by Casey Wyatt
No fucking way. I swallowed and rubbed my eyes. The vision was gone.
Clearly, I needed caffeine. And a CAT scan.
He turned around and dazzled me with a brilliant smile and a view of his gorgeous chest. The brand, evenly centered, looked like nothing more than a tattoo. Even better, he held out a steaming mug of coffee.
“Good morning.” His eyes, not hidden behind those annoying glasses, darted to the corner where the kitchen table stood.
The hair on the back of my neck rose and my skin prickled. Brody, who’d been at my heels, hissed and ran through the cat door, escaping into the yard. Wish I could follow you, little buddy, I thought when I realized we had unexpected company.
“Radiance Ashworth.” A neatly dressed woman in a plain navy suit jacket with a cream colored shell underneath was seated at the breakfast table. Her shiny black hair was coiffed in a French knot and her skin was smooth and luminescent. If I had to guess her age, she didn’t look a day over thirty, yet her eyes and regal bearing told me a different story. The wisdom of ages peered at me through her focused gaze, as if she was much older than she looked. Weariness, maybe even bitterness, shone through her measured study of me.
Tough crap if she didn’t like what she saw. I took a seat across from her and offered a thin smile. “I’m sorry, we haven’t been introduced.”
“I’m Joanna Evans. Think of me as your new boss.”
Luca’s hand landed heavily on my shoulder, giving it a warning squeeze. “I was planning on making my report to you this morning.”
“I’d rather meet the new heir myself.” Again, her disappointed gaze raked me up and down. “She won’t last the month.”
“Hey! I’m sitting right here.” The assessment rankled me. What did she expect in one day? Xena, Warrior Princess? “Does your organization have an employee suggestion box? Because I’d like to make one.”
Luca hissed out a long breath. “We will begin training today.”
Joanna nodded curtly. “See that you do so. She needs to be up to speed. We have too many pressing issues to coddle her.”
“Wonderful. A quick employee orientation would have been helpful last night.” I know, the tone was a bit snide, but I’d had it with the attitude. “How about we start with you telling me more about this new job?”
“What else do you need to know? Your life has been promised per the contract made by your ancestors,” she said.
My ears perked up at that. If there was a contract, then that meant loopholes. Or even an ‘out’ clause. “Can I see a copy of that contract?”
Joanna stiffened, her knuckles tight around the coffee mug. “The agreement is ironclad. There is no need for you to see it.” She glared over my shoulder at Luca as he placed a plate of steaming pancakes on the table.
I loved pancakes, but at the moment, my appetite had vaporized. I stared out the window into my backyard. Julian was crouched down petting Brody. Or trying to anyway. Touch or no touch, the cat loved the ghost. He obediently trotted after Julian as he made his way toward the house.
Julian peered inside the back door window. Fear flashed across his face, and he vanished. I couldn’t blame him for not wanting to meet the dragon lady. Since she was part of the spirit world, I presumed he’d be visible to her.
“Ms. Ashworth, am I boring you?” Joanna’s peeved tone alerted me that I was missing conversation.
“No. Please continue.” I folded my arms and gave her my undivided attention.
For the next few minutes, she proceeded to tell me what I’d already heard from Luca. Behind the noble-sounding words, Redeemer, higher power, service to humanity, I heard: My mortal life was over. I was a slave until I died and the next Ashworth heir took my place. Her finality and smug certainty about the situation made me want to scream and break objects for good measure.
I know I should have used more finesse, but I’d had it with the lack of answers. “How do I get out of this deal? There has to be more to this?”
“Promotional opportunities are available to entry level Redeemers.”
“Nice to know I have an official title and like any wage slave, I can move up in the ranks.”
Luca made a choking sound and shot me a dark look.
Joanna gave me a dark smile. “If you do well, and can handle the lower risk souls, you could be advanced to Savior status. You’d have more autonomy, access to the archives, more time off.”
“That sounds promising.” I eyed the pancakes. Perfect golden centers, slightly browned edges, and, like Luca, they were hard to resist. My stomach agreed and released a low, hungry rumble that had me reaching toward the stack.
Luca stopped his fork midway to his mouth and said to me, “It also means more risk. More dangerous cases. There is more out there than just escaped souls.”
The harridan stood, breakfast plate untouched. “Get her up to speed, Luca.” The—or else, hung in the air between us.
I followed her to the door. “Can you at least tell me which relative made the bargain?”
She twisted the doorknob and glared over her shoulder. “That’s ‘need to know’ information. And I suggest you worry more about staying alive. Trust me. You won’t like who inherits the job next.”
She closed the door in my face. My own door! Rude bitch.
“I’m guessing I don’t need to know that either!” I kicked the solid oak door and returned to the kitchen.
Julian stood by the sink, arms crossed over his chest.
“Don’t worry, Julian, I don’t like her much either.”
Julian stared at his shoes.
An alarm bell rang in my head.
I rounded back on him. “Wait a minute. Do you already know her?” I snapped my fingers. “I knew it! She can see you, can’t she?”
“Yes. I do not like to reveal my existence to more people that I need to.”
