by J. A. Saare
I took his hand and gave him a second to adjust.
"Feel it?" I asked as the hum grew stronger, indicating we needed to go upstairs. I hadn't spotted anything yet, but that would change. It always did.
"I feel it." He always sounded amazed—like he was the luckiest person in the fucking world—when I showed him aspects of my power. I didn't really agree with the assessment. I didn't view my necromancy in the same way he did and likely never would. Where he found intrigue and fascination, I felt disgust and annoyance.
Dead things were dead things no matter how you cut it.
"We're going up." I made sure I spoke loud enough for everyone to hear.
The house wasn't small by any stretch, but the stairs would have to be taken in a single file line. Since I had a full house, I wanted them all to get their money's worth. I led the way, keeping a firm grasp on Goose's hand. The buzzing inside me grew stronger. When I made it to the top, I immediately went left. The humming became sharp prickles, and I moved faster. As soon as I rounded the corner and came to a hallway, all progression stopped.
Oh shit.
I'd been told I'd be removing an old woman, and that wasn't what I was looking at. Goose gasped when he got an eyeful, and his grip on my fingers became somewhat painful. Poor guy didn't like what I'd found. We'd come face-to-face with a disgusting sight. If he hadn't been touching me, he could have spared himself. I'd warned him about what he considered a gift, telling him I only considered something a present if the package was wrapped in paper and topped with a bow.
"Scott?" I called out, gazing at the sight before me.
"Yes?" I heard him coming up behind us. From the sounds of things, he was squeezing by people. That big ass staff of his wouldn't make that any easier. I needed to ask him how he hid the damned thing when he was out and about. If he kept the wooden object on his person all the times, he had to address tons of questions. He did look a bit like a geek, so maybe he told curious passersby he cosplayed as Gandalf in his spare time.
"When did you get this place?"
"Why does it matter?"
His arrogant tone had returned. I couldn't say I'd missed it.
I let go of Goose's hand, feeling bad for bringing him along, and faced the warlock. "It matters because you've got one hell of a problem here." More like problems, plural. "Actually, you have five hell of a problems," I corrected myself, holding up my hand and wriggling my fingers. I took in my surroundings again, realizing why so much of the house had been remodeled. The walls had probably remained intact, but the residence had once been total destruction and ash. "This place nearly burned to the ground, didn't it?"
"There was a fire here." He made the fact sound like no big deal. "But that was decades ago, and proper repairs have been done."
No, they haven't, dick. Not really.
"Well"—I dragged the word out and gazed down the hallway—"it might've been decades ago, and you might have fixed up the place, but the ghosts here haven't gotten eviction notices. They think this is home sweet home, and they're lingering for a reason. They're..." I took my time pointing at each one, which wasn't difficult since they were staring at me. How did I sum everything up? What did I say? I decided to go with blunt force honesty. "They're standing right there, and since they were burned alive and don't have any skin or hair, it's extremely disturbing."
"They're not the issue. Leave them." He hiked his staff up. "What I want you to remove is the other way." He'd already spun around like he expected me to follow. "I have guests coming this week. I need this done."
"Hold up," I snapped and fought the urge to clobber him. "I can't just leave them."
"Whyever not?" He looked over his shoulder but was still in motion, trying to guide me where he thought I needed to be. Part of me wanted to distract him. Maybe if I did, he'd trip and fall over the banister. This job would be so much better if I was sending his spirit to the other side.
Fucker really was daft.
"Because they're stuck, you schmuck."
I heard quiet laughter and lifted my head to see the source of the noise. It was Joshua and Tippie. Both found the entire situation extremely amusing and weren't attempting to hide their reactions. I figured they'd been around Scott a long time and knew him far better than I did. Maybe no one ever called him out on stupid shit. Or maybe I just had a big mouth that gave them a case of the giggles.
"I don't care for your tone," he warned, and the white glimmer in his eyes returned.
