Eclairs, Scares & Haunted Home Repairs

by Erin Johnson

  It occurred to me that her voice might be so rough because she was unused to speaking. When was the last time she’d had visitors?

  Rhonda nodded. “If you’re up for it?” She lifted a palm, her brightly colored nails nearly glowing neon in the semidarkness. “I’m a Seer too, so if you don’t want to, I could always do a séance in a pinch.”

  I lifted a brow. Since when? I glanced at Maple, and she rolled her eyes. That’s right! She’d had quite the rivalry with the only other necromancer I’d met, Madame Zerna. Well, before Zerna was killed. But Rhonda seemed to be a bit jealous that her visions were sporadic and more practical predictions than the on-demand ability to commune with spirits.

  “You speak with the dead?” Madame Shi croaked.

  “Well,” Rhonda looked off, “not exactly, but I run in the same circles as a lot of the top necromancers back in the kingdoms, and I’ve picked up some tips and tricks, if you will.”

  Madame Shi narrowed her eyes. “You want to do the séance?”

  “Uh, no.” Rhonda grimaced. “I mean, I probably could, is all I’m saying, if you don’t want to.” She frowned and tapped a brightly colored fingertip to her lips. “Though, now that I think of it, my visions have been a bit on the fritz lately. They seem to come and go. Does that ever happen to you?”

  Madame Shi gave her a hard look. “No.”

  “Good talk.” I glanced down to the lantern at my feet as Iggy rolled his eyes.

  The witch grunted. “Then I will do séance. Tonight. At the old house, under the cover of dark when—”

  Rhonda lifted a finger and cut her off. “Uh, not that I’m telling you how to do your job or anything…”

  Madame Shi glared at her and I was grateful not to be on the receiving end of that frightful look.

  “But wouldn’t it be better to wait for the new moon tomorrow night?”

  The witch growled, but her lips parted and she revealed her broken, discolored teeth in what I assumed was meant to be a smile. “True. I am a bit out of practice.” She turned to me. “Tomorrow night, then.”

  I bowed my head. “Thank you. We really appreciate this.”

  “We’re actually going to let her inside our house?” Iggy muttered.

  I kicked the lantern with my toe and beamed at the witch. “Well, I’m afraid we must be going.”

  She frowned. “But you have not touched your tea.”

  Rhonda stood, patting her stomach. “I had a big breakfast.”

  I grabbed Iggy and the four of us lurched to our feet. We bowed. “See you tomorrow night.”

  I didn’t even care that the monster might still be lurking outside. I was ready to get out of the witch’s hut with its cobwebs and creepy taxidermy and musty smell. We stumbled back out into the forest, waving our goodbyes, and after we cleared the garden and its pile of rotting entrails, I sucked in a deep breath of fresh, clean air.

  We headed back toward Kusuri with Misaki leading the way, wand drawn in case of monsters.

  Rhonda walked along ahead of me, muttering to herself. “Necromancers must do things quite differently here in the Badlands than they do in the kingdoms….”

  39

  Bird Bribes

  We rejoined the rest of the gang back at the new house. Sam sat on the porch steps with Jun, sketching some changes to the house. I stopped to peek over his shoulder as Misaki patted Jun’s shoulder, and then she and Maple moved past and headed inside. Rhonda had gone straight back to the guesthouse to get some sleep.

  I pointed. “That looks great, guys. I like the seating around the windows in the tower room.” I bit my lip. I hoped we got to see it that way… someday.

  “Thanksss.”

  Jun frowned as he watched Misaki walk past the window inside. He let out a sigh, and his shoulders slumped.

  “You okay?”

  “Huh?” He blinked up at me. “Oh. Yeah. It’s nothing.”

  I lifted a brow. “Doesn’t seem like nothing. Is this because she went with me out to the witch’s hut today and rescheduled your plans?” I sat down on the lower step. “Sorry about that.”

  “No.” He shook his head. “Well kind of, but it’s nothing you should be sorry about. How’d that go, by the way?”

  I nodded. “Good.”

  “Creepy,” Iggy piped up from the lantern.

  “Yeah. Real creepy.”

