by Dana Davis
“He’ll be tired and sore. But the hitchhiker wasn’t in him long enough to do any permanent damage.”
“Are you sure it’s gone?”
“It has to refuel after taking someone over like that. Even for such a short time. Uses up too much energy. Won’t set it back more than a day or two, though.”
“But it will recover,” Noah said. No one answered. No one had to. “How did it even know where we were? And why didn’t it just jump from that boy into one of us? I mean this thing wants a paranormal, right?”
“Eventually, yes. This one’s focused on Daisy’s new medium energy. Otherwise it wouldn’t have found us. That’s far too random for chance.” She made a sweeping motion with her arm. “Especially out here. But I don’t think it expected the rest of us to be here. And it can’t jump from one body to another, like you suggest. That’s not how hitchhikers work. Even if it could, it’s not strong enough to inhabit a paranormal just yet, especially one as powerful as Daisy.”
Daisy eyed Scarlet. “But you said I’m a medium now. I thought hitchhikers stay away from us.”
“They do. Usually. That’s why it ran when it sensed me. And Kali. They don’t like necros any better.”
“I still don’t understand. Why is it after me?”
Scarlet pursed her lips a moment. “You brought it with you from the other side, Daisy.”
“So, I’ve been tagged by it?”
“In a manner of speaking. Normally a hitchhiker attaches itself to a spirit that’s been called to this side and stays behind after that spirit goes back to the afterlife. After that, it’s free to wander in search of sustenance. But it can’t stray more than a few miles from the entry portal. Once strong enough, it searches out a paranormal to permanently inhabit so it can continue killing in the same manner it did when it was alive. Guns, knives, hands, whatever weapons it used to kill the first time around. Fifty years ago, a hitchhiker searched for a paranormal who collected swords, because he’d lived during the Middle Ages. And once it’s ‘alive’ again, it can go anywhere. Until it burns out the host. But you know that part, already.”
She was beginning to understand. “A trained medium would’ve known how to keep it from escaping into the living realm.”
Scarlet huffed. “Daisy, a trained medium wouldn’t have crossed over to the afterlife in the first place.”
“Great.” I just love being the cause of chaos. She sighed.
“You were just a witch when you started. You had no way of knowing your powers would expand.”
“So, let me get this straight. The hitchhiker is attached to me because I let it out, yet it’s repelled because I’m now a medium. And at the same time, it wants to inhabit me because of my ramped up powers. More killing time before I die.”
“Pretty much.”
“Fabulous.” Just what I always wanted – to be a serial killer.
Noah put a protective arm around her. “Why didn’t you sense this thing?” He sounded angry.
Scarlet rubbed at her nose. “Because it was already inside a body, it didn’t sense me until it got close. Then it panicked. I think the only reason that shot missed was because the hitchhiker fled just before the gun went off and the boy got disoriented.”
So my serial killer description was right on the mark. Daisy forced down panic and laid a hand on her husband’s arm. And that thing could’ve killed Noah. Or any of us, for that matter. It might not be able to merge with paranormal just yet, but it can sure as hell shoot one. “We need to send it back, Scarlet.”
“You’ll get no argument from me on that. But, like I said, it’s smart. It’ll be quick with attacks. When it’s strong enough, it’ll find its way back to you, Daisy.”
“Because I’m the one who brought it here. You said I’m like a beacon for the dead now.”
“As a medium, yes, the dead are attracted to you. But the hitchhiker wants power.”
“And this hitchhiker wants my power.” A piece of the puzzle clicked into place. I really wish it hadn’t. And Daisy’s heart hammered in her chest with the realization. “I’m one of the ingredients. You needed to know who it was going to merge with. The final victim.”
“Yes. It had to choose.”
“Well now you know, so why didn’t you send it back when it was here?”
“You’re only one ingredient, Daisy. It still has to be stabilized. And that requires a very precise ritual.”
“Stabilized? Wait. You mean it needs to be in a host? Me, right?”
