She smiled. “Now, I believe someone said something about free breakfast.”
Leaving the room, she closed the door and started down the stairs. It was early, so the Inn was still quiet. Most of the guests were probably sleeping, although there was one young couple sitting out on the second floor balcony. They were probably newlyweds, enjoying every waking moment together.
Descending the stairs to ground level, she entered the dining room, surprised to find it empty. Not that she was looking for company; she was looking for food. The sandwich she had for dinner the previous evening was a long-gone memory, and her stomach was starting to announce its anger over being empty.
The dining room was light and airy, with several windows facing out toward the street. A low ceiling, adorned with heavy wooden beams, and a collection of antique furnishings, gave the room a real feeling of history, making it seem much older than the rest of the inn.
Giving the decorations little more than a passing glance, she focused her attention on the serving stations that had been set up along two of the walls. There were silver trays containing scrambled eggs, sausages, bacon, pancakes, even gravy. There was also fresh orange juice, and a bottle of opened champagne for making mimosas. Filling a plate, and grabbing a cup of fresh coffee, she sat down at a vacant table in the corner of the room.
She was just about to take a sip of coffee when Tolomato suddenly materialized in the chair on the opposite side of the table. His unexpected appearance was so startling, she nearly choked.
“What are you doing?” Tolomato asked, apparently upset over something.
Ssabra coughed, wiping her mouth with her napkin. “What do you think I’m doing? I’m eating.”
She looked around to make sure no one had heard her. “You damn near gave me a heart attack. Next time give me a warning before you pop in. You’re lucky I didn’t spill coffee all over my dress. Do you have any idea how much it costs to dry clean this thing?”
“What are you doing here?” he repeated
“I’m eating. That’s what people do in the morning. It’s called breakfast.”
“You should not be here.”
“And just where should I be?” She was beginning to get annoyed with her ghostly guest. Her eggs were getting cold. “You should be out trying to stop the Shiru before it can kill again.”
She shook her head and took a sip of coffee. “Sorry, but I never do battle with monsters on an empty stomach. And I never do battle before my first cup of coffee.”
The Indian chief was not amused with her answer. “Have you learned nothing? Did you not listen to what Lily said last night? You should be at the church, looking for the journal of Father Sebastian Diaz. Lily said the book might help us defeat the dark one. We need to find it before the Shiru grows too strong.”
Ssabra smiled and leaned forward, keeping her voice low. “I did indeed listen to everything Lily had to say. And I plan on going to the church to look for the book, but not now. First I am going to have breakfast, and I fully intend to enjoy every bite.”
Tolomato glared at her. “There is not time.”
“There is always time,” she retaliated. “Can I get you something? Eggs? Juice perhaps?”
“I am a spirit. I do not eat or drink.”
“That’s a pity.” She ate a forkful of eggs. “The scrambled eggs are really quite good. It’s a shame you can’t have any.”
“Why are you doing this to me?” he asked, his voice almost a whine.”
“Why am I doing what?” Ssabra asked innocently, still chewing.
“Why are you tormenting me?”
“Am I tormenting you?” She swallowed. “Sorry, I didn’t realize that I was.”
“Yes, you are, and you know it. We have to go to the church, and here you sit eating.”
“And enjoying every bite.” She tried one of the sausage links. It was also delicious, and she let Tolomato know it.
She put down her fork and wiped her mouth with a napkin. “Look. It wouldn’t do me any good to go to the church now anyway.”
“Why not?”
She started to answer, but suddenly realized that someone was standing in the dining room doorway. It was one of the Inn’s staff, probably a kitchen worker checking to make sure everything had been set up for the guests. The woman stood in the doorway, watching with obvious concern. There was no telling how long she had been there, probably long enough to witness Ssabra having an argument with an empty chair.
Ssabra felt her face go red with embarrassment. She smiled, thinking quickly of some way to explain her actions. “Good morning. You’re probably wondering why I’m talking to myself. I’m an actress in a local theater group, and I was just rehearsing my lines for a play. It must have looked like I was crazy, talking to myself and all.”
The woman gave a half smile, and a slight nod, and then stepped back out of the doorway. Ssabra watched her walk away, breathing a sigh of relief. She didn’t know if her story had been believed, and would have to be more careful about such things in the future.
“See what you did?” She turned back to Tolomato. “That woman probably thinks I’m crazy, because I’m sitting here talking to myself.”
“She thinks you are crazy, because the veil has not been lifted--”
“Don’t you start with that veil stuff again. I don’t want to hear it. I didn’t ask to be sitting here having a conversation with an overbearing ghost, nor did I ask you to do anything to my eyes. Veil or otherwise.” She took a sip of coffee, setting the cup down hard on the table.
“As I was saying, I am going to enjoy my breakfast. Period. If you don’t like it, then that’s too bad. There is no reason for me to go to the church this morning, because it is not yet open to the public. I can’t get in, which means I can’t look for the book you want. I will go to the church when it opens, after I have had my breakfast, and after I have gone to work.”
