Wicked Haunts (An Ivy Morgan Mystery Book 12)

by Lily Harper Hart

  Ivy had no idea what to make of the transformation. “Is this how it looked when you lived here?”

  “For many years. As I aged, it was harder to keep up with the maintenance and it fell into a bit of disrepair. It was always home, though.”

  Seeing the house like it was, how it was meant to be, somehow eased some of the tension Ivy had been carrying around for the past few days. “People say you were a witch.”

  “Do they?” Susan looked amused.

  “You don’t seem bothered by that.”

  “Why would I be bothered?” Susan asked, motioning for Ivy to follow her as she moved toward the house. “You can’t be hurt. You’re not really here.”

  “I know how the dreamscape works.”

  “I know. I’ve seen you around.”

  Ivy’s mouth dropped open as she followed Susan into her former abode, barely glancing around at the tidy furnishings – which were devoid of enhancements and yet somehow cozy – and searching for a way to calm the tsunami raging through her mind.

  “You’ll catch flies if you walk around like that,” Susan noted, grinning. “Sit.”

  “You’ve seen me around the dreamscape?”

  “You have a special gift,” Susan said as she took the chair at the side of the room. “I had the same gift. Once you enter the dreamscape, you can always find your way back again. Sit.”

  Ivy did as instructed, but only because she needed to rest the muscles that suddenly felt so tired. “I don’t understand. Is that what happened to you? People say you were living alone out here, the townspeople were checking on you once a week, and then you suddenly disappeared. Did you take refuge in the dreamscape?”

  “In a manner of speaking,” Susan confirmed. “There were several townspeople who didn’t find me as odious as others. They believed they were doing their Christian duty by checking on me. None of them were fond of the chore.”

  “They still checked.”

  “Yes, but they weren’t the only ones who checked,” Susan supplied. “I had more enemies in town than friends.”

  Something about the way she phrased it caused a chill to run through Ivy’s body. “Were you murdered?”

  “What do you think?”

  “A simple answer would be nice. I really want to know.”

  “I knew they were coming,” Susan said. “I heard whispers on the wind all day. There was a certain contingent who hated everything about me, persecuted me for what they believed, not what was real. The trees told me they were coming.”

  “The trees, huh?” Ivy considered herself worldly – more so than ever before since she started being able to do things she never thought possible – but even she couldn’t fall for that. “I didn’t know trees could talk.”

  Susan’s smile was whimsical. “Not the way you’re thinking. You would refer to it as your inner senses talking to you. For me, it was always the trees. They warned me. I knew danger was coming.”

  “Did you run?”

  “I took the fight to hallowed ground.”

  “I … .” Ivy trailed off as something occurred to her. “The fairy ring. You created the fairy ring. In mythology, supposedly fairy rings sprung from the ashes of the spots where dragons landed. You’re not a dragon, but the fairy ring was yours first.”

  “On the contrary, the fairy ring has always been yours. I’m simply the one who gave it life.”

  “How?”

  “Let me show you.” Susan extended her hand. “It’s important that you see what happened to me. That’s the only way you’re going to be able to figure out what happened to the other girl.”

  Ivy eyed the extended hand for a long beat. “Do you know if Phoebe is still alive?”

  “I know that I have to show you this. It’s time.”

  Ivy swallowed hard and then carefully placed her hand on top of Susan’s. “Okay. Show me.”

  “Prepare yourself. Not everything in life is fun and games. Not everything you see here will be as bad as you think it is either. It’s okay. Just breathe in and out … and listen.”

  JACK GENTLY SHOOK IVY AWAKE shortly after midnight. He’d been content to let her slumber when she looked as if her dreams had been easy. The second she started shaking and gulping in mouthfuls of oxygen, he decided letting her continue this way was out of the question.

  “Honey, it’s time to get up.”

  Ivy’s eyes snapped open, the clear blue flashing under the moon’s illumination. She looked shocked, her features unusually pale, and it took everything Jack had not to scoop her up and carry her away.

