1 Broken Hearted Ghoul (8 page)

“Mommy? Will Grandma always live with us as a ghost?”

“I don’t know for sure. Why?”

“I was just thinking about Daddy. Why doesn’t his ghost doesn’t live with us too?”

I couldn’t even form words to try to explain why that had happened. Even if I’d known what the difference was, I wouldn’t know how to tell her. Jacob had certainly loved her as much as Addie loved her. Life wasn’t always fair or equal.

“What do you say we stop at the ice cream place and get a lot of hot fudge on a sundae to keep us warm?”

Kate stared at me like I was crazy and then giggled. “If we
really
wanted to stay warm, we’d just get the hot fudge.”

“I’m good with that. Let’s stop.”

There weren’t many people at the ice cream shop. We found out why when we went inside. There was no heat in the building. The young man at the counter apologized, and offered us free topping. We got our hot fudge sundaes—with free sprinkles—and ate them in the van with the motor running so we’d be warm.

I was happy listening to her tell me about the history of the African tribes they were studying in her class. The entire school was working toward a night of world history and culture. Each grade was learning something different that they would present to parents. Kate’s class had learned a song in Swahili, and was planning to present something about Kenya.

These moments with her were so precious to me. I captured each one of them like a shining jewel in my memory. I wanted to be able to go over them while I kept vigil during every long night for the next eighteen years. I didn’t know what would happen after that, but I would have these wonderful memories to take with me.

My phone rang, and I glanced at the name on the screen. It was Martin Cummings. He wanted to meet with me right away. He said it was important, and that it involved Mr. Welk’s death. That was enough for me to take Kate home, and explain the situation to Addie.

Maybe my gut was right, and Martin had answers to those questions about why Mary Gable’s name had made Abe so angry. He might even know what my chances were of getting my heart ripped out of my chest before my twenty years was up.

But when I went inside the old inn, Addie met me at the door to the mudroom, a grim frown on her plain, ghostly face.

“What’s wrong?” I stopped in the doorway.

“Get started on your homework in the kitchen, Kate,” Addie told her. “I’ll be in as soon as I can.”

Kate went into the kitchen, muttering about always missing out on the good stuff. She put her book bag on the table, and closed the door behind her.

“We have a problem,” Addie said.

Chapter Ten

“What is it?” I could imagine all kinds of terrible things.

Someone from the school had paid us a visit. The house was being torn down. Addie wasn’t going to be a ghost for much longer.

“A visitor arrived.”

“Okay.” That didn’t seem so bad. “Who was it?”

“He
says
he’s your friend. He
says
his name is Lucas. We can’t have someone staying here with us! I can’t believe you didn’t know better than to invite him here!”

Lucas.
It was my turn to frown.

How did he know where to find me? What did he want? I could imagine he wanted some repayment for saving my life. Very few people were selfless enough, in my experience, to let something like that pass by without taking advantage.

I could smell the rose hidden inside my jacket. It seemed stupid that I’d brought it with me. If he saw it—or
magically
(yeah, that sounds stupid) knew I’d taken it—he could use that against me.

“Where is he?”

“Upstairs. He said he’d settle into the turret room on the third floor.” She screwed up her disapproving face. “Where do you find these people anyway? Jacob is barely dead, and you’re out on the streets looking for a man.”

“I wasn’t looking for anyone. He saved my life today, what I have left of it. If I’m ripped apart by a bus, I’m really dead.” I saw a shocked stare replace the angry one. “Never mind. I’ll talk to him. I didn’t know he was coming here.”

“He can’t stay.”

“For once, we agree. I’ll handle it.”

I
hoped
I could handle it. If his magic, or whatever, got out of hand, I could always shoot him. He probably wouldn’t fall for the stun gun again.

Really, I was glad to see him again. I’d felt bad about leaving him that way. He’d kept the bus from hitting me. He deserved better. If he hadn’t been so worked up about all the witch stuff, I wouldn’t have stunned him. I could tell him that, and then send him on his way.

