Levi was ecstatic about finding the necklace. Paige would be safe, in the meantime at least. He leaned back in his seat, enjoying the peaceful drive even though their search for Rhea had been fruitless so far. The witch had proven quite elusive, which had made Paige all the more edgy. He’d hoped to make short work of the search by swinging over to the farmers’ market right out of the gate. Unfortunately, no one there had seen the woman and had no good suggestions as to where she might be.
That had been two hours ago. Paige tapped her feet, though she seemed to prefer pacing when able. He didn’t like seeing her so rattled and attempted to take her mind off the hunt. “I would have loaned you my earring, but I didn’t think diamonds were your thing.”
Paige blinked, perplexed. “You didn’t think diamonds were my...” She gawked at him from the passenger seat, but then pursed her lips once she saw the devilish grin on his face. “Diamonds are every girl’s thing, ya goober.”
He shrugged innocently.
“It probably wouldn’t have worked anyway,” she said, as she settled back into the worn seat, annoyed. “The protection in that thing is for your family.”
Her tells had become easier to spot. She kept running a hand through her hair and tapping her feet. Sure signs of her nervousness and frustration with the situation.
“I thought the same,” he replied. “And didn’t want to risk testing it out when your life was at stake.”
The corner of her mouth curved up into a half grin. She didn’t look at him, but she did lean close enough to put a hand on his leg.
“We’ll find her.” He patted her hand.
She nodded. “Yeah, we will.”
With no solid leads, Levi headed to the Indian Hospital. His grandfather had mentioned the witch making house calls when people were sick. After stopping by the market, he and Paige had dropped by the neighbor’s house, inquiring about Rhea. They’d said they heard she’d been by a friend’s house, to tend to their daughter, a little girl named Aurora. As it turned out, the witch had visited the little girl, but it had been some time ago. Aurora’s parents had taken her to the hospital yesterday. He just hoped Rhea did follow-ups on her patients.
A one-story building that looked more like a business complex than a hospital came into view. He pulled the clunky old truck into the parking lot. There were some cars already there, though none of them looked very witchy.
Like I know what a witch would drive anyway. He smirked at the thought, and parked near the entrance.
“Cross your fingers,” Paige said, as she hopped out.
“Toes too,” he replied. He took her hand as they headed to the entrance. “You think she’ll have a big hook nose with a mole on it?”
Paige chuckled. “At this point, I hope she does. The easier to spot her, the better.”
“Can’t argue with that.”
They walked into the atrium. The place may not have looked like a hospital from the outside but it definitely had the feel of one on the inside. The smell of disinfectant permeated the entire room. Behind the reception desk was a small cluster of people in blue scrubs. Empty chairs filled the rest of the front area, signaling that Levi and Paige had the run of the place.
Paige came to a halt two steps in. Her gaze darted around the room in confusion.
“What’s wrong?” Levi asked, preparing to grab her and run.
She didn’t reply. Instead, she reached up and took her necklace off.
“Whoa, what are you doing?!”
She held up a hand to stop him, but didn’t look his way, only stood there, as if listening to someone.
He was about to ask again when she suddenly spoke, “Is she here?”, the question directed at thin air.
Levi reached out to take her arm, but stopped, realizing that he’d seen her do this before, when she’d spoken with Nova. There was a spirit nearby. Possibly more than one, now that he thought about it. Hospitals weren’t only places of healing after all, a lot of people spent their final days here. He glanced around, expecting to see a mob of shambling ghosts bearing down on him.
Nothing.
You’re an idiot, you know that? He plopped down in the closest chair. Having his soul siphoned away, and then jammed back in, had done a number on him. He felt as if his body was a size too small, and his nerves jittered at the slightest hint of an otherworldly presence. He needed a vacation, if he survived all this cursed business.
“Okay,” Paige said. “We’re in luck. She’s here.”
Thank God. He rubbed his eyes.
“You okay?” she asked, as she put her necklace back on.
“Yeah, just stressed.” He got to his feet. A long-ass vacation, he thought. “Lead the way.”
The concerned expression didn’t leave her face, as she nodded. She didn’t press it further, instead, she took his hand and walked over to reception desk.
“Can I help you,” one of the nurses asked.
“Yeah, I’m looking for Ruth Lampkin,” Paige said.
Levi bit down on his tongue to stop from asking who the hell Ruth Lampkin was.
“She’s in the patient wing,” the nurse answered. “You want me to buzz her?” Her chubby fingers reached for the intercom button.
“No, I can find her,” Paige replied with a smile. “If that’s okay...”
“You’re within visiting hours.” The nurse waved an arm toward one of the hallways. “Feel free.”
“Thanks.” Paige led him away from the lingering glances of the nurses.
