Six Times a Charm

by Deanna Chase

  “Okay, I’ll give him a buzz and let him know.”

  Great. “I’ll just go get cleaned up and meet you back here in about fifteen.”

  “Sounds good.”

  I heard the phone ringing as I unlocked my door. “Coming!” I called, as if someone could actually hear me. By the time I got in and picked it up, I’d missed it. “Damn.”

  The message was from Kat, wanting to see when we could get together. We’d been playing phone tag ever since I’d found her note and gift card. I’d forgiven her after having some distance and did want to see her, but didn’t think I’d have enough time to spend on a proper conversation since we hadn’t actually spoken in a few weeks. I made a mental note to call her back later.

  I changed my clothes and took a few extra moments to reapply my makeup. Just because I wanted to avoid Kane didn’t mean I had to look like a slob. On my way back down I grabbed a six-pack of beer and a bottle opener. Something told me getting results sober was a bad idea.

  Once inside the café, I took a seat between Ian and Pyper and popped the cap on my Guinness. “Anyone?”

  Pyper grabbed a bottle. Kane got up and poured himself coffee.

  “Not yet.” Ian passed out a pile of graphs and charts to each of us. “Let me get through this first. Does everyone have this sheet?” He held up a color-coded chart.

  We each nodded.

  “Good. This graph here shows the level of assumed paranormal activity when Jade was in her apartment. Do you see how it spikes when she speaks?”

  The graph peaked in several places. “All of these are only when I was talking?” I asked.

  “Yes. Except for here at the end of the chart—it peaks higher than any of them. That happened right after you left the room to find Pyper.”

  “When we were trapped in the apartment,” Kane said.

  “Right.” Ian said.

  “This just confirms my ghost was in my apartment and stayed there when I left.” I shrugged. This wasn’t anything we hadn’t already suspected.

  “Yes it does. But what’s more interesting is this.” He pulled out a second graph. “This one is the readings from right after we found the two of you in Pyper’s apartment.”

  The graph was similar to the first, but had about twice as many peaks as the first one.

  “Each peak is when either Pyper or Jade spoke, but no one else.” Ian eyed my beer.

  I held it up, offering, but he waved me off.

  “So, the ghost is…what? Giving off energy when either Jade or I speak?” Pyper asked.

  “Yes. He’s responding to your voice or energy. The only other time we see a spike is when he trapped us in the apartment.” Ian held up another graph. “Now, check this out. This one is after you both left for the night. Not only are there no peaks, but there isn’t any paranormal activity at all.”

  “This was from Pyper’s apartment?” I asked, looking it over.

  “No, both. Your apartment too.”

  “You’re saying he’s only present around either me or Pyper?”

  “From what we have here, yes. But we can’t be totally sure. I wish we’d thought to get a reading of Pyper while we were getting that first reading with you. It would answer some questions.”

  “What questions?” Kane asked.

  “I’d like to get a reading on both Pyper and Jade at the same time, but in different areas of the building. We don’t have a clear idea how Pyper could be haunted in her dreams, while Jade is interacting with him at the same time. If I could get some more readings—”

  “What would happen in these readings?” Pyper asked, cutting him off.

  “Pretty much the same as what we did with Jade. We’d take readings and have each of you speak to him to see the response.”

  “What exactly will that accomplish?”

  “It’ll help us understand what’s going on,” Ian said.

  “So?” Pyper asked.

  Ian pursed his lips. “So, don’t you want to know what’s going on?”

  “No.” Pyper stood up. “I want him to leave me alone. Will answering your questions make him stay away from me?”

  “Uh…” Ian cleared his throat. “I can’t say, really. It might give us some insight on when and why he attacks.”

  “Haven’t you been listening? He attacks me every time I sleep, with the exception of last night. If you don’t have a solution for getting rid of him permanently then I’m out.” Pyper grabbed her beer and stalked to the back room.

  “Ian,” I said. “Do you know how to exorcise a ghost?”