  Jun grinned. “It’s been a long time since I’ve seen her but… yeah, she certainly makes an impression.”

  I flashed my eyes and nodded.

  “Isss ssshe going to help usss?”

  I patted Sam’s knee. “Yeah, buddy. She’s coming tomorrow night to do a séance.” I crossed my fingers. “Here’s hoping that works.” I lifted a brow at Jun. “Back to you and Misaki?”

  He glanced toward the house, then leaned forward and lowered his voice. “It’s just… I draw her, I leave her love notes, I bring her treats from the tea house, and I spend every spare minute I can with her, which honestly isn’t a whole lot these days.” He shook his head. “And everything’s fine, it’s just… she doesn’t reciprocate in the same way.” His eyes widened. “Not that she has to show it in the same way, I know we’re different. But lately I’ve been worrying that she doesn’t reciprocate my feelings.”

  I tilted my head. “Jun. I think she really cares for you. She’s just not—” I bit my lip. “The most effusive.”

  He chuckled. “I know, I know.” He shook his head and his smile fell. “But I worry that it’s more than that. That I feel much more strongly about her than she does about me.” His throat bobbed. “I think maybe this is a casual thing for her.”

  I pulled my lips to the side, giving him a sympathetic look. “But it’s not for you?”

  He shook his head. “No. I’m very serious about her.”

  I lifted a brow. “Have you talked to her about it?”

  He sighed. “I’m afraid it would scare her off.”

  I chuckled. “As she proves again and again, I don’t think there’s anyone tougher to scare than Misaki.” I shrugged. “I know it can be hard, but I’d give it a try.”

  I looked down toward my empty ring finger and rubbed the spot where my engagement ring sat when I wasn’t working on the new house. I smiled as I thought of Hank, grateful that we’d moved past that stage of our relationship. The sea knew we’d had plenty of our own struggles.

  Sam had been very quiet and hugged his sketchpad to his chest, his milky blue eyes distant behind his glasses.

  I gulped and started in gently. “Sam. Has everything been okay between you and Ken—”

  He lurched to his feet. “I’ve got to go.”

  “Wait—”

  He spun and dashed inside. I frowned. What had gotten into him?

  “I’d better go, too. My parents could use my help at the shop.” Jun rose, gave me a half-hearted wave goodbye, and moved down the street toward town. I frowned. And just like that, I was sitting alone.

  “Those two need to man up.”

  I jumped. Oh, snakes. I’d forgotten about Iggy.

  He glared up at me. “You forgot I was here, didn’t you?”

  My cheeks grew hot and I scoffed. “No.” I didn’t even sound convincing to myself.

  I was saved from having to explain myself when a dark raven flew closer, a piece of yarn in its beak. Huh. That was odd. When it reached the yard in front of me it hovered, beating its wings, and then in a whirl of black, wispy smoke, it transformed.

  I blinked. “Horace?” I grinned up at my brother. “Hey!” I half rose to give him a hug, then hesitated. He didn’t always like hugs… like, ever. But then again, I didn’t care. He’d tolerate one.

  I bounded down the last stair and threw my arms around him. He stood there tense, then he patted my back. A few stiff thumps with the flat of his hand. I grinned. I’d take it.

  I released him from his hug prison and stood back. “What brings you by?”

  His full lips tugged into a grin. “Passing by.” He jerked
his chin toward the house. “How’s the renovation progressing?”

  I rolled my eyes. “Great. If you don’t count the ghost.”

  He lifted a brow, the only indication he was interested. His half-lidded eyes made him look constantly bored. I bit my cheek. Maybe he was—compared to his life of international intrigue, mine had to seem pretty lame.

  “We caught the vandals and handled it.” I held up a hand. “But then the house seemed to just turn on itself. No one was here, but right before my eyes, windows broke, boards snapped, the roof caved in.” I shook my head. “We went to see the necromancer, Madame Shi, and she’s doing a séance here tomorrow night.”

  Horace narrowed his eyes and glanced up at the house. “Sounds more like a curse to me.”

  I blinked in surprise. “A curse?”

  He gave me a long look. “I guess you’ll see what Madame Death has to say.” He held up the string that had been in his beak and dropped it into my hand. “Did you try befriending the ravens as I’d suggested?”