Once far enough from the desk, he asked, “Who the hell is Ruth Lampkin? I thought we were looking for Rhea Walker, or at the very least, Aurora?”
“We aren’t Aurora’s family, so I didn’t want to risk getting turned away.” She looked over her shoulder back at the waiting room. “And my new ghost friend told me that even though Rhea helps out here at the hospital, administration doesn’t like people asking about it.” She made a right at the first intersecting hallway.
“That doesn’t tell me who Ruth is, and why we’re looking for her,” he stated.
“She knows Rhea the best,” Paige continued. “Ruth is the one who assists Rhea when she shows up. We find Ruth, we find Rhea.”
“That makes sense.”
“Doesn’t it?”
“Smarty pants.”
She squeezed his hand. “Only when necessary.”
He chuckled. “Did your ghost friend tell you what she looked like?”
“Like, her.” Paige pointed down the hall at a woman that must have been in her mid to late sixties. Her hair had streaks of gray starting from the temples, and she wore it pulled back into a tight bun. The blue scrubs hung loose on her thin frame, but the way she helped an elderly man into his wheelchair spoke of strength.
“Excuse me, are you Ruth?” Paige asked, as they got closer.
The woman looked up from the man in the wheelchair. “Yes. Can I help you?”
“I hope so. I’m Paige, and this is,”—she hesitated, glancing his way—“my friend, Levi.”
He arched an eyebrow at her. They hadn’t discussed their relationship, there hadn’t been time, but he’d pretty much assumed they were together. An item. Whatever you called it.
Apparently, she still had doubts. Not that he could blame her, he just hoped she would come around to the fact she couldn’t live without him. God, listen to yourself. He almost laughed at his pathetic inner-self. He knew full well he would be the one having a tough time without her.
“We were hoping you could tell us where we might find a woman named Rhea,” Paige continued. “She’s been helping a little girl recently. Is she—”
“Now that’s a nice piece of ass, if I ever saw one,” the old man blurted, as he leered at Paige.
Paige gaped at him. “Wh... what?”
“Mr. Thompson,” Ruth said, sternly. “You’ve been warned about that kind of talk.” She wheeled him through the nearest open door and up to a window on the far side of the room. “You have a nice sit, and I’ll be right back.”
“Anything you say, sugartits.”
Levi snickered at the man’s lack of political correctness.
Ruth rolled her eyes, then joined them back out in the hall. “He got hit in the head pretty hard. And he’s an old pervert.”
“Never could have guessed,” Levi replied. He was beginning to think getting his soul sucked out wasn’t such a bad thing after all.
“You two look like you need to check yourselves in,” Ruth said. Her dark brown eyes scanned them up and down. “Were you in an accident?”
“Uh...yeah, but we’re okay,” Paige answered, coming out of her shock. “We were hoping to speak with Rhea.”
“Why’s that, dear?” The nurse’s eyes narrowed.
“She’s a witch,” Levi said, jabbing a thumb at Paige. They hadn’t come up with a plan on how to talk with this woman, so honesty seemed the best way to go. And by the look of her stare, he didn’t think the old nurse would have fallen for anything else anyway.
“Levi?!” Paige smacked his arm. She smiled sheepishly at Ruth. “He’s just jok—”
Ruth held up a hand. “I figured as much. Not many people come around asking about her. If you ask me, you poor girls need more help than anyone here.”
“What does that mean?” Levi asked.
Ruth poked a finger at Paige. “You hang around her long enough, you’ll figure it out.”
He knew full well the dangers they currently faced, but she was obviously referring to something else. He hadn’t had time to consider what other dangers being with a witch might bring. His curiosity would have to go unanswered for now, because the nurse turned away from them and started walking down the hall.
Ruth waved for them to follow. “C’mon, I’ll take you to Rhea.”
Paige noted the worry on Levi’s furrowed brow. Considering the past few days’ events, it didn’t surprise her. Trouble commonly followed spirits and apparently, witches as well. Facts he’d have to come to terms with if they stayed together.
What the hell are you thinking? You’re going back to Salem. He won’t have to worry about any of this once I’m out of here. The thought comforted her and wrenched her heart all at once.
“You okay?” he asked.
She glanced up at his chiseled features and dark eyes.
This is killing me already. She tried to smile, but it felt lame, and from Levi’s deepening frown, he wasn’t buying it either. “I’m managing.”
“Hopefully this Rhea woman can help.”
“She damn well better be able to. I don’t know about you, but I’m tired of that creepy, headless bastard fucking up my life.”
He smiled. “Yep. I’m right there with ya.”
At least he’s a believer now, she thought, as they followed Ruth down another hallway.
