GhostlyPersuasion (10 page)

Katie scanned more of the entries. It was distracting to
have to pick through the non-Seamus related ones. When she came to one that
talked about Heloise reading Etain’s journals, she stopped and read the entry
out loud.

“I bet those are the journals that Alastar told me about,”
Katie said in her excitement.

“
Who
told you about the journals?” Seamus asked.

“Alastar,” Katie said matter-of-factly.

“Who’s Alastar?” Seamus’ voice dropped an octave or two.

“The library guardian,” Katie and Riona said at the same
time.

“You mean a ghost?” Seamus asked.

“Yes. Alastar is a spirit,” Katie answered.

“Is he the older man that haunts the library?” he asked.

“That’s where I ran into him.” Katie kept one eye on Seamus’
expression. “I don’t know if he frequents anywhere else in the castle.”

To Katie’s relief, Seamus grunted but didn’t say anything
else.

“Heloise goes on to say she was honored to be allowed access
to the family journals but I get the impression she didn’t learn much from
them.” Riona chuckled. “She also says she believes Etain was quite mad.”

“Told you,” Katie said.

“And I didn’t disagree,” Seamus told her.

“After reading that, I’m glad I didn’t bother asking Áine
for favors so I could read them,” Katie said.

“I’m not sure about dismissing them so quickly,” Riona said.
“I think I’ll ask Áine if I could go through the journals. I’m sure she won’t
mind.”

Katie shrugged one shoulder but didn’t look up from the
book. “Well, if you know Áine well enough to ask the favor, it can’t hurt. But
don’t spend a lot of time on them. Even Alastar said they were probably full of
nonsense.”

“Did Heloise say anything else?” Seamus asked.

“Let’s see… Several entries later she says she learned that
the granddaughter of Etain’s maid still worked at Tullamore.”

“Really?” Riona exclaimed. “Did she talk to her?”

Katie nodded as she continued to read. “Yes, she did.” She
trailed her finger down the page. “The granddaughter told Heloise that she
overhead her grandmother telling her mother how guilty she felt for not warning
the young man of what Etain planned to do.”

“Did she say
what
Etain did though?” Riona leaned in
and looked at the journal.

“No,” Katie replied. “The granddaughter said she remembered
her grandmother being concerned about what happened after death. She was
convinced Etain never left Tullamore, even after being hanged. Supposedly her
grandmother swore she smelled Etain’s perfume for years after she was dead and
on occasion heard Etain’s voice echoing through the castle.”

“That would be enough to make most people a little
paranoid,” Riona said.

“Not enough to make her leave Tullamore though,” Katie
observed.

“No, but then again, there aren’t many places to work around
here,” Riona pointed out. “And if the grandmother had been here for some time,
I’m sure she would have been reluctant to leave.”

“Some people are loyal to the place, not the people they
work for,” Seamus added.

“True,” Katie agreed.

Riona nodded.

“Okay, so nothing very helpful there,” Katie said,
disappointed.

Katie turned the page of Heloise’s journal and found a
folded piece of paper stuck into the crease of the journal. It was dirty and
faded and looked as if it had been crumpled into a ball then flattened out at
some point.

Curious, Katie opened the paper. Riona looked over Katie’s
shoulder as she read.

“This looks like some kind of spell,” Katie pointed out.

“It is…” Riona mumbled.

“It says it’s for getting the dead to do your bidding,”
Katie said.

Riona’s brow furrowed and she looked closer. “Actually that
looks familiar.”

Katie handed the piece of paper to Riona.

“Oh my God. Do you know what this is?” Riona asked as she
took the paper from Katie.

Katie shook her head.

“It’s a page from one of the family spell books,” Riona told
them. “One of the first ones.”

“But why would Heloise put the page in her journal?” Katie
asked.

“What does that scribbled note on the edge there say?”
Seamus asked, pointing to one corner of the paper.

Riona angled it into the light. “May God forgive me for
keeping my lady’s secrets.” She looked up at Katie. “The handwriting isn’t
Heloise’s. I bet this is the page that Etain tore out of the family spell book
when she supposedly borrowed it. And I’ll bet that this spell,” she pointed to
the spell that had a couple of items circled, “was part of what Etain did.”

“Why do you think her maid kept it?” Katie asked.

“Evidence in case I turned up dead?” Seamus suggested.

Katie looked back at Seamus. “Maybe.”

Riona nodded. “Very possible.” She absently tapped her thumb
on her thigh. “I need to read the journals to see what was in the love spell
Etain originally purchased. That list of ingredients plus this,” she pointed to
the missing spell book page, “may give us an idea of what Etain mixed up. The
next thing we need to break her curse is her intent behind the spell.”

