by Deanna Chase
One particularly frazzled woman floated in front of me. She wore a long strand of pearls paired with a gold locket and a different ring on every finger. Long, diamond-studded chandelier earrings hung heavily in her earlobes. And she wore a long turquoise maxi-style dress that was covered in large, fuchsia-pink lilies. She looked like she was straight from the 1970s. All that was missing was the cigarette dangling from her blood-red fingernails. You tell Hector to mind his own damn business. If he doesn’t stop spreading lies about me, I’m going to tell his great-grandson it’s him that keeps stealing the toilet paper, just for entertainment.
Don’t even think about it. An elderly man with a monocle and suspenders put his finger in her face. I have so much dirt on your shenanigans that if your family found out, they’d probably move you to a cemetery in Mississippi where they’d bury you six feet under. No more fancy tomb for you in the prestigious Lafayette Cemetery. You’ll be forgotten in the woods of Nowhereville.
You wouldn’t dare.
The two continued to bicker as if they were an old married couple. I stepped around them, trying to tune out the young woman sobbing beside me.
We were set to be married. She sniffed. All the plans were made. Then I came down with the fever.
I turned to Jade. “Walk beside me, please.”
She nodded.
I took her hand. “Is there any way you can erect that barrier of yours to encompass both of us? It’s like a Real Housewives reunion up in this place.”
She chuckled. “I don’t think it works on ghosts.”
“Dammit.” But there wasn’t any heat in my tone. “Seriously. I don’t think you understand the crazy going on.” I grimaced at the middle-aged man lounging on his tomb, scratching his balls as if he were camped out on his couch watching a football game. “It’s Dysfunction Junction for reals.”
“I can imagine.”
“I doubt it.”
Julius waved as he slipped down a row of relatively well-kept tombs. When we caught up to him, he was standing in front of a solid-white marble tomb. Names were carved into every inch of the thing, and a new plaque had been started on the side. “This is her family’s tomb.”
“And they’re all in there?”
“As far as I know. It’s common to be cremated.”
I took a deep breath. “Okay. Let’s do this.” I let go of Jade’s hand and focused on Tru. Nothing happened. “Tru?” I called.
“She’s not here.” The wobbly voice was unfamiliar and sounded ancient.
My eyes flew open. A woman who had to be in her nineties sat on top of the tomb, her back straight, her legs crossed at the knee. Her hair was long, gray, and wiry. But her clothes—wow. The silk dress was rich royal blue with crystals lining the high waist and collar. Her shoes were matching leather with at least three-inch heels. Everything about her screamed money.
“Sorry. I was searching for someone else,” I told her. Jade stared at her in awe. Interesting. Jade could see her, too.
The ghost waved her fragile hand. “I can help you find them.”
“Uh…” Of all the ghosts in the place, besides Julius, she was the only one who appeared even remotely sane and lucid. “I was calling on my guide to help me communicate with someone from this tomb, but if you’re willing to offer your services, that might be even better.”
“Of course. You know how we matriarchs like to know what’s going on.” She laughed, but I thought I saw a hint of suspicion in her gaze as she studied me.
“Then you’re just about perfect.”
“That’s what my Curtis used to say. He was right, of course.” She flipped her hair over one shoulder and smiled haughtily as if we were her subjects.
Jade chuckled and then coughed to cover it up. “Excuse me.”
The ghost eyed her with disdain but said nothing.
“Okay. Well, I’m Pyper and these are my friends, Jade and Julius.” I waved at them.
She ignored Jade but gazed at Julius appreciatively. “My, my. Aren’t you a handsome one? I have room right here next to me.” She patted the top of the tomb. “Have a seat.”
“Thank you. That’s quite the offer.” He smiled at her, spreading some of that delicious charm he harbored. “But if you don’t mind, I think I’d rather stand for now.”
She turned her face slightly and made a show of pouting.
But Julius laughed it off. “I’m sure your regular suitors would be jealous anyhow.”
“There’s no doubt they would. That’s what makes it fun.” She batted her eyelashes and then waved him away in a shooing motion. “Fine then. Suit yourself. Besides, your friend Pyper needs my help.”
“Okay then.” I clasped my hands together. “I’m sorry. I don’t think I caught your name.”
“That’s because I didn’t give it to you.” She stared down at me.
I had to stop myself from rolling my eyes at the superior air she was putting on. “Right. Well then. What shall I call you?”
“Mrs. Marguerite Mastersons.”
I bowed my head. “Very well. Mrs. Mastersons, I’m trying to contact Miss Grace Thorne. She was the victim of a brutal attack in the nineteen twenties. We’re trying to uncover the mystery of her murder.”
Marguerite got to her feet, standing tall on top of the tomb. Her expression turned stormy and the wind kicked up. Her silk dress streamed out behind her, giving her the illusion of having incredible power. “We do not talk of such unpleasantness. Your questions are not welcome here.”
I opened my mouth to speak but stopped myself. Her eyes flashed to deep pools of blackness and the gorgeous dress turned into rags hanging from her bony body. All the refinement and glamour disappeared and was replaced by a skeletal being of death.