“You are going to work too?” Tolomato threw his hands into the air, unable to believe what he was hearing.
“Yes, I am going to work. I have to make a living, which means I have to go to work. Unlike you, I have to eat. I also have to pay for staying in this place, which was your idea, so I have to go to work. I will go to the church this afternoon, and not before. Now, if you don’t mind, I would like to finish my breakfast in peace. So will you please leave me alone.”
The chief looked at her in stunned silence for a few seconds, then burst out laughing.
“What’s so funny?” she asked, still ready for a fight.
“You say you know nothing about your heritage, but you have an Indian temper. You are definitely Cherokee.”
Ssabra tried to keep her anger, but failed. She also laughed. “Maybe I do.”
“Your eggs, are they good?” he asked.
“Very good,” she replied, still laughing.
“And the little sausages?”
“Quite tasty.”
“Can I please smell them?”
“Smell them?”
He nodded. “I cannot eat food, but I can smell it. The smell brings back happy memories.”
She pushed her plate across the table, watching as the spirit leaned forward and lowered his face toward the food.
“Ah, that does smell good. Very good.”
She started to retrieve the plate, wanting to eat her breakfast before it got completely cold.
“Please, just a little more,” Tolomato said, stopping her. “Ah, it is good.”
“I can get you a plate of food if you like.”
“No. No. Don’t do that. I cannot eat food. I can only smell it.”
A few more moments passed with Tolomato sniffing her food, showing no sign of his wanting to stop. Annoyed, Ssabra slid her chair back and stood up.
The chief looked up from the plate. “What are you doing? I told you I cannot eat. There is no reason to get me a plate of food.”
Ssabra smiled. “Who said anything about getting you a plate? I am getting one for me.”
>
Tolomato grinned and nodded, then went back to sniffing the breakfast.
Chapter 23
The land had once been covered with endless forests, filled with places of shadows and great mystery. It was a world of fauna and fowl, of the predator and the hunted, where death often came without mercy or warning. And in those shadowy places his people were the strongest of the strong, hunters feared by all creatures of feather and fur.
But then the two-legs came to the land, building their villages among the original inhabitants of the forest, bringing with them their fears and weakness, taking without asking, and shunning those not of the light. The new arrivals also brought with them a cunning unknown among the simple forest dwellers, making them a very dangerous enemy.
One by one his people had been conquered and killed by the new arrivals, their offspring put to death under a sharpened blade or cast into the burning flames of fire. He too had been hunted down and killed, crossing over to the eternal darkness of the spirit land. But now he was back, summoned by the voices of three females. A doorway had opened, and he had stepped back into the world of the living, taking his place as a dark god among the weak.
The Shiru made a soft hissing sound, angry at the thought of what the two-legs had done to his people. He would like nothing more than to watch their miserable race suffer and die, as his people had suffered and died. Still, he knew the weak ones were a necessary evil. If he wanted to reestablish his race upon the world, then he needed their females for breeding stock. The offspring of human and Shiru were far from perfect, but they were better than no offspring at all.
At first, he thought the three females who had summoned him wanted to breed, seeking his power for their children, but they had all fled from him. One of the females had not gotten away, but she was of such a weak mind and frail body that he had dispatched her to the other side without even trying to copulate. Instead of a mate, she had ended up as food for a god.
Perhaps the females had been frightened by his appearance, which is why they had run away. Since they had summoned him from the other side, he had honored them by appearing in his true form. Sensing their fear, he had changed shape to that of a human male: a Spanish priest he had consumed when he last walked the earth. He could assume the appearance of anyone he had ingested, but the Spanish priest was the form that came quickest. Still, the females had been afraid of him.
The Shiru was puzzled as to why the females remained frightened. They should not have feared a priest, but maybe such men no longer existed in this world. Deciding that a new human shape was needed to wear as an identity, he had killed and consumed a male who walked funny and smelled of strong drink. Now he was able to walk among the two-legs without detection, as long as he did not come in contact with anyone who knew the face he now wore.
He also had to avoid water, mirrors, and glass, for such things always cast a true reflection. His true appearance had been seen in a mirror by a young female in the food place, which is why he stalked and killed her. He had tried to breed with her, but, while touching her mind with his, he learned that she was incapable of reproducing.
Standing in the shadows of a narrow alleyway, waiting for the coming of night, the Shiru watched as a group of two-legs moved slowly past. They were mostly old and feeble, and not of much interest to him as potential breeding stock. Still, there was one among them, a leader, who caught his attention.
She stood tall and straight, with long black hair that reached to the center of her back. Her eyes were dark and intelligent, and her voice sounded like soft music. He carefully studied the female, reaching out to mentally probe her subconscious, discovering that her bloodline was old and strong, and that she was capable of giving birth.
Yes, that one. She will make a fine mate. The perfect female to bring my race back to this world. She is the one I will breed with.
