Spirit [New Crescent 2] (BookStrand Publishing Romance)

by Mary Lou George

  He looked at Reggie. Her heart broke for the boy and she took hold of his hand. “Well, don’t worry about it, Todd. No harm done. You just get better. When you’re up to it, we’ll have a talk.”

  “He’s never done anything like this before. He’s a good kid,” John Marks said as he walked out with them.

  Chase shook his hand. “Don’t worry about it. We’re just glad he’s okay. I insist, however, that you get the names of all the boys involved from Todd and contact their parents. Bennett House is no place for kids at the moment.”

  “I intend to do exactly that. Everything that was stolen will be returned to you. Thank you both for being so understanding.”

  * * * *

  Back at Bennett House, Reggie went straight to the kitchen. She opened the fridge and asked, “Do you want a sandwich?”

  Chase laughed. “Sure, since you’re making one.”

  “I should have got a candy bar from the vending machine, but I didn’t want to miss anything.” She pulled out some cold cuts, grabbed the bread and very efficiently started to build two hearty sandwiches. She hesitated for a second and looked across the kitchen island at Chase, “I’m not making you a peanut butter and jelly sandwich by the way. Speak now or forever hold your peace.”

  He laughed. “Whatever you make will be fine with me. Just no pickles.”

  They ate at the table. Chase poured them both large glasses of ice-cold milk.

  “I’ll call Travis in the morning.” When Reggie started to object, he continued. “Not as Sheriff. Just as an FYI thing so he knows we don’t expect anymore petty thefts around the place. That should keep the cops away from here like Constance hoped.”

  “I don’t have to tell you what this means, do I?”

  “No, but you’re going to anyway, aren’t you?”

  “Kids, Chase, that thing has been feeding off innocent kids. That’s what was wrong with Todd tonight. He doesn’t have the flu, and neither do any of the other kids in school. I’m willing to bet every kid who’s come down with this virus has a souvenir from Bennett House.”

  “It’s possible.”

  “So I guess there was a method to Constance’s madness after all. We had to stop the thefts in order to cut off the supply. That’s why the evil’s been getting so much stronger, even though we’ve kept everyone away from that room.”

  Chase nodded. “Yeah. From my hiding place, I could see Todd hesitate outside the Library window. At the time I thought he was just being cautious.”

  Reggie said, “No, that thing in the library did something to him. You talk to Travis. I’ll connect with Gillian and Aunt Ernestine. They can at least confirm what we already suspect. I’m sure they can do that much at least.”

  She started to get up, but Chase put a hand over hers. “Tomorrow, Reggie. Do you have any idea what time it is?” She looked at him crossly. “It’s after 2. Go to bed. Get some sleep. We can do all of that in the morning.”

  The late, or rather early, hour took Reggie by surprise. It felt like she’d spent days hunched behind that damn pine tree. However, she’d been oblivious to the passage of time during the events following Todd’s appearance. She wasn’t tired, but the more practical side of her character told her that once she got between the covers, the exhaustion would hit her. Hard.

  He took their plates to the sink and walked back to her. With a hand on each of her chair’s arm rests, he bent towards her. A fraction of an inch from her lips he said, “I haven’t done this all day.” He kissed her thoroughly, and she quietly lost her sanity. He pulled back and said, “Go to bed, Reggie, before we both lose control. Yes, I want to share that big bed with you, but sleeping is not what I had in mind. And sleep is what we both need.” Patting Pru on the head, he walked out of the kitchen.

  * * * *

  The sun shone brightly the next day, but there was still a chill in the air. Some of the trees on the Bennett property had already changed color, some had resisted the temptation, and some stood naked, with their leaves gathered on the ground. Reggie caught a glimpse of Chase talking with a group of his guys. The work on the garden was almost done for the autumn. She felt a twinge when she thought of leaving this house to its new owner, but resolutely, she pushed it aside. She’d called Gillian first thing in the morning and had been immediately invited to brunch. They planned to talk about what happened last night over Gillian’s blueberry waffles. Reggie couldn’t wait.