“A vessel, yes, but not you. You’re the target, the magnet. Once it’s trapped inside a living body, a trained medium can send it back to the afterlife. But she needs a necro’s help with the ritual.” Scarlet gave a quick glance to Kali, who didn’t seem surprised.
Daisy bobbed her head, getting a clearer picture of her new situation. “So that’s why hitchhikers avoid mediums and necros so strongly.”
“They know we can end their little rampage. Permanently.”
“What happens to these vessels?”
Scarlet hesitated. “They get banged up, even the strongest. But no one has died in a number of years.”
“Died? How?” Okay, is it selfish to be relieved that I’m not the vessel?
“The last one, about thirty years ago, had a heart attack.”
Damnit. “You said even the strongest get beat up. This vessel has to be a paranormal, right?”
“I thought that part was clear, Daisy. Mortals are too weak, so it always has to be someone with paranormal blood. Even the smallest amount will work. And usually a volunteer.”
Daisy’s brows climbed. “Usually?”
Scarlet walked into the shade of a palo verde tree that had been trimmed sometime in the recent weeks, and the rest followed. “Well, there hasn’t been a forced vessel in a hundred years. As technology grew, we gained quicker access to paranormals all over the country. And the world. It’s easier to find a volunteer these days than it was back then.”
“Well, that’s something. I guess.” I really hate these new medium powers.
“Why don’t we just pay someone to do it?” Bridgette said. “Instead of waiting around for a fucking volunteer?”
Scarlet eyed the redhead. “We’re not allowed to.”
“Why the hell not?”
Daisy gazed up at Bridgette. “The Fates won’t allow it.” She turned to Scarlet. “That about right?”
The medium shrugged. “Rules are rules. And believe me, there are some rules that absolutely cannot be broken. I put out a search for a volunteer as soon as you told me about the hitchhiker, so I hope to hear back from someone soon.”
Bridgette huffed. “You said it’s usually a volunteer. So you can’t pay anyone to be a vessel but you can force someone?”
“Not just anyone. Has to be someone who’s less than scrupulous.”
“Like me?” Bridgette crossed her arms in a daring posture and Daisy wondered if she were serious.
Scarlet smirked. “Hardly. Itching spells don’t count.” Her face grew solemn. “It has to be someone whose base nature is to harm others.”
“The old ‘karma’s a bitch’ adage then.”
“Exactly. So unless you’ve been racking up a body count, you’d have to volunteer your services.”
“Which she won’t,” Daisy said. “Don’t even think about it, Bridge.”
“I wasn’t.”
“Good.”
Scarlet laid a hand on Daisy’s arm. “I’m sorry I didn’t realize a hitchhiker followed you back from the afterlife.”
That was the first time she’d heard Scarlet sincerely apologize for, well, anything, and she realized the medium felt responsible. “It’s not your fault.” Kali opened her mouth to say something but Daisy held up a palm. “It’s not your fault, either. You were both doing everything you could to keep me safe over there.” Without you, I would’ve stayed dead. And I really don’t like that idea one little bit. She focused on Scarlet again. “You said Tristan will be okay. B
ut will the hitchhiker go after him again?”
“Unless you’re with that boy, Daisy, I seriously doubt it can find him. Hitchhikers can use mortals in two ways. One is to suck the life force, which kills the victim almost instantly. The other is to use him as a skin, a host. The victim still dies, but not for a couple of hours. And hitchhikers don’t attack in the same place twice. Less chance of us mediums finding them.”
Well, that’s just dandy. How the hell are we supposed to catch it? “And Tristan is only alive because of you and Kali, right? Because the hitchhiker’s afraid of you and it fled.”
“Yes.”
“How long does the ritual take once that thing has a vessel?”
With heart hammering in her chest, Daisy focused on her husband. His tone revealed more than just curiosity. “Noah?”
He ignored her and kept his gaze on Scarlet. “How long?”
An anvil of emotion slammed into her middle. “Uh-uh. No way. You’re not going to be bait for that thing, Noah.”
He turned to her. “Scarlet said any amount of paranormal blood will work for the ritual. And I won’t die. I have a strong heart.”
Daisy couldn’t believe what she was hearing. “Noah, you’re crazy.”