  I shook my head. “No, not yet. I’ve been pretty busy.” My eyes darted to the house behind me. “But I tried leaving them a present. Sam said they like shiny round things.”

  “True.”

  I shrugged. “It’s been better. I’m not worried they’re going to peck my head anymore.”

  “Still, they can be useful if they’re true allies.” He nodded at the yarn in my hand. “That was a present from the ravens to me.”

  “Ooh.” I waggled my brows. “Somebody’s popular.”

  He bit back a smirk. “If they give you a gift, you’ll know you’re in with them.”

  I grinned. “Sweet. Is that when I learn the secret raven handshake?”

  He gave me a flat look, then spun on his heel. “Back to the project.”

  I narrowed my eyes at his back. “Would this have anything to do with magic mirrors?”

  He took a few steps away, then glanced back over his shoulder. “It takes a lot of years for them to trust you enough for the secret handshake, FYI.” In a whirl of black magic, he transformed into a black bird and winged away over the tree tops. I frowned down at the yarn in my hand.

  “Yes, Imogen.” Iggy rolled his eyes. “He was joking about the handshake. They don’t even have hands.”

  “Oh.” I sighed, a little disappointed. “Good point.”

  I wasn’t ready to transform and try my luck as a raven just yet, but I did venture to the edge of the trees and leave them a shiny metal bottle cap. It was good to know you could bribe a bird to be your friend.

  40

  The Séance

  The stars shone bright in the dark sky when the necromancer ambled up the road, her back curved, and a walking stick in hand. Hank stiffened beside me on the porch as she turned and made her way across the yard to the house, her face coming into view.

  Tonight, instead of the soot, she’d painted a white skull on her face, her long dark hair still twisted into two horns matted with leaves and bones. She wore her fur dress and a necklace of bird skulls that rattled with each limping step.

  “Glad she got dressed up for the occasion,” Iggy quipped.

  I flashed my eyes at him to be quiet as she neared. We’d been sitting on the porch steps, enjoying the quiet, moonless night, but now I plucked up Iggy in his lantern, and with my hand in Hank’s, rose to my feet.

  He leaned over and whispered against my ear, “Hope she brought us more of that tea you were raving about.”

  I tried to stifle a smile as I turned my head to face him. Mirth sparkled in his eyes.

  Madame Shi appeared before us, and I spun. We both bowed to her, and she inclined her head, those startling mismatched eyes locked on my face. A worn black leather bag hovered magically beside her. I guessed it held her tools of the trade. I pictured a crystal ball and tarot cards.

  The ravens, who’d been silent, roosting for the night, began their calls again. Harsh caws sounded from the trees all around us, the cacophony of bird voices growing louder and louder.

  Madame sneered at the tree line, revealing her dirty, jagged teeth. She fixed her fearsome stare on me. “Shall we?” Her eyes drifted to the front door.

  “Of course.” I led the way inside, where the rest of my friends waited. My knees trembled slightly, both with the fear of the angry spirit we were about to contact, and of the creepy lady behind me.

  Wiley looked up from the ground where he played a game of poker with Annie, Yann, and Maple. Cat clung to his back, his little leathery bat wings slowly flapping.

  Wiley did a double take when Madame Shi entered behind Hank and me. Maple paled, and Annie’s eyes widened. Sam, who stood by the window beside Francis and Rhonda, froze and let out a slow hiss.

  Rhonda swept over with her vampire beau at her side and folded into a bow. “Pleased to see you again.” She winked. “The more seers, the merrier.”

  Francis, the toes of his shiny black brogues dangling above the floor, inclined his head. “Charmed.” As he lifted his head, he narrowed his black eyes and sniffed.

  Madame Shi turned away from them and pointed a dirty finger at the round wooden table we’d dragged into the center of the front parlor. A silver candelabra that we’d found upstairs held several burning beeswax candles. I thought it lent the space a nice honey smell, but Francis sniffed again and muttered to Rhonda, “Smells a bit of death.”

  Rhonda lifted a hand to the side of her mouth. Her neon green and pink nails practically glowed in the dark. “I think it’s her.”