“Her intent?” Katie asked.

“What she wanted to accomplish or what she wanted to gain by
using the spell,” Riona said.

“We already know that,” Katie said.

“We do?” Riona asked.

“Yes. Heloise figured it out and told Seamus. Etain wanted
Seamus to fall in love with her. The spell can’t be lifted until he finds his
one true love.”

“Hmmm.” Riona tapped the side of her head and appeared to be
thinking. “Let me think on this a bit more. Like I said, I want to read through
a few of the family journals and see if I can’t piece something together.
Mother has a close circle of friends that we can call on for information also.
Between them, they have centuries of knowledge at their fingertips.”

Katie looked at Seamus. “See? There’s a chance we can figure
this out.”

He gave her a tight-lipped smile. “Maybe.” He shrugged. “I
hesitate to get my hopes up. I’ve been living with this for so long I don’t
remember what it feels like to be human.”

Katie and Riona looked at each other.

“I don’t want your pity. What’s done is done and it was no
fault of yours,” Seamus said. “But I’ll thank you for learning everything you
can before all traces of what Etain did are gone.”

Determination set up camp in Katie’s heart. If there was a
way to break the curse, she would find it. Even if it meant talking to every
ghost in the castle.

With a glance out the window Seamus added, “We should
probably be heading back to the castle. I don’t want you walking back after
dark.”

“Don’t be silly,” Riona waved his concerns away. “Stay for
supper. I can drive you back later.”

Katie smiled and Seamus seemed to be pacified by her offer. “As
long as we’re not interrupting your day, I’d love to stay and have supper.”

“Ma is gone and I have the cottage to myself. I’d enjoy the
company as well. Besides, you just got here. You can’t leave until you’ve told
me about the States.”

“As long as you tell me more about your mom and what you
remember of Grandmother. Grandfather too, if he was around.”

“I’d be happy to,” Riona assured her.

“If you’re in Riona’s care,” Seamus shared a look with
Riona, “then I’ll make my way back to the castle and let you two have family
time.”

“I will see to her safe return,” Riona assured him.

“Okay, guys, I’m not a child that has to be looked after.”
Katie was partly flattered he cared but also annoyed that he thought she needed
a keeper.

Seamus floated around and knelt in front of Katie. “I know
you’re not a child, but there are things at Tullamore that really do go bump in
the night. Things you know nothing of and hopefully never will.” He looked to
Riona. “I strongly suspect that I don’t know half of them.”

Riona looked away.

“I want to make sure you aren’t wandering around on your own
after dark.”

Pacified, Katie agreed. “All right. Quit your worrying. I’ll
be fine.” She reached out and patted him on the cheek. Or tried to anyway.
“Riona can drive me back later. Go recharge your batteries or whatever you do
in your spare time.”

He stood and floated toward the door.

Katie called out. “But I don’t mean for you to go checking
out any new guests!”

She didn’t think it was possible for a ghost to blush but
she would have sworn Seamus did as he disappeared through the wall.

Riona dropped Katie at the castle right after dinner because
Riona received a call asking for help with a difficult birth and she needed to
pick up a couple of things on the way.

It had been a wonderful afternoon, however. Katie learned so
much about her family and was looking forward to meeting her aunt. Riona also
offered to give Katie a blessing spell for when she scattered her mother’s
ashes.

She was thrilled to have family again. Even if they turned
out to be more quirky than the Simpsons, they would be forever connected.

Since it was still early, Katie headed to her room to see if
Seamus was lurking about. She found him lounging on the bed, watching TV.

“What are you watching?” she asked as she walked in.

Seamus frowned at the TV. “I’m not sure. I managed to turn
the thing on but can’t change the show. This seems to be about the reproductive
system of some kind of underwater creature.”

“How fascinating. Are you enthralled with the sea urchins or
would you rather ramble about the castle with me?”

He hopped off the bed. “Actually I thought of something that
you might find interesting.”

“Oh?”

“How do you feel about expanding your boundaries again?”

“How far are you planning on expanding them?”

“That would be entirely up to you. Come on, I’ll show you.”

Katie followed Seamus through the castle then down several
flights of stairs.

When she was sure she was completely lost, she asked, “Where
are we going?” Her voice echoed off the stone surrounding them on the floor,
walls and ceiling.

“I thought you might want to see the dungeon,” Seamus told
her.

“Dungeons? Like where they used to keep prisoners?”

“Prisoners or those deemed insane. Later it was used for
storage.”

