Of The Ashes: A 'So Fell The Sparrow' Sequel Novella

by Katie Jennings

  The comparison made Grace’s heart flutter. He may not look like a traditional knight, what with his arm tattoos and skull rings and black jeans, but he most certainly acted like one.

  And the truth was, he had saved her.

  “I was in pretty bad shape before he and Alex showed up,” Grace recalled.

  “I’m sorry about your parents,” Caroline said, placing a hand over Grace’s. “I lost both of mine when I was young, as well. Not together, but a few years apart. It’s a void that can never really be filled again. You just learn to live with it always being there.”

  Grace sighed, attempting a smile. “I agree. I think the only thing that helped was understanding that they aren’t gone completely—that out there, somewhere, whether it be in Heaven or wherever, they live on and are watching over me.” A lump formed in her throat and she laughed it off. “Which is crazy for me because I was an Atheist my entire life. Now here I am talking about spirits and Heaven.”

  Caroline squeezed her hand. “It’s not crazy if it gives you comfort, honey.”

  “I suppose not.” Grace nodded, downing the last of the wine. “This is wonderful wine, by the way. Thank you.”

  “You’re wonderful company, so thank you,” Caroline replied, refilling both their glasses and raising hers for another toast. “I can see why my son is so taken with you, Grace. And I’ll admit, I’ve never seen him this happy before.”

  “I know you barely know me, but trust me, I’m the winner in this arrangement.” Grace smiled, knowing her eyes shimmered with tears. “He changed my life, and so much for the better.”

  “I’m happy to hear it.” Caroline straightened and gently tugged Grace from the stool. “Come along and meet everyone else. It’s not fair for me to keep you all to myself.”

  As Grace followed Caroline into the living room, Ian watched silently from the adjacent dining room. He had stumbled upon their conversation after he let Gatsby and his parents’ dog Maggie out to play in the yard. While he almost felt rude for eavesdropping, he was glad he had.

  Seeing Grace bond so easily, so absolutely, with his mother amazed him. Never in his life had he seen his mother take to a person so quickly. It was as if she and Grace were crafted from the same cloth, two pieces meant to find each other and join in friendship.

  The realization that came from witnessing the exchange both startled and thrilled him all at once. He’d known Grace was good for him and his love for her had only grown stronger over their year-long relationship, but he supposed with the show taking up most of his focus he hadn’t given much thought to what the next, logical step should be.

  Now it hit him like a swift punch to the gut.

  He wanted her to be his wife.

  * * *

  After the conversation with Ian’s mother, Grace found it easier to mingle with his family and friends. Maybe it was the acceptance of the two people who actually mattered in the room that cheered her up. Ian’s parents both seemed to adore her and seeing the pleasure it brought to Ian’s face made all her nerves fade away.

  It was past midnight by the time the party officially ended and all the guests went home, tipsy and satisfied and full of congratulations for Ian and Alex. Though it may have been a birthday party for Richard, it wound up being more of a celebration of Ian and Alex’s success.

  Everyone there had seen the show’s pilot episode, which happened to feature The Sparrow House. They seemed just as excited to talk with Grace and Jackie as they were with Ian and Alex, and Grace felt like something of a celebrity as she recounted the story of her haunted house.

  As much fun as she was having, she was grateful when the party was over. Exhaustion from the drive and a night of socializing mixed with the wine in her system as she followed Ian upstairs to the room they would be sharing. He set down their suitcases on the floor beside the queen-sized bed, then pulled her into his arms.

  “Hi,” he mumbled, kissing the top of her head.

  She smiled, enjoying the comfort of his arms around her. “Hey, stranger. You have quite the family.”

  “They loved you,” he said as they met eyes. “You’re amazing.”

  Grace snorted and shifted out of his grasp, though her smile remained. “I’m tired as hell and I probably look like it, too.”

  He appraised her, lifting an eyebrow. “You want the truth?”

  “Shut up.” She smacked his arm playfully and collapsed upon the bed, releasing a heavy sigh. She covered her face with her forearm, shutting her eyes gratefully. “Be a gentleman and get me some water, will you?”