  “Ya think?” Iggy sniffed.

  I glanced at the necromancer. She stood beside the table, various items magically lifting from her black leather bag and arranging themselves on it. A purple velvet cloth, a clear crystal on the end of a long chain, a bowl of bones with carvings in them.

  I slid closer to Rhonda and Francis and lowered my voice. “Well… she is a necromancer. Death is kind of her thing, right?”

  Iggy scoffed. “Maybe, but does she need to smell like it?”

  Francis sniffed again, his dark eyes locked on her. He seemed suspicious.

  “Is there anything you need?” Hank lifted a brow. I appreciated that though he didn’t believe a ghost was behind this, he was willing to give the séance a try.

  “Bowl of water,” Madame Shi croaked. She lifted a dirt-covered finger tipped with a long, jagged nail. “And chairs. You’ll all need to gather around the table with me.”

  Maple’s throat bobbed as she rose from the floor, helped up by Wiley. “We all have to?”

  “You’ve all been affected by the energies in this house.” Madame’s odd eyes scanned the room, which was lit dimly by the flickering gold light of the candles. “We’ll need your energy to make it right.”

  Yann rose from the poker game on the floor, and he and Wiley helped Annie up. Then as Hank moved to the kitchen to get the bowl of water, Yann and Wiley used their wands and summoned chairs from all over the house. They floated in from the other rooms and down the stairs.

  Once the hodgepodge group of kitchen chairs, tufted armchairs, and wood stools encircled the table, we took our seats. Hank sat to Madame’s right, and I perched on a wooden kitchen chair with turned legs beside him. A pensive Maple sat beside me, the candles lighting her face from below, casting her features in shadow. She worried at her lip and wrung her hands in her lap. Iggy’s lantern sat on the floor beside my feet.

  I leaned back to catch Wiley’s eye and suggest he rub Maple’s back to help calm her down, but he looked even worse than she did. He chewed away at a fingernail, his eyes wide and glassy, and his leg bounced frantically. I shot a look at Hank. Was Madame sure we wanted everyone’s energy involved?

  He gave me a warm smile and slid his hand into mine. He rubbed the back of it with his thumb in gentle, loving strokes and I let go of the breath I’d been holding. My shoulders relaxed and I smiled back up at him.

  The things he’d said when he proposed to me, about not caring where he was as long as it was with me—I fe
lt the same way. Even if we’d taken on a money pit of a haunted house, I’d rather be here with Hank than anywhere else without him.

  “Let us begin.”

  The necromancer’s grating deep voice startled me from my warm and pleasant thoughts. I looked down at the table, which was strewn with crystals and bones and yep, tarot cards—called it!

  “We shall join hands.”

  41

  Tarot

  I gave Hank’s hand a squeeze, then reached over and found Maple’s. Her tiny, cold fingers trembled. I gave her a tight-lipped smile and leaned over. “You okay?”

  She gave a tight nod. “I just want it to be over with,” she whimpered. “Doing this won’t make it worse, will it?”

  I shook my head.

  “Silence.”

  Eep. I felt like the teacher had caught me passing notes. I sat back in my chair. All around the circle my friends joined hands. I glanced to my left and felt a stab of pity for Hank and Yann, who had to hold Madame Shi’s soot-covered hands.

  Who knew where they had been? Well, I had an idea. Probably stuffed inside some dead creature, sewing its fur to another dead thing.

  “We form a circle, hands held and bound, safe inside from that outside the round.”

  Maple squeezed my hand harder.

  “Close your eyes,” Madame commanded.

  Hank hesitated, then did as instructed. I followed suit.

  The flames whispered. A floorboard upstairs groaned. I gripped Hank’s hand tighter.

  “We speak to you spirits, the dead we hail, appear to us now, from beyond the veil.”

  My brows jumped, though I kept my eyes shut tight. We were just getting right into it, then?

  My breath sounded loud in my ears as I strained, listening. Another creak from upstairs. Maple whimpered.

  “Ssshould the houssse sssound like that?”

  I peeled an eye open. Sam sat across from me, holding Yann and Annie’s hands. His chin trembled. I bit my lip and shrugged at him.