They reached the kids’ wing of the hospital. Crayon drawings decorated the walls and balloons floated from the occasional door handle. There were no ghosts here either. Paige found that to be fairly consistent with other hospitals she’d visited in the past. Children tended to have a higher survival rate, which she was grateful for. It was bad enough interacting with dead adults. Speaking with dead children was on her top ten things to avoid.
Ruth poked her head into one of the rooms. “Rhea, there’s some people here to see you.”
Paige closed her hands into fists to stop fidgeting. She hadn’t realized just how anxious she’d be meeting this woman. Hopeful, maybe even elated sure, but apprehensive? After what she’d been through? The anxiety seemed foolish.
Levi gently took hold of her hand. The warm tingle of his touch branched out along her arm, soothing her nerves. His comforting smile didn’t hurt either.
“Thank you for checking in on Aurora,” Ruth said to the striking woman who stepped out of the room. Not only was she statuesque, she had an air of physical strength about her that spoke of someone who could handle themselves in a fight. Her straight black hair was smooth as silk and tied back in a ponytail, reminiscent of Nova. Everything about her said warrior sex goddess.
Paige fought to not hate her.
“You are more than welcome,” Rhea replied. Her voice was deep and unintentionally alluring. “Are there any others I could look in on?”
“No, dear. But maybe you could see to these two.” She gestured to Paige and Levi. “They look as if they’re in need of some help.”
Rhea’s dark eyes glittered as her gaze fell on Paige. “Yes. I think they do.”
Ruth gave them a nod and then bustled off down the hall.
“Thank you,” Paige called after her.
She waved without looking back.
“So, you’ve found me,” Rhea said, stepping forward. “What can I do for you?”
Paige’s mouth went dry. If this woman lived up to even half of what Paige longed to find, it’d be a blessing. She had hoped for this moment for so long it didn’t seem real. Now, she had trouble just spitting out the words. She had no doubts how crucial this first impression would be.
Levi gently squeezed her hand. Again, his soothing warmth helped calm her nerves.
With all the composure she could muster, she said, “I’m a witch.”
Rhea arched a dark eyebrow.
Paige would have face-palmed herself, but she was so aghast at what she’d said, she couldn’t move. “Didn’t mean for it to come out like that, sorry. My name is Paige.”
Levi extended his free hand. “The more straightforward the better, I say. I’m Levi, by the way.”
“I agree with you,” Rhea said, shaking his offered hand. “It makes this a lot easier. We’ve been expecting you.”
Paige’s jaw sagged open in shock. “What?”
“I can explain more easily if you come with me to Coven’s Grove. Sometimes it’s better to see for yourself than be told.”
“You’ve been ‘waiting’ for me?” Paige pressed. “What does that mean? Did Nova get to you?”
Rhea frowned, and then glanced around. “Perhaps we should talk somewhere a little more private.” She gestured to one of the rooms across the hall.
Levi tugged on Paige’s sleeve, ushering her into the empty room.
Rhea joined them and closed the door. “Who is Nova?”
“My sister...” Levi started. “My dead sister. My sister’s ghost, actually.”
That was a mouthful that even Paige would have had trouble following if she hadn’t been with him the past few days.
Rhea cocked her head to the side, which made her even more attractive. “I don’t understand.”
“It’s hard to explain.” Paige moved to stand between the hot Native American woman and Levi—just to make her point clear. That’s what she told herself anyway. “Kinda like you saying how you were ‘expecting’ me.”
Rhea snorted. “Fair enough. I guess you want the short version?”
“Yeah, for starters.”
“We cast a summoning spell over a year ago. You should have been feeling its pull. I assumed that’s why you’re here.”
It was Paige’s turn to frown. “I haven’t felt any pulling. Nova brought me here.” The thought of casting a spell with that much power was mind boggling. And to spend such effort just to bring her here didn’t make a lot of sense. “Why would you summon me, and how did you even know who and where I was, for that matter?”
“Not only you, but all witches that might need a coven.” Rhea tapped a finger to her full lips, puzzled. “You’ve felt nothing, not even a nudge toward the Grove?”
She shook her head, trying to wrap her mind around the enormity of the magic they must have used. “I don’t even know where this ‘grove’ is.”
“You wouldn’t have to. The spell should’ve urged you in the right direction.”
“Well, we’re here with you,” Levi commented, over Paige’s shoulder. “So something must have worked.”
He’s right, Paige thought. She had no idea how the spell functioned, but in a roundabout way, they had found Rhea. A shiver went through her at the thought. What else had been manipulated? How many others had been affected by the magic? Nova? Levi? “That’s kind of creepy, and intrusive.”
“You can bring that up with Miranda,” Rhea retorted. “Right now, you need to decide if you want to come with me or not.”
“Who’s Miranda?” Paige and Levi asked in unison.