  He rolled his shoulders. “To be honest, I’ve never had a case this intense. Usually we just ask the spirit to back off and it does. Mostly I’ve been just recording information and trying to understand it.” He paused. “This case is really intriguing and I didn’t stop to think about how it’s affecting the two of you.”

  Perfect. All this time, I’d been putting my trust in him as the experienced ghost hunter, and he didn’t have any better understanding about what to do than we did. “Last night I pretty much demanded he stop hurting Pyper, and he did. Do you think that did the trick? He did leave her alone last night.” I met Kane’s eyes when a mixture of worry and gratitude radiated from him.

  “Maybe. Only time will tell.” Ian stood up, grabbing his papers. “In the meantime, I’ll try some of my contacts about what else can be done if need be.”

  “Okay, thanks.”

  He reached over and gave me a tight hug and left.

  Jealousy rolled off Kane, but his face never changed. I hid a smile as I drank the rest of my beer.

  “I’d like it if you and Pyper stayed at my place for a while,” Kane said.

  “Are you thinking of a threesome? ‘Cause I got to say, I’m not into that sort of thing.”

  “No.” He rolled his eyes. “I’d just feel better if you were both nearby where I could keep an eye on you.”

  “The apartment here is close enough.” When he opened his mouth to speak again I cut him off. “Look, Kane, I appreciate the thought. Really, I do. But I’m not afraid of the ghost. After Pyper was attacked yesterday we realized he’s only attacked me when I’ve been close with you.” I paused. “Maybe it’s better if we have a little space and see what happens.”

  He opened his mouth, closed it then nodded.

  “All right then. Beer?” I held one out.

  “No thanks.” He got up and walked out.

  Heaving a huge sigh, I picked up the remaining bottles and went to find Pyper.

  “Hey. Want to come back to my place and get stupid drunk?”

  Pyper straightened and grinned. “That’s the best invitation I’ve had all month.” She eyed the bottles. “But we’ll need more than what you’ve got there. Let’s make a stop in the club.”

  Chapter 15

  A rhythmic pounding entered my awareness. I rolled over, groaning. What the hell? I heard a muffled voice, shot up in bed and winced when I banged my elbow while fumbling with the light. Once fully awake, I realized someone was banging on my door.

  “Jade? Jade? Open up.”

  “Hold on. Just a sec.” Hastily wrapping my naked body in a short robe, I took the four steps to the door and opened it to find Pyper. Dark circles rimmed her red, puffy eyes on her pasty white face. “Are you all right?” I asked, pulling her in.

  She clutched a thin cotton robe and in a small voice said, “He’s back.”

  “Fuck.”

  She nodded and curled up on my couch in a fetal position. “The last time I slept was here.”

  I sat on the arm of the couch next to her, recalling when we’d swiped booze from the club and stayed up half the night giggling. “That was four days ago.”

  She gave a small incoherent sound before closing her eyes. “It’s hot in here.”

  “The air conditioner isn’t working.”

  “You should tell Kane.” Her voice was weak, barely a whisper.

  Pyper was right, of course, but since I was avoiding him
I was suffering in the heat. Stupid, yes. But I was willing to wait it out a little longer. I got up and pointed my rotating fan toward her. Then, reaching for a pillow, I gently lifted her head and placed it under her. She snuggled into it and sighed. I stayed perched next to her until I heard the deep rhythmic breathing of sleep.

  Standing next to my open balcony window, I gazed down at the moonlit courtyard. Why was he tormenting her? Since the day I had physically called him, Mr. Sexy had only appeared in my dreams to watch over me. In a comforting way though, not a creepy stalker way, as if he was protecting me. I think I should have been creeped out, but I wasn’t. I actually felt comforted and safe.

  I checked on Pyper once more then pulled on a tank top and cotton bikinis and crawled back into bed. Too hot for covers, I stretched out on the top sheet and closed my eyes.

  I woke to the smell of fresh coffee. “Yum. You can stay forever.”

  “If I’d known it was that easy, I’d have made you breakfast in bed weeks ago.”