  When she pulled into Gillian’s driveway, Hank came running. He worshipped Pru and waited patiently for her to jump out of the car. The two ran off into the herb garden together.

  Reggie could smell the waffles as soon as she entered the house. Her mouth watered. Gillian smiled at her.

  “Good morning. I’m just about done.”

  Reggie asked why Travis wasn’t at home, and Gillian told her that he’d got a call from the FBI, asking him to consult on a case. Lines of worry creased Gillian’s brow. Reggie knew that these cases weren’t easy for Travis, but since leaving the FBI, he’d been asked to consult on two serial murder cases. He’d come home drained, a look of deep sadness on his face and they’d talked it out together. They made a good team. Reggie envied them.

  “Don’t worry, Gill, he knows what he’s doing. A least he’s not heading the task force like he used to.”

  Gillian nodded. “Yeah, I know. I also know he feels a deep sense of responsibility when he thinks he can be of some help. I’d never stop him. It’s just always so sad.” She walked to the door and called Hank and Pru inside.

  Reggie understood that Gillian would need Hank nearby. He was Gillian’s familiar and he helped her to handle her gift. She’d need his support when she learned about the children.

  Reggie needn’t have worried. After she’d told her story, Reggie noted that Gillian looked surprisingly calm stroking Hank’s side silently.

  Reggie said, “Todd’s parents will get the names of all the kids involved. I’m going to talk to Todd again later this week. He may be able to tell me more.”

  “He won’t,” Gillian said with certainty.

  “He’ll refuse? Or he won’t have any more information.”

  “He’s told you all he knows. Now that you know about the children, you can keep them away from Bennett House.”

  “Will that make the Big Bad weaker?”

  “No. But at least it won’t make it stronger. You’re going to need to talk to Constance again,” Gillian said.

  “Aunt Ernestine wouldn’t even take my call this morning.”

  Gillian touched Reggie’s hand lightly, “She can’t. This thing with the children has hit her hard. She’s an old woman, Reggie, though she hates to admit it.”

  “Did she know all along?”

  Gillian shook her head. “Not exactly, but she knew power was being drained from a potent source. Think about it, Reggie. This could help you to figure out how to defeat this thing.”

  “And that thing in the library and our Constance are linked. It likes children, so perhaps children are the way to get to Constance,” Reggie said as she licked maple syrup off her thumb. “That might be the way to convince her to stop playing games and help us.”

  Gillian nodded, but said nothing more.

  “I guess I’ll have a little chat with Constance this afternoon. It’s kind of tough trying to connect with her with Chase’s guys around everywhere.. They give me the strangest looks when they see me talking to myself in the garden.”

  “Reggie, all men look at you, and it has nothing to do with Constance.”

  She laughed. “You should have heard their reaction when they interrupted Chase and me kissing…” Reggie didn’t have to wait long for Gillian’s reaction.

  “Ah! You and Chase?” She threw her hands up in the air. “That’s wonderful.” She giggled like a schoolgirl and demanded more detail.

  It was nice to have a woman around to confide in.

  * * * *

  The night had been a disappointment to him. He couldn’t get enoug
h. The boy had wandered off too soon. He’d barely begun to suckle when, somehow, the child moved away. Had he been too greedy sucking, too much too fast? Better be more careful. He’d have to find more today. The more he got, the more he wanted. His need was a bottomless pit that required almost constant sustenance. Another host body would have to be located. He was hungry.

  Chapter 12

  “I don’t think he even told Sam or Travis why he’d disappeared from the hospital the next day,” Gillian said. “I know Travis tried to get it out of him, but Chase told him that it wasn’t his story to tell.”

  “That’s exactly what he told me. I’ve given up hope of ever hearing that story.” Reggie sighed.

  “Are you okay with that?”

  “No, but what choice do I have? Chase has always been a little distant with me. Sam and Travis always let me in. I can get a beat on what they’re thinking, but not Chase. He’s never let me get too close.”