“She’s the coven’s matriarch,” Rhea replied. “If you come with me to the Grove, you both can meet her. If not, I won’t be able to help you further.”
“You haven’t helped us so far,” Paige stated. Despite her misgivings, she didn’t have much of a choice. The coven provided the best chance of helping Levi… and herself. Still, she wanted reassurance of the coven’s validity. “How do we know you’re really a witch, and not some crazy herbalist or something?”
Rhea held up her hand. She took a deep breath, and then clenched her teeth. Loud, popping sounds came from her hand as it distorted with unnatural, rolling bulges. Claws punctured the tips of her fingers, while coarse hair grew wildly from the pores of her dark skin.
“Whoa, shit!” Levi pulled Paige away from the transforming woman.
“This enough proof?” Rhea asked. She wiggled her clawed fingers at them.
Paige gulped, as she stared at the hairy, taloned appendage. “That shouldn’t scare me, considering what I’ve seen the past few days—years actually. But I think I may have just wet myself a little.”
Levi gawked in silence.
“Sorry.” The Native American woman grimaced as her arm shed the fur, and shrank back to normal size and shape. “Wasn’t really going for that.”
The sound of realigning bone would forever haunt Paige’s dreams. The horrid display hadn’t proven Rhea’s witchcraft, but it definitely showed her to be supernatural. “I’d hoped for something more like a spell, not… that.”
Rhea smirked. “What makes you think that wasn’t one?”
“There were no flashy lights?” Paige offered, at a complete loss. She realized that the possibilities could be limitless as to what a spell might look like. Her shoulders slumped. I really have no idea what I’m doing.
Levi stepped around her. “So, make with the flashy lights, or we aren’t going with you.”
Rhea narrowed her eyes at him. “I’m not a circus performer.”
“And we aren’t sheep, willing to blindly follow,” he retorted. “We need help, not more trouble. Surely, you of all people can understand our caution.”
After a tense moment of the two staring at each other, Rhea sighed. “Fine.” She whispered something too faint to make out, and then snapped her fingers. A small, spinning orb of light materialized out of thin air next to her hand. The tiny globe buzzed with life as it spun faster and faster, spitting out sparks of white fire.
Paige could feel power pulsing from the beautiful native woman. The same surge of energy that filled her when casting her own spells left little doubt that Rhea used magic. Why she hadn’t felt the same prickly sensation from the grotesque arm transformation, she didn’t know, but magic definitely poured from the spinning light.
The orb suddenly sputtered and snuffed out with a puff of smoke.
Rhea arched a brow. “Better?”
She nodded. “Yes, thanks.”
“Then you’ll come to the Grove?”
Paige still felt a bit apprehensive, though Rhea had more than proven herself to be a witch. And deep down, she wanted to go. She’d been hoping to find an opportunity to learn about her power ever since she had spoken with her first spirit.
Grandmother. The memory struck without warning, bringing a touch of moisture to her eyes. That day at the funeral home had been unbearable. Everyone either sobbed, or asked too many questions about her schooling. She had no escape from family or friends, and the stinging reality of loss. Her grandmother had been a foundational stone in her life. She’d stepped in, to shoulder burdens her parents could not. Burdens like raising a child.
Paige had been looking down at the body, on the verge of bolting from the room, when her grandmother had appeared. The ghost didn’t look like the ancient and worn woman in the casket. No, the spirit that gazed down at the remains of her grandmother looked young and vibrant. Almost as if she’d just stepped out of the roaring twenties with her short, wavy hair and shiny sequin dress. The two women couldn’t have looked any more different, but Paige could see the familiar features on the young woman’s face. This had been her grandmother in her youth. Of that, Paige had no doubt.
Her grandmother’s spirit had noticed the tears on her cheeks and reached out, wiping them away. “Don’t fret, dear. Everything will work itself out.”
“No, it won’t.”
“Don’t give up, child. You will be okay, if you don’t give up.”
Paige would have argued differently till she was blue in the face, but there’d been a flash of brilliant light, and then she stood alone beside the casket. She’d been too grief-stricken to ask if anyone else had seen the young woman from the twenties, or the bright light. Not until several days after did she question someone about it. No one had seen a ghost.
A few months went by before Paige had convinced herself that the brief words shared with her grandmother had been nothing more than a trick of the mind... a coping mechanism, someone had said. That’s when the ghosts started showing up at college—at the library, in her dorms, and even in the bathroom. That’s when she truly realized she was different than everyone else. That the visit she’d had with Grandma was no “coping mechanism.” That’s when the hunt for others like her began in earnest.
Paige ran a sleeve over her eyes, and met Rhea’s questioning gaze. “Oh yes, I’ll be going to Coven’s Grove.”