Maddy,” Gray said. “Aunt Celine is here now. What did I tell you before I left? I said I was bringing Aunt Celine back to help you. She won’t let anything happen to you.”
“But I still saw him tonight.”
“I know, but Aunt Celine wasn’t here with you, but she is now. She won’t leave you for the rest of the night, she’ll make sure you’re okay.”
“That’s right, Maddy. I’m here now, just close your eyes, I’ll make sure everything is okay,” Josie said to her.
Was this the reason that Josie agreed to come, Damien wondered? Was it to help this child?
“Tell you what,” Josie continued. “We’ll both get under the covers and get comfy. You don’t have to close your eyes until you want to. Okay?”
“Okay,” the child said, sniffling but seeming to calm down.
“Okay,” Josie said. Damien overheard the covers rustling. “There, comfy?”
“Yes,” Maddy said, still sniffling.
“Put your head down, that’s it. You relax, I’ll be here with you, I’m not leaving.”
“See? I told you she’d take care of you,” Gray said. “Do you want me to stay, Cel?”
“No, no, we’ll be fine, thanks,” Josie answered him.
Everyone said their good nights to them both as Damien slipped back down the hall to his bedroom. He doubted he’d sleep now after the excitement; his mind abuzz with fresh information. He considered knocking at Michael’s door but decided it could wait until morning. He headed back to bed to wander through the maze of his thoughts alone.
A knock woke Damien from a deep sleep. “Yeah?” he called, groggily pulling himself out of bed, lumbering to the door and opening it.
“Sleeping in?” Michael asked.
“Ugh, I barely got any sleep last night.”
“Too much on your mind?”
“Yeah and the midnight excitement didn’t help any.”
“Excitement?”
“Yeah, didn’t you hear it? The kid, Maddy, was screaming like crazy last night.”
“I didn’t hear anything, must have slept right through it. What was she screaming about? Do you know?”
“Something about not wanting to go back to sleep and see some guy. She must have had a nightmare. But the weird thing is, it wasn’t her mother comforting her.”
“Who was?”
“Josie!? Gray told Maddy that that’s why he went to find her, so she could help her. It was weird. It made no sense again, but perhaps this is how he convinced Josie to come? Told her it was a kid who needed her help?”
“Maybe. I mean, why Josie? You’d think it would be Avery who wanted to be with her and that Maddy would want Avery not Josie, she doesn’t even know Josie.”
Damien pulled a shirt on over his undershirt and changed into jeans from pajama pants. “Yeah, the whole thing was weird. They seemed really, really concerned about this nightmare. I mean, kids have nightmares, right? Why act like it’s that big of a deal?”
“No idea. Let’s go down to breakfast.”
“Hungry?”
“Yes, but I also have an idea to obtain more information. Come on.”
When they arrived in the sunroom for breakfast, everyone else was already there except for Maddy and Avery. Josie looked exhausted, like she hadn’t slept at all. “Good morning, everyone,” Michael said, acting as though nothing had happened.
“Good morning,” Charlotte answered. “Oh, I hope you slept well, and we didn’t disturb you last night. Maddy had a bit of an episode.”
“Oh?” Michael said, “I hope she is okay?”
“Oh, she’ll be all right, children are resilient. Well, I’m glad it didn’t disturb you.”
Michael smiled as he poured coffee and carried his plate and cup to the table. Damien followed suit. As they s
at down, Josie stood. “I’m going to lay down for a bit.”
“Of course, I hope you get some rest,” Charlotte said.
Gray grabbed her hand, “I’ll check on you in a bit.” He held her hand a moment longer before Josie left the room.
“Oh, Mr. Buckley, excuse me,” Mrs. Paxton said, entering the room, “Mrs. VanWoodsen is here to see you. I told her the family was still having breakfast, but she insisted. She’s in the office waiting.”
“That’s fine, Mrs. Paxton, I’ll go to her now,” Gray said, standing. “If you all will excuse me.” He folded his paper, laying it on the table and left the room.
“So, Charlotte,” Michael said, “Max and Maddy did a wonderful job of showing us around yesterday.”
