Paige rolled over, looking for warmth and found the sofa empty. “Levi?”
“I’m here,” he said from the kitchen. “Sorry, I woke up early and couldn’t go back to sleep. Breakfast?”
The smell of pancakes wafted from the kitchen, making her stomach rumble. “Yes, please.” She got up and stretched. The couch had been surprisingly roomy and comfortable, and had provided an amazing night’s sleep.
I might just have to get one of these, she mused, and then thought better of it. Probably costs a fortune.
“Still feel amazing,” Levi said, as he flipped over a couple of eggs. “I don’t know what happened, but I feel like I could take on anything.”
Paige got to her feet, and pointed to her nakedness. “Isn’t it obvious? I totally knocked your socks off last night.”
He gave her a devious grin. “I won’t argue that.”
She quickly wrapped a blanket around her shoulders. “That’s enough looksies. Besides, I think we actually experienced this thing called, Atingere. Hannah talked about it earlier.”
“Okay, you’ve lost me.”
“It’s some kind of bond thing, between a witch and her… chosen or something. The girls were pretty light-hearted about the subject, so I don’t think it’s anything to worry about.”
“Great, now I’m worried.”
She laughed. “Shut up, you big sissy.”
He shrugged. “Can’t fight the truth.”
Paige moseyed into the kitchen and poured a cup of the tea Levi had made. “You’re a saint, despite being a wimp.”
“I wouldn’t say ‘saint’, but I am pretty awesome.” He smiled and gave her a kiss.
She laughed. “Modesty will get you nowhere.”
“So true.”
A polite knock interrupted her next comment and caused a surge of panic. With her wearing only a blanket and Levi in only jeans, Paige felt downright scandalous. Not much to do about it now as they couldn’t ignore their visitor. Good lord, quit being such a ninny.
Levi smiled that wonderful smile. “I’ll get it. Just make sure the eggs don’t burn.”
“No, it’s okay.” She waved him off, as she left the kitchen. “I got it.” When she opened the door, Cassie and Caleb stood outside.
“Wow,” Caleb gaped. “That blanket looks great on—”
Cassie interrupted him with an elbow to the gut. She grinned as her man groaned in pain. “Sorry about that. We brought you some things.” She held up a shopping bag filled with clothes. “You guys didn’t look like you had a lot of stuff when you arrived. We guessed at your sizes. I hope these work.”
Paige took the offered bag. “This is wonderful. Thank you so much.”
Cassie beamed. “You’re more than welcome. I know how much it sucks to stay in the same clothes for days.”
“Ain’t that the truth,” Caleb mumbled, recovering somewhat.
Cassie pointed to a clear container sitting on top of the clothes. “Hannah made the rolls. They’re her speciality. No one bakes like that woman. I’m gonna weigh three hundred pounds if I don’t get some help eating the stuff, or have an intervention or something.”
Paige laughed. “Don’t count on me. I have enough trouble with that kind of thing.” Despite the initial awkwardness, she felt comfortable with these two. Cassie’s honest nature was refreshingly disarming. “Would you guys like to come in?”
“No thanks, we’ll let you two get ready,” Cassie replied. “We just came down to drop that off and let you know that everyone will be up at the main house shortly.”
“We’ll be there as quick as we can.”
“No rush,” Cassie said as they turned to leave. “Miranda wants to get the details straight before we do anything.”
“Sounds good, and thanks again for all this,” she called, holding up the bag.
“No problem,” Cassie returned over her shoulder, as she and Caleb stepped onto the path.
Paige closed the door and looked at Levi. “I think I am going to hop in a shower.”
“Not before you eat something,” he stated. “Then we can take a shower together.” He wagged his brows.
Paige laughed. “Well then, I suggest we make it a quick breakfast.”
They did just that and then hit the shower, sexing each other within a few minutes before cleaning up. She wished that’s all they had to do—all that needed doing—but the doom and gloom of their circumstances crept in, forcing them both to dry off and get dressed.
“You ready?” she asked, grabbing the journals Alix had given her last night. Paige hoped she’d have enough time to go over them more thoroughly before they put the plan of attack into action.