Good. I don't care for yours.
"File a complaint with customer service," I replied, exhausted and fed up with his presence. I glanced at Tippie and Joshua and they were grinning. Great. They could just consider me a full package this evening, bringing them the best in quality entertainment. My gaze landed on Gabriel, and I noted he was watching me as well. He didn't appear upset by my behavior. If anything, he seemed relieved that I'd reverted to my former self. I hiked my thumb in his direction and said, "If you want to submit a ticket, there's the boss. Have at it."
I turned, knowing Scott wouldn't be of any help and would only piss me off further, and made my way to the spirits who were watching me. I was pretty sure I was dealing with a mother, father, and their children. But that was only judging from their sizes. All of them were so terribly charred that clothing wasn't present. I hoped they'd died from smoke inhalation while they slept and not the actual flames that had consumed them.
Goose followed along. "Do you need any help?"
"Nah." I waved my hand, urging him back. "I got it."
Coming across the atrocity was a buzzkill, but that wasn't necessarily a bad sign. This kind of thing happened when people died with loved ones. Ghosts knew what they wanted, and that didn't include leaving family behind. Much like the people they once were, they didn't want to abandon cherished possessions. I reached for the closest spirit, hoping to send them to the other side one at a time. If they were ready to go, my presence might be enough to make it happen. It looked like they'd welcome the release. I certainly would have.
As soon as my fingers landed on the ghost, I knew I'd fucked-up.
The world gobbled me up and gulped me down, sending me into total blackness. The heavy aroma of gasoline drifted to my nose. I couldn't move my hands or legs. I'd been bound in some way. The flashes came, revealing a story, showing me exactly what had happened to the family that had died in the home.
Bound to a bed by my ankles and wrists.
Struggling as I was covered in fluid.
Screams coming from other areas of the home.
The spark of a match.
Then flames penetrated my skin and made flesh peel and melt.
Sheer agony pulsated through every nerve ending.
The pain seemed to go on and on.
Flames spread and smoke filled the air, making it hard to breathe.
Someone grasped my shoulder, yanked me back, and severed the connection. I almost fell, but the hand on my shoulder moved, wrapped around my waist, and balanced me before I hit the ground. I'd worked with Goose long enough that I didn't lash out or try to defend myself, allowing him to hold me as he kneeled and kept me upright. Things like this had happened before, and he knew when to intervene and help me out. I took several deep breaths, peered up, and got another shock.
Gabriel had come to me, not Goose.
I hadn't anticipated his involvement.
This wasn't the first time he'd ventured with me to take care of ghosts, but it was the first time he'd come along since I'd embraced the mark. Since the connection was open and he had immediate access to everything, there was a good chance he'd seen things just as I had. He'd glimpsed the things I experienced through memories. He'd never had direct association. For that reason, my attention went from the spirits to him.
"You okay?" I asked, no longer caring about myself, and grasped his forearm.
He took a moment, shaking himself, and nodded.
Oh yeah. He'd endured what I had.
He didn't see
m fine, and I understood why he wouldn't be. The visual was disturbing, but he'd seen worse. The damage came from him feeling everything that happened to the family being burned alive. It hadn't been nice or heartwarming. The impression had been painful and excruciating. I really loathed Scott at that moment and considered giving him a hard smack across the cranium. Screw him and his staff. He could threaten me all he wanted. I had bigger concerns than him and his magic.
I reminded myself to think of the one holding me. "Thank you."
When I pulled back, I studied Gabriel.
He appeared steady, but the pain and imagery had hit him hard. Since he wasn't like me, such an event might be debilitating. Dealing with this kind of shit would cause anyone—human or vampire—to toss their Cheerios. We helped each other up. I had the amulet in my pocket but didn't want to use it, meaning I wasn't as strong or fast. As soon as we were on our feet, I faced the warlock that had purchased the property. I had a hunch this wasn't as simple as removing a residual. The other necromancers hadn't been able to do anything because spirits had been tied to the property along with the residual.
