When the Dead Come Home

by B. L. Brunnemer

  I smiled to myself. The thick, gray fog-like muck that had coated them was lighter now. More like a sky of storm clouds just waiting to move on. The pit was still surrounded by red rock and dead things, and I didn’t know if it’d ever change. Maybe that’s just the way it was normally? I moved to my pillar of an alarm and sat down on a large rock. And waited.

  Every night since we came home from the lake, I’d sat here. Waiting. Watching. The asshole came back once. He, or she, could do it again. And I’d be ready.

  Chapter 3

  Monday

  Ethan

  * * *

  Burning. Flames licking my skin, charring every part. Hot… so fucking hot…

  I jerked awake in my bed. Sweat rolled down my body, plastering my sweats to me. My eyes stung, the light coming through the window too bright. Heart pounding in my chest, I bolted out of my bed and into the bathroom.

  When my eyes adjusted to the light, I washed my face with cold water. Images flew through my head. Fuzzy images. I tried to remember but they slipped through my fingers like water. Again. These dreams…

  Taking deep breaths, I lifted my head and caught my reflection. My brown irises were gone. A tawny gold glowed instead. My eyes continued to sting as I tried to remember how to breathe. What the fuck?

  Isaac

  Still half asleep, I shuffled into the bathroom and came up short. Ethan was there in his sweats, with his hands braced on the sink and taking deep breaths.

  “What’s up?” I finished yawning before I actually looked at him. His eyes were no longer brown. The glow filling them had me take a step back. “Holy shit.”

  Ethan shook his head. “I don’t know what happened, I was in the middle of a nightmare and woke up like this.”

  “Well, we can add funky eyes to the list,” I declared. Nothing obvious had changed with Ethan yet, except his back healing. Why would something change now?

  “Boys?” Ma called from downstairs.

  Ethan shook his head, the blood draining from his face.

  I stepped out and closed the bathroom door before heading down the stairs just in time to stop Ma. “Yeah, Ma? What’s up?”

  She eyed me. “You’re never this awake in the morning.”

  I shrugged. “I feel good. I got a full night of sleep.”

  She eyed me. “Right… anyway, I have news for you two. Can you get your brother?”

  “Actually… uh, he’s in the bathroom and there’s cursing going on.” I latched onto the first thing I could think of.

  Her smile faded. “He’s probably constipated from those painkillers; I’ll pick him up some prune juice on my way home.”

  I bit back a grin. I couldn’t wait to tell Ethan he had to drink that stuff.

  “Anyway, I have news about your dad,” she announced.

  My smiled disappeared.

  Her face was carefully blank as she said, “He’s getting out in a couple of days and your grandparents are on their way to Great Falls to pick him up. They’re wanting to have dinner with you two before then.”

  “Do we have to?” I asked, hating the idea already.

  She gave me an understanding smile. “I know they haven’t been really active in our lives, but they do send you boys birthday and Christmas gifts every year. They’re good people.”

  “Just because you’re related to an asshole doesn’t mean you are one,” I said, paraphrasing one of the self-help books I’d read.

  Her eyes narrowed on me. “Where did you hear that?”

  Shit. It was now or never. “I’ve been reading some… self-help books.”

  Her eyebrows rose. “Are they helping?”

  I nodded. “But… remember when you asked me to go to therapy after we lost Sophie?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Can I take you up on that now?” I asked, looking down at the floor.

  “Of course.” She tried to wrap her arm around my shoulders. “What’s going on, honey? Is there anything I can do to help?’

  Relief swamped me. I had been dreading this talk for almost three weeks. “I just need to talk about some stuff. You know, like, I always thought I’d go into MMA after high school, but since the last fight… I don’t think I want to anymore.”

  She squeezed my shoulders. “It never hurts to talk to an unbiased person.” She kissed my cheek. “I’m proud of you, honey.”

  My cheeks grew warmer. “Thanks.”

