Haunting Me (An Angel Falls Book 3)

by Jody A. Kessler

  I throw myself at her, but it does absolutely no good. It’s as if I’m standing on top of a clear sheet of glass. I can see her, but I can’t get to her. Blasted woman! I stomp my foot against the barrier to no effect.

  I drop to my knees for a better look. Is she alive under there? Her note is still clenched in my fist and as I yell and pound the glass-like blockade, the paper soaks up the river water.

  “Vivi, you miserable conjuring crone. Come out of there!”

  I run to the riverbank and pick up a handful of pebbles. I move over the top of Vivi and drop them on her. Sure enough, they drift through the water and scatter over her midnight-blue dress. I think I see her tremble or twitch as one stone lands on her hand. I’m unsure, though, as it is difficult to tell whether the movement was from the current, or if she moved on her own.

  Vivi has explained some of the rules of magic to me. I will not be able to pass without being invited comes to mind at the moment. She obviously doesn’t want me to bother her, but maybe it doesn’t apply to others.

  Back at the house, I see Eileen and the man standing by their car. The two children play near one of the picnic tables set up for the Lammas gathering. Eileen appears strained. Her fingers are pressed to her forehead as she stares at the ground while the man speaks to her.

  He’s saying, “We’ll come back after we ring her on the phone.”

  “I’ve made an enormous error,” Eileen says.

  “Excuse me?” I say.

  They turn to look at me. I see recognition on Eileen’s face.

  “Hello. We’re so pleased to find someone home,” the man says as he approaches me with hand extended. “I’m Gavin McCabe and this is my wife, Eileen.”

  I shake his offered hand. “I’m glad you’ve come. Please, there is little time. Vivian is under duress. Can you come with me immediately?”

  Kevan scampers over to us. “That’s the big fairy, Da! I told ye he was real.”

  I try to smile at the boy, but it probably comes across as looking stiff and uncomfortable.

  “I’m so sorry, but I don’t think the kids should see this. Not until we know more.”

  “What’s happening? Where’s me mam?” Eileen says as she steps forward.

  “Downstream. Will one of you come with me? It’s an emergency.”

  “Of course, sir. Lead the way,” Gavin says, worry lines etching his brow.

  “Please, Gavin. Stay with the children. She’s me mam,” Eileen says as she reaches for her husband’s shirtsleeve, holding him back.

  They share an intimate look for a quick second, then Gavin nods.

  “Gavin, call emergency services.”

  He agrees as Eileen turns to me for direction. As I head away from the house, little Kevan attempts to rush past his father to join his mother, but Gavin scoops him up and swings him into the air.

  “Not this time, young sir.”

  “But, but, I want to go with them.”

  I hear Kevan protesting behind us, but I don’t let it slow my pace.

  “Where is she?” Eileen says.

  “This way,” is all I can say.

  I honestly have no idea if Eileen will be able to rescue her mom or not from beneath the water, but it’s the only thing I could think of to try to help my client.

  “Oh, Jaysus!” Eileen says as she plunges into the pool.

  It’s deeper than it looks and Eileen is quickly submerged up to her chest. She disappears under the surface of the water while I wait impatiently for her to come back up.

  When she does, she yells, “Help me!” Her eyes are wild with fright. “She’s too heavy for me.”

  “I can’t,” I say quickly and move to stand on the surface of the water so she can see the problem with her own eyes.

  “What in God’s name are ye?”

  Repulsion shadows her face. She doesn’t wait for me to answer as she dives back into the cold water. Helpless, I watch her struggle beneath the surface. Eileen looks distorted, long and misshapen with tendrils of her black hair flowing around her. She pulls and lifts at Vivi’s shoulders.

  She rises for another breath, panting. “It feels like she’s fighting me. She’s warm. I don’t understand what’s going on here.”

  Then Eileen is back under the water. It doesn’t surprise me that Vivi is resisting. Her note was clear enough. Vivi probably doesn’t even realize who is trying to save her.

  “Can’t ye do anything?” Eileen screeches at me with her next resurfacing.