  “Are you sure you haven’t misinterpreted him? He’s not a big talker. But, I don’t think he’s cold…just reserved. And actually, he shows more emotion around you than anyone else.” Gillian looked at Reggie with encouragement.

  Reggie laughed. “That’s probably because I’m usually goading him. I do that on purpose to provoke him.”

  “I kinda got that. It works.” Gillian smiled.

  “A little too well these days.” She gave her friend a knowing look.

  Gillian picked up her coffee mug and leaned back in her chair. “Do tell.”

  “My relationship with Chase has changed since we started working together on Bennett House. I can have a conversation with him now. We connect. We laugh together. Hell, we want to jump each other’s bones.”

  “Good. Do it. It’ll be good for both of you.” Gillian’s eyes lit with excitement.

  “That’s easy for you to say, but what happens when it burns out and we feel awkward around each other? How do we get the comfort back? It would make everyone uncomfortable. One of us doesn’t get invited to things? One of us loses? And I don’t think I could take it. We could never go back to where we used to be.” Reggie leaned her chin on her hand and sighed.

  “You don’t know that it won’t work for the two of you. No one knows that. If you want guarantees, Reggie, you’d have better luck with late-night infomercials.”

  She’d given her an opportunity Reggie just couldn’t resist. “I don’t know. I never did get my money back on those cans of spray-on hair.”

  Gillian rolled her eyes. “You know you do that a lot.”

  Reggie frowned. “What?”

  “Cover your feelings with humor.” She shook her head and held up a hand. “Don’t get me wrong, it’s one of your most endearing qualities, but don’t ever let fear of failure keep you from fighting for what you want.”

  “And if what I want is Chase?” Reggie ventured uncertainly.

  “Don’t push him away. Don’t break it yourself and then moon over the fact that it’s wrecked. Enjoy it. And him, something tells me he’s a sexual dynamo.”

  Reggie looked at her friend with amusement. She could remember not so long ago, having a conversation very much like this with Gillian about her and Travis. She narrowed her eyes. “I’ll think about it.”

  Gillian laughed. “You do that, and while you’re at it, think of how it might help with Constance.”

  “Hmm, interesting, you may have a good point. Constance is eager to warm things up between Chase and me. That would give me an excuse to go for it.”

  Shaking her head crossly, Gillian said, “Don’t play games and don’t look for excuses. You have too much at stake.”

  “Yeah, I know,” Reggie said soberly. “You’re right. By playing games, I do us both a disservice. I’m just not sure I’m equipped to deal with this right now.”

  “I’ve learned that when it comes to human emotion, it’s never the right time. You have no choice but to deal with it as it comes to you.” Gillian said.

  Reggie groaned and using a whining adolescent voice said, “Aww…Can’t you do that for me?”

  Driving back to Bennett house, Reggie tried to work out what she needed to say to Constance. Tackling the illusive spirit was the first thing Reggie intended to do upon returning to the house. Constance had to learn about what had happened last night. She probably knew all along about the children and that’s why she wanted the thefts solved. In her way, Constance was already helping them. It wasn’t enough though. Reggie knew she’d have to give the little vixen a push...well, figuratively speaking.

  She was pleased that she’d timed her return to coincide with lunch break. She had the garden to herself. That this time when she communicated with Constance, she wouldn’t have an amused audience was a relief. She took Prudence up to the bedroom. She wasn’t sure how the little dog would react to Constance, and she couldn’t afford to take her chances. Pru didn’t seem to mind because she curled up on a pillow and rested her head on her front paws. Assured that she was safe, Reggie closed the door and made her way to the garden.

  Standing beside the iron gate, Reggie concentrated. She started with a low voice. “Constance? Can you hear me? Please, Constance I need to talk to you.”

  She waited. No response. “Thank you for urging me to figure out who was stealing at night. It was good advice.” In life, Constance Bennett had been spoiled and vain. Would death have changed her? Who knew? Perhaps it was prudent to start with a compliment.