I motioned for him to elaborate. “Because?”
“It’s better for the Hereafter to remain ignorant of my continued existence.”
When I thought about it logically that did make sense. They’d want to capture him or at least send him away. I couldn’t allow that to happen. Even though he’d kept me in the dark about the legacy, he was my friend.
Luca snorted at Julian’s comment, but kept on eating. I joined him at the table, hunger supplanting my desire to quiz the ghost. Brody swished between my legs, howling for a handout. I reached under the table and stroked his tiger-striped fur. Julian materialized in the chair Joanna had occupied.
“Well aren’t we a cozy bunch,” I said, forking a stack on pancakes onto my plate. It didn’t take long to eat three of them. “Luca, these are heavenly. How did you get them so light and tender?”
He shrugged. “I followed the directions on the box.”
“Radiance loves pancakes,” Julian said with a proprietary tone. “With real butter and maple syrup.” I half-expected to hear him brag, I know more than you do. So there.
Luca continued chewing, not taking the bait.
Pouring syrup, I shot Julian a cut-the-shit look. He shrugged. The innocent act wasn’t fooling me. I’d have to keep an eye on him. Honestly, I’d never seen Julian act so . . . possessive like a child who didn’t want to share his toys with a new baby brother.
The doorbell chimed. Luca’s posture went rigid, muscles ready for action. He pushed his chair back.
I was faster. “I got this.”
Luca’s hand shot out, clutching my wrist. “Let me.”
“It’s my house.”
Julian threw out an assist. “Spirits are weakest in daylight. Present company excepted, of course.”
“Not all enemies are incorporeal,” Luca growled.
“See. I’ll be fine.” I shook off his grip, only because he let go. I’m sur
e if he wanted to restrain me he could have. The bell rang again. To demonstrate I wasn’t completely dumb, I checked the peephole first. The local brown-shirted deliveryman stood on the covered porch.
“Hi, Ryan. What do you have for me today?”
“The usual haul. And one package I need you to sign for.”
After I signed, he handed me a stack of cardboard boxes and a padded envelope. I bumped into Luca when I backed up to close the door. Irritated, I set the boxes on the sideboard in my dining room. Galleys for my latest book could wait. Instead, I tore the padded envelope open and retrieved a small Tiffany blue jewelry box and card.
Luca continued to dog my footsteps, following me across the hallway to the front parlor living room as I read the card.
Dear Cuz,
I wanted to apologize for my horrid public outburst. Please accept this gift as a token of my sincerity.
Reginald
I didn’t believe a word of it. He didn’t really apologize for anything other than acting like an ass in public.
Luca’s hot breath tickled my neck. He reached toward me.
“Do you mind?” I batted him away and opened the box. A geometric-shaped silver charm lay inside. Was that a hedge maze?
“Radiance, wait,” he warned, hands extending.
I touched it with my fingertip. “A little personal space, please . . .” The words dried up as my throat constricted. Power pulsed through me. The box and card tumbled to the floor. Tremors shook my hands. Images of –
HATE! HATE! DIE!
–tore through my psyche, buckling my knees. If ill will alone could kill me, I’d have been dead on the floor. I scrambled backward, putting as much distance as I could between me and Reg’s hate-gram.
Gruesome death fantasies flashed into my mind. They were unrelenting and unstoppable. Each image morphed into what felt like a physically real attack.
The glint of a sharp blade. The sickening crunch as he stabbed me over and over again. Hot blood gushed between my fingers from the wounds in my abdomen.
His fingers throttled my neck, squeezing the life out of me.
My breathing labored as I struggled to suck air through my crushed windpipe.
“Luca!” I wailed, writhing in the floor. Even though my eyes were open, Reg’s violence blurred my vision.
Painful blows rained onto my naked flesh. My body restrained while he forcefully penetrated me. Flesh bruised and my wrists were torn raw. Agony speared between my legs as he raped me.
“Make it stop!” I smashed my fists into the hardwood floor in a futile gesture to control the venom pouring into my mind.
Julian hovered over me, fear plastered on his face.
“Shhh.” Luca straddled my hips, captured my wrists, and rubbed his fingers across my marked palms. He sang low, lyrical words, deadening the thoughts in my mind. The song reached out to me, a life raft in a sea of chaos, carrying me through the storm.
Luca’s eyes emitted ethereal light. Unable to tear away my gaze, I found myself riveted by the peaceful tone of his voice. My cousin’s jealousy evaporated, releasing my mind and body from its rage fueled nightmare.
“Ohmigod.” I ran my hands over my body. Nothing. No blood, no bruises, no pain. A huge sob of relief heaved out of my chest.
“You’re not injured. None of it was real.” Luca engulfed me in a comforting embrace, spooning next to me on the floor. His strong fingers stroked my arm, erasing the trauma from my body. After, I don’t know how long, I rolled over to face him.
He studied my face. “You okay?”
When I nodded in agreement, his soft, satisfied smile lit up my senses. He leaned closer, then brushed his satiny lips across mine.
Oh man. The undercurrent of lust between us exploded. I pulled his head down, deepening the kiss, wanting to drive all traces of what had happened from my mind. I wanted this. I needed it.