  “The water keeps me away. She’s cast a spell on it against me. I’ll get your husband,” I offer. Maybe the two of them can drag her from the bottom of the pool.

  “A spell? Of course. Liam said she’s a water witch.”

  Eileen strikes the top of the water in frustration, slapping it as if she is beating it to get out of her way. The crazy thing is, it does. The water sweeps to the side in a massive spray, but where she pushed it aside, it doesn’t refill.

  “Do that again,” I say watching in disbelief. “Force the water away from your mom. Do it now.”

  “I didn’t do that,” she says as her eyes grow huge with fright.

  “Just try,” I urge.

  She’s more timid about the second attempt, but she cups her hand and pushes another wave of water away from her.

  “It’s working! Hurry Eileen. Move all the water around her and I’ll lift Vivi out.”

  “This isn’t happening,” Eileen says in denial as she continues to push and sweep the water to the side.

  “You must be in tune with the water like she is! Keep going!” The path widens and as soon as Vivi’s face is uncovered I reach forward and stroke her forehead.

  “Open your eyes, Ms. Vivi,” I say.

  Eileen works with panicked speed. The water seems to move away from her as if she were raking a pile of leaves, not holding back a thousand gallons of river water.

  “Blasted boy,” Vivi mumbles.

  She refuses to open her eyes, but I know she is at the least mostly conscious. I slide my arms under her and lift her out of the pool. Rarely do I use supernatural force, but for these circumstances I brace Vivian close to my body and move with superhuman speed and strength to a grassy area along the bank.

  “Vivian Costa, just what do you think you’re about? Didn’t you want to see your daughter? She’s come all the way from Ireland to meet you.”

  Eileen is at my side dripping and shivering. Vivi’s eyelids flicker and open. She sees me first, then her focus shifts to the person next to me. She closes her straining eyes to the sight, pressing them shut tight. Eileen takes her hand.

  “Why are ye so warm then? I’m frozen to the bone. Is it because ye’re a witch like my father says?”

  “That’s right,” Vivi says. “I’m a witch. I should have known the water would not take me even with the spells. Piss poor assumption on my part.”

  I channel heat into Eileen, whether she wants it or not. I will not save one to be the cause of another’s death. She looks over her shoulder at me for a second but refocuses on her mom.

  “Are ye of the magic similar to Uncle Liam’s?”

  “It is much the same, Eileen Rose. But I’ve never harmed a soul with my magic, except for maybe you, and your da. For that I am truly sorry. Tell me, are you really sitting beside me, or am I delirious from lack of oxygen?”

  Eileen squeezes Vivi’s hand and says, “Aye. I’m right here, Mam. And ye’re not allowed to leave me. I’ve only just arrived, and I’ve yet a hundred more questions for ye.”

  Chapter Twenty-six: The Earth, the Sky, and the Stars

  Juliana

  “Your coach awaits, m’lady.”

  My stomach flutters with uncontrolled nerves as I stare at the monstrous Ford pick-up in front of me. Nathaniel grins sheepishly and swings the door open for me.

  My entire being lightens with his crooked smile. I look away, not able to handle the instant rush of emotions consuming me in a heartbeat. I glance over at my mom from my whe
elchair. It’s hospital policy to be wheeled out of the front door. I feel ridiculous in the chair. I’m anything but helpless. I was seriously ready to go home two days ago, but my mother and the doctor were against me. I didn’t stand a chance at getting out of here early. Mom was supposed to bring me home from the hospital today, but as we left the front entrance, it was Nathaniel waiting for me.

  “May I escort your daughter home?” Nathaniel asks my mom.

  “What would you like to do, sweetie? Do you think you’re ready for some fresh air?” she asks.

  I swallow the nervous lump in my throat. It’s not that I don’t want to see him. I definitely do. Just the sight of him unwrapped a layer of anxiety which was smothering me.