  “I will if you come outside with me.”

  She lifted her arm just enough to scowl at him. “Can’t you see I’m relaxing?”

  He chuckled and pulled her to her feet. “C’mon. It’ll be worth it, I promise.”

  Rolling her eyes, Grace went with him, grumbling under her breath.

  In the kitchen, he filled a glass of water for her, then beckoned her outside into the backyard. Fairy lights twinkled throughout his parents’ garden, joined by the sound of crickets and frogs from the pond tucked in the back corner. Enormous weeping willows cascaded over the brick path, enchanting her as Ian led the way to a wooden bench nestled beside the pond.

  He invited Grace to sit, then joined her, draping his arm over her shoulders. She sipped her water, relaxing against him.

  “Okay, this is pretty nice,” she admitted, kissing his cheek. They sat in companionable silence for a few moments, enjoying the night sounds. “I bet this was an amazing place to grow up.”

  “It was,” he agreed, his fingertips tracing circles on her shoulder. “I never really gave it much thought, but this backyard would be a great place to host a wedding.”

  Grace glanced around and nodded. “Yeah, it would. Not much parking out front, though.”

  “That’s okay. I’d want to keep it small. Informal.” He nuzzled her cheek, his tone casual. “Probably just everybody you met today. And anyone you want to invite, of course.”

  Grace blinked, catching on to what he was saying. “Wait, what?”

  His face lit in a quick, devious grin. “I bet Jackie would love to be a bridesmaid. And Alex would be the best man, of course.”

  Her heart did one long, shuddering tumble. “Ian, what are you—”

  “Marry me, Grace,” he said quietly, confidently, caressing her face. “You’re it for me. I knew it without a doubt when I saw you with my parents today.”

  The way the blue of his eyes intensified, darkened, had shimmers of both joy and distress racing across her skin. “You’re serious?” she managed, unable to say more. All she could think of was that she’d been there before, only it was atop the tallest building in Chicago, placing all her hopes and dreams in the eyes of a different man.

  She fought to remind herself that Ian wasn’t Rick. He wasn’t careless and cruel, nor would he propose if he didn’t mean to follow through with it.

  But the fear hit her all the same and had her stammering for an answer that wouldn’t break him—or her.

  “This is too soon,” she said, shaking her head. “We should really talk more about what we want in life before we go for the big commitment.”

  Ian’s smile faltered. “I want you, Grace. That’s all I need to know.”

  “Yes, but do you want kids? Have we even talked about things like that?” she protested, fumbling for excuses in her mind. She set aside her water and got up to pace, needing to put distance between them. She couldn’t stand the cold way he was suddenly looking at her. “Or what about long-term life plans, like where we would start a family? Would we stay on the road or would we put down roots? For all you know, we may completely disagree on all those things.”

  “So we’ll work through them,” he argued, crossing his arms. He gave her a steely look. “I thought you wanted this, wanted us? Or are you just hanging out until something better comes along?”

  Grace came to a stop and faced him, regret filling her. Great, here she was, screwing eve
rything up. Again.

  “No, that’s not it,” she replied, sitting beside him once more. She reached for his hand, but he shifted away from her. Resigned to his anger, she let out a breath and started again. “I love you, Ian. So much it terrifies me, really. But I also need you, and that need has me all twisted up inside. I was used to being independent, but now I’m having a hard time finding myself in this relationship. I feel like I’m losing my identity.”

  It was a truth she hadn’t even fully comprehended until that moment. As the words were spoken, she could feel the weight of them hang heavy in the air.

  Ian was silent, and she knew she had hurt him. Despite that, she could see no way to mend it. “I’m sorry, but I need more time. We need more time—to get to know each other, to figure out our lives together. I don’t want to rush something this important.”

  He gave a slow nod. “Why didn’t you tell me you felt like that? Like you’re losing yourself?”