“Whoa.” Jade reached out and took my hand in hers. “Maybe we should go.”
I nodded. The last thing I wanted was another battle of some sort. If Grandmamma Marguerite didn’t want to talk, we’d find another way.
“Marguerite!” Julius said, scolding her. “Stand down.”
The old ghost turned her rage on him and flew straight for him with her hands stretched out. He stood his ground and instead of her colliding with him, she passed straight through him.
She let out a scream of frustration. “How did you do that?”
He smiled patiently at her. “I’m a witch. There are a lot of things I can do. Now, no one here wants to harm or disrespect you in any way, but lives are on the line. Two women have already perished. If we don’t figure out what happened back then, another life will likely be lost.
Marguerite’s composure returned and, along with it, her blue silk dress. She once again looked the part of the upper-class matriarch. “Whose life?”
It was only fair she knew who she was helping. “Mine,” I said, raising my hand a fraction. “I’ve been targeted as the final stage in some sort of ritual.”
“Son of a bitch,” she muttered, startling me. Wasn’t she too old and too refined for such language? “Fine. I’ll tell you what I know if you tell me everything you know. Then and only then will I consider calling Grace forth. It’s taken her too long to find peace. I won’t upset her for just any reason.”
“You should know I spoke with Grace last night,” I said, wanting to be totally up-front with her. She was too volatile to take any chances. “She’s already aware of what’s going on. And for what it’s worth, she didn’t seem to be distraught.”
“This does not change my decision.”
“I’m sure it doesn’t. But I thought you’d want to know.”
“Very well. Carry on.”
I went through the details of the past few days, informing her of Shelby and Ruby’s deaths, how I was the new owner of the silver dress, and ended with the attack on my life. “It might also be important to note that Julius here is the witch who was assigned to prot
ect Grace before her unfortunate demise.”
Marguerite turned slowly toward Julius, her expression completely blank.
I bit down on my tongue so hard I was surprised I didn’t draw blood. It was a risk telling her about Julius, but I’d promised to tell her what I knew in exchange for her help.
“This is why you walk among the living,” Marguerite said dispassionately.
Julius nodded.
“And you risked your own life for my great niece.”
He nodded again.
The wind picked up around her, and while her pupils dilated, her eyes didn’t turn completely black again nor did her dress turn to rags. Then, just as quickly, the wind stopped. Marguerite sat again, dangling her legs over the edge of the tomb.
After she arranged her skirts, she turned her attention to me. “The only thing I know is that Grace was targeted because she was a seer.”
I tilted my head, curious. Julius had already told me about Grace’s ability, but he hadn’t said anything about that being a factor. “How do you know that?”
“I have been here for over two centuries. Collecting secrets is sort of a hobby of mine.”
Julius studied her, his brows furrowed. “Maybe you could elaborate, Mrs. Mastersons?”
“Maybe. But I won’t. That’s all I know, and at any rate, if you’re clever enough, you’ll figure it out.” She floated down from the tomb and landed in front of Julius. “While I’m inclined to hate you for not saving my niece from her terrible fate, I do thank you for giving your life in the effort.”
Julius bowed. “It was my honor, madam.”
She turned to me. “You have what you need. I will not be bothering Grace with any more of this unpleasantness. I do wish you luck with your mission, young lady. Good day.”
Chapter 15
After Marguerite vanished, Julius led us to the back of the cemetery. We stopped in a small clearing surrounded by four large tombs. “This is where Thelma is at rest.”
Jade and I stood in front of the massive, gray-speckled tomb. Only three names were listed on the outside. Thelma and her parents, Peter and Dove Anderson.
“Well, hopefully we won’t be waylaid by the family spokesperson,” Jade said and blew into her cupped hands. The wind had picked up and our gorgeous day was turning chilly.
I shrugged. “I imagine Marguerite was just entertaining herself. I know I’d take every opportunity that presented itself if I were stuck in this loony bin.”
The longer we were there, the less the spirits were trying to engage with me. But their incessant chattering was enough to drive anyone batty.
Jade chuckled. “Me too.”
I sat in the grass, cross-legged in front of the tomb, and focused on Thelma’s name. When nothing happened, I said, “Thelma? Do you want to talk?”
Jade walked over to the tomb and placed her hand flat on the face.
“What are you doing?”
“Checking for any residual energy.” She closed her eyes and concentrated. After a moment, she frowned and stepped back. “I only feel two distinct signatures.”
I glanced at Julius. “Is it possible Thelma isn’t really in there?”
He shrugged. “Could be. But she passed before her parents, so I can’t imagine she’d be anywhere else.”
“Okay. Let me try something else.” This time I focused on Dove.
A petite woman with glossy brunette hair and kind eyes materialized right in front of the tomb.
“Dove?” I asked. From the corner of my eye, I saw Julius and Jade staring at her. Good; they could see her too.
“Yes?” She stood perfectly still, her gaze trained on me.
“Thank you for meeting with me. I’m here trying to contact Thelma. Can you help?”
She frowned and shook her head sadly. “I’m sorry. My daughter’s spirit has never been here. I lost her too young. And my only wish was to see her in the afterlife. That has been stolen from me too.” One single tear rolled down her cheek. “If you find her, please tell her we love her.”
