Freaky Reapers (A Mystic Caravan Mystery Book 8)

by Amanda M. Lee

  But how?

  22

  Twenty-Two

  I didn’t know what to do.

  I stood frozen in my spot so long that Raven noticed I was no longer speaking — she’s often self-absorbed, so it took a while — and fixed me with a considering look.

  “What is it?” Her voice came out a hiss. “You sense something.”

  That was true, but it was something I couldn’t share in front of the girls.

  I managed to keep my smile in place as I watched the girls cavort. They really were having a good time and I didn’t want to ruin it. Even more, I didn’t want to terrify them. If they knew what I was worried about, Cotton’s inclination would be to run. That would probably be their undoing.

  “What did you see?” Raven demanded once we were in front of the House of Mirrors. She paid little heed to the guests filing into the building.

  “Not here,” I muttered, dragging her away from the stream of traffic and glancing around to make sure nobody was trying to eavesdrop. Once it was just the two of us, I realized I had to be very careful when it came to unveiling what I saw. Raven was the type to anger quickly and start smiting every potential enemy she could find.

  “What did you see?” Raven’s fingers dug into my wrist.

  “I saw Michelob,” I replied, my voice raspy. “It was her reflection ... except it wasn’t. It was a harbinger.”

  Raven frowned. “You’re saying you saw a psychic flash in her reflection. You know what’s going to happen to her in the future.”

  “I saw a possibility,” I corrected. “It’s something I won’t let happen.”

  “Was it one of the foster homes we were talking about? I’m not kidding. I’m willing to kidnap her to keep her from that situation.”

  I had no doubt that was true. “It’s not the foster homes.”

  “Then what did you see?” She drew her eyebrows together as she worked to puzzle it out. Then, realization dawned and her eyes turned so dark I thought a storm might break out. Naida could control the weather, but Raven looked as if she was willing to give it a shot. “She becomes a banshee, doesn’t she?”

  I swallowed hard and nodded.

  “I won’t let that happen to her.” Raven was adamant. “I don’t care what you say. I’ll take them before I let that happen.”

  “So will I,” I snapped, my temper coming out to play. “Do you really think I’d just sit around and let them be hurt that way? Really?”

  Raven had the grace to be ashamed. “No. You’ll fight for them. It’s just ... they should be untouchable on this property. They should be safe. What kind of moron would cross the dreamcatcher to get to them?”

  That was a very good question, and one I hadn’t considered. “I don’t know. The dreamcatcher hasn’t alerted since the other night, when the banshees were testing it.”

  Raven’s gaze was sharp when it landed on me. “You think they were testing it?”

  “They didn’t cross the line. They alerted, but never stepped over. That either took unbelievable willpower — which I don’t believe they possess — or someone was controlling them and recognized the dreamcatcher for what it was.”

  Raven worked her jaw, thoughtful. “You think they’re completely empty vessels? Like the human dolls.”

  I was coming to a different conclusion. “No. I think they’re worse than the dolls. I think their souls are already gone. They can’t be saved, and I’m guessing their souls were swallowed during the course of their transformations. With the human dolls, their souls were still there. They were simply suppressed and slowly being eaten away. I think by the time these girls are transformed into banshees their souls have already escaped.”

  “You mean you think they’re dead.”

  Arguing about death semantics didn’t seem wise, but we obviously both needed the clarification. “I think these girls are being taken to a place so low and foul they wish they were dead,” I said, choosing my words carefully. “I think that’s what needs to happen to create the banshees. In the past, it was the tortured soul that created the banshee, so the creatures were fueled by despair.

  “By getting the girls to the point where death would be better than whatever they’re going through the person in charge creates a void in them,” I continued. “They embrace death, but somehow their souls escape. That leaves empty shells behind for this creature — and we’re obviously dealing with another paranormal — to use the banshees however he or she wishes.”