  My eyes flew open. Kane stood next to me with a coffee mug. With a glance, I found my tank top had shimmied up, just barely covering my breasts. Crap. I jumped up, barely missed knocking the cup out of Kane’s hands, and put on my robe.

  “I liked the other view better, but this is nice too.” He held the cup out to me.

  “Did you say something about breakfast?” I took the coffee, avoiding eye contact.

  “I brought bagels. It’s too hot to cook. Why didn’t you tell me the air wasn’t working?”

  I shrugged and moved over to the counter. “Where’s Pyper?”

  “She went down to the coffee shop. She asked me to bring you breakfast as a thank you.”

  Noticing for the first time the bright sun shining through the window, I whirled around to look at my alarm clock. Seven a.m. “Oh, thank God. I still have an hour.”

  “’Til what?”

  “I have a class to teach. Thanks for coming by and for the breakfast, but I really need to get ready to go.” It wasn’t going to take me that long to shower and get dressed, but I didn’t want to be alone with him. I still needed time to sort out my emotions, which were running rampant at the moment.

  So were his, but I was trying to block them out. It was overwhelming. While he was cool and calm on the outside, desire raged on the inside. And feeling it was having a profound effect on my willpower.

  Not waiting for Kane to leave, I locked myself in the bathroom and turned the shower taps on high. When the cold water hit my body, I think steam actually radiated off me.

  Ten minutes later I emerged, wrapped in my tiny robe. I kicked myself for not remembering to take clothes into the bathroom. There just wasn’t enough material, considering all the sparks flying around. Peeking around the corner, I found an empty room. Relief rushed over me as I realized Kane must have left. As I sat on my bed, a note on the nightstand caught my eye.

  Jade, I will see about getting the air fixed or replaced today. You should have called as soon as it stopped working.

  K.

  I frowned, feeling slightly ashamed. I should’ve called. I should’ve been more gracious this morning as well. Vowing to behave better, I dressed quickly and grabbed the bagels on my way out the door.

  Holly was busy taking orders, while Pyper handled three different coffee drinks at the same time. The line of customers snaked right out the front door. Grabbing an apron to help them out for a bit before my class, I jumped in next to Pyper and packed grounds into the espresso machine as fast as I could.

  “Is it always this busy on Saturday?” I asked.

  “Yes.” She gave me a grateful smile. I was happy to see the circles under her eyes were lighter, though not gone. One night of sleep wasn’t going to make up for missing days.

  I smiled back and filled three cups full of ice to finish off the iced café au laits I was working on.

  Within twenty minutes the line worked its way down to something manageable. I stepped into the back to hang up my apron and by the time I returned, Holly’s posture had relaxed and she was smiling at something Pyper had said.

  “What’s up?” I asked.

  “Pyper was just telling me she spent the night with you last night.” She gave me a sly knowing smile. “I didn’t know it was like that.”

  Huh? What was she talking about?

  Pyper reached over and lightly smacked her on the back of the head. “No! I slept on her couch after waking her up in the middle of the night. Besides, she has a thing with Kane. Where have you been?”

  “Kane?” She turned to me, wearing a startled expression. “Sorry” she said. “I didn’t know.” Turning on her heel, she walked purposefully into the back.

  “What was that about?” I asked Pyper.

  She shook her head. “No idea.”

  “Feeling better this morning?” I wanted to ask about the events of the last four nights, but customers kept streaming through the door.

  “Yes, better. I don’t usually need much sleep, but I do need some.” She bagged up a few muffins and passed them to a waiting customer.

  “Uh, Pyper?” I edged my way closer to her. She looked up and I asked, “Do you think you should tell Ian he hasn’t left you alone?” I didn’t think he would have any answers, but I didn’t know what else to do.

  Her shoulders slumped. “He’ll only want to do more readings.” Just then, two couples walked in the door. She stepped back to the register, ready for their order.

  She had a point. Last I spoke with Ian, he still didn’t have a plan to help us exorcise the ghost. I’d have to call and light a fire under him. In the meantime, I’d ask Bea if she had any ideas. Any witch worth her salt would know something about ghosts.