Unless he was after some kind of revenge for the stun gun thing.

I went outside to the van and grabbed the Beretta. I told Addie and Kate to stay in the kitchen no matter what they heard as I made my way slowly upstairs to the third floor.

The turret had been one of the favorite rooms to rent when visitors had come to stay here. It was never used anymore. I knew Addie fluttered around the inn, taking down cobwebs that had probably accumulated in the last year since she’d died. That was about all the attention it had received.

It had to be cold up there too. We’d turned off the heat to the third floor to conserve power a long time ago. I thought he probably wouldn’t want to stay up there long.

I hardened my resolve. He needed to leave right away. I didn’t need him around attracting attention to our unusual life. Addie was right about that.

I crept up on the room once I’d reached the third floor. A thick film of gray dust lay on everything. Some cobwebs festooned the old-fashioned lights in the ceiling. It reminded me of the hotel where I’d left him. Maybe Lucas was attracted to this kind of place.

Outside the closed door to the turret room, I paused. I couldn’t start feeling sorry for him or let him take advantage of me because he’d saved my life. I was only here to take care of Kate. She was all that mattered.

“Are you coming in?” he asked through the door. “I hear you breathing out there, Skye. Come in. I mean you no harm.”

I didn’t know if he was being ironic or what. I was the one who’d left
him
on the floor the last time we’d met. Why would he think I was afraid?

I didn’t know—but he was right. He made me nervous. Maybe it was my stupid conscience that kept telling me I’d wronged him. He couldn’t help that he was crazy, and obsessed with magic. On the other hand, I wasn’t exactly myself that day either.

Before I could continue the argument with myself, I pushed open the heavy door like I was there for a drug raid.

“Wow.” I regarded the room. “I love what you’ve done with the place.”

“Close the door, please. You’re letting the warmth out.”

The turret room was large. It was five-sided, with a huge stone fireplace in one corner. The last time I’d been in here, the dusty wood floor was bare, and the windows overlooking the street were dirty.

Now everything shone with polish, and even smelled like lemon oil. The old bed was plumped up and covered in clean sheets and a comforter. The floor was covered by the same red Persian rug that he’d had at the hotel. Obviously, he traveled with it.

A bright fire crackled in the hearth, warming the corners of the room. The three big windows were clean and edged with nice red velvet drapes that could be pulled closed for privacy. The large, claw foot bathtub had either been recently used or was ready for use. Candles burned everywhere, perfuming the air.

It was amazing—and it couldn’t matter to me.

“You can’t stay here.” I didn’t move from the doorway, closing the door a little, but not all the way.

“I shall not be here for long,” he promised, bustling around the room.

“You can’t stay here at all.”

“I need your aid and succor, Skye. And I think I may be of assistance to you.”

Succor? What did that even mean?
“Really? How so?”

He smiled. My heart pounded a little faster. I’d forgotten how good-looking he was. There was an otherworldly quality to him that made everything seem hazy, like soft lighting during a love scene in a movie. The perfume from the rose filled my senses.

“
What
?” I glared at him, shaking it off. “Are you doing
that
? Are you using some kind of magic on me?”

“And you say you aren’t a witch!”

“Don’t start that again!” I jerked the Beretta toward him. “This is the real deal, not a stupid stun gun.”

“Yes—about that weapon you attacked me with earlier—hardly the actions of a grateful woman whose life I saved!”

“I’m sorry about that. You were acting kind of crazy. You can’t be too careful.”

His eyes blazed green fire. “And you thought I meant you harm? That, my lady, is the height of insanity! Why would I do such a thing? No doubt you saved me from a fall further through the fabric of reality. We each did each other a good turn.”

He made a deep bow, his dark hair falling across his forehead.

I couldn’t help but smile. “All right. We’re even. I saved you. You saved me. Now you have to go. How did you know where I lived anyway?”

He sat down on the bed. “I seem to be able to glean information from the minds of those around me, no doubt through the use of magic. I am some sort of mage or sorcerer, as I am certain you would agree.”