  Did I mention I finally had like ten whole minutes of total privacy this morning? Well, I did. And guess what a nineteen-year-old does when left alone with no one hovering around her hospital room? That’s right, she tinkles on a pregnancy test. It took me this long to build up enough courage to take the test. I just couldn’t do it before today, and I kept hoping Mother Nature would tell me. Well, the results were a big fat negative. Hallelujah, I’m not pregnant! The confusing memories during the time I was possessed are still hiding in my subconscious, but at least I know I didn’t go all the way with what’s-his-name. Jared tried to tell me nothing happened, but I needed extra assurance. As soon as I saw the minus symbol, all I wanted to do was find Nathaniel, hop up and down, and tell the world I’m not a slut, and no succubus can turn me into one. So, here he is. But the mix of feelings is a turmoil cocktail that’s hard to swallow. It’s also hard to breathe. I manage a shy, “Yeah.”

  Mom squats down in front of me. Her gaze penetrates deep into mine.

  “Are you sure? You can go straight home and back to bed if you want.”

  It’s enough to shake me out of my funk. “Sleeping is the last thing I want to do. It feels like I’ve wasted an entire week of summer sleeping.”

  “Okay, but no rock climbing, or mountain climbing. In fact, all you’re allowed to do is sit. I’m saying this as your nurse, not your mother. Got it? I can’t take any more of my children in the hospital.”

  “You don’t have any other children,” I say.

  “Exactly. You and Jared are banned from needing the hospital ever again.” She gives me her most stern motherly look, which isn’t very threatening, then stands back up and glances at Nathaniel to make sure he was listening.

  “Okay. I totally agree to all terms. Negotiations are final,” I say before she has a chance to change her mind and wheel me back inside.

  I start to rise from the stupid chair, but Nathaniel is instantly in front of me. He helps me to my feet, but before I can take a step forward, he scoops me up and carries me to the big bench seat inside the truck.

  I glance over at Mom. She looks both amused and impressed by Nathaniel’s strength. I give her a little wave, and she gives me a worried, but happy, smile.

  Nathaniel closes the door, thanks my mom for letting me out of her sight, and climbs in on the driver’s side.

  “Whose truck is this?” I ask as we pull away from the hospital. The bone-white truck looks like a relic from the seventies. It’s jacked up high and rides on huge knobby tires which vibrate against the road with a roar. This is my first ride in a truck like this, and even though it’s guzzling gas and polluting the environment, it’s sort of fun bouncing along while looking down on all the little cars.

  “It belongs to the ranch.”

  “What ranch?”

  “I sort of have a job now.”

  Nathaniel slides his pewter gaze over to me, watching for my reaction. He looks so relaxed and happy that I smile and ask, “What?”

  “I want to show you. It can wait, though, if you’re not up for it. I can take you home instead.”

  “I don’t want to go home,” I say.

  “But isn’t your house pretty rad these days?”

  “Did you just say rad?”

  “Yeah. What? The cool kids don’t say that anymore?”

  “Umm,” I start. “I don’t know what’s cool. Don’t listen to me. I’m the least cool person I know.”

  “You’re definitely the coolest girl I’ve ever met. And I’ll have to work on the modern jargon,” he says as if making a note to himself.

  I give him a questioning look, but he’s busy watching the road. “So, what about my house?”

  “Oh right. I was saying…Marcus isn’t allowed inside. It’s awesome.” He raises his brows at me. “Was that a twenty-first-century upgrade on the slang?”

  “You can say rad if you want to, silly. And, Chris’s protective shield is amazing,” I admit. “But I still don’t want to go home.”

  “Good,” he says and flashes all his pearly whites. “And I think this new job is going to be exactly what I need.”

  After a few more miles, Nathaniel reaches down to the floor and hands me a backpack. “I hope you don’t mind. Jared found your music player and I grabbed the rest of the stuff. Want to listen to some tunes?”

  I smile again at his use of the word tunes. Was that popular in the seventies? Eighties? I didn’t know and I didn’t really care. As long as Nathaniel is speaking with his über-velvety voice, I am a swooning mess. He can say anything any way he wants. I say, “Yes. I’ve missed my music. Thank you.”

  There’s a somewhat modern stereo in the truck, and by somewhat I mean there’s a tape player. I plug in my MP3 player to the cassette converter, also conveniently inside the bag and push in the old style tape. I pick my favorite playlist which I think Nathaniel might also like, and adjust the volume. When one of my favorite songs fills the cab and Nathaniel reaches over and takes my hand in his, I take a deep breath. There was no reason for my nervousness after all. Being with Nathaniel is always the right place to be.