  I checked my watch. Eight o’clock. Time to get to the studio. I grabbed my purse and stopped next to Pyper, putting a hand on her arm. “You’re welcome at my place anytime.”

  She nodded slightly and put on a bright smile for her patrons. “What can I get y’all today?”

  ***

  My stop at the café left me with no time to spare. I arrived at the studio just as Bea and two other students strolled up. My master plan of speaking to Bea about the ghost would have to wait.

  The class started out just as fun and easygoing as the previous ones, until my mind started to drift back to Pyper and the ghost. I’ve always been a good teacher since I can sense frustration, disappointment, satisfaction, and the like, which allows me to provide the feedback needed to fuel a student’s learning. But only if I’m paying attention.

  “Damn it!”

  I focused on Sandy, who was almost completely concealed in a haze of purple. I blinked. What the hell is that? She was surrounded by a bubble of gas-like substance, turning the color of eggplant. Frustration pulsed in time with the bubble, moving like a beating heart. Looking around, it was clear no one but me, and possibly Bea, saw it.

  I glanced at Bea, who just smiled and nodded her head in Sandy’s direction. Abandoning my post at the other end of the table, I moved closer to the gas cloud. It parted and swirled like a fine mist when I walked up behind her. “How’s it going?”

  “Argh! Terrible. I just can’t make this stringer of glass do what you showed us and now my bead is ruined.”

  “Let’s see.” I took the metal mandrel out of her hand and inspected the bead. Green blobs of glass had been smeared haphazardly over one end. “Okay, here’s what we can do. Cover up this part with some more white.”

  She took the mandrel back and started adding some glass to the end I’d indicated.

  When she got the section covered, I said, “Now, melt it in nice and smoothly, and roll it out in a barrel shape.”

  Intent on her task, Sandy did as I said. The gas faded, but not completely.

  “But now the bead is bigger than the other one I made.”

  “So? Just finish this one and make another smaller one, and you’ll have a pendant and an earring pair.”

  “Oh! Cool.” She smiled and continued to shape t
he bead in the flame.

  I watched as she rolled the warm glass on a graphite surface. “Next, take that green vine stringer.” I pointed to an extra thin strip of glass. “Bring it as close to the flame as you can without melting it. Remember, it’s so thin it’ll melt before you actually put it in the flame.”

  I waited for her to find the spot. When she did I added, “Get your base bead good and hot. Hot enough that it glows orange. That’s it. Get your stringer in that magic spot you just found. There you go, touch it to your base bead. Now move the bead, keeping your stringer in that sweet spot. See how the heat of the bead combined with the radiant torch heat melts the stringer? That’s what gives you control. Excellent! Nice job!”

  The other four students clapped as Sandy held up her bead, with perfect scrolls of vines wrapped around it.

  “Wonderful, Sandy!” Bea cheered.

  The color around Sandy shifted to very pale lavender and then dissipated.

  “Nice,” I said. “Now add some dots for flowers, and you’re all set.”

  “Thanks, Jade.” Sandy picked up some pink glass intent on completing her bead.

  With the rest of the class happily melting away, I caught Bea’s eye. Her white light energy engulfed me, warming me to my toes and leaving me with the impression she’d just given me a mental hug. Cheered, I moved toward one of the other ladies to give more instruction.

  When the clock struck twelve-thirty, everyone begged to stay a few more minutes. Feeling pleased and content with their progress, I obliged the request and sat down to finish the wire wrapping of last week’s beads.

  Just as I finished, white light surrounded me. I looked up. “All done, Bea?”

  “For today. Great lesson.”

  “A little unusual, don’t you think?”

  “Really? Looked pretty normal to me.” Bea watched the last of the students file out.

  “Are you trying to tell me you didn’t see the purple gas cloud?”

  “No. I saw it. I just wanted you to see it.”

  I stood up. “Why?”

  “I wanted to get your attention.” Bea took out her keys. “Will you join me for lunch today?”