by Ruby Raine
Michael rushed to her side calling out her name.
Slowly, her eyes began to flutter and blink. “Michael,” Emily whispered, grabbing him.
William reached down and slipped the ring back onto Emily’s finger. The scorch mark instantly disappeared, healing itself. There was much he did not know about spirit vessels. A topic he would now research in great depth.
He pulled back, allowing Michael to help her off the ground.
The request Catherine had whispered to him; it tore at his insides. He suppressed it, burying it deep down until he had the time to process it appropriately.
Melinda was grateful that Emily had not died, alone and in terror. She wondered if her dreams were changing, growing more powerful, perhaps not just dreaming about death, or if they had changed Emily’s outcome by helping her find out what she was. There was no way to be certain. However, Melinda knew her mother would never have caused permanent harm to someone, even to share such important news about their father.
Michael pulled Emily’s body into his chest, wrapping his arms around her tightly. “You’re okay, Emily. You’re okay.”
“What happened?” She sounded dazed.
“Do you not remember?” William asked her, curiously.
“No. But I have this odd feeling. A good feeling. Whatever happened, it wasn’t actually bad, was it?”
“No, Emily. It wasn’t a bad thing after all,” William told her.
“I should call my dad!” she cried out. “He’s probably worried sick!”
“I’ll call him,” Melinda offered shakily. “You just take it easy.”
While Melinda borrowed Charlie’s phone to call Mr. Morgan, William explained to Charlie and Michael what had occurred and what they had discovered about Emily. Michael looked as though he had a few choice words about being left out of the loop regarding Melinda’s dream, but held his tongue.
When Melinda returned, it was Charlie and Michael’s turn to explain their journey into the cave. After finishing, Michael took out the bag in his pocket, which held the flecks of rust colored substance he had scraped off the cave wall.
William took hold of it, opening the bag. “No research required. This is blood.”
“Really?” Melinda said incredulously. “I guess you’d know better than anyone.”
“Why would there be specks of blood on the walls of the cave?” Charlie asked.
“Don’t know, but I’m guessing the blood is what attracts the leeches,” said Michael. “I’d also wager that this is the substance that made that man in the cave go crazy on Mom.”
At mention of Mom, everyone went silent and stared at Michael. Emily, still confused just followed everyone’s gaze. After a minute, when he did not respond, she wrinkled her nose and spoke in her quietest voice. “So why are we all staring at Michael? Not that I mind,” she added still sounding dazed.
Michael looked as though he had no idea what to say.
“For something he’s not ready to share yet,” Charlie answered on his brother’s behalf.
“Oh, okay,” Emily replied, still confused.
“Emily, why don’t you let me fill you in,” Melinda suddenly spoke with a bit of vigor. “I’ll walk you home, and we can have a chat with your dad. I’m sure there’s lots he wants to tell you now that you know what you are.”
Emily smiled and gladly accepted Melinda’s offer, but before she could get out of the store, Michael grabbed Emily and hugged her fiercely, gently kissing her forehead. “I’m glad you’re all right,” he told her. “We’ll get the bookstore cleaned up and closed up for the night, and I’ll come by your place and check on you later tonight, okay?”
“Okay,” she nodded, backing away, a giddy grin spreading across her face.
She rejoined Melinda, and they stepped outside. As they walked, Melinda animatedly explained everything that had happened. She was so focused that she didn’t even notice the busy streets lined with evening tourists bustling from place to place.
Emily noticed though, and said nothing, but was unable to hold back a happy grin. She had spent a lot of time with Melinda, but had never seen her like this. Clearly, something had changed.
She listened intently to all Melinda was telling her, still finding it hard to believe that the Howard’s own mother had possessed her body. She wondered how often spirits would try to reach out to her and want to use her in this manner. How would she know if they were good spirits or malevolent spirits? There was definitely a long talk with her father coming.
Melinda decided once she’d gotten Emily home, not to stick around. It looked like her father had a lot he wanted to discuss, and it felt like it should be a private conversation between Emily and her father.
The walk home was not nearly as easy going as the walk to Emily’s. Mostly because she didn’t have anything to keep her mind off the fact that she was walking down a congested street, alone.
Too many people. All bumping into her, rushing here and there and crowding her. She inhaled deeply, hoping to stave off an oncoming panic attack.
“They are just people,” she mumbled under her breath. “And just because you’re around them doesn’t mean you’re going to start having prophetic dreams about them all!” Somehow, saying it aloud made it better.
She tried to focus her attention on something besides the people. Like the street lanterns flickering to life as the sky darkened overhead. They cast hazy beams of orange and yellow down on the cobblestone walkways below. It was pretty. Haunting, in a way. A nice thing about living on The Demon Isle. The same lanterns had been used to light up the town streets for over a hundred years. They cast a hazy glow on passersby.
Her panic was subsiding. She stopped for a minute before taking a corner and watched the tourists oohing and aahing over the lanterns. Taking out their cameras and clicking pictures.
To anyone that didn’t know better, they’d look at these streets and think they had traveled back in time. This is part of what gave The Demon Isle its charm. People came here to have an old-fashioned, nostalgic sort of experience, sided with the hope of seeing a real ghost along the way.