“Oh, I’m so glad they didn’t tire you too much, they can be rambunctious at times.”
“Not at all. They were telling us the story of a painting that used to hang in the main foyer. Uh, someone named Mia or Mina?”
“Oh, yes, the portrait of Mina Buckley. Yes, it recently went missing.”
“That’s what Max told us. The way he described it, it sounded very grand. I was wondering, do you have a picture of it? I’d love to take a look at it.”
“Oh, yes, we have one. It’s in a volume in the library. I can show it to you as soon as you’re finished with breakfast.”
“Oh, great! Well, just give me a minute to finish my coffee then!” Michael said.
“Oh, Mrs. Stanton? Avery is asking for you.”
“Oh? Oh, tell her I’ll be right up. I need to show Michael something in the library first.”
“Oh, please, go to Avery. Just point us in the direction of the library, I’m sure we can find it ourselves.”
“Are you sure it wouldn’t be too much trouble?”
“Not at all, we’ll have fun finding it!”
“You’re so gracious. Mrs. Paxton, please show them to the library when they have finished with their breakfast. You’ll find the photo albums in the cabinet on the back wall. I’ll go up to Avery now.” Charlotte set her napkin on the table and disappeared from the room.
“Okay,” Michael said, swallowing one last sip of coffee, “lead the way, Mrs. Paxton.”
“Ah, so you ARE back,” Celeste said as Gray entered the office. She sat across the room in the desk chair. Her long, blonde hair pulled up into a high ponytail. Her blue eyes sparkled even from a distance, her full lips curled into a slight smile at the edges. “I take it you found Celine?”
“Yes, I found her,” Gray said.
“And she’s here? She’s back?” Celeste asked.
“She’s here.”
“But?”
“But nothing, she’s here.”
“Something is amiss. She’s here but not really. She didn’t agree, did she? She’s not like she was, is she?”
“What do you want, Celeste?”
“I want to see my sister.”
“She’s resting. Maddy had another episode last night; Celine was up most of the night with her.”
“So, she’s getting worse? Gray, if you can’t get her to…”
“Yes, I know.” Gray cut her off. “I know. Now, look, you can’t see her today. Like I said she was awake most of the night. And besides, she doesn’t want to meet with you. She said as much before she came. So, it’s best if you go.” Gray opened the door, motioning her out.
“Okay, I’ll go, but I’ll be back. I WANT to see my sister, Gray.” She stepped into the hall, Gray followed her. Michael and Damien were coming down the hall led by Mrs. Paxton. Celeste eyed them both as they passed. After they had passed them, she whirled to face Gray, asking, “Who are those two men?”
“Friends of Celine’s.”
“Friends? She brought them with her?”
“No, they followed her here. She was not too happy about it. They’ll be leaving tomorrow, she insisted.”
“No, they mustn’t leave.”
“What?” Gray asked, confused, his brow wrinkling.
“If you want your Celine back, as she was, the real Celine, you must do everything in your power to keep them here.”
“What? Why? You’ve got to tell me what you mean.”
“I can’t tell you more than that, but I’m certain. Do as I say and whatever you do, don’t tell Celine I told you.”
Michael and Damien followed Mrs. Paxton down the hall and into the library.
“Here you are,” she said. “Anything I can help you find?”
“No, no we’re just going to poke around at a few things Charlotte mentioned this morning. Thanks though!”
“Suit yourself,” she said and turned to leave.
Once Mrs. Paxton left, Damien said, “Did you notice that woman in the hall?”
“The blonde with Gray?”
“Yeah. Was it me or did she totally look like Josie?”
“Yeah, yeah I guess she did.”
“The hair, the eyes, the lips. All the same. How weird is that?”
“Possibly a family connection? Are all these people involved with her biological family?”
“Maybe. So, what’s with your sudden interest in discussing art with Charlotte?”
“Not art, really. I was hoping though that we’d be able to find some photo albums or something here. That’s why I asked Charlotte about the portrait.”
“You want to see pictures of paintings?”
“No, pictures of the family. If Celine was here when Avery was a kid maybe they have some family photos of her. Maybe we can determine if she looks like Josie or when she was here, anything that may give us more information.”
