by Ruby Raine
And her father, Anthony... Michael had only ever read a single, even emotion from him. He should have questioned why. Had they come up with some manner in which to block their emotions? Knowing he’d have caught on. He might never find out.
Michael listened in on the conversation in the kitchen. William was suggesting they capture a Feyk and force them to undo the spell on Riley. Lizzy was agreeing, chastising herself loudly for not thinking to go that route after her potion failed.
Instead of rejoining the group in the kitchen, Michael dialed his girlfriend, Emily Morgan, currently at work at the local bookstore, Harboring the Book.
She answered in her usual happy greeting. Upon hearing Michael’s groan as a reply, she said, “You sound terrible. No luck fixing Riley yet?”
“You got any customers hanging around? My answer might take a while.”
“Just one, she doesn’t look like she’s in any hurry.”
After listening to Michael explain what was going on, Emily felt a flutter of unease; she was glad Michael wasn’t physically with her, or his empathy would’ve picked up on it. And he’d worry about that, too.
“Are you doing okay?” she asked him. “It must be wearing on you, everyone’s emotions in high gear.”
“It is, a little. Kind of a lot. But I’ll survive.”
“Is there anything I can do to help? Do you need any research done? Should I come to the mansion and help?”
Michael thought hard for a minute, unsure whether Emily would be safer by his side or away from him. In the last few weeks, her being with him had nearly gotten her killed more than once.
“Michael?”
“Sorry, Em. Just not sure how to answer that question. I’d feel better having you with me, but at the same time...”
“You think it might be too dangerous.”
“Yes. But not having you with me could be dangerous, too. I don’t know anymore. They’re in the kitchen discussing how to capture a Feyk. I don’t think I want you in the middle of that. And we have Riley locked up in the basement, so if you were here I think you’d be safe, but I’ve thought that before and look what’s happened.”
“How are you going to catch a Feyk?” she asked, letting the subject of her safety dangle. “It’s like they’re everywhere, all at once now. Sightings have been pouring in to that reporter, Courtney Jessup. I wonder why, they must know Mr. Jordan is dead by now. If he hired them,” she stopped, realizing she was not making the situation any less stressful.
“All the things we’re afraid to find out the answers to,” Michael told her. “And right now we’re focused on the whole fix-Melinda’s-nightmare-from-coming-true thing.”
“So Riley doesn’t kill us all,” she replied matter of factly.
“Ugh. What have our lives become, that we can talk about it like it’s just another thing to deal with. Who’s going to try to kill us today?” His tone reeked of sarcasm.
“I think it’s more about having perspective. You’ll stop it from happening, Michael. You always find a way. I have complete confidence in my magic man.”
Her encouragement lightened him. “I don’t know what I did to deserve you? Or what I’d do without you, Em.”
“I’m sending you kisses,” she whispered into the phone, sweetly.
“They taste divine,” he replied.
He wanted to take her somewhere and lock her away until this whole ordeal was over. He heard her making a clucking noise and grinned.
“What idea is brewing around that amazingly sexy brain of yours?” he asked her.
“I was thinking that the reporter could help you catch a Feyk. She has tips coming in minutes, sometimes seconds, after a sighting. According to her blog, at least. It’s like people are hoping to see one and have her number on speed dial or something. Still, it might be a way to track the Feyk, and catch one.”
“Brilliant as always,” said Michael. “I hadn’t thought about involving the reporter, but you’re right. She knows about the sighting locations faster than anyone else.”
Emily told him to hold for a minute while she checked her customer out, and was back a minute later.
“I think you should close the shop,” he told her. “Eva knows where you work. Would you mind just going home for today?”
Emily kept her immediate reply to herself. They lived on an island. Locals pretty much knew where everyone worked, or lived. This wouldn’t make him feel any more confident, so she didn’t remind him.