  “I’ll call to get you an appointment as soon as they have an opening.” She dropped her arm and headed for the table beside the door. “I’ll see you both tonight. Have a good day, you two.”

  The door closed behind her leaving silence.

  I knew he was there before Ethan came downstairs. ’Cause of course he’d hear me talking to Ma. I sighed. Now he was going to give me shit about seeing a shrink.

  “You’re going to see a therapist?” Ethan eyed me as if he’d never seen me before.

  “Your eyes are back to normal,” I said, hoping he’d drop it. “How’re you feeling?”

  “Fine. Now answer the question.”

  “Yeah.” I dragged my fingers through my hair. “I’ve got shit to figure out.”

  Ethan grinned. “Good.”

  I shook my head. “What?”

  “I said good.”

  “You’re not going to give me a hard time?” Who was this guy?

  He shook his head. “There’s no shame in asking for help when you need it.”

  My gaze dropped down to the floor as my emotions swirled. I don’t know why I didn’t expect him to understand. Ethan never judged before, why would he now?

  “You do know if you tell them about being possessed by a demon, they’ll throw you in the mental hospital, right?”

  I chuckled and lifted my head. “I know, but I can talk about what led to it. No supernatural stuff.”

  He hugged me suddenly. His arms were hard around me but at the same time almost weak in relief. Surprised, I hesitated only a second before I hugged him back.

  “I love ya, jackass,” he muttered before pulling away and heading back up the stairs.

  I smiled to myself. That really didn’t go how I thought it would.

  Lexie

  I pulled into the parking lot of the school. Ignoring the looks of everyone I ran past, I hurried to meet the guys at our usual table in front of the cafeteria.

  When I got to the table, I slammed the paper down on the tabletop making them all jump. “The Triangle of Solomon.”

  Miles’ brows drew together as he leaned forward to look at the printout.

  “What?” Ethan blinked.

  “The symbol.” I tapped the paper frantically. “I found it last night. It’s the Triangle of Solomon!”

  Several people at the nearby tables sent us funny looks.

  “Quiet down, Red,” Isaac said, “or you’ll blow our cover.”

  “It’s not an exact match, but close.” Miles looked up at me. “What does it do?”

  “It’s a ghost trap,” I announced quietly as Ethan scooted over so I could sit beside him.

  Everyone but Miles blinked at me. Ethan, however, dropped his hand into his lap before sliding it around the middle of my thigh. His fingers squeezed. I made sure to keep my face blank. Ethan hadn’t touched me much since the camping trip. I soaked in the heat of his fingers, missing him.

  “A trap?” Isaac picked up the page. “What’s the bait?”

  “No idea.” I was just happy to have finally found the stupid triangle.

  Miles looked up from the paper. “This is a big step. Now we have an idea of what’s happening to the ghosts.”

  “Yeah, but where do they go after that? When they’re stuck?” I tapped my finger on the table again. “What happens then?”

  “I don’t know, but we’ll find out,” Miles promised.

  Isaac’s eyes narrowed on me. “You pulled guard duty again last night, didn’t you?”

  I shrugged as I took the last deep drink out of my travel mug.
r />   “Guard duty?” Asher’s gaze darted to me.

  “Yeah, Red’s been spending time in the Veil every night. Guarding it in case that prick comes back,” Isaac explained as he grabbed my travel mug, opened it and poured more of his coffee from his own into my empty one. Ethan quickly added the last half of his.

  I gave them a thankful smile. “They’ll come back. I want to be there when they do.” And I’d make them regret it. Which reminded me… “By the way, Rory wants us to talk about telling Maria, Jessica and Sylvia about what’s going on in town.”

  My announcement was met with exchanged glances between the guys.

  Asher began rubbing the back of his neck. “I don’t know about that.”

  “I know,” I agreed. “But there are a lot of dangerous people moving to town. And as time goes on, it’s going to get worse.”

  Miles nodded. “That is a good point.”