  Raven tapped her bottom lip, considering. “That makes sense,” she said. “I didn’t really think about it from that angle, but it makes sense. No souls are being released when we take out the banshees. That means they were already released.”

  “And not collected by the Grimlocks,” I added. “They haven’t found any of the girls. I asked at dinner the other night because I was curious whether it was possible to discover souls that weren’t on their lists.”

  “Yeah, I’ve been trying to picture what they do, and it’s not easy,” Raven admitted. “Still, they obviously serve a purpose.”

  “So do we. Our purpose is to keep those girls safe. That means they can’t be alone from here on out.”

  “That’s easier said than done,” Raven argued. “They’re used to sleeping in the big top by themselves. If someone tries to go in there to sleep with them, even if we try to play it off as a game, they’ll figure out something is wrong. They’re just now getting comfortable with us, and I still see Cotton’s mind going a mile a minute occasionally, like she’s trying to figure out our angle because she doesn’t believe we could really want to give them something for nothing.”

  I’d seen the same doubt reflected from Cotton on more than one occasion. “Then we’ll have to enchant the tent tonight after everyone is gone. We’ll make sure they’re safe inside and no one can get in. Then we’ll post guards around the fairgrounds to be certain.”

  Raven didn’t immediately say anything, instead holding my gaze for an extended beat. Ultimately, she nodded. “I don’t see that we have much choice. If we try to close ranks, they’ll be frightened and run. What you saw will happen to them. If we don’t do anything, we’ll obviously miss something. You were shown that vision for a reason. We’re meant to save them.”

  She sounded sure of herself. Oddly enough, it made me feel better. “We still need to keep an eye on them this afternoon. They’re having a great time, but they could wander off if we’re not careful. I don’t want to tell them what’s happening because ... well ... I don’t think they’ll believe us.”

  “They’ll think we’re nuts,” Raven agreed. “They don’t believe in the paranormal. Why would they? There are enough monsters on the street without adding fantastical new ones.”

  She understood. That made things easier. “I was paranormal myself and I had trouble believing back when I was one of them,” I admitted. “Meeting Max felt kismet. I believed in magic that day. That’s what helped me get out.”

  “You were always going to get out,” Raven countered dismissively. “You were too big for this life.”

  “I believed that about a lot of people.”

  “Did you really?” Raven’s question wasn’t mean as much as probing. “I heard about the girl you ran with. Luke described her, said she was a stripper now. I heard him talking to Kade. Before you get worked up, they thought they were alone. I just happen to enjoy eavesdropping.”

  I gave her a dirty look. “You should try to break yourself of that habit.”

  “I’ll give it serious thought,” she said dryly. “Your boyfriend and that whiner you call a best friend are worried about you. They think you feel guilty about leaving this cesspool. They’re not sure how to approach you, and don’t want to make things worse. I don’t have that problem.”

  Raven’s expression was stern as she held my gaze. “You were never truly one of those kids. You realize that, don’t you?”

  “I was one of them,” I shot back. “I slept on the streets with them. I ran from
the cops with them. Heck, I feared for my life with them. I most definitely was one of them.”

  “No, you weren’t.” Raven’s tone was measured more than argumentative. That was rare for her. That didn’t mean I wasn’t agitated by her words. “You were in an untenable situation and you didn’t have many choices. You didn’t realize that you could take out your foster father with a simple thought, because that’s not who you are. I would’ve jumped to that conclusion right away. Not you, though.

  “You were always a good girl who thought about others before yourself,” she continued. “You ran because you wanted to keep yourself safe, but you also ran because you sensed you had the power to hurt others and you didn’t want to embrace that. Why do you think you only went so far as to pick pockets when you could’ve forced people to give you their homes?”

  I was flabbergasted. “I would never force someone to give me a home.”

  “Of course not. You’re a saint. Anyone else in your position would have, though. You were cold, hungry and constantly frightened. You were also powerful. You were never destined for the street. Those other kids didn’t have a choice. You did.”