“I think I could manage a day off. Dad won’t mind the company. Actually, he wasn’t feeling so well when I left this morning, so maybe I’ll grab a few groceries, cook his favorite dish, and we’ll watch a movie or something.”
“That sounds perfect,” said Michael, wishing he could join them. “I’m sorry he’s not well though. Tell him I hope he gets better.”
“Will do.”
“Thanks, Em. I know it’s a lot to ask. I’d just feel better knowing you’re home, and not alone in the bookstore.”
“Oh, it’s so much to ask,” she said overdramatically. “Having to take a day off and spend it with my dad.”
He chuckled. “Text me when you get home, okay?”
“I will. I missed you last night,” she sighed. “I didn’t want to leave my dad home alone though.”
“I missed you too. Getting used to waking up with you sleeping next to me. But after the day we had, I just didn’t feel right leaving the mansion.”
“Turns out that was a smart move.”
“Smart, but I still missed you something wicked, Em.”
“Tonight then?”
“I hope so. If we can get Riley fixed, I’ll be waiting under your bed sheets.” His voice warned her to be ready.
She giggled. “Be careful, Michael. Love you.”
“I love you too, Em. Bye.”
Michael let out a thick breath and rejoined the ongoing conversation in the kitchen.
“Hey,” he said upon entering. “Emily had an idea I wanted to pass by you guys.”
“Go on,” urged William, eager to hear it.
“Emily was thinking that the reporter chick, Courtney Jessup, might be our best chance to find and capture a Feyk.”
Charlie rubbed the stubble on his chin. He’d cleaned up, dressed and returned. “That’s a smart idea.”
“Yes,” agreed William.
“Best idea we’ve had yet,” Lizzy chimed in.
“Now that’s settled,” said William, “I must express my concern over leaving White Pines unattended. While we are busy seeking the Feyks and Eva, they might well use that opportunity to attempt to reach the power source. And frankly, I don’t think any of us should work alone right now. I fear it would prove dangerous.”
“It spreads us thin,” worried Charlie. “But I agree.”
“You can count us in,” said Lizzy, on her and Lucas’ behalf.
“Thank you,” said Charlie, honestly grateful for their presence. “I’m sure none of this is what either of you expected to be doing?”
“Being this involved with magic, definitely not,” replied Lucas, with an inflection of doubt.
It was the first time Melinda witnessed doubt come out of Lucas as typically he was quite sure of himself.
“Why don’t you stay here with me,” she suggested, coming to his rescue. “I’m volunteering to stay with Riley,” she aimed at her brothers and William. She turned to Lucas. “Should be a minimal magic type situation. Probably extremely boring.”
“I think I can handle that,” he replied. “As long as that’s okay with everyone else?”
“It’s fine with me,” said Charlie. He was glad Melinda would be home and not in the middle of possible Feyk, or Eva, confrontations. And Lucas could keep her company and watch Riley at the same time.
“I can’t handle boring, but I’m pretty good in a fight,” claimed Lizzy.
“I would not have guessed that about you,” quipped Charlie sarcastically.
“I am what I am. Love m
e or leave me,” she defended with a confident shrug.
Truer words have never been spoken, thought Charlie.
The thought of chasing around leads and dealing with people’s emotions all day did not interest Michael in the least. “I’ll take first watch at White Pines,” he offered. The quiet of the woods would be a nice change.
Charlie nodded. “Lizzy, you want to join Michael?”
“Sounds like a good time in the making,” she jested.
“Well that does it then,” said Charlie. “Lucas and Melinda will stay here with Riley. Michael and Lizzy will take watch at White Pines and that leaves William and me to visit our friendly neighborhood supernatural investigative reporter.”
“Very well,” said William. “Be careful everyone, and,” he stopped, his mouth closing. His head tilted towards the front of the mansion. He spun around, a deep stare penetrating the door as if he was trying to see through it.
There was a knock. Followed by another.
“Anyone expecting anyone?” asked a leery toned Melinda.