They were one and the same.
"Scott," I snarled, letting my temper go, finding comfort and stability by embracing my inner shrew. "You got some explaining to do."
He'd moved into the hallway and stood right in front of me. For the first time, he didn't open his yap-trap. He looked uneasy.
"A spell took place here, didn't it?" I questioned, trusting my instincts. I peered over at Tippie and Joshua. They were no longer finding humor in my responses. Their focus remained entirely on Scott. Following my hunch, I said, "The one you want me to remove won't go because she used magic when she killed the people who owned this place. She claimed the residence as hers."
"I've cleansed the house," he answered, no longer sure of himself. If anything, he looked extremely uncomfortable. Despite that, he continued to act superior to me. He addressed me like a child, "Something binds the residual to it."
"I'll take care of it." I wanted to wipe the know-it-all look off Scott's face. I had abilities the warlock couldn't even comprehend. The people who'd died in this pit of fire deserved to be let go. They'd be tormented forever if I didn't cut them loose. "Goose, I need my knife and the salt."
I'd been stripped of all weapons after my first visit from Lucifer. Gabriel had stored my guns, knives, ammo, and Sucker in the chest Paine had given me—which had been brought to our bedroom on the night of our return. Since I'd been monitored, I hadn't been given a chance to go anywhere near it. I only had Chapstick and a rosary in my pocket. It was laughable, really. I'd brought items meant for protection against chapped lips and the very people I trusted.
Goose didn't look happy about my request. "Gabriel?"
"Damn it." I stomped over to him, extended my hands, and narrowed my eyes in warning. I understood the need to take things away, but I couldn't do shit like this. "Give them to me."
"Do as she says," Gabriel said, his voice vibrating in my right ear, and I realized he'd remained glued to my ass.
I was surrounded by babysitters galore.
How fucking embarrassing.
Goose pilfered through the messenger bag slung around his shoulder and handed over a large container of salt easily enough. He was slower with the knife, like he thought giving it to me was a bad idea. He removed it cautiously and stared at me, not handing it over even with Gabriel's consent. Seeing his hesitation, knowing where it was coming from, caused my inner bitch to back off. He wasn't trying to be contrary. The man was genuinely concerned.
Fuck.
"You can do it if you want," I informed him even as my pride took a hit. If it eliminated his fears, it was something I was willing to do. He'd been up all day to dictate locations scouts should cover first. He'd also been trying to find Marigold's resting place for months. I owed it to him. "The doors have to be sealed. We have to block off any exit or entry before we can order them to go. They want payment for what happened to them. They're full of anger. They'll fight the light."
His eyes widened because I'd never let him blow out the candles before. I'd always wanted to get shit done as quickly as possible and move on. I saw the thrill and happiness in his face. It wasn't the first time I wished I could give him my abilities and let him take over. Unlike myself, he lived for this shit.
"Are you sure?" he asked like he'd misheard.
"Go ahead, weirdo. Do your thing." I handed him the salt, flung my arms out, and waved them around. "This entire area has to be closed. Make sure the doors are completely covered and put a layer at each end of the hall."
He moved to do as I'd instructed, being extremely cautious as he opened my butterfly knife. I'd always found the Swiss Army knife he carried comical. He kept the knife sharpened, but it took more than one cut to create an even stream of blood.
I set my focus on Scott.
Bane trusted the man, but I wasn't sure why.
As a warlock, he should have known what was transpiring on the land the first time he cleansed the house. It didn't matter if he wasn't a necromancer. Energy was energy. He'd withheld the information for some reason, and it made zero sense. He'd let people rent out a place full of bad mojo. That was never a good thing. Those in torment could pollute weak people and cause their bodies to break down, making them susceptible to things like cancer and dementia.
I heard Goose hiss when he accepted the slice of my blade. He started the chant to seal the area. It was part of what we did, offering life to assist the dead. I kept my focus on Scott. I wondered what the fuck his deal was.