Levi nodded. “Yeah, let’s finish this.”
They made their way through the forest-that-time-forgot and up to the mansion. An older man, who introduced himself as simply ‘Jones,’ let them in. He escorted them to the large living area where everyone waited. Everyone except for Rhea, Paige noted.
Miranda noticed their arrival and gestured to one of the many sofas in the room. “I’m glad you’re here. Please, come sit.”
“Thanks,” Paige said, as she and Levi took a seat. “Where’s Rhea?”
“She went into town to double-check some information we found online,” Hannah answered. She gestured to the laptops mixed in with the many open books spread across a large wooden table. “We tried to find the Hanover burial site, in case we need to exhume Agnes, but could find no records of her funeral.” Hannah continued to type on the Chromebook until the last, then hit enter and stopped to look up at Paige. “It’s like they never died, or at least never had their deaths registered.”
That seemed odd, but Paige had no idea how burials were handled, especially back then. Record-keeping had to have been a nightmare.
“Weird,” was the only thing she could come up with.
“That’s what we thought.” Hannah replied, returning to type away on her laptop.
“So, do I have some time to go over these before we launch the assault?” Paige asked, waving the documents from last night in the air.
“You have time,” Miranda answered, not looking up from her research.
Thank goodness. Paige set to work, studying every detail of the historian’s account of the banishing. As it turned out, they weren’t that detailed. The notes made it clear that the person who summoned it, or a possession of the summoner, had to be present for the wraith to be destroyed. There were no comments about the kinds of incantations he’d used—not even a sketch of a symbol.
“These aren’t going to help us.” She dropped the documents on the table. “They’ve pointed us in the right direction, but that’s about it.”
Miranda looked up from her book. “That would be the correct deduction.”
Paige narrowed her eyes, accusingly. “You knew?”
“And didn’t tell us?” Alix followed up in surprise.
“You don’t learn by having everything handed to you,” Miranda replied, eyeing both of them. “You learn by digging through the hard parts on your own. Now, what have you learned?”
Alix scoffed. “That we’re back to square one!”
Miranda smirked, and returned her gaze to Paige. She arched a delicate eyebrow in challenge.
Paige looked down at the documents in frustration. She’d be damned if she let this setback take them all the way back to the beginning. From the look on Miranda’s face, she already knew to the contrary. There was something they were missing. The incantations obviously, but how could they figure out which ones to use?
If only I had my book. A bolt of lightning could have struck Paige right then and there and she wouldn’t have been more shocked. “The book! We need the book.” She glanced up at Miranda.
A wide grin had crept across the matriarch’s face. “So now you know our first course of action.”
“We have to go get the diary Nova gave me,” Paige answered. “We have to go back to Levi’s apartment.”
“Well, we knew we’d have to do that sooner or later,” Levi chimed in. “Might as well be sooner.”
“Glad you’re so optimistic,” Paige replied. “Frankly, I’m terrified.”
“Fear isn’t necessarily a bad thing,” Cassie stated. “It’ll keep you sharp.”
Not exactly the most comforting words, but hey, she tried.
“I’ll call Rhea and let her know that Levi’s apartment is our first destination,” Hannah said.
The guy with the dreads, Dominic, motioned to the other two guys, Troy and Caleb. “We’ll get the vans ready.”
“What’s your address, Levi?” Hannah asked, as she dialed.
He rattled off the street and apartment number.
“I feel like we should be putting on riot gear,” Paige whispered, as people started to disperse. “Or maybe the main theme to ‘Aliens’ should be playing in the background…”
“Oh, that comes later,” Alix replied, overhearing.
Levi leaned over to Paige, chuckling. “Busted, but I feel the same.”
“It’s not that bad,” Alix continued. “We just like to be prepared.” She got up and came over, squeezing between them. “We don’t use riot gear, it draws too much attention. I use my power to protect us.”
Levi gave her an incredulous look. “Wait, you’re serious?”
“Well, yeah.” She glanced over at Paige. “Not too bright, is he?”
Paige snickered.
Alix patted Levi’s knee. “That’s okay, Troy’s a little short in the brains department too.”