He put his hands on her arms. “I’m just covering all the bases, honey. What if no one else volunteers? We need to keep our options open.”
“Letting a hitchhiker take over your body is not an option. Not even a last resort.” Panic rose up like bile and she couldn’t keep the alarm from her voice. “Noah, promise me you won’t do anything so stupid.”
He studied her a moment. “Someone has to be a vessel to send it back.”
“Not you.” Everything that had happened over the past few days flooded her mind. She had died and almost didn’t make it back. Her throat constricted, her vision blurred with tears. Her lips began to tingle and she felt lightheaded.
“Daisy? Honey? You look like you’re going to be sick.” He pulled her into an embrace. She buried her face in his chest, tears spilling from her eyes. “Okay, okay.” His breath caressed her ear. “I’m sorry. I’m just so worried about you. I almost lost you, Daisy, and I couldn’t go through that again. I would do anything to keep you safe.”
She reached up and caressed his cheek, realizing fear prompted him to want to do something so stupid as be bait for a murderous entity. “I’m so sorry you’ve had to go through all this.” She sniffed and scrubbed at her wet cheeks, ashamed of what she’d put him through, but realizing she’d do it again to save her mother’s soul. “I really am. But I’m tough. I’ve been to the afterlife and back and it didn’t make me crazy.” I’m seeing ghosts everywhere and haven’t lost my mind. Yet, anyway. She sniffed again and forced a smile, hoping to win him over.
“I love you, Daisy Rhiannon. I’d do anything for you.”
“And I love you for that. More than you’ll ever know. But please don’t put yourself in a hitchhiker’s path. Please, Noah.”
He took in a long breath and let it out. “You have to promise me that you’ll take it easy.”
Relief pulsed through her like a tidal wave. “I will.” She flicked a hand toward Bridgette and the others, who had wandered away to give them privacy. “They’ll be looking out for me too, remember?” She smirked, wanting desperately to purge her husband’s fears. “I was impressed when you punched out Tristan.”
He smiled, finally, and blew on his fist. “You’re not the only superhero in the family.” His face grew serious again. “Can Bridgette make stronger protection talismans? Can she do that?”
Daisy fingered the Rowan tree talisman beneath her vintage blouse. Maybe it had helped scare away the hitchhiker. Or maybe not. She really didn’t know if anything would work against a ghost, especially one as strong as a hitchhiker. But they might be able to create one to repel mortals who got possessed. “I’ll ask her when we get home. Come on. Let’s keep looking for that headstone.”
The matter settled, at least for the time being, Daisy led him back to the others and they continued the search, meandering around the various graves. No one said anything, just glanced here and there at headstones. A few moments later, a hawk cried out and Daisy craned her neck to the sky. Not a single cloud, just the familiar blue that seemed to go on forever. She finally spotted the dark bird gliding in a large circle overhead.
“Killed by Indians.”
She drew her gaze from the sky and turned to Kali. “What?”
One slender arm pointed. “This one. Says he was killed by Indians.”
Daisy stepped closer. Sure enough, that was what it read, right beneath his death date of 1873. Wild West days for Arizona, especially around the Superstition Mountains, what with all the gold seekers in the area.
Kali waved a hand toward the road. “If he was anything like those idiots, he probably deserved it.”
Scarlet chuckled. “He’s not here or we could ask him.”
Daisy glanced around. “There aren’t many graves left.” When she sidestepped to avoid another headstone, a shadow figure zipped past, causing her to jerk backwards. She collided with Noah, who grunted, and her heart jack-hammered against her ribs. “Sorry, babe. Idiot spooks. Maybe I can find a cowbell spell to put on them.”
“I’ll help you look when we get home,” Noah said.
She didn’t have the heart to tell him she was joking. That no such spell existed. Not after that disturbing conversation they’d had about the hitchhiker. She still couldn’t believe he even considered letting one take over his body just to protect her.
Wouldn’t you do the same for him? She grunted at her inner voice and took careful steps toward another row of graves, her nerves frayed from so many encounters in such a short time. Something knocked into her and she stumbled. Noah caught her just before she collided with a headstone.