“Sure.”
What the hell?

His intense eyes pleaded with me. “Please, you must relate how you were able to keep me from falling. What magic did you use to save me?”

“I didn’t use any magic at all. I’m not a witch.” I almost told him about the magical tattoo on my foot just to get him to drop it. Could the tattoo have saved him from falling through the fabric of reality—whatever that was?

“My lady.” He was down on one knee, grabbing my hand and pressing his head to it. “You are my savior. Please do not cast me out until I can find my way back. You are the only soul I have connected with since I found myself in this godforsaken place this day. There must be a
reason
we were brought together. Events of this nature never simply
happen
, Skye. I risk being lost forever without you.”

That’s not fair.
Wasn’t this what I was afraid of? I sighed, and put away the Beretta. I didn’t want to feel sorry for him, but I did.

I stared into his brilliant green eyes, and
felt
that he was telling the truth. I had no reason to trust him beyond our initial encounter, which may or may not have been something he’d set up. There was still a question about why I’d passed out when I’d met him.

I could feel the power—magic, or whatever—emanating from him, just like when I was around Abe. He didn’t mean to hurt us, or he would’ve done it already. I couldn’t imagine what he could hope to gain by creating the whole scenario today.

Gut instinct told me he really was lost, and looking for a way back. Since I’d seen right through his seduction routine, I assumed I would be able to see through any of his other tricks too.

 “I don’t see how I can help.”

“Bless you!” He got to his feet right away. “I need a place such as this to recuperate, and regain my strength. I cannot imagine anyone would think to search for me here. The ghost likes me not, but I believe I may aid her as well.”

“Aid her?”

“She is very strong. She must learn to harness that strength. She could almost be her human self, which I discern as someone to fear, with a little knowledge.”

He was right about Addie being someone to fear! I’d been terrified of her when I’d first met Jacob. I wasn’t sure that was something I wanted him to do, but it could only be good for Kate.

“As for you, my good lady.” He touched my face carefully. “I sense you are in the thrall of some foul magic. When I have regained my power, I shall free you.”

“Foul magic?”

He bent and touched my foot. My heel tingled. “It is there the demon has you, is it not?”

“Sit down, Lucas.”

He bowed again. “After you, lady.”

He had some idea of what was going on anyway. I thought it might be better if I explained that there was no foul magic involved. It was
good
magic.

Lucas frowned as I explained about Abe, and how I was still alive. “This is not
good
magic, my lady. This is—something else. I shall need to recover more fully to understand your situation, yet I swear to free you from it.”

“Then I’d be dead.”

He put his hand to his head. “Let me consider your plight.”

“I only told you so we’re clear on my ‘magic’. Without Abe, I’m magic-less—or whatever you call it. Right now, things are working for me. Don’t screw it up. I’ll help you figure out what your problem is, as much as I can. But no more tricks from you. No illusion or seduction or glamour. I’ve seen vampire movies.”

“I swear an oath not to use magic on you, or your family,” he vowed, all but crossing his heart and hoping to die. His face was tense and serious.

“I’ll give you a few days.” I managed to frown, and make my words gruff and to the point, despite him looking like a woeful reject from a Halloween party. “You can’t hole up here forever.”

“You have a good heart.” He took my hand. “I swear you will not regret your kindness to a passing stranger.”

When he touched my hand, something like static electricity
zinged
between us, and I snatched it back from him.

“You promised no magic,” I reminded him.

“And I used none.” But his slow smile was sly. “There is magic, Skye, and there is
magic
. Some, between a man and a woman, is only natural.”

“Well, keep the natural kind of magic to yourself too.”

“You need not fear me.”

“I don’t.” I grabbed his shirt collar. “But if you screw up my life, you may need to fear
me
!”

Chapter Eleven

I wasn’t sure about leaving Lucas alone with Addie and Kate, but Addie told me she could handle the situation. I was eager to talk to Martin about Mr. Welk, and Abe’s reaction to the death, so I took her at her word.