  “Honey?”

  “Where are we?” she gasped, confused.

  “By the greenhouse.” He stroked her forehead. “You fell asleep. Are you okay?”

  “I … .” Ivy thought back to the dream. “I met Susan Bishop. She showed me some things.”

  Jack struggled to control his emotions. “Oh, yeah? I can’t wait to hear about them.” He kept his arm around her waist and lifted her from the ground. “You can tell me all about it tomorrow morning. For now, we’re done here. We’re going home.”

  “What about the greenhouse? Did anyone show up?”

  “No, honey. It doesn’t matter anyway. We’re going home.”

  “Okay.” Ivy took a tentative step forward and found her legs shaking. “I feel a little loopy.”

  Jack didn’t hesitate as he swung her into his arms. “We’re going home.” He didn’t as much as look back at the greenhouse as he followed the path back to the cottage. “I’ll take care of you. It’s going to be okay.”

  From the shadows by the greenhouse, a dark figure emerged and watched them go. If Jack had turned back, he would’ve seen it. He had more important things on his mind, though, and his dearest treasure was curled against his chest.

  That’s all he cared about.

  At least for now.

  IVY WOKE TO FIND JACK staring at her. He was propped on an elbow, his eyes filled with concern, and he offered a wan smile when she finally focused on him.

  “Good morning, honey. How did you sleep?”

  “Fine. Great even. I … .” Things slowly came into focus. “Wait … how did I get back here? The last thing I remember is being in the woods by the greenhouse.”

  “You had some sort of episode.” Unlike Ivy, Jack had barely slept. He dozed on and off, but it was never for more than twenty minutes at a time and he kept jerking himself awake to make sure she was still safe and beside him. That gave him time to think about what he wanted to say. “You scared the crap out of me.”

  Ivy widened her eyes. “I don’t remember leaving. I … fell asleep. I thought you were going to be in the dreamscape, but it was Susan. She wanted to tell me something.”

  “What?”

  “She created my fairy ring.”

  Whatever he was expecting, that wasn’t it. Jack cocked an eyebrow and reined in his tongue before he could bark at her and make things worse. “What?”

  “The townspeople came for her,” Ivy replied. “Three of them. Two men and a woman. She knew they were coming and led them into the woods, to where my fairy ring is now, and she started a fire to separate herself from them.

  “I don’t understand it all – I’m not sure I’m supposed to – but she was really a witch,” she continued. “She knew they were coming and she protected herself the only way she could. She started the fire, cursed them – I swear I’m not making it up – and then before she was swallowed, she escaped into the dreamscape.”

  Jack was well and truly out of his realm of comfort. “She escaped to the dreamscape and then what?”

  “She can go in and out whenever she wants. She’s not just a ghost, she’s a shade. That’s the word she used. She says she’s been watching me for a long time, acting like a fairy godmother of sorts and trying to push me to accept my magic.”

  “Well, she hasn’t been doing a very good job of it.”

  “I know, right?” Her eyes flashed. “I told her she needs to be clearer from now o
n because I don’t do well with subtlety.”

  Despite himself, and the worry he wasn’t sure he would ever be able to shake, Jack smiled. “You seem calmer.”

  “I know. It’s weird. She told me her story in pictures. I think she’s been trying to show me for a long time. She says I have to get over myself and stop running from what I am if I expect to be able to help Phoebe.”

  “Did she say if Phoebe was alive?”

  “No. She didn’t say. She just said to be careful … and to stop being such a ninny. I don’t think I’m a ninny, do you?”

  Jack knew better than answering that question. “What do you want to do about the story she told you?”

  “There’s nothing to do. Those people are long gone. I didn’t get their names anyway.”

  “Well, that doesn’t make what happened to her right.”

  “No, but she’s at peace with herself. She showed me what the house looked like before it became party central. She was happy with who she was. She thinks I need to get over myself and take a page out of her book and stop being a complete and total baby when it comes to these visions.”