  “I don’t feel comfortable talking about this,” I offered, taking a step back. “We have other things to worry about. I am not the center of everyone’s world. We need to concentrate on the missing girls.”

  Raven let loose a petulant sigh. “You are ... unbelievable.” She shook her head and planted her hands on her hips. “You just don’t want to see what’s right in front of you. I don’t get it.”

  “You never will. Those people were my first family.”

  “No. They were people you survived with. Your first family was your parents. You lost them, and you rarely talk about them. Your second family was Max and Luke. You bonded with them from the start.

  “Slowly, you expanded that family,” she continued. “Nixie, Naida, Nellie, Dolph, Seth ... and right down the line. You’ve added Kade and Melissa, as well. They’re your family. Those kids you knew back then were simply people you were forced to hang with because you were afraid to be alone. There’s a difference.”

  I didn’t want to hear it. “We need to focus on Cotton and Michelob. Can you watch them all afternoon?”

  Raven threw up her hands. “Yeah. I’ll watch them. If there’s something I need to do, I’ll put Nixie and Naida on the case. I very much doubt a banshee will be wandering around the fairgrounds in the middle of the day.”

  “I doubt it, too, but what about the person controlling the banshees? There’s nothing stopping that individual from wandering around and taking new victims to up their banshee army.”

  Raven’s lips curved down. “I didn’t think about that. You have a good point. I’ll be diligent.”

  I knew she would be. “We’ll figure out protection charms for the tent tonight. For now, we just need to keep an eye on them so they don’t wander away.”

  I WAS ON MY WAY BACK TO MY tent to give readings when I caught sight of a familiar face. Logan, a soda in hand, reclined on a bench and watched the activity. His eyes were busy as they bounced from person to person. He appeared more contemplative than anything else.

  Out of the corner of my eye I saw a hint of movement. When I turned, I found Kade watching Logan from behind Naida’s tent. He didn’t look nearly as conflicted as I felt and immediately set off in Logan’s direction.

  I sensed trouble and gave chase.

  “Hello, Mr. Denton,” Logan drawled as Kade closed the distance. Apparently he wasn’t as unaware of Kade’s presence as I’d assumed.

  “Agent Stone,” Kade said. “I didn’t realize you were visiting today. Is there something specific you want to see?”

  Logan’s voice remained friendly. “I want to see everything. I’m a big fan of the circus.”

  “I think you’re a big fan of Poet,” Kade shot back. “She’s the one you’re looking for, isn’t she?”

  “She’s the one I’ve found,” Logan countered, inclining his chin in my direction.

  Kade’s expression didn’t reflect happiness as he slowly turned and met my gaze. “I didn’t realize you were standing there. I ... .” He didn’t finish what he was going to say. It was obvious why.

  “Were you about to duel for my honor?” I asked, only half serious.

  “I was going to ... figure out what he’s doing here.”

  “That’s interesting. I was about to do the same.” I moved closer, cast him a warning look while resting my hand on his arm, and then focused on Logan. “This seems a weird place for you to be hanging out given the fact that you’ve got a killer on the loose.”

  Instead of immediately answering, Logan narrowed his eyes. “I thought we had a kidnapper,” he countered. “We haven’t found any bodies. Do you know something I don’t?”

  Well ... crud on a cracker. I walked right into that one. I didn’t think before I spoke and now I was in trouble. Of course, Logan was already suspicious. He didn’t think we were killers, but he was convinced we were odd and potentially dangerous to killers. He’d gotten it in his head we were vigilantes. I saw the notion there a few times the past few days. It wasn’t going away.

  “No. I just find it difficult to believe these girls are being taken and warehoused somewhere. I’m probably being pessimistic — most of my co-workers think I’m sour on life — but I can’t help but assume these girls are dead.”

  Kade slid me a sidelong look. He was reacting to the “sour on life” comment. He’d told me more than once that he thought I was upbeat and earnest. I found that funny given the life I’d lived. But this was not the time for another argument.