“Damnit!”
“You okay, honey?” Noah sounded concerned.
She straightened. “Yeah, I’m fine.” This was a newer headstone from the look of it. Well, newer in that it had been placed here in the last ninety years or so. Then she read the inscription. William A. Miller. Her heart took off like a greyhound after a rabbit. Wil? Holy shit! She glanced at the Superstition Mountains and thought she just might pass out. It can’t be.
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* * * *
Chapter 7
Spiderwebs
“Daisy? What is it?” Noah moved in front of his wife.
Bridgette had closed off her telepathic senses after the redneck boys left, since the hitchhiker couldn’t attack again for a while, but now that she saw the shock on Daisy’s face, she let a chink of her mental armor fall away. Whatever Daisy saw on that headstone left her stunned. And afraid. Bridgette leaned down and read what had her cousin so upset. What the fuck?
Scarlet drew close and let out a noisy breath. “I thought you said they didn’t find a body?”
Daisy seemed too stunned to speak so Bridgette said, “They didn’t. Wil was buried in the mountain by a cave-in. No one should’ve been able to find that cave, much less his body.”
Kali hooked the long strap of her glittery purse over her head so that it hung across her chest. “Then he’s probably not in this grave.”
“What do you mean?” Bridgette plugged her mental wall to close off her senses again.
“Well, some families like to have a gravesite even if there’s no body. A place to go to talk to the deceased. Gives them comfort.”
“Oh, right.” I should have thought of that. She’d let Daisy’s shock affect her own emotions. Guess I need to be careful opening up to her like that. She’s been through so much shit lately. Relieved Kali might be right and no one actually had discovered Wil’s body, Bridgette shadowed the necro to the next headstone.
Kali pointed a slender arm. “That’s probably Wil’s wife.” She turned to Bridgette. “Wil was Rebecca’s blood uncle, right? So his wife wouldn’t share a blood relation to her.”
Bridgette nodded. “Right.”
“Okay, then we need to keep looking. I need a body and it has to be blood related.”
For what, exactly? Bridgette didn’t want to ask anything more. Necromancers kept secrets, just like mediums did, and she didn’t need any gory details of Kali’s talents. Especially with Daisy here. Her cousin had experienced enough traumas the past few days. “Then let’s find Rebecca’s grandmother.” That was the grave Kali had found in her search, the one they’d come all this way for in the first place. Kali had been doing research on Rebecca’s family ever since she agreed to help Daisy with the crossing over ritual. “It’s gotta be close by.” We’ve already searched the rest of this fucking cemetery.
As Daisy meandered around nearby graves, Bridgette stopped a moment to watch her. She looks tired, worn out. Well duh, you idiot witch. She only got out of the hospital this morning. A surge of protectiveness bubbled up and Bridgette pulled Noah aside. “She really should be resting.”
“You try telling her that.”
“Use your bossy husband skills.”
He smirked. “Have you ever been able to get her to do something when she really didn’t want to?”
Not even if I threatened her with a nasty itching spell. And those had been used in the past to drive people to near insanity. “Point taken. Let’s find this damn grave so we can get home.” You really need to tell her about Liam, a little voice in her head said. And what about Jay? Shouldn’t you tell him about Liam too? Doesn’t he deserve to know what happened? Jay and I aren’t serious. Oh, really? Does he know that? She moved away from Noah and stepped around another gravestone to try and distract her brain from that unsettling conversation. I’m such a chicken-shit.
“Here it is,” Kali said.
About fucking time. She moved quickly to Kali’s side and read the name aloud. “Charlotte Miller. She died young, especially for a paranormal.”
Bridgette’s great-grandfather – Daisy’s great-great-grandfather – Sean Owen McDougal, had used a blood spell that eventually triggered the stock marked crash of 1929. He made a fortune, but Wil Miller’s grandfather lost everything. And then Grandpa Owen had to go and have an affair with Wil’s grandmother. Wil had come after Daisy and Bridgette as revenge for his family’s losses, only he ended up the dead one.