“Just people having fun,” Melinda told herself. “Something I need to do more often, too,” she decided. She took the corner towards the Howard Mansion only to crash head on into a body topped with disheveled dark hair.
Instinctive arms reached out, and hands grasped her shoulders to keep her from falling backwards.
“Oh,” she released in a quick exhale as she found herself face to face with someone familiar. It was motorcycle man from earlier that morning, minus his helmet.
He was taller than she’d thought. Not as tall as William, but she had to lift her chin to see into his eyes. Which were dark. Molasses dark. Just like his eyelashes and thick head of hair.
“Sorry,” Melinda said absentmindedly. “Wasn’t watching where I was going.” She wished suddenly she’d put on makeup that morning and worried she had noticeable blemishes. She was thankful it was getting dark, perhaps they wouldn’t show.
The young man didn’t reply right away, his arms still securely around her shoulders. The corner of his mouth turned up in a playful smile. A dazzling smile that was easy on the eyes but hard on her breath; she suddenly felt very aware of her throat having a hard time swallowing or moving the right amount of air into her lungs.
“No worries, it’s nothing,” motorcycle man finally spoke to her. “Personally, I didn’t mind it.” His voice was as welcoming as his smile. A little husky. Confidence mixed with a touch of innocence.
She smiled back, shyly, the act of it surprising her a little.
Motorcycle man could not believe his luck.
He’d had a strong feeling about this street, so strong he had to walk down it. Now he knew why. Although, the feelings he got normally brought him to someone who needed help. Not to beautiful women. Or maybe this beautiful gal did need his help.
He hoped it was the kind of help that required him to kiss her. Not likely, but wow, d
id she have come-kiss-me lips. And a longing in her eyes that begged for someone to love her, and double wow! He wanted to be the one who did. There was a nervous strum in his heart. He’d never felt anything like it. This woman set his entire body abuzz.
“Are you okay?” he asked her, his voice less husky and more timid.
Melinda nodded, unable to peel her eyes away from his. She hoped he didn’t pull her in any closer; he’d feel the panic attack thumping hard against her chest. This one, however, was not due to being away from home, but rather at how awestruck she was by this total stranger.
His arms felt perfectly natural as if made to fit around her. She wondered if his hands had slid around her back on purpose, or if he’d just forgotten he had them there. The fact that he didn’t remove them got her skin hot and tight for a second time that day. It was a strange feeling. Not just physically, but there was this sense that she’d known him much longer than a few seconds. Like fate had brought them together, destined them to bump into each other.
Her magical gift didn’t work like that though.
So what was this?
And could her mother have been more right? Her heart scrambled to keep up. An instant brand new iron striking the fire.
William.
Molasses-eyed motorcycle man.
William, her vampire.
The dark haired stranger, who she was clinging to, so very tightly!
Melinda’s eyes widened and she dropped her arms. Skin even hotter. She’d been so focused on his hands around her, she didn’t even realize she was doing the same thing. Her teeth tugged at her bottom lip, watching fingernail indents fading in the thick muscles just below his black tee shirt sleeve.
He didn’t notice. Or he didn’t care.
His hands slid down her spine, splaying low across her waist before freeing her. His eyes watched her every reaction to his movements. His hands searching for a sign that she enjoyed his touch. Taking in every delicious curve.
She didn’t notice her responses, other than to suddenly lose her ability to swallow, but she must have pleased him as his smile, if possible, turned even more dazzling. His molasses globes beamed as if he’d made some secret discovery meant only for him.
Their bodies separated. Those few seconds having been more like long, heavenly minutes.
Damn. My feeling is telling me I’ve got to be somewhere else now. Motorcycle man released Melinda, winked, and begrudgingly stepped by her disappearing around the corner without another word. He sure hoped that would not be their last encounter.
Melinda had to steady herself. And force her body not to turn as stare after him. “Wow,” she breathed out all jelly-legged. “If I’d known guys like that were walking around, I might have made attempts to get out of the house more often, a lot sooner.”
He certainly took Melinda’s mind off William, the vampire she could only have in her dreams. And she guessed motorcycle man to be close to her age; her brothers would be happy about that. Although they’d definitely have a problem with the motorcycle. Still, even with this second, chance run in, she might never see him again. Tourists came and went from the Isle as often as the tides.
The inevitable doubts crept in.
Guys like that didn’t go out with girls like her. Guys like motorcycle man went out with stylish girls who wore high heels and skinny jeans. Frumpy much? she chastised, staring down at her aged, ankle length bag for a dress and flip-flops.
She’d barely brushed her hair before leaving the house today and was sure it was a tangled mess. She hadn’t even tried to suck in her stomach to make it seem smaller. Surely he’d felt her little pooch sticking out. Too many curves in all the wrong places.
A breathy groan slipped through her lips. Melinda shook her head, wrung out her hands, and headed home. Worked-up level on high alert, screaming towards Holy Demon Isle, I’m about to lose my mind, level.
Having a nervous breakdown that had kept her mostly indoors for four years, had not only cost her the loss of friends or any social life, and pinned her as the local freak, but left her with an outdated wardrobe, and kept her carrying around a few extra pounds she always wanted to lose, but was like, why bother?