“Ohhhh, good idea, nice ruse!”
Michael nodded at him, proud of his plan. As the two began to look around thunder clapped overhead. “Sounds like a storm is blowing in,” Michael said.
“Yeah, I’m not going to lie, this house is spooky so I am totally creeped out already by a potential thunderstorm.”
“Well distract yourself by looking through the photo albums, come on, let’s get to it.”
Josie folded her shirt in haste, tossing it back into the suitcase she had dragged onto the bed. She took some of her frustration out slamming the clothes down. The bedroom door opened, Gray entered the room. Straight off, he noticed her packing. “Celine, what are you doing?” he demanded.
“Packing.”
“Why?”
“I’m leaving tomorrow with Michael and Damien.”
“What? You can’t be serious. Why?”
“I’m going home, Gray. I’m useless here.”
“No, no, you’re not. You’re the only one who can help us, Celine.”
“No, I can’t help you. The old Celine could help you, Josie can’t.”
“That’s not true, you helped Maddy last night.”
“I didn’t help her, Gray. I sang her a lullaby, lied to her and hoped for the best. I can’t help her, not really. I can’t stop what’s happening.” Josie continued to throw items into the suitcase.
“Celine, please. You’re the only one who can help.”
“I can’t help.”
“Stop, stop,” Gray said, taking the shirt from her hands and setting it down before taking her hands in his. “Celine, stop. You can help, you’re just tired. You haven’t slept, you need some rest.”
Tears escaped from Josie’s eyes. “I can’t help her, Gray. I can’t help anyone here. I shouldn’t have come.”
“Shh, stop,” he said, wiping her tears. “You need some sleep. You’re tired. After all, you’re only human. Please, lie down for a little while then we’ll talk.”
Exhaustion overwhelmed Josie. She looked at her half-packed suitcase, sniffling. She nodded. “Okay, I’ll try to get some sleep.”
“Good. Let me move this,” he said, removing the suitcase from the bed. Josie climbed into bed, snuggling into the covers. Gray opened the music box. “You always liked to listen to this.” He sat on the edge of the bed next to her.
Josie’s eyes were already
getting heavy. She reached out to take Gray’s hand. He smiled at her. She looked at his hand, noticing that he still wore his wedding ring. “You still wear your ring,” she said.
“Of course I do,” he answered, caressing her cheek. “You’ll always be the only woman for me, Celine Devereaux.”
She smiled at him again, suddenly recognizing her own bare ring finger. “Get some rest,” he said, leaning over and kissing her forehead. He stood and made his way across the room, stopping at a jewelry box on top of a dresser. He opened it and reached in, pulling out something small. He walked back over, putting the item inside her music box. “Your wedding ring,” he said, glancing at her. “Whenever you’re ready to wear it again. Sleep well.”
With that he left. Josie reached over, removing the ring from the music box. She rolled it between her thumb and fingers, gazing at it. She slipped it onto her ring finger. It still fit. Before taking it off, she spun it around her finger as she let her mind wander. Within minutes, she was asleep.
Chapter 22
“Okay, got something!” Michael shouted across the library. Damien made his way over. “It’s a book with pictures of the house. Here,” he said, turning the pages to find one with pictures of the foyer, “you can sort of make out the painting here, at least I think this is what they are talking about.”
“Oh yeah, looks like a portrait of a woman is hanging there,” Damien agreed. “Is there a better shot of it? Turn the page.”
“Yeah, here. Whoa, seriously?” Michael said, turning the page to reveal a close-up picture of the painting. The caption below the photo read: Painting of Wilhelmina Laurent Buckley. The men exchanged glances. “Are you seeing what I’m seeing?”
“Yeah. A painting that looks like Josie wearing clothes from two hundred years ago.”
“It’s a perfect likeness of her.”
“It does look like her, yeah. Come on, let’s see what else we can find.” They perused the rest of the book, but found nothing. They continued to scan through photo albums near where they had found the book. After another few minutes, Damien found something.
Shadows of the Past: A Supernatural Suspense Mystery (Shadow Slayers Stories Book 1) Page 19