  “I guess I’m not as pessimistic as you,” Logan said. “I have hope we’ll find them. Human trafficking is real. It was a real thing back when you were on the streets — and I was genuinely worried for you and Creek — but it’s worse now. I think someone might’ve taken these girls and sold them.”

  Of course he did. He was thinking as a human. He didn’t know the missing girls were turning up as banshees and stealing souls. How could he? Every banshee we dispatched turned into dust. There was no body to dispose of.

  “I hope you’re right. I really do. I just don’t see things going that way.”

  “So, in your head, they’re already dead?”

  “Yes.”

  “I see.” Logan stroked his chin and shifted his eyes between Kade and me. “You guys seem tight,” he said. “You’re always searching for one another in a crowd ... that is if you’re not already on top of each other. I’m glad you found happiness.”

  “You don’t seem glad,” Kade argued before I could find the correct words to address the topic. “You seem more wistful than happy when you see her. I think you had feelings for her twelve years ago and perhaps you still do today.”

  Leave it to Kade to charge in first without thinking about what he was saying. That was so ... him.

  “I did have feelings for her,” Logan agreed, causing my heart to skip as stunned disbelief washed over me. “She kept me alive. I knew she didn't belong on the street. I was terrified something bad was going to happen to her.

  “I was a young cop back then,” he continued. “Idealistic. I thought taking the gang down from the inside was going to do some good. Now, I guess I’m more jaded. I know that when you take out evil, new evil simply moves in and takes its place.

  “As for Poet, I was genuinely fond of her. She saved my life, as I said. It was her more than the others. They were frightened and wanted to leave me. She was determined ... and she’s the reason I’m alive. That doesn’t mean I have romantic feelings for her. You don’t have to worry about that.”

  “I’m not worried,” Kade replied. “We love each other. I’m not living in fear of you or anyone else. She had a crush on you back then. She feels guilty for not saying goodbye before she left ... to you and to Creek. You’re manipulating that to your advantage.”

  Logan balked. “How do you figure that?”

  “You think sh
e has answers on the missing girls that she’s not sharing. That’s why you keep showing up. That’s why you have people watching the fairgrounds. Don’t bother denying it. I can recognize an unmarked federal car from a mile away. I was with the military and did a stint with intelligence. You can’t hide the truth from me.”

  I expected Logan to argue, deny the charge. Instead, he merely shrugged. “Fine. I’m watching you. I can’t help myself. You’re in the middle of the hot zone and there’s a lot of activity in this place after dark. I think you’re searching for whoever is doing this. I also think you plan to do something horrible with this person when you find him.”

  Kade wasn’t expecting that answer. “What?”

  “He thinks we’re vigilantes,” I interjected. “He assumes we plan to find this person and kill him or her and then dispose of the body.”

  “You’ve got to be kidding.” Some of the tension left Kade’s body, replaced with amusement. “That’s just so ... ridiculous.”

  Was it? Technically that’s what we planned to do. We simply weren’t the sort of vigilantes Logan envisioned. We were something more.

  “How do you know what I think?” Logan challenged. “I didn’t mention you guys to anyone.”

  I got a quick flash of him sitting in his car and watching the hoopla with the Grimlocks as we gathered to enter the cemetery the night before. Apparently he’d arrived before our sentries alerted to his presence. He was good at being stealthy, which sucked for us. “Let’s just call it a hunch,” I replied. “And, if you’re worried about what you saw last night, you don’t have to be. We were conducting a séance to contact their mother. The Grimlocks, I mean. They wanted to talk to her.”

  Logan worked his jaw, clearly annoyed by the fact that I’d read him so easily. “You really can read minds, can’t you?” he asked finally.

  “I can.”

  “What am I thinking now?”

  “That you don’t trust me like you used to.” The realization hurt a little. “You think we’re odd and you don’t trust any of us.”