Neal kept hold of Andrea's wrist, pulling her along beside him as they headed toward Baseline Road. She had caught her breath but her mind was in chaos.
She'd seen that transformation. Neal's features had changed from his own to the almond-shaped eyes, the widow's peak and the black hair of the man in the sketches. Andrea's heart pounded at the memory. She'd been crushed in Neal's arms, had been kissing him for all she was worth and then she'd been held by whom? By what?
Andrea stumbled on a rock and Neal jerked her upright before she fell, but she hardly felt the impatient motion.
As they passed under a street lamp already alight in the early dusk caused by the storm, she forced herself to look at him. He was Neal, his face hard, anger coming off him in waves.
He pulled her through the break in the hedge and strode across the grassy verge with her in tow. The glass fixture above the back door spotlighted the steps, creating an island in the deepening twilight. Neal dropped her arm to propel her up them with a hand against her back. He reached around her to open the door, but the knob barely turned. "Do you have your keys?" he demanded.
Andrea shook her head and then jumped when he banged his fist against the door. At the click of the bolt turning, he started back down the steps.
She turned. "Neal?"
He looked back at her, and the bitterness in his eyes scalded her. Then he was gone.
Behind her the door swung open, spilling light onto the flagstone. Aura Lee's fiery red head appeared for an instant at the edge. "By the Goddess!" She tugged Andrea inside. Her orange sari swirled about her legs as she turned, pulling the door behind her.
"You're just in time." She bustled ahead into the kitchen.
Andrea was enveloped in warm air perfumed with cloves and cinnamon. She limped to the nearest chair and sank onto it.
"Wait till I tell you." Aura Lee turned around, eyes widening as she took in Andrea's appearance. "Sweet, suffering seraphim. What happened to you?"
Andrea let her eyes close. Where to begin? She felt a cool hand against her cheek and when she opened her eyes, Rose was beside her.
"You need something to drink?" she asked with concern. When Andrea shook her head, Rose pulled out a chair and sat in it. "Do you want to tell me about it?" Her voice was kind.
Andrea desired nothing more than to recount everything to Rose. Composed and waiting, her silver blonde hair pulled back at her neck, she was the embodiment of sanity. The mental image of her compassion transforming into disbelief kept Andrea from spilling out the details of what had happened with Neal. "I went up to Chautauqua," she said low-voiced. "It rained and I slipped on some rocks."
The front doorbell chimed as Aura Lee came back with a first aid kit. "That must be Belinda," she exclaimed, eyes alight. She tossed the box onto the table and hurried toward the entrance hall.
Andrea looked after her. "What's going on?"
Before Rose could tell her, Kerry appeared in the doorway. Her auburn hair was disordered, her mouth sulky. "What's up?" she asked Rose. She didn't look at Andrea. "I've got other stuff to do, you know."
Rose was tending to Andrea's arm. As she tore open an antiseptic pad to clean the scrape, the sharp medicinal scent cut into the air. "I imagine our medium has arrived."
Rose rubbed the cold pad against the scrape and Andrea's breath hissed out at its sting.
"Medium?" Kerry shoved her hands into her jean pockets. Color rose in her cheeks. "For a séance?"
Rose smoothed a large Band-Aid over Andrea's wound. "Someone Aura Lee knows had time tonight." She repacked the first aid items and took the kit over to the counter. "You're invited, of course."
"Yeah, like I could get out of it." Kerry sat in the chair vacated by Rose, frowning absently at Andrea. "You've got mud on your face." Her glance at Rose was challenging. "So, have you met this medium before? Madame Something, I'm sure."
Rose tore a paper towel from the dispenser and held it under the faucet. "You know, Kerry, no one's forcing you to attend the séance." She wrung out the paper towel and brought it to Andrea. Her eyes were twinkling. "You could spend the evening alone, wondering madly about what's going on over here."
Andrea wiped the towel over her face. The warm moisture felt wonderful.
Kerry stood up, brows gathered in a frown. "You're evil, Rose. I can't help being curious. I just hope that Madame Whatsit puts on a good enough show to make it interesting."
Aura Lee rushed into the room trailing excitement and the scent of patchouli. "Come on, come on, we're ready now. Dolores and Noreen are with Belinda in the living room. Where's Elizabeth? She's supposed to be here! Kerry, would you bring the tray up?"