Levi just gawked at her in silence.
Point for Alix.
“Give me your hand,” Alix ordered.
Levi offered his arm over to her, like a dumbstruck child. The purple-haired woman took his wrist and focused on the back of his hand. Images began to appear on his arm, and crawled up under his sleeve. The markings looked like strips of cloth, similar to the wrappings found on a mummy. The only exception, each curling strip of material had soft glowing runes and characters imprinted on its surface.
“Wow,” Paige blurted. “Looks like a tattoo.”
“Yep,” Alix agreed. “Now you.”
Paige offered her hand, just as carelessly as Levi had done. So much for being cautious.
In seconds, images of swirling spirits coiled around her arm. Each new mark brought a tingling sensation to her skin. She could feel the magical tattoo make its way around her entire body.
Levi held his arms up, examining the art. “What will this do?”
“Prevent you from dying. For a short time at least,” Alix answered. “But don’t get careless. When the tattoo is gone, so is the protection.”
“That’s amazing,” Paige replied. “Thank you.”
Alix gave her a quick nod. “You bet. Now, let’s get moving.”
She led them out to the garage, which turned out to be a small warehouse. Two grey vans sat at the center of an assortment of motorcycles, luxury cars, and golf carts. Every tool known to man lined the walls in one corner of the open room, creating a mechanic’s paradise.
Dominic, Troy, and Caleb loaded the vans with plastic boxes, guns, and ammo. What the boxes contained, Paige couldn’t say, but the guns looked scary enough. Though she didn’t think bullets would do much against ghosts.
“Why the guns?” Paige asked, as they walked up to one of the vans.
“Hopefully we don’t have to use them. Though you did mention possessed people running around,” Alix answered. “I, for one, don’t wanna get mauled.”
She nodded with understanding. “What about the boxes?”
“Extra components for spells. Just in case.”
Paige raised her brows in admiration. “Looks like you guys know what you’re doing.”
“Looks can deceive,” Alix replied. “My stomach starts doing somersaults whenever stuff like this happens.”
“So, you’ve been through something like this before?” Levi asked, taken aback.
“Not exactly like this, but scary stuff? Yeah.”
“I don’t know if that’s comforting or not,” Paige replied. More than thankful these people brought willingness and experience to help with the situation, Paige didn’t know that she wanted to fight creepies all the time if she decided to join their coven.
Alix laughed. “I know what you mean.”
“Alright everyone, we’re ready to go,” Dominic announced. He hopped into the driver’s seat of one of the vans. Caleb got behind the wheel of the other.
“We’ll drive around front and pick up the others,” Troy said, helping Alix into the van.
The purple-haired girl jumped in the back. “Here we go!”
“Is this when the background music starts?” Levi snarked, as he climbed in.
Alix giggled. “Not yet.”
Paige followed them into the van, and helped close the doors. They drove around front to find Miranda, Hannah and Cassie waiting. Dominic got out of the other van, and Troy took his place.
“What’s going on?” Paige asked.
“Hannah and Dominic will stay here to hold down the fort,” Miranda answered, as she got in. “If we get into a difficult situation, they’re our back up.”
Alix climbed into the front, while Miranda took a seat with Paige and Levi. Cassie got into the other van with Caleb, and then they were off.
“Is there anything else we need to know before we get there?” Miranda asked. She reached over the seat and grabbed a belt with a bunch of pouches hanging from it.
“I don’t think so,” Paige said. “What’s that?”
“Spell components, for quick access.” She tightened the belt around her waist.
“Do I get one?” Alix asked, over her shoulder.
Miranda smiled. “Not this time. Concentrate on using your power, then we’ll see about incantations.”
“What about us?” Paige asked. “What do you want us to do?”
“Get the book, and anything else you think important,” she answered, and then glanced at Levi. “Make sure the both of you get out alive.”
“Sounds simple enough,” he replied.
A grin made its way across the matriarch’s elegant features. “Let’s hope.”
Silence accompanied the rest of the ride. Sooner than desired, they pulled into the parking lot of Levi’s apartment complex. The place looked barren. No signs of people anywhere, except for a few parked cars.