“Unhand her.” Julian glared from behind Luca’s shoulder. “You’re lucky I am not corporeal or I’d beat you right now.”
Luca broke off, regret on his face. “I’m sorry,” he rasped, his lips against my tear-stained cheek. “The ghost is right. I shouldn’t take advantage. This is not the time.”
Please, yes. Take advantage. Instead, I clamped my teeth shut. When Luca’s weight shifted away from my hips, I suppressed a shudder. Adrenaline crashing, I lay limp on the floor until Luca hauled me up as if I weighed nothing and deposited me on the couch.
“I’ll be right back,” he said, then left me alone with Julian.
I frowned at my troublesome hands. The traitors lay inert, as if nothing happened. I briefly considered amputation, then shivered. That was way too extreme.
“I am so sorry, Radiance.” Julian stood over the jewelry box. His foot passed through it when he tapped it with the tip of his foot.
“What is this thing with my hands?” I adjusted the pillow to a more comfortable position under my head and neck.
“It’s called psychometry.” Julian moved to the end of the couch. I tugged my legs in to give him space to join me. He may have been a ghost, but he deserved the same respect as a living person.
“Each Redeemer is equipped with the ability to aid in the capture and judgment of souls. I’ve never seen it quite so strong before.”
“Lucky me. I win the freaky power award.” I examined the brands. They were faint at the moment. “How do I control it?”
Julian smirked. “What? You don’t want to wear socks on your hands forever?”
“Very funny, smart ass.” Although I did have gloves tucked away for the winter months, the idea of wearing gloves all the time was distasteful, not to mention impractical.
He sobered. “Luca should be able to help you. If he’s up to the task.” His tone conveyed doubt on that point. “Listen, just because he is your partner does not mean you have to share your body with him.”
He said that like I’d find the idea distasteful. I wasn’t about to point out how far from the truth he was.
“Not all Redeemers must bed their –”
Brody raced into the room and jumped onto my bladder. “Thanks, little buddy.”
“I’ve brought you some tea.” Luca set a tray down, glaring at Julian. He must have heard Julian’s warning.
Cripes. Men. Already they were snarling over me like two dogs with a bone.
The cat kneaded my lap, claws pinching through my jeans. Julian looked on wistfully, his ghostly hand floating over Brody’s back, fingers stroking fur he couldn’t touch. Kind of hard to be mad at the guy when he could only watch life and never interact with it. “I’m sorry, Julian.”
“Whatever for?” He jerked slightly as if surprised by the apology.
“Everything. I have no right to be angry at you.”
Luca sighed heavily as if he begged to differ, but remained silent.
Regret filled Julian’s face. “I have so much to atone for. You don’t understand, my child.” He faded away.
“Drink the tea. Please.” Luca took the spot at the end of the couch Julian had vacated. “It’ll help restore your energy.” His demeanor was stiff, his face pinched tight.
“Sign me up for that.” Sweet, slightly bitter, yet refreshing.
Luca sprung off the couch and paced, the floorboards creaking under his feet. “I will kill him,” he vowed, the words spoken so low, I almost didn’t hear him.
“No!” The quickness of my refusal surprised me. “Until and unless he physically tries to harm me, I don’t want you to touch him.”
Luca stopped and faced me, angry lines etched around his mouth and eyes. “You do not understand. I must protect you.”
“Whoa there, dude! We barely know each other.” I studied his face. He couldn’t be serious. Could he?
“Alread
y, I have failed in my duty to you.” He clasped my left hand, twining our fingers together. Emotions played across his face, the anger melting into shame. “I am sorry. You may replace me with someone—”
I silenced him, right index finger over his petal-soft lips. “No. I don’t want anyone else. The best way to protect me is to teach me.”
He opened his mouth to protest.
“I mean it, Luca. Don’t ever say you want to leave me again.” And where the hell did that come from? The words surprised me. So did the underlying dismay of his potential departure. I didn’t know I felt so strongly about him until he offered to trade himself for a different model. “Promise me.”
Relief fluttered over his face. He kissed the inside of my palm, sending all kinds of warm heat through me. “I promise not to ever leave you.”
A weight lifted off of me. Power interwove between us, like we had passed an important milestone. “So want to tell me about this psychometry thing?”
“What would you like to know?”
“First off, how can I control it?”
It turned out managing the all-knowing hands of doom wouldn’t happen in three easy lessons. It would take weeks of trial and error, some tears (mostly mine) and a lot of cursing (Luca and I took turns on that one). After the disaster with Reg’s gift, Luca and Julian took me to various public places to test my hands and hone my control.
First thing I learned was to create a barrier in my mind. Second thing was that not all objects gave off an impression and that not all impressions were worth minding. Most of it was inane, no better than background noise. Despite weeks of practice and a few successful spirit runs, I remained wary of another mind-bending encounter that could short-circuit all my hard work.
Luca also used training as an excuse to conduct lessons at Ashworth Manor. I still refused to live there full-time, preferring to spend evenings at home. He’d agreed with an ominous, “For now.”