  “What do you think?”

  “That it’s probably a waste of time to be afraid. I’ve always thought of myself as a brave person.”

  “You’re the bravest and strongest person I know.”

  “I need to get it together.”

  “You need to do what comes naturally. Don’t force yourself.”

  “That’s sweet, but I hate being a whiner. That’s what girls like Maisie and Ava do. I’m better than them.”

  “You’re definitely better than them.”

  Ivy smiled as she rolled so she could position herself on top of Jack’s chest. “There is one thing I want to do before I start being a big girl, though.”

  “Oh, yeah? What’s that?”

  “Take a wild guess.”

  Fifteen

  Ivy’s first stab at controlling her magic made Jack’s head want to implode.

  “Absolutely not.” He fervently shook his head. “No way. No how. Nothing doing.”

  Ivy folded her arms across her chest and regarded him with her bossiest look. “An hour and a half ago you agreed I needed to practice.”

  “An hour and a half ago we were in bed and I was still worried about you from last night. We’ve since sashayed and showered. I’m feeling more like myself. That’s why I say … absolutely not.”

  Confused, Ivy wrinkled her forehead. “Sashayed?”

  “You know. Sashayed.” Jack wiggled his hips for emphasis, causing Ivy to smile despite her annoyance.

  “Ah. I get what you’re saying.”

  “Nice word, huh?”

  “No.” She wasn’t about to let him derail the conversation. “I admire the effort, though. As for what we’re really supposed to be talking about, I’m not backing down. I need to go back to the shack.”

  Jack’s frustration threatened to spew over. “Ivy … .”

  “You don’t have to come with me,” she said hurriedly, cutting him off. “I’m perfectly fine on my own. Of course, I’m going to be tapping into an ability I don’t know how to control and I did pass out last night but … no matter. I’ve got this.” She gave him an enthusiastic thumbs-up.

  Jack stared at her for a long beat. “Are you trying to kill me?”

  “No. I’m simply explaining that you don’t have to go with me. I’m a big girl. I can handle this on my own.”

  Jack knew she didn’t mean it. She was afraid to let loose without someone there to back her up. He also knew she was the type to dig her heels in and would pretend she was fine if he put up even a minimal fuss.

  “We’re going together,” he said after a beat, resigned. “I need to call Brian and tell him I’ll be late.”

  Ivy’s smile was genuine. “I’ll wait here while you do that.”

  “Uh-huh.” Jack dug into his pocket for his phone. Before her announcement, he was hoping to walk Ivy to the nursery, check on the greenhouse, and then leave her under the watchful eye of her father – this time with an admonishment that trips to town were off the table – but that didn’t look to be possible.

  Brian picked up on the second ring, and his tone told Jack his partner was having a bit of a rough morning as well. “I’ll get to the office when I get there. Give me a break.”

  Jack bit back a chuckle. “I’m not at the office. I was calling to tell you I’m going to be late.”

  “Oh, really?” Brian sounded intrigued. “What are you going to be doing? My wife is making me fix the garbage disposal before I can leave the house. She says it’s a matter of life or death … my death being the operative word.”

  “I’m going back to the shack with Ivy,” Jack replied, searching for the best way to explain himself. “We just want to have a look around. We haven’t been back together since that first day. I … uh … think it will be good for both of us.”

  “Does this have something to do with the things that keep happening in Ivy’s head?” Brian asked, lowering his voice.

  Jack knew Brian was almost as uncomfortable talking about Ivy’s abilities as she was. “Maybe. She wants to try something and I’m not letting her go out there alone. That means we have to go together … and I’m going to be late for work.”

  “That’s fine with me. I hopefully shouldn’t be more than two hours.”

  “Great.” Jack moved to hang up, but Brian stopped him by calling out his name.