  She sighed. “I guess I hadn’t even realized it myself until now. But the truth is, this last year I’ve been completely consumed by you—your job, your passion, your friends. I don’t mind it, but part of me feels a little lost.” She paused, ashamed at the tears that brimmed in her eyes. “I know it sounds pathetic, but it’s true.”

  He released a long breath and wrapped an arm around her, pulling her close. “Maybe we should take a break from filming and visit Chicago for a while. You could introduce me to your friends, your coworkers at the hospital…”

  She smiled sadly and leaned into him. “As much as I appreciate the offer, you wouldn’t like any of them. They think this ghost stuff is all a big joke. They think I’m a big joke, too.” She felt him stiffen with anger in defense of her, and cherished him for it. “It’s okay. I get it. I used to be one of them, remember?”

  “Right.”

  He grew quiet, and she found she had nothing else to say. There wasn’t anything more to say, anyway. She wasn’t ready to be engaged again, not after what happened last time. And before she could be a good wife to Ian, the kind of wife he deserved, she had to figure out her place in his world.

  It was only fair, and she desperately hoped he could understand that.

  * * *

  Jackie tossed and turned in her sleep, plagued by horrifying dreams.

  She was inside a dark room, surrounded by candles. Menacing shadows danced all around her, snarling and growling and laughing with high-pitched, feverish mirth. It felt like she was glued to the floor, unable to move, unable to run. The candlelight flickered as the shadows picked up speed, their spindly fingers reaching out from the abyss to touch her. In a sudden rush of air, the firelight went out and a dozen hands clamored over her skin, grabbing her limbs and tearing her apart.

  “Jackie, wake up,” a voice called out, pulling her from the recesses of the dream. She could still feel hands upon her, and panic set in as she fought off whoever it was that held her. When she heard Alex’s grunt of pain, she came to her senses.

  “Oh, darling. I’m so sorry,” she whispered, her hands fluttering over him in the dark. Her breath came out in quick gasps as he flipped on the bedside lamp, illuminating the room with soft golden light.

  Alex rubbed his bare shoulder where she’d smacked him, his green eyes filled with concern. “Are you okay? You cried out in your sleep. You sounded terrified.”

  Jackie nodded, releasing a long breath to slow the frantic beating of her heart. “It was just a dream.”

  He gathered her close as they settled back against the pillows, facing each other. Stroking her cheek gently, he attempted a smile. “Sounds more like a nightmare to me. Want to tell me about it?”

  Jackie’s eyes closed, already losing some details of the dream. “Just shadows and candlelight…and monsters grabbing me in the dark.”

  “Was it only a dream, or was it…something more serious?”

  She’d had premonitions in the past in the form of dreams, but she wasn’t sure if this was one. It had felt real enough, she remembered, shivering involuntarily. And she couldn’t shake the feeling of foreboding that the dream had left in its wake.

  “I’m not sure.” She rested her head on his shoulder, grateful for the warmth of his embrace. For so many years, she had awoken from nightmares alone, with nothing but her rattled heart for company. Having Alex was a blessing she never thought she’d be fortunate enough to have.

  He was her light, her comfort, and the guardian of her heart. With him by her side, nothing was ever as scary as it had once been.

  He yawned and pressed a kiss to her temple. “Do you think you can fall back asleep?”

  Jackie tilted her face up to his, offering him a tired smile. “Safe in your arms, I’ll sleep like a baby.”

  * * *

  CHAPTER TWO

  Despite their conversation the night before, things seemed relatively calm the following morning. Grace awoke to Ian gently tugging her against him, inviting her body to curve into his. He kissed the hollow of her neck, sending shivers across her skin.

  “I love you,” he murmured, holding her close.

  She sighed deeply, her lips curving in contentment. “I love you, too.”

  “We leave for Savannah tomorrow,” he told her quietly. “You sure you don’t want to take a break for a while?”

  “Yes.” She rolled over and traced the angular lines of his cheekbone with her fingertips. In the dim morning light, his eyes searched hers. “I’m fine, Ian. I promise.”

  “Are you sure?” he asked.

  She nodded, leaning in to kiss him. “I’ll be better once I get some coffee in me.”