  “Yeah, but won’t they all think we’re nuts?” Ethan grinned.

  I snorted. “Welcome to my world.”

  The guys chuckled.

  “I get telling Ma, but Jess?” Isaac shook his head.

  “Yeah, she’d think we were insane and then she’d tell everyone,” Ethan muttered.

  “I don’t want to tell her,” Asher admitted. “Something is going on with her, my wolf is worried about her. I don’t want her thinking she can’t come to me right now.”

  “Okay, no Jessica.” I turned to the twins and Miles. “What about Maria and Sylvie?”

  The twins looked at each other and had one of those twin conversations. Creepy and silent, but it made me smile.

  They turned back to us in unison.

  “Yeah, we could tell Ma.” Ethan cringed. “She might need proof and lose her shit, but it’d be a good idea.”

  Miles turned back to me. “Then we’ll start with Maria. I’ll talk to Zeke about Sylvie.”

  I took a deep drink of my coffee.

  Miles turned back to the others. “First week of school. Everyone ready? Do we need to go over the rules again?”

  Everyone but Asher groaned.

  “No. We’ve gone over them a hundred times.” Isaac rubbed the tired from his face. “We have them memorized.”

  “No touching,” Ethan stated.

  “No kissing,” Isaac added.

  “No drawing attention of any kind,” Asher finished for them.

  I shook my head. “I still think it’s ridiculous.”

  Miles gave me his patient face. “We agreed it was best to try and avoid having everyone’s relationships noticed for as long as possible.”

  I quirked an eyebrow at him. “I’m not exactly subtle, Miles.”

  His eyes softened. “I know. But please try?”

  I fought the urge to roll my eyes as the bell rang.

  * * *

  I was listening to the teacher’s first day spiel and staring at the empty desk in front of me. Zeke wasn’t in our first period history class. I missed him. I had hoped to run over and see him for a few minutes this morning, but after finishing at the cemetery there wasn’t much time left. And I couldn’t be late on the first day or I’d never hear the end of it.

  Rory had made his expectations clear last night. Don’t ditch, pass, and keep your head down. He was hoping to avoid the wrath of the vice principal this year. The woman seemed to hate me.

  The empty desk brought me back to the present. The guys had told me not to expect Zeke at school this week. Hell, even Mr. Jones had even given me Zeke’s books and a file of homework for the week. It was strange.

  Some girl walked into the classroom and made a beeline for Mr. Jones. She handed him a pink call slip and headed out the door.

  Mr. Jones glanced at it then looked straight at me over the rim of his glasses. “Lexie, they need you in the office.”

  Curious, I picked up my bag and headed out into the hallway. Why the hell was I going to the office? School had literally just started.

  Muttering under my breath, I headed to the administration office.

  I walked in and went to the woman at the counter. “I’ve been summoned,” I said in my most dramatic voice. When she looked at me as if I were crazy, I smiled. Hell, I thought it was funny.

  “Delaney?” she asked.

  I nodded.

  “Follow me.” She led me through the office to the vice principal’s door. As she knocked, I barely resisted the urge to curse.

  “Come in.”

  She opened the door. “Alexis Delaney is here to see you.”

  “Send her in.” Mrs. Weaver sighed.

  I rolled my eyes as I walked past the receptionist and met Mrs. Weaver’s gaze.

  “Have a seat,” she said absently as she looked through something on the computer screen.

  I sat down in the chair across from her desk.

  She turned and eyed me. “It’s a new year, Lexie.”

  I waited for her to elaborate but she didn’t. “Yeah. It’s a new school year.”

  She smiled smugly. “Are we going to have as many troubles as we did last year?”

  I began to bounce my knee. Last year had been a year of hell. At least the last half of it. And she still fucking blamed me for it? I took a deep breath and let it out slowly. Be good. I promised Rory.

  “You mean, am I planning to be stalked, kidnapped, and beaten again?” I tried to keep the hostility out of my voice, but by the way her eyes narrowed at me, I doubt I was successful.