“I’LL ANSWER IT,” SPOKE William, disappearing.
Everyone nervously followed. Even William looked apprehensive as he grabbed the door handle. Upon opening it, a man in overalls holding a clipboard turned around.
“You William Wakefield? This here the Howard residence?”
“Yes, on both counts,” answered William.
“Right place boys, bring’em in.” This was followed by beeping and a large truck backing into their driveway.
William realized what it was. “Gargoyles,” he spoke under his breath. Not a moment too soon he thought. He only wished they were out of their crates and at their posts already. He’d feel much better about security at the mansion. At least come tonight.
“Ferry arrived a bit ago,” said the deliveryman. “We gotta hurry and get these crates unloaded so we can catch the return ride. Sign here.” He handed the clipboard over to William, who signed and handed it back.
Each crate had the word fragile written on all sides, as well as a, this side up, indicator. The handlers took great care getting the packages off the truck.
Everyone had joined William on the front porch, watching.
“Where you want’em?” the deliveryman asked.
“Just remove the crates from the truck and leave them,” instructed William. “We’ll take care of the rest, thank you.”
The deliveryman nodded and told his companions to leave the crates and they skedaddled off, in a hurry to catch the return ferry off the Isle and back to the mainland.
“I wish we had time to uncrate them now,” said Charlie, curious to what they’d look like.
“But we do not,” agreed William. “I’m just glad they arrived early. I wasn’t expecting them for days yet. Although I did emphasize that time was of the essence. Melinda...” he turned to her. “Since you’re staying here, perhaps you wouldn’t mind contacting Mack and see if perhaps the cleaners could be of some assistance, once they’re done at the Jordan home.”
“What do I do with the gargoyles once they’re out of the crates?” she asked him.
“It’s still daytime, so they just need to be perched.”
“But once they wake up, do I need to feed them? Give them water? Baths? Do they bite? They’re not going to sneak up and scare the living begeesus out of me, are they?”
William chuckled at her adorable naivety. “They’re not pets,” he reminded. “They manage most things themselves. They’re quite independent creatures. And I’m sure we’ll all be home long before dusk.”
“So they hunt their own food, then?”
“No. More like forage. Gargoyles are vegetarians.”
“Really?”
William tossed her a bemused smile.
“That’s not going to be easy come winter,” she said, afraid they’d starve.
“We’ll deal with that when the time comes,” promised William. “For today, let’s just get them settled. It’s best that when they first wake, they are perched in the location we want them to sleep in during the day. It gives them a sense of propriety. Gargoyles are bred to sense evil, but they’re not fighters. They’re docile creatures by nature, though aloof. They keep to themselves mostly. I would bet that after a few weeks, we’ll start to forget they are even on guard.”
Everyone wanted to stick around and see them, but duties awaited.
William explained to Melinda where the gargoyles should be perched. When finished, he asked, “Any more questions?”
“No. I think I got it.” He started to walk away. “Um, William...” she stopped him. Thinking perhaps since they were alone, she should broach the subject of Riley and his William aimed rage, and her prophetic dream. Nerves got the better of her though, and she chickened out. “Be careful,” she said instead.
He caught an air of something amiss when her heart fluttered in a nervous manner. It wasn’t the flutter he’d come to recognize as his, just her anxious one. Another he recognized easily. He wasn’t sure exactly what it was, but something nagged at him that she had something she wanted to say, but wasn’t.
He toyed with peeking into her thoughts rather than force her into what he guessed was an uncomfortable topic, but decided against it. It didn’t feel right to, just because he could.
“Are you okay, Melinda?” he inquired instead.
She didn’t answer. How did she launch into, Riley knows I have feelings for you, and even though it doesn’t matter because you vampire, me human, his rage is aimed completely at you, and in my dream you tell me you love me and cannot let me die, then turn me into a vampire to save me... oh and that’s as we’re being burned at the stake. The words dissolved into air as they reached her lips.