  After thirty more minutes and deeper into the mountains, we finally park and climb out of the truck.

  “Are we near Star’s aunt’s house?”

  Nathaniel circles his arms around me and holds me for a long moment. “Yes,” he says into my hair. “Are you okay with that?”

  “Sure. It was a strange night, and hard to forget, but I know Star isn’t anywhere near here.” The reminder makes the scar on the side of my neck tingle. Memories surface and mix with the crazy visions I’ve had. It creates a jumble of confusing images. I stuff them back behind the curtain of all things I don’t want to acknowledge. And I have to report my visions have settled down. Maybe it’s because all I’ve been doing is lying around in bed, but I’m hopeful they will stay away for a while.

  “I’m sorry, Juliana. I was so excited to share everything that’s happened I didn’t think about how you might feel being up here again. We’re pretty far from the ranch house, but this is part of Vivi’s property.”

  “It’s really okay. Now tell me why we’re out here.”

  “Remember our date? The end didn’t go well so we’re finishing what we started. Come on. There’s an easy trail. It’s not far, but you can ride on my back if you’re tired.”

  He sounds a bit too pleased with the prospect of me riding him. I watch the goofy grin spread across his face and slug him on the arm. “I can walk.”

  It’s late afternoon, and it’s painfully clear to me the long sunny days of summer are almost over. I was only in the hospital for a few days, but I can tell the sun is setting earlier. The shadows of the trees streak across the forest floor, and overhead, the undersides of wispy clouds are beginning to shimmer with platinum and gold. We head toward a stream surrounded by some of the tallest pine trees I’ve ever seen. The trail is well marked and bordered with stones from the stream bed.

  “Where are you taking me?” I ask, no longer able to contain my curiosity.

  “It’s a few more minutes ahead,” he says.

  As we walk Nathaniel gets quiet, and I sense now he’s the one feeling a little nervous. I don’t ask any more questions and just keep moving. Walking outside has always helped me unwind.
It’s not just about relaxing though. My whole being relishes the experience, and it makes me feel incredible. Like I’m more alive. Five minutes out here is doing more than all my days in the hospital.

  I realize our footsteps become the rhythm. My breath with the accompanying sound of the stream, the crow calling in the distance, and the chirping of a nearby chickadee makes up the melody. It’s an odd song, but I go with it and let every bit of leftover tension, angst, or fear from my latest ordeal flow out of me and downstream.

  “What song is it?” he asks.

  I’m not surprised when he picks up my vibe. “No song. Just the woods. It’s something Jared and I do sometimes. We make our own music when there isn’t anything else to listen to.”

  A summer breeze lifts my hair and blows flyaway strands across my face. I let go of Nathaniel’s hand and brush my hair off my nose.

  “You’re a composer,” he states.

  “No, nothing like that,” I say.

  He gives me a skeptical look. “You write whenever you get a chance and when no paper is at hand you make up songs in your head. If you’re not a composer, you’re an artist.”

  Clearing my face of any emotion is like trying to erase permanent ink so I don’t even try, but I do stare down at the water instead of acknowledging his observation.

  “What about you?” I reach into my pocket and pull out the folded sheet of paper Jared brought me with Nathaniel’s lyrics. “This is amazing and sweet. It’s the most thoughtful gift I’ve ever received except for the four-leaf clover charm. I like it so much I’ve decided to take it to the afterlife with me.”

  Nathaniel swallows. “Jared wasn’t supposed to give it to you unless I didn’t return.”

  “He did, though.”

  I think Nathaniel actually rolls his eyes. It’s more of a half-roll — like looking skyward for staying power — but I’ve never seen him do it before. He almost looks embarrassed.

  “I’ll be sure to thank him later.”

  “So you can dish it out, but you can’t take it?” I tease.

  “Yep. Pretty hypocritical of me isn’t it? The truth is I’d write a song about you every day if I couldn’t be with you.”