“It’s almost noon, someone should be moving around by now,” Levi commented, as he looked out the window.
“I don’t see any cops either,” Alix said. “Maybe everyone’s inside, recovering from what that ghost did to them?”
Levi shrugged. “Your guess is as good as mine.”
Paige’s nerves ramped up a couple of notches, making her feel nauseous.
“Drive around,” Miranda said. “Let’s see what there is to see.”
Troy continued on, deeper into the complex. The same empty scenes repeated over and over, until they reached a group of buildings on the far side of the compound. Three black and whites, parked in disarray, took up most of the street. Cruiser doors open, but with no uniforms in sight.
Troy brought the van to a stop. “There’s the cops you expected.”
“Not exactly what I hoped,” Alix replied.
“Where is your apartment, Levi?” Miranda asked.
“The next turn up ahead, near the pool.”
“Don’t you want to check the cars?” Troy asked. “Someone could be hurt.”
“No,” Miranda said. “We need to get on with this and out of here as quickly as possible.”
Troy grimaced, but drove forward. He edged past the cop cars, and came to another stop at the turn Levi had designated. They all peered out the windows for any signs of life or danger.
Nothing.
“Isn’t that Rhea’s truck?” Paige asked, pointing to a green F-150 parked under one of the awnings.
“Sure looks like it,” Alix replied.
“Okay, we get out here,” Miranda said. “Troy, you stay with the van in case we need a quick getaway. The rest of you, with me.”
Troy pursed his lips, but remained silent. Alix smiled, and kissed him on the cheek. “No worries, dear. This is witch’s work anyway.”
The redhead rolled his eyes. “Whatever. Be careful.”
Alix saluted him, and got out.
The rest of them stepped out the side door, as Cassie and Caleb walked up.
“Caleb,” Miranda said. “I need you to stay with the other van in case we have to leave fast.” To the others, she said, “Let’s go.” She walked toward Rhea’s truck, leaving no time for argument.
The rest of them fell in line, looking every-which-way for signs of trouble.
Still nothing.
“The lack of people creeps me out,” Paige whispered, as they moved forward. “And I talk to ghosts.”
“You just read my mind,” Alix replied, dryly.
“After what I went through,” Cassie commented, “I don’t think I’ll ever be scared again.”
Paige glanced over her shoulder at the dark-haired woman. Sure enough, her face showed no sign of fear. Paige wondered what kind of experience could take the chill of terror out of a person. Then realized she didn’t want to know.
“So much for fear keeps you sharp,” Alix teased.
Miranda held up a hand, signaling for them to stop.
Paige grabbed her necklace out of instinctual fright.
The matriarch pointed to a rooftop across the open yard. Perched on top of an air vent was a huge hawk.
For the love of Christ, Paige thought with a sigh. “I’m already about to piss myself. I don’t need any false alarms.”
“It’s amazing how you keep stating exactly what I’m feeling,” Alix breathed.
Levi shook his head, trying not to laugh. “Are you sure you guys are battle mages or whatever?”
“I like that,” Cassie said. “Battle mages sounds good.”
“Shhh...” Miranda gave them the same stern look Paige’s kindergarten teacher had given her class when the kids wouldn’t settle down for nap time. The paralyzing glare worked now, just as effectively as it had back then. Everyone clamped their mouths shut and watched silently.
The giant hawk hopped effortlessly into the air and glided over to them. The bird of prey pumped its wings as it came to a soft landing in front of Miranda. Then, with a loud squawk, it transformed into Rhea. Though, ‘transform’ didn’t really describe the horrid twisting of her body and snapping of bone that occurred during the whole process.
“I think I’m gonna be sick.” Paige took hold of Levi’s hand. His soothing touch did wonders, easing the roiling in her stomach back to a low simmer.
“Yeah, that one still gets me too,” Alix said, rubbing her own belly.
Rhea got to her feet, completely naked. The subtle hints of her athletic form were all out in the open now. And damn, did she have form.
I think I’m gonna be sick, again. Paige fought down the sudden spike of envy, and schooled her features to hide the internal strife. Why does she have to be ‘so’ hot?