She suddenly didn’t want to go home. The idea of being there, suffocating. She needed to fix her life. To get a life.
Starting with some skinny jeans. She could maybe pull them off.
Although perhaps she should just start with something less bag-like.
And heels, no way in hell! They didn’t exactly go with her line of work. Quick getaways, high heels, and Melinda Howard, simply did not mix!
CHARLIE, MICHAEL, AND William looked around the bookstore at the mess the spirit, their mother, had left behind.
“How is it we are always the one’s left cleaning up the messes, anyway?” Charlie asked. He responded to his own question by shrugging and puffing his cheeks, letting the air out slowly.
“I think,” advised William, “that this particular mess is better left to me. I can have everything back in its place in minutes. Why don’t you two head home. It’s been a very long day.”
They could not argue with William, and the truth was, he could have the place cleaned up much faster without their help. Therefore, they headed out to the jeep and drove home.
An hour later, Melinda walked into the house relieved to be home again. Not too long before the thought had been suffocating, but now that she was here, it fit just right. Kind of like the baggy dress. Lots of room to breathe. Hide. Or disappear.
The idea of leaving the house didn’t get her nerves as riled though, but being home still held a comfort no other place could. And it had been a long day, so she wanted nothing more than a glass of merlot, a box of chocolates, and a few hours of fantasy time in a hot bubble bath.
But who would be the star in tonight’s fantasy session? Motorcycle man, or William? Ugh, where is the wine? It might be a two-glass night, and screw the chocolates. Her appetite for food vanished.
Her frustration mounted as she met Charlie and Michael, ignoring each other in the kitchen. She had hoped the day’s events had gotten them past their disagreements. “Did either of you fill in Mack about what you found out at the cave?”
“Already took care of it,” Michael replied. “Had to tell her to stop looking for the drybone’s killer.”
“You told her it was Mom?” Melinda confirmed.
“Yup. Mack was a little miffed I didn’t tell her before. But she understood how shocking it was.”
“She is cool that way.”
“I also told her about Dad. She is, of course, willing to do just about anything to help us find him.”
Melinda nodded, just as a blur dashed into the room.
“Bookstore should be back to Emily’s satisfaction if not better.”
“Knowing you, My William, everything is absolutely perfect.”
William shot Melinda a severe stare. However, followed it with a, you are right of course, smirk. She grinned, and laughed, loving even these small moments with William. And their banter had lessened the tension between Charlie and Michael. It also set off her heart flutter again. William proceeded to move to the opposite side of the room, severe stare back, and aimed at himself.
“So Charlie, tell me about Eva Jordan,” Melinda’s tone teased. “Sounds like you saved a totally hot damsel in distress.”
“Ha. Ha. Very funny,” Charlie retorted. “Michael helped, too.”
“I may have been there, but she had eyes for you, Bro.”
“Eva Jordan is attractive. I won’t disagree with that.”
“But...” Melinda said, waiting for the inevitable.
But I want her in very dangerous ways stayed silent in his own thoughts. “We just found out our father is still alive, and where our mother’s body should be. It sort of takes priority over dating.”
“Oh, Charlie. For you, everything is a priority over dating,” Melinda chided.
“Look who’s talking,” Charlie good-naturedly mumbled
.
She made a funny face, refusing to get into the discussion about her social life or love life, again.
“You might be right this time though,” she accepted begrudgingly. Goodbye dear molasses eyed stranger, no time for boys. There would be only fantasizing and possibly more dreams, but no real life touching.
“Look, Melinda,” Charlie spoke, his tone sincere. “I need you to know that I, that we,” he looked at Michael, who nodded his agreement, “we may have had those thoughts of what if, and if only, but we never blamed you. Not once. Like Mom always said, what’s done, is done.”
Melinda cast her brothers a grateful closed mouth smile.
“Um, don’t worry about that anymore. I get it. I really do this time. And I’m done beating myself up about it,” she promised. “To be honest, after watching what Emily went through tonight, and how she helped us talk to Mom, and seeing the sacrifices you all make regularly, I realized that even though it might sometimes be a little scary, I help people, and I know that’s what Mom and Dad would want me to do.”
Charlie stepped forward and hugged her tightly, relieved. For the first time in four years he felt certain his sister had finally forgiven herself. Charlie caught William’s eye. He tossed him a tight smile, understanding his relief.
There was a strained look in the vampire’s gaze. He wondered if it had anything to do with what their mother had told him.
Michael plunked down on a stool, deep in his own struggle. He closed his eyes, shaking his head as if not believing what he was about to say.
“I guess none of us can hold off the inevitable.”
Melinda gasped, letting go of Charlie. “You’re not going to leave?” she could not help but squeal.
“I can’t. Not now. Not with Dad out there, alive somewhere.”
Michael smirked at Charlie as if to say, you got your wish.
“One day, Michael,” Charlie told him. “I won’t let you be stuck here forever.” Charlie resigned to somehow making Michael’s wish come true.
Michael took a deep, even breath, and turned to his next heavy task. He asked everyone to join him in William’s study.