Dove kept her gaze trained on me as she faded away into the twilight.
I stood and brushed the grass off the backside of my jeans. “Let’s go. We’ve got everything we’re going to get here today.”
***
I pushed the door open to my apartment and waved Julius in. We’d dropped Jade off, and even though she’d lobbied hard for me to stay at her house, I’d declined, insisting I needed my own space.
And I did. I was exhausted from the disaster at Ruby’s and then spending the afternoon trying to contact spirits. I needed to recharge and wanted my own bed. Not to mention, now that Julius was in solid form, he really had nowhere else to go. Not that I knew how long he’d stay in this state, but I couldn’t imagine forcing Jade to take him in, nor could I leave him out in the cold. It was a strange situation, so I’d offered him my spare room.
In turn, he’d promised Jade he’d watch over me. He was a witch after all, even if the stability of his physical state was an unknown. I fully expected no less than a dozen calls and texts from her before the morning.
I strode across the room toward the kitchen. “Want some coffee?”
“All right.” Julius stood near the door, his muscles tense.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.”
“Then why are you standing there like that? Come in. Take a seat. I’ll be right back.” I slipped into my galley kitchen and headed for the fridge. Holding the door open, I stood there, seeing nothing. Julius was in my apartment. He was whole. But how long would he be here?
Why in the world had I thought I’d be able to recharge with him hanging around? There would be no relaxing. For either of us it seemed.
I went into autopilot brewing the coffee. In no time, I had a carafe of rich dark roast, two mugs, two spoons, cream, sugar, and the Irish Cream on a tray. How else was I going to get through the night?
With the tray in hand, I rejoined Julius back in the living room. He was standing near the full-length windows, watching the crowds swell on the street below. I set the tray on the table and joined him.
“I’ve been thinking,” I said.
Julius glanced down at me. “I’m sure you have.”
“Haven’t you?”
He nodded, but instead of elaborating, he draped his arm over my shoulder and pulled me closer until I was tucked against him.
A tingle of excitement ran down my side, mixing with the unfamiliar contentment of just being near him. There was the excitement of the unknown. The anticipation of what was to come. But more than that, I was at ease. Something I rarely felt.
I rested my head against his shoulder and sighed.
He tightened his hold on me. “I know.”
“What?” I asked, my heart pounding. Was he referring to the threat on my life or our complicated situation?
He caressed my shoulder. “When it comes to whatever this is, we both know there isn’t a happy ending. So I’d rather just enjoy the time we have together.”
It was strange, but joy filled my heart at his words. There was no declaration of love. Or a promise of tomorrow. Just a simple acknowledgement that he felt the same as I did. And right then, it was exactly what I needed to hear. “I couldn’t have said it better myself.”
Taking his hand in mine, I led him to the table. “The coffee will get cold.”
His lips turned up in a half smile. “Can’t have that.”
“No, we can’t.” I skipped the cream and sugar and went straight for the Irish Cream. After pouring a generous amount into my cup, I held it up in offering.
He picked up the second mug and held it out to me. “Yes, please.”
“Perfect. I’m not fond of drinking alone.”
Once his cup was spiked, we moved over to the couch. Julius sat in the corner
and I curled up next to him. He draped his arm around my shoulders once again, and we sat there just enjoying the moment.
That is until my stomach growled.
He chuckled. “You’re hungry.”
For more than food, but I couldn’t tell him that. It had been so long since I’d been comfortable in a man’s arms. I was dying to kiss him, but didn’t want to ruin anything. What we had in that moment was too precious. “Yeah. I could order takeout.”
“If you wish.”
“Any requests?” Who knew how long it had been since he’s had a proper meal?
“Anything. I’m not even sure…” He shook his head. “It doesn’t matter.”
Did he not need to eat? Surely in human form he’d need subsistence to maintain his strength. I chose not to think about it. I pulled my phone out of my pocket and hit a familiar number.
“Rocho’s,” the girl on the other end said.
“Hi, Phe, It’s Pyper. Can I get a double order of my usual?”
“Sure thing. Brian will be by in twenty minutes.”
“Perfect.”
“The usual?” Julius asked after I hung up.
I smiled up at him. “You’ll see.”
“Ah, a culinary surprise. I can’t wait.”
I swatted his arm. “Shut up. You’re gonna love it.”
“If you say so. But all I really need is you safe and sound.”
My heart squeezed with the conviction in his tone. “Julius?”
“Hmm?” he murmured.
“Why did you do it?”
“Do what?”
“Sacrifice yourself for me.”
He pulled back so he could make eye contact. “Are you serious?”
“Yes.” I tucked my feet under me and sat facing him. “Look, I know there’s something here.” I waved between us, indicating our obvious connection. “But you literally sacrificed yourself for me. If Bea hadn’t brought you back, you’d still be lost in the darkness of Ruby’s house, wouldn’t you?”
He’d taken in all that evil magic himself until it had destroyed him, and hadn’t been able to fully materialize until Bea siphoned it from Jade and me.