Rose straightened the beads nearly hanging down Aura Lee's back. "Elizabeth went to get the biscotti at her house, remember? She'll be back any minute. Take Andrea with you and I'll help Kerry with the tea things. It might be easier to have it down here before we go up."
Aura Lee hesitated. Under the orange shadow smudging each lid, her eyes were apprehensive.
Sleepy from the comfort of the warm room, Andrea wondered if Aura Lee bought eye shadow to match every outfit.
"It's silly to be so worried, isn't it?" Aura Lee tried to smile, but her lips trembled. "I've felt Cottie's presence every day this week, but what if she doesn't try to get through to us?"
Rose gave her a quick hug. "If she doesn't tonight, there'll be other times. All we can do is try. Take a deep breath and try to relax. That's it." Rose glanced at Kerry, concern in her eyes. "Let's gather what we need and get started."
Belinda Smythe had already gone ahead to make ready for the séance. The narrow stairs squeaked in protest as the rest of them climbed to the attic, their shadows marching up the stairwell over rosebud wallpaper.
"I feel like I'm in the middle of a Gothic novel," Kerry muttered. "I need a long nightgown and a candle, though. And for the rest of you to disappear."
Andrea tightened her hold on the railing. Caught up in the preparations, she hadn't mustered the energy or force of will to avoid the occasion. Her legs felt weighted with iron. Muscles she'd never met ached with each step.
"What about a Mr. Rochester?" Noreen asked Kerry gravely from behind her. "You'd want him to be here, wouldn't you?"
"Nah," Elizabeth said near the top of the stairs. "She'd want somebody more emotionally intelligent."
Rose chuckled and the cups on the tray rattled. "A sensitive hero."
Noreen snorted. "Where's the romance in that? The whole point is to watch while the worthy young governess tames the savage rich man."
"Yeah, savage." Dolores was carrying Strudel under one arm. She flashed a smile toward Kerry over her shoulder. "Someone to match your passions, chica."
"For sure." Elizabeth chuckled. "Miz Kerry here would just have to sweeten up Mr. R. and turn him into a pussy cat. You could do it, too, honey."
"Charlotte Bronte's spinning, you guys," Kerry followed Dolores up through the trapdoor. "Wow, this looks different."
Aura Lee had accomplished miracles in a short time. The furniture was pushed against the walls, shrouded in dust covers. The overhead fixture, a glass pendant, cast a feeble glow.
The black plastic sheeting covering the hole in the roof dully reflected the light. The floor had been cleared of branches and debris, in their place an ancient rug with fading garlands framing fleurs-de-lis. Fat pillows were arranged around a red pottery bowl filled with herbs, a burning white candle at its center. Four flickering candles were equidistant around the bowl's circumference.
On one of the pillows sat Belinda Smythe. She was monochromatic, her graying blonde hair and tanned skin blending into her sand-colored pullover and matching leggings. Seated in the lotus position, her thin hands rested on her knees, the first two fingers and thumb of each hand touching. Her gaze followed each of the women as they approached the circle.
"Is there a smoke alarm up here?" Kerry asked. She caught sight of the seated woman and frowned.
Aura Lee stationed he
rself near an old dresser where she took the biscotti from Elizabeth and set it near the cups Rose had brought. She gestured toward the seated woman. "Belinda has had a lot of experience in making contact with spirits. We're very lucky to have her as our Spirit Guide this evening. Thanks again for coming, Belinda."
"You're welcome, Aura Lee." Her voice was deep and melodious. Kerry and Andrea exchanged surprised glances. "I'd like all of you to join the circle." She caught sight of Strudel and blinked. "Do you think it wise to expose the dog to the séance?"
"Oh, she seemed so lonely—" Aura Lee dithered.
"She'll be frightened on her own." Kerry's voice was flat.
Dolores bit back a smile and bent to lower the little dog to a pillow. She sat down beside Strudel, tucking her long flowered skirt around her.
Belinda Smythe lifted her shoulders. "Whatever you think best." She gazed around the room. "I've cleansed the space with sage and have placed candles to represent the four quarters. Red for fire, blue for water, green for earth, silver for air," she explained, looking at each of them in turn. "White is in the center to represent the Goddess."