“Is this about your dream?” he asked perceptively. “Don’t worry. We won’t allow Riley to turn into a monster. You’ll have your boyfriend back, and whole, in no time. I promise, I won’t let anyone get hurt, Melinda.”
She hadn’t expected him to be so forward and easy going about Riley being her boyfriend.
William turned and left before she could regroup and say what was actually on her mind. She followed, blowing frustrated air bubbles through her lips. A minute later, she watched Michael and Lizzy drive away in the Deane’s truck, heading towards White Pines. A minute after that, William and Charlie took off in the jeep to find the reporter.
Melinda was alone with Lucas, and her psychotic, locked in the basement boyfriend, along with four crated gargoyles waiting to be perched around the mansion grounds.
Lucas met her at the front door. “I was about to go check on Riley.”
She nodded as he headed back inside to the basement. While he was away, she dialed Mack, passing along their request for the cleaners’ help in placing the gargoyles. The sheriff returned her call a few minutes later, letting her know the cleaners were ready and eager to help. “That Josh, what a chip off the old block he’s turnin’ out to be. Hard working, good lookin’ lad he is.” There was a strongly hinted poignancy in her tone.
“Mack, if you’re trying to suggest something, I’ve got enough guy troubles to last a lifetime already.”
The sheriff laughed. “Right, of course. I’d wager you do, a smart young lady like yourself. Still. He’s mighty curious to see the gargoyles, can’t say I ain’t as well. But it’ll have to wait. So what else is up? I just caught Michael and Lizzy whizzing through town.”
Melinda filled her in on their current plans and told her she’d update her if anything changed.
“On my part,” the sheriff started, “I’ve got all hands on deck. Right now, under the guise of prepping for the holiday tomorrow.”
“Oh, right. I almost forgot tomorrow is the Fourth of July. And to think we were all planning on celebrating together.”
“You just might yet. Don’t give up, the day’s still young.”
“How do you stay so optimistic?” Melinda asked with a chuckle.
“I guess it’s just easier than the alternative.”
Melinda laughed. “Yeah, speaking from personal experience, I think you’re right.”
“Okay now. You guys stay safe. Keep me posted. I gotta run, because story of my life, my other line is ringin’.”
“Okay, Mack. You stay safe, too.” She closed her phone and gazed out across the crates dotting the front yard. “Real, living gargoyles,” she mumbled. She headed back inside to check on Lucas, who was just coming up the cellar stairs into the kitchen. “How is he?”
Lucas shook his head. “Getting worse if you can believe it. I took the bandana out of his mouth, felt bad leaving it in, but he just started raving again. He somehow knew William had been here. Must have heard him talking I guess. Seems to have ignited a whole new level of madness.”
“I didn’t warn William that Riley’s rage is directed at him,” Melinda blurted out suddenly, her voice guilt ridden.
Why couldn’t I just have done that when talking to William?
“I’m getting the impression you tried to tell him, but failed?”
“You Deane’s are sometimes far too perceptive for my liking.”
“You’re the one that just...” she raised her hand to shush him. He closed his mouth obediently.
“Sorry, it’s just an uncomfortable conversation,” she explained. “I really like your brother, Lucas. I’m pretty sure I’m in love with him. It’s just that William and I are... close. We work together. We live in the same house. We spend a lot of time together. And Riley’s clearly a little jealous about it.”
“Is he right to be?” Lucas asked protectively.
“No,” she insisted. “No. He has no reason to be. But William is an important part of my life, and I can’t just ignore that. I can’t pretend he doesn’t exist just because I’m with Riley. His name is going to come up in conversation.”
“He’s never been the jealous type before. I think he’ll get over it. As long as we can fix this whole Feyk spell.”
“I hope they capture one fast,” she said. “The faster the better.”
“I don’t know what I’ll do if we can’t fix my brother,” said Lucas. “I dragged him, practically kicking and screaming to live here. He didn’t want to come.”