She glanced at Levi to see if his dark eyes gobbled up Rhea’s birthday suit.
He met Paige’s furtive look with a knowing grin, and then mouthed, “She’s not my type,” with a shake of his head.
Why do ‘I’ have to be such an idiot? She looked away to hide her shame. If the Headless Man didn’t kill her, the humiliation just might.
“What did you find?” Miranda asked, thankfully oblivious to the interplay between them.
“I haven’t seen anyone, but they’re here.” Rhea replied. “I could smell their presence, but it’s tainted with death.”
A chill ran down Paige’s spine. Oh, that sounds just great.
Flashbacks of the hotel and the little possessed girl rushed into her thoughts. Their black, soulless eyes would live in her dreams forever.
Miranda nodded. “Okay, let’s get this over with. Eyes open, people. Levi, lead on.”
Hand in hand, Paige and Levi stepped out into the open. The silent, empty space reached out, affecting even the birds, squirrels and insects. Not a living thing moved. Paige’s natural instinct to pace kicked in, and she began power-walking toward Levi’s apartment. He kept hold of her hand, matching her rushed pace.
Levi dug into his pocket, fishing out a set of keys as they approached the front door. His hands, surprisingly steady and swift, opened the lock in the blink of an eye.
“Cassie,” Miranda whispered. “Go with them. The rest of us will wait out here.”
The three of them proceeded into the living room. Everything looked the same as when they’d left it.
Paige’s rattled nerves had her practically tiptoeing over the carpet. Nova’s dying scream echoed in her memory, reminding her of the tragic sacrifice Levi’s sister had made here. I’m so sorry Nova, I wish I could have done something.
Levi went to the hall closet and grabbed a duffel bag. “C’mon.” He moved through the apartment, stuffing things into the bag as he went. Some framed pictures, an antique bracelet, and even the heirloom goblets they’d used went into the duffel.
They skipped the bathroom, and made for the back patio. The sliding glass door still stood open. Sitting on the little outside table, lay Belladonna’s diary.
Paige rushed over and snatched up the book. “Thank goodness.” She promptly crammed it into her back pocket. “Okay, let’s get outta here.”
The three of them filed back inside, making it to the living room before a raspy voice stopped them.
“Levi, so glad you came back, man.” The voice belonged to a man leaning casually against the refrigerator. At one time he might have been in his twenties, but the dark veins and unnatural wrinkles around his eyes made him look closer to a hundred. He wore a shredded blue shirt, and a tattered black jacket stained with blood.
He must have been in the bathroom when we first came in, Paige thought. She didn’t want to consider he might have just appeared out of thin air, which given the circumstances, wasn’t that far-fetched.
“Tray?” Levi asked, sorrow evident in his voice.
“Yeah, it’s me,” the ghoulish man answered. “You brought a real shit-storm down on us, ya know that?”
Paige couldn’t describe the guilt that washed over her, she could only imagine how Levi felt. She reached out and took his hand.
Levi stepped in front of her. “Tray, I’m so sorry—”
“No,” the thing that used to be Tray interrupted, holding up a hand. “You can make this right, buddy. I mean, it’ll be hard, don’t get me wrong. You’ve got a lot to atone for. Julie and the kids were torn to pieces after all.” Bizzaro Tray smiled a smile that wasn’t humanly possible. His mouth spread too wide... and those lifeless black eyes made him seem a demon.
The monster charged, cutting loose an unearthly scream.
Levi met him head-on. They collided with a loud smack, but neither of them were knocked down. Arms flailed, as the two punched and clawed at each other.
“We don’t have time for this!” Cassie stepped around Paige, and came up beside the pair locked in combat. In one fluid motion, the dark-haired witch reached out, taking hold of what remained of Bizarro Tray’s jacket, and flung him across the room.
He spun through the air, and slammed into the kitchen wall with a bone-shattering crack.
“Time to go!” Cassie ordered, pointing to the front door.
Paige didn’t need to be told twice, and neither did Levi. They lit out of there, but were brought up short, as the scene outside came into view.
Paige caught her breath in shock. “I think it’s time for that background music you guys talked about.”