Kerry rolled her eyes and released a long-suffering sigh.
Aura Lee frowned but her voice was calm. "Some of us are a little uncomfortable with the idea of speaking with the dead."
Belinda nodded. "I've come to believe that some skepticism can be useful in these efforts. The spice in the recipe, if you will." She gestured toward Kerry. "Be seated and we'll begin."
Reluctantly Kerry approached a pillow and sank onto it. "I'll try to control my doubts."
"It doesn't matter. If you're all ready now, we'll get started."
Aura Lee motioned toward the cups and the silver urn. "I thought we might have tea before we started, just to relax us and put us in the right frame of mind."
Belinda blinked and her shoulders shifted uneasily. "Ordinarily that would be a good way to begin, but I'm feeling some... strange influences here. It would be wise to start the séance right away."
"Oh, how exciting." Aura Lee eagerly seated herself in the circle.
Rose's gaze met Andrea's across the bowl of herbs. Her gray eyes were questioning.
Noreen had arranged herself on a cushion, her short legs folded in a perfect lotus position. Elizabeth tugged at the skirt of her red dress, shifting as she sought a more comfortable pose. Belinda inhaled deeply, her chest rising and then falling as she exhaled.
Aura Lee began to breathe in the same rhythm. In spite of her orange caftan, and her precarious perch on the pillow, she had a certain dignity.
Andrea willed Belinda to help Aura Lee achieve the closure she longed for. If she could just be reassured that her friend was all right, she'd be so much happier.
"Oh, I forgot to turn off the light." Aura Lee pushed herself off the floor, reaching up to pull the chain on the overhead fixture. Shadows slid from the candle-lit corners toward the center of the room.
Belinda again took several breaths and slowly bent forward, lighting a long match from the center candle. She held the flame to the herbs in the bowl and as they caught fire, she surveyed the circle. In the wavering light her face was wiped clean of time and emotion.
She held out her hands, one to Aura Lee, and the other to Elizabeth. "Everyone join hands," she instructed, eyes closed, and they complied. "Now, let yourselves be carried on our breath. Inhale... exhale. Again. And again. As the waves of breath rise and fall, we send our welcoming thoughts toward the Other Side."
The room was silent but for their breathing. The candle flames danced in the movement of the air, the pungent smoke of rosemary and dittany wafting from the bowl.
Belinda's voice cut through the silence. "Guardians of the Watchtowers of the East, Creatures of air and intellect, we request that you bind this circle, thus protecting and guarding us." She inhaled deeply and the others followed suit.
"Guardians of the Watchtowers of the South, Creatures of fire and courage, we request that you bind this circle, thus protecting and guarding us."
Andrea felt Elizabeth's fingers tighten on her hand. She glanced at her from the corners of her eyes. Elizabeth mouthed something to her, but Andrea couldn't make out what she said, and shook her head.
Belinda Smythe cleared her throat pointedly and Andrea jerked her attention back to the smoking herbs.
"Guardians of the Watchtowers of the West, Creatures of water and emotions, we request that you bind this circle, thus protecting and guarding us."
Smoke from the candles was blending with that from the smoldering herbs, filling the room. Noreen coughed, then murmured, "Sorry."
"Guardians of the Watchtowers of the North, Creatures of earth and strength, we request that you bind this circle, thus protecting and guarding us." They all breathed rhythmically. Andrea was lightheaded; the scent of herbs was heavy on the air.
Belinda spoke gravely. "We ask that a doorway to the Spirit World be opened to us this night. We mean no harm to anyone. We seek contact with the entity known in life as Caldicott Wyntham, to determine her wellbeing." Belinda's voice gentled. "Caldicott, we call to you. I am here with people who loved you in life and I summon you to show you can hear us. Aura Lee is here. She asks you to give us a sign."
They waited, hands linked. The attic air warmed and thickened. Their even breathing continued, interrupted by an occasional cough as the smoke intensified. Outside the wind began to rise and the plastic sheet covering the hole in the roof fluttered.
At the sound, Aura Lee looked up, face alight with eagerness. "Something's happening," she whispered.