  “One more thing,” the older detective volunteered. “The medical examiner called back with a report on that blood we took a sample of at Ivy’s greenhouse.”

  “You have my attention.”

  “It wasn’t Janice’s blood, but it did show a genetic match to Janice, which means we’re dealing with a blood relative.”

  “That means it belonged to Phoebe.” Jack stroked his chin as he tried to ignore the way Ivy stared at him. “Why would she be in the greenhouse?”

  “I don’t know. I don’t know how to explain any of it. I think it’s fair to assume that she’s out there, though. Be careful when you head to the shack. She could be hiding anywhere between the nursery and that old house.”

  “I’ll definitely be on the lookout. See you in a few hours.” Jack disconnected his phone and pursed his lips. “The blood at the greenhouse belonged to someone who shares genetic markers with Janice. That means it was a relative.”

  “Phoebe.”

  “That would be my guess, yeah.”

  “Then she’s alive.”

  “She was alive when she stopped by your greenhouse,” Jack clarified. “She was also injured. We don’t know where she is now.”

  “We have to find her.”

  “That’s the plan.”

  “Then let’s get on it.” Ivy hopped to her feet and gestured toward the front door. “It’s a brave new world out there.”

  “I love the grand pronouncements,” Jack said as he stepped in front of her. “They make it seem as if you’re ready and raring to take on the world.”

  “I am. I can see and hear things, occasionally talk to dead people, and even see through the eyes of a killer. I’m completely ready to take over the world.”

  Jack smiled as he took her hand. “I would appreciate it if we could take over the world together.”

  “Absolutely. There’s no one I would rather take over the world with.”

  “WHY ARE WE GOING THIS way?”

  Jack was initially confused that Ivy seemed to be meandering to the east. He remembered the shack being located more to the west. Once they crested the small hill and a familiar circle of mushrooms came into view, he realized exactly where they were heading.

  “Never mind. I think I can guess what you have in mind.”

  “I just want to see,” Ivy offered, increasing her pace so she could get to the fairy ring faster.

  Jack released her hand and watched as she hurried down the gentle slope, not stopping until she was directly in front of the tree that loo
ked to have a wizened face. By the time Jack caught up with her, she’d already done a slow circle around the clearing.

  “Well?” Jack asked as he stopped a few feet behind her and glanced around. “Does anything seem different about it?”

  “Why would it be different?”

  “I don’t know. You were here last night … but in a different time.” He shoved his hands in his pockets as he began to circle. “Did it look the same? I’m kind of jealous you went on an adventure without me.”

  Ivy cast him a sidelong look. “I didn’t go on an adventure without you. She just … showed me something.”

  “I should’ve been there.”

  “Maybe she’ll kidnap both of us from our dreams next time,” Ivy said, projecting faux enthusiasm even as she sneered. “That will be a heck of a dream, huh?”

  “Don’t give me your attitude,” Jack chided, something catching his attention out of the corner of his eye. He moved closer to the brush at the side of the fairy ring and frowned as he hunkered down to get a closer look. “I prefer being with you in situations like you described last night.

  “And, yes, I know that I couldn’t have necessarily done anything to help,” he continued. “I still prefer being close to you when things like this happen because … well, just because.”

  “It’s a sweet sentiment,” Ivy offered. “I don’t know that your presence would’ve made me feel better last night, though. I was freaking out a little bit and she basically told me to get over myself. If you were there, I would’ve started posturing and it would’ve turned into a whole big thing.”

  Jack snickered. “I guess. I still wish I would’ve been with you.”

  “Then we both would’ve passed out and there wouldn’t have been anyone to carry us home.”

  “Very good point.” Jack furrowed his brow as he stared at what looked to Ivy like a pile of leaves. “Honey, when was the last time you were out here?”

  Ivy tilted her head, considering. “I guess it was about a week ago. Huh. I’ve been busy. Still, I usually come a couple of times a week. I guess I haven’t felt the need to visit as much since you joined my life.”