  “Of course it was good advice. I was a Guardian, you know. I’m not an imbecile.” Constance’s voice had an impatient and sharp edge. The air had taken on that otherworldly feeling and Reggie could hear her own heart beat quicken. There was silence. Constance appeared.

  Reggie laughed. “I didn’t mean to insinuate anything. I just wanted to thank you.”

  The spirit didn’t smile. She nodded her head with regal grace. “You’re welcome.”

  “I don’t think we’ll catch kids creeping around the place again, but Chase and I will be vigilant from here on out. We still need your help with the library.” She put up a hand when Constance frowned. “I know you want to pretend you don’t know anything about what’s in there, but I know you do. You can’t escape it. I can’t do it without you.”

  “You can’t do it without that man either.” With a nod, she indicated a spot beyond Reggie’s right shoulder. Reggie spun around, surprised to see Chase.

  He walked to her side. “Good afternoon, Constance. I know you’re here, but forgive me if I can’t see you.”

  “Yes, well…you wouldn’t, would you? I’m here for Regina.”

  “You’re here for more than me, Constance. You’re here for a purpose. I need you to think about that purpose. It’s not for fun and games. You have information I must know.”

  “No.” Constance voice lost its mystical quality. She looked fearful and started to fade away.

  Desperate to make her stay, Reggie turned to Chase. “I’ll explain later.” She reached up with both hands and brought his head down to hers. She captured his lips in a long kiss. Bless his heart, the man didn’t resist. Instead, he responded with gusto, pulling her into his arms, pressing her against his much bigger, harder body. With no thought in her head but finding some way to get closer to Chase, Reggie forgot Constance.

  “Very clever, Regina. You know I can’t resist romance.” Her image reappeared. Still in Chase’s arms, Reggie rested her forehead on his chest and sighed.

  Under her breath, Reggie said, “I told you I’d explain later.” She turned to Constance and smiled. “The presence in the library is Vincent Bennett, isn’t it?”

  Hesitantly Constance nodded. “Yes. He hangs on, greedy for more. He was my husband. I was a fool.”

  There was no magic or music in Constance’s tone when she explained. “My own hubris blinded me to his deception. My weakness gave him the power he needed to make me fall in love with him.” She walked around the little iron gate slowly. “I was in love with love and looking for adventure. I’
d never known anyone like him, and he wanted me. He was exciting, and my parents didn’t approve. My willingness to rebel gave his dark magic added power, and he used it against me. I fell in love, hard, fast. I would have done anything to have him. And I did.” She was quiet for a moment. Reggie’s heart broke for the naïve young girl she had been.

  “I turned my back on my family, my gift, and my responsibilities. I gave him my virginity willingly. He took it with violence. My innocent pain and loss gave him what he needed. He grew stronger. My humiliation gave him pleasure. He was drunk on his own success. In the end, it was his own lust for power that defeated him.”

  Reggie asked, “What do we need to do to exorcize him? What do the children have to do with it?”

  “I won’t talk about the children! Not in the same breath!” Constance’s face twisted with rage, and she started to fade.

  This time Chase tried to stop her. “Please, don’t go yet. What can we do?”

  Her singsong tone returned when she answered him. “You’re doing it, descendant mine. You’re doing it…” She faded away. The air around them returned to normal.

  Reggie started to move away from him. He grasped her hand. “Explain.”

  Reggie blushed. Holding his hand, she dragged him to a bench and they both sat down. “I’m sorry, Chase. I had to do something. She was leaving, and kissing you was all I could think of to keep her here.”

  Chase frowned. Reggie shuddered, and she could feel his tension. He was angry. The emotion swirled around him so clearly, she could almost taste it. It was bitter.

  “You go too far sometimes, Reggie. You can’t turn another person on and off to serve your own ends.” He took a breath and continued in a cold voice. “I don’t even want to look at you right now. I’m leaving. I’ll be back later, but I suggest you stay out of my way.” He stood and looked down at her with disappointment. He walked away, leaving her alone in the garden. It wasn’t her imagination when a dark cloud diffused the sunlight and the shadows crept toward her.