Kerry's muffled groan was drowned out by Noreen's sneeze as the herbal smoke shifted toward her. Andrea focused on the wavering candles, caught up in their flares of orange and yellow. Sweat beaded her forehead. She wanted to wipe it away, but let her hands remain in the grasp of those on either side. The heat and heavy fragrances weighed down her eyelids. She was finding it hard to take full breaths.
A low whimpering began. Andrea opened her eyes and saw Strudel staring fixedly at the corner beyond the dresser, her tail wagging. Her whines grew louder.
"Strudel." Dolores leaned toward the little dog. "Pobrecita," she crooned, "what is it?"
Strudel's ruff had risen, and her tail had stopped wagging as she looked toward the corner.
"What do you think she sees?" Noreen asked softly.
"Don't know, don't want to know," muttered Elizabeth. Her hand tightened on Andrea's. "Something's sure bothering her."
The dog's whine hardened into barking, and then she pointed her snout at the ceiling and bayed.
The high-pitched howl sent shivers down Andrea's spine. Involuntarily, she slid off the pillow and reached for Strudel.
"Holy shit," muttered Kerry. "What's gotten into her?" Strudel's cries grew louder.
Belinda Smythe waved her hands. "Everyone resume your seats," she begged. The quaver underlying her words was upsetting. "Let us resume."
Strudel leapt into Dolores's arms and barked madly at the corner. Her frenzied snarling stopped abruptly. She made a horrible whining sound, then broke out of Dolores's hold and ran for the stairs.
One corner of the plastic sheeting whipped free and a strong gust of cold air rushed into the room, putting out the candles. The burning herbs whirled out of the bowl like fireflies given their freedom.
"Quick!" yelled Rose. "The embers could cause a fire. We've got to snuff them out. Hurry!"
Andrea pushed herself to her feet. Off balance, she staggered in the dark through the flying embers toward the center of the circle. Rain and wind slapped at her face.
"Caldicott Wyntham! Come forward." Belinda's voice boomed over the shriek of the wind and the frantic slapping of hands and pillows against the floor and walls. "We are waiting for you, Caldicott."
"Shut up, you idiot!" Kerry's voice rang out, nearly as loud as Strudel's continued barking.
Someone lurched against Andrea. "Dammit, everyone just hold still for a minute!" Andrea moved her hand
s cautiously over her head, trying to find the light chain. Pellets of rain hit her arms. When the metal cord brushed her fingers, she grabbed it and pulled.
Light barely shone from the fixture, growing brighter, soon stabbing at her eyes. Rose squinted at her from across the room. Only Belinda had remained on her pillow. Dolores was against one wall, Strudel at her feet. Noreen and Kerry were on their hands and knees near the herb bowl and Aura Lee was pushing herself up off the floor. Her expression was an odd mixture of consternation and triumph.
Elizabeth bent and held out one hand to Strudel, then ran her fingers over the little dog's head and neck. "Ssshhh, baby. Ssshhh. It's all right." She picked her up, and Strudel's frantic barking dwindled into whimpers once more. The dachshund's gaze remained riveted on the corner across from them.
Elizabeth looked helplessly at Dolores. "Something's really getting to this dog."
"Animals can be indicators of the presence of spirits," Belinda said from her pillow. "We can watch her and perhaps determine the nature of what she sees."
Kerry was dusting bits of herbs off her pants. "No, she's scared enough as it is."
Aura Lee shot a wary glance at Belinda.
"Let's get her downstairs." Rose and Dolores helped Elizabeth, still cradling Strudel, negotiate the maze of pillows to get to the attic stairs.
Aura Lee had joined Noreen in patting the rug to make sure no remnants of the herbs were still hot. Andrea wiped at her wet face. "The rain on the rug will help dampen any sparks."
"Wait!" Belinda pleaded. "We must restore the circle. Someone is in here, someone has crossed over to communicate with us."
Kerry shook her head. "We're not going to torture Strudel to continue this farce." A gust of wind rushed through the hole, whipping her hair around her face.
"You don't understand what could happen." Belinda's voice held a note of urgency. "If we don't close the circle—"
Kerry pushed the hair from her eyes. "And I don't care. Come on, we're going to have rain in here any minute. The séance is over. Andrea, help me find a hammer and some nails. We've got to fasten down that plastic."
Edge of the Shadow Page 10