  He chuckled. “You gotta get a handle on these vices of yours, Doc. Caffeine addiction’s a serious thing.” In a smooth, practiced movement, he rolled over her, pinning her beneath him. His smile was lazy and a bit wicked. “Besides, I can think of something that’ll wake you up faster than coffee.”

  “How about we leave the medical advice to the real doctor?” She giggled as her arms circled his neck and her mouth sought his.

  Later, they headed downstairs together. Ian’s parents sat at the small breakfast table in the kitchen, steaming cups of coffee and the day’s newspaper spread out before them.

  Caroline glanced up with a smile. “Good morning, you two.”

  “Morning.” Ian went straight to the coffee maker, pouring two cups while Grace took a seat at the table.

  “How did you sleep, Grace?” Caroline asked. She looked wide awake and chipper in her purple jogging outfit. Ian’s father wore a similar suit in navy blue. It was clear they had both been out for a walk already.

  “Just fine, thanks,” Grace replied as Ian handed her a cup of coffee and sat down beside her. Shame settled over her as she recalled his proposal the night before, part of her wishing it had gone completely different.

  Maybe she should have just accepted, she thought regretfully. She watched him talk and laugh with his parents, acting as though she hadn’t stomped on his heart the night before. He had every right to be angry with her, and yet there he was, seemingly okay with her decision. Concerned enough, even, to offer taking a break from investigating, putting his own life on hold. He would do it for her, a fact that only reminded her just how lucky she was.

  And how ungrateful.

  When Alex, Jackie, and Alex’s sister Cassie wandered in, Grace swallowed back the sullen feelings, not wanting the others to notice. She would make it up to Ian somehow, starting by being as supportive as possible with this next investigation. Worrying about her own feelings would have to wait.

  Grace helped Caroline and Jackie prepare breakfast for the group by chopping onions, potatoes, and bell peppers. Caroline stirred a large bowl of egg yolk, adding a sprinkle of salt and pepper, while Jackie rolled out dough for homemade biscuits.

  As they worked, Grace listened in on the conversation being held at the breakfast table between Ian, Alex, Ian’s father, and Cassie. Plans were being made for Savannah, and seeing Ian’s wide, adrenaline-ch
arged smile brought a warmth to Grace’s heart.

  “The owner claims the activity started recently?” Ian asked Cassie, passing his coffee cup between his hands.

  Cassie nodded, her sandy blonde curls dancing. “Yep. He could almost pinpoint the exact day it seemed to escalate. He said there have always been spirits there, but only friendly, playful ones. Whatever’s come in recently is pure evil, or so he says.”

  Alex rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “Has anyone come in lately that could have brought something with them?”

  “Well, it’s a bed and breakfast, so people come and go all the time,” Cassie pointed out, shrugging. “Though it’d be strange for a guest to bring a spirit with them somehow, and for that spirit to stay even though the guest has left.”

  “I wonder if he’s done any remodeling on the building. Sometimes tearing down walls can disturb and irritate spirits,” Ian pointed out.

  “He says everything is the same as always, except this dark entity that’s scaring away all his guests and a few of his best employees.”

  “Why would someone quit just when all the excitement starts?” Ian’s father asked, his smile just as bright as his son’s. “I’d be working late just to witness what’s causing all the commotion.”

  Cassie gave him a skeptical look. “Probably not if you knew what the spirit’s been doing…”

  Grace shook off a chill at Cassie’s words and washed her hands. She dried them on a hand towel as she continued to listen.

  “You mentioned before that a guest claims to have been scratched,” Ian said, his voice serious now. “And one of the employees saw a shadow figure?”

  “That’s not even the half of it,” Cassie replied. “One guest says he was levitated off the bed by a dark shadow figure that hovered over him while he slept. Another heard a little girl crying in the hallway all night long, but saw no one. Then there was the employee who was slicing onions and claims something compelled her to stab her own hand. She had to be rushed to the ER.”

  “Christ.” Ian breathed out the word, his eyes wide. Alex looked equally as disturbed.