As he stood there, watching, the young woman turned and looked in his direction. The Shiru thought he had been spotted, but then realized that he was well hidden in the shadows. Still, the female had looked his way, as if searching for him.
She knows I am here. The female has felt my touch upon her mind, and is looking for me. Wonderful. She has the gift. This is better than I had hoped. She will make a fine mother for my offspring.
The female did indeed have powers, something lacking in other humans, but he felt those powers were not yet fully developed within her. Her eyes were open, but she was just learning to see. He would follow this woman, and learn more about her. When the time was right he would take her, making her a breeder for the gods.
He watched as she turned away from him, leading the older two-legs down the street. As she left, he reached out and touched her mind once more, learning what the female called herself.
Ssabra.
Chapter 24
Ssabra decided to lead only two tour groups that day, switching work schedules with another employee so she get off early and go to the Cathedral-Basilica when it opened. The groups she lead had, for the most part, been boring and uneventful. There was one moment, however, when something interesting had happened, in an odd sort of way.
She was standing on Charlotte Street, pointing out one of the local historical attractions, when an intense chill came over her. The feeling spread outward from her stomach to her fingertips, causing her to become somewhat light-headed. At first Ssabra thought she might be coming down with a cold, or maybe a virus, but the feeling only lasted a few minutes, leaving as quickly as it had appeared.
With the chill came the sensation that she was being watched. So strong was the feeling, she found herself turning to face an alleyway across the street. There was no one standing in the alley, at least no one she could see, and she wondered if it had been Tolomato’s presence she felt.
Arriving back at her apartment, a little after three p.m., she changed out of her work clothes and donned a pair of shorts, sandals, and a knit top. She had just finished dressing when a strange tingling touched the back of her neck. A voice followed, announcing that Tolomato was in the room with her.
“Osiyo.”
Startled, Ssabra spun around, angry that he might have been in her bedroom while she changed clothes. “Where are you, and how long have you been here? I hope you got yourself an eyeful. Did you like seeing me naked?”
Tolomato slowly began to materialize. He was standing in the corner of the room, smiling at her. “Naked? You were naked? That would have been something to see, but sadly I only arrived at this moment. If you would like, I can leave and come back again when you have less to wear.”
“You weren’t in here a few moments ago?”
The Indian shook his head. “Do you think I have nothing else to do but sit around and wait for you in your bedroom? I have been busy elsewhere.”
“And you didn’t see me naked?”
“No. Why? Do you want me to see you naked?”
“Of course I don’t,” she snapped.
“Good. Then you have your wish.” His grin widened. “Now, if you have no other reason to stay here, maybe we could go to the church.”
Ssabra held up her hand. “Not so fast. I think it’s time we establish a few ground rules in this screwy relationship of ours. If you’re going to be a part of my life, which you seem to be, then I want you to make me a few promises.”
“Promises?”
She nodded. “Promises. For one, I want you to give me your word that you will stay the hell out of my bedroom. I don’t like the idea of having a man, even a dead one, watching me when I’m sleeping or changing clothes.”
Tolomato laughed. “You are being foolish. I am just a spirit. You are in no danger with me.”
“I don’t care. Promise me that my bedroom will be off limits to you.”
The Indian sighed, and held up his right hand. “I promise that I will stay out of your bedroom. Now can we go?”
“I haven’t finished yet. I also want you to promise me that you will stay out of my bathroom. I don’t want you poppi
ng in when I’m taking a shower, or doing my business.”
“I will also stay out of your bathroom.”
“Good. Finally, I want you to promise not to spy on me if I’m ever out on a date. Not that I date very often, but I don’t want to worry about someone looking over my shoulder if such an unlikely event should happen. I don’t need a ghost chaperone.”
“Very well. I promise. No bedrooms, no bathrooms, and no dates. Are you happy now?”
“It’s a little better,” she smiled. “At least I won’t have to worry about you spying on me all the time, like you spied on me this morning.”
“This morning? What are you talking about? I did not spy on you this morning.”
“That wasn’t you I felt this morning, over on Charlotte Street?”
“No. Not me.” He shook his head. “I told you I was busy. Perhaps you should tell me what happened.”
She explained about the weird sensation that had come over her that morning, describing the chill and the feeling of being watched. Tolomato waited until she was done with her story before making comments and asking questions.
“This chill, did it make you feel sick to your stomach, or give you a headache?”
Ssabra nodded. “It gave me a headache. Why? What does having a headache mean?”
“The chill you felt, and the headache it gave you, could mean that you came in contact with evil. Perhaps it was lurking in the alley you spoke of, watching you.”
“Evil? What do you mean? What kind of evil?”
“I am not sure, but your reaction is typical of someone who can see. Remember, your eyes have been opened. Even though you can not see everything yet, you are still a threat to the darkness. Something was obviously lurking in the alley, because you felt its presence. Your headache means it was a thing of evil. Something of the light might have given you the tingling sensation, but it would not have made you feel sick.”
“What was it?”
The chief shook his head. “Maybe it was the thing we are hunting.”
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