  “No, I don’t plan on having a year like the last.” I grinned. “In fact, I’m hoping to have a nice, quiet senior year.”

  Her lips pressed together into a thin, hard line. “Are your friends going to be late to classes this year?”

  I eyed her. “I don’t think so. I worked really hard in therapy this summer and I haven’t had issues in crowds since last June.” I kept my voice respectful and polite.

  Her fingers began to tap on the desk. “Should we expect your guard dog?”

  I hesitated. This one was a bit tricky. “At the moment, no. My friends tend to stay close by in crowds and that helps a lot. But if something triggers me, I may need him.”

  She watched me with unblinking eyes. “So, we’re going to have a nice, quiet year?”

  I nodded with wide, innocent eyes. “That’s the hope.”

  She watched me for several heartbeats before sighing. “That’s good. Because you’re starting the year on notice.”

  I leaned back against the chair. “The year literally just started. What could I have done since the beginning of first period?”

  “I won’t tolerate your shenanigans this year. One step out of line, and you’ll be gone.” Glee sparkled in her eyes. “Now, we have a new guidance counselor joining us. As part of your academic probation, I want you to speak to her once a week until we reassess your probation.”

  I gaped at her. “Seriously?”

  She nodded regally. “Yes. And your first appointment is now.”

  Stunned, I tried to wrap my head around this. “So, your answer to me being a problem is to miss a class once a week and see the school counselor?”

  “I’d hurry if I were you.” She grinned.

  For fuck’s sake. It made no sense. I bit my tongue and picked up my bag as I got to my feet. “Where’s the office?”

  She didn’t even look up at me as she answered. “Right across from Counselor Higgins’ office.”

  I closed the door behind me and muttered curses as I walked through the administration building until I found the door.

  I sighed before knocking.

  “Come in,” a woman’s voice called.

  The office was full of boxes, books, and even a large plant in the corner. I closed the door behind me. The woman turned her high-backed leather desk chair toward me.

  My stomach dropped. Jadis.

  Emotions boiled inside me, anger and fear rising to the top. “What the fuck are you doing here?”

  She smiled a big smile. “Working. Making a difference one problem ch
ild at a time.”

  I dug my fingernails into the strap of my backpack. “Oh, and I’m sure you do it out of the kindness of your murderous heart.”

  Her smile faded. “I have my own reasons for doing the things I do.”

  I raised an eyebrow. “So did Hitler. That didn’t mean he wasn’t a monster.”

  She leaned back in her chair and ran her gaze over me. “You might as well have a seat. Your sessions with me are thirty minutes a week until further notice.”

  I dropped my bag to the floor and sat in the old wooden chair across from her desk. “What are you after?”

  She picked up her coffee mug. “I’m here to try to get through to you.”

  I rolled my eyes. “Recruit me, you mean.”

  “Call it what you want.” She smiled again. “I’m trying to save the world.”

  “Nah, that’s what I’m doing,” I countered. “You’re just killing people and wreaking destruction wherever you go.”

  Her smile dimmed. “Then agree to work with us, and I’ll leave town.”

  It was tempting. Simply lie and get them out of here. But I doubted it would be that easy. Not with this bitch.

  She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “We also like to keep tabs on our experiments. When they finally go off, well… they’re quite the show.”

  “Experiments?” I huffed. “That’s the life of one of my best friends you fucked with.”

  She took a sip. “Indeed, it is. Or it was.”

  I began calculating the odds of staying in school if I decked the new guidance counselor on the first day. Probably not good. But I was sick of her smug face. Out in the real world, I could leave. But here? I was stuck. Mrs. Weaver made that very clear.

  I began to examine my nails as if she didn’t bother me. I was stuck here, but that didn’t mean I had to freaking listen.

  “You should work with us, Lexie,” she stated, leaning back in her chair with her mug in her hands. “We could change the world. Make it better. With your help, we can get the supernatural world under control.”