"He's hiding something," I thought to Gabriel.
He provided an instant response. "I know."
That much was a relief. We were on the same page.
Goose finished quickly and returned to me. He'd put the salt back in his satchel and slid my knife into his back pocket as he'd seen me do many times. He let his injured hand dangle at his side, so I got a look. He hadn't gone too deep and wouldn't need vampire blood to heal the injury, although Gabriel would probably offer him some.
"All done?" I questioned.
"It's sealed."
"Come on, compadre," I said, keeping my attention on Scott as I took Goose's uninjured hand. Since he'd created the barrier, he had the right to help with the rest.
The warlock hadn't looked away, like we were having a friendly staring contest. The diptwat had no clue what I would do to him if given a chance. He'd be lucky if I only decided to slap him around a little. I didn't want to sever eye contact first, but I had no choice.
The people who died in the house had endured enough.
I pulled Goose to the hallway, knowing what had to be done, studying the horrific bodies of those who needed rest. I'd do what I'd been born to do. I'd send them to the afterlife, and I'd remove the residual. But as soon as I made it home, I had an important call to make.
Bane had some explaining to do as well.
"Time to go," I whispered, attuning to them, knowing they'd hear.
They did what I thought they would, ready to dart to safety. They moved toward the doors, the window, and even blurred by me to the end of the hall. They didn't get far. Goose always did a good job. He was far more diligent and cautious. The barrier prevented escape, his will more than strong enough to seal it.
When they couldn't flee, they turned to face me.
My heart cramped when I saw their jacked faces and gooey eyes.
Whatever happened in this place consisted of more than sacrifice. I didn't have to touch them again. I'd already gleaned enough information to help the passage if they allowed it. But the spirit's actions weren't those of normal ghosts. They wanted more than eternal rest. Studying the wounds all over them, I decided they'd earned a request. If it was within my power, I'd grant them a boon before I used the call of my voice and strength of persuasion to force them to leave.
"You want something," I addressed them like I would anyone else. Others might not be able to see them, but I
could. They deserved the recognition. "What can I do that will allow you to cross over without creating a disturbance?"
Movement behind me came out of nowhere, and I released Goose to stand in a defensive position. I thrust my right foot back, lifted my hands, and pivoted toward the sound of the disturbance. Gabriel no longer cared about our agreement with Bane. He knocked the staff from Scott's hand, snatched the warlock by the neck, and slammed him against the nearest wall. He didn't lift the other man enough to take him off his feet, but he came close. I knew he wouldn't have done it unless he thought I was being threatened and wondered if Scott had a death wish. Gabriel's face was only inches from the warlock's. He'd pulled his lips back slightly, and I saw his fangs had dropped.
"Never interrupt her when she's communing," he growled, his blue irises taking on the red sheen he'd shown me on the boat. "She might not be able to see you coming, but I can."
My gaze darted to Tippie and Joshua. Both had wisely decided to stay back. They could have jumped in, but they were aware of what the vampire was capable of. It was one of the main reasons Bane had decided to meet with Gabriel in the first place. Even if Tippie evoked magic and Joshua shifted, they'd see whatever reality Gabriel put in front of them. He could make them run in circles if he wanted to.
"They're not part of the job." Scott's demeanor changed completely. Where he had been all stiff upper lip before, he was conflicted now. He wasn't trying to retrieve the staff that could protect him, nor was he putting up any sort of fight. Either he knew he'd fucked-up and deserved the rough treatment, or there was more to it. "That's not why she's here."
"Then why am I here?" I queried, flipping my gaze to Tippie and Joshua again. Gabriel had been put through the wringer just to meet them. Bane swore they were people we needed to rule the area. "If you're trying to test me, then test me. But for the love of God, would you stop fucking around? I don't know about you, but I'd like to get this over with as quickly as possible."