“What do they use it for now?”

The half-grin on Seamus’ face made Katie wonder what he was
up to.

“You’ll see,” he said mysteriously.

Katie could well imagine what this area must have been like
three hundred years earlier—cold, dark, damp and probably smelly. At least now
there were electric lights along the walls and drains in the floor. Granted,
the lights were made to look like candles, including the flickering flame, so
they didn’t provide a lot of light, but it had to be better than it had been.

When they came to the end of the hall, Seamus directed her
to the right, down a short passage then around another corner. There, she was
surprised to find a large desk, manned by a voluptuous woman dressed in some
sort of gothic costume.

“Good evening. Welcome to the Dungeon. How may I assist
you?” the woman asked.

“Er…?” Katie looked at Seamus, unsure what she needed to
say.

“Tell her that Vlad sent you and that you’re only
viewing
this evening,” Seamus instructed.

Katie repeated what Seamus had told her.

“Very well.” From one of the desk drawers the woman took
something but kept it hidden in her hand. She stood and stepped to the end of
her desk. “If you will follow me.”

Katie nodded, unsure what else she could say. Once the woman
had turned away she shot a look at Seamus, conveying her unease with the
situation.

The woman led the way to an inconspicuous doorway. She
passed a security card through the electronic lock then opened the door. After
she stepped through she held the door open for Katie.

It was an even darker hallway than the one they’d just
followed. This one was carpeted, at least, and had small lights along the floor
on both sides, reminding Katie somewhat of an airport runway.

The woman led the way to the end of the hall then unlocked
another door. When Katie stepped through this doorway she found a large open
room with several groupings of couches and chairs and a manned bar at the far
end. Around the perimeter of the room were multiple passageways.

The room was lit by fake torches, which made it brighter
than the hallway, but not overly so.

“You will need to wear this necklace,” the woman dangled a
silver chain from her finger, “and keep it visible as long as you are within
the Dungeon walls. It signifies you are not available for play. If anyone
approaches you, simply notify one of the attendants.”

Katie slipped it over her head. It was a thin, dog tag-like
chain with a pendant that was stamped with a dragon or some kind of winged
mythological creature.

“As a guest of Vlad, you may not approach anyone or engage
in any form of play. Viewing is permitted in any of the rooms with an open door
but do not attempt to enter closed rooms.”

“Okay,” Katie said, unsure what she was really agreeing to.
As soon as they were alone again, she had every intention of asking Seamus
though.

“Do you have any questions?”

“Um, no, not right now.”

“An attendant will always be available to serve you.”

“Okay. Thank you.”

The woman bowed her head then backed away.

Katie took a moment to memorize the door they had come
through in case she needed to find it again. From the corner of her mouth she
whispered to Seamus, “What the hell have you gotten me into?”

“Just exploring your darker side.”

She walked along the outer edge of the large, central room,
looking at the furnishings and the people milling about. “What dark side? I’m
not aware that I have one.”

“Everyone does. Some are just darker than others,” Seamus
replied. “I’m curious about yours.”

“I suspect you’re going to be disappointed.”

“I doubt it, Little Katie.”

Katie turned to look at him. Even with the lower lighting
she could see the sincerity and even a touch of admiration in his expression.

Heat warmed her cheeks. “Thank you.” She continued her
stroll along the perimeter. When she passed one of the doorways she slowed her
pace and looked down the darkened passage.

She could hear voices but not well enough to know what they
were saying. A crack echoed in the small area, startling Katie. Her gaze flew
to Seamus. “What was that?”

“What did it sound like?” he asked.

“A whip,” she whispered harshly.

“It probably was.”

“Seriously?” Katie’s voice squeaked.

“Hard to say. I’d have to look to be sure.”

“I’d say that was a very noticeable sound, wouldn’t you?”
she asked, somewhat offended.

“Normally, yes, but that sound could have also been a
leather-encased hand making contact with a bare arse.”

Katie’s mouth fell open. She blinked to clear the image from
her mind. “What?”

“It’s very possible down here.”

She put one hand on her hip and held up the other one in a
“stop” gesture. “Okay. Where exactly is
here
?”

“The Dungeon,” he said without inflection.

“And what exactly is
the Dungeon
?”

He smiled that smile that made Katie think he knew something
she probably needed to know.

“It’s a place for people with similar interests to get
together in a safe environment.”

Katie had the feeling there was more to what he was telling
her.

“The woman who led us in here said something about engaging
in play. What did she mean by play?” she asked.

“She meant sexual play.”

“Sex?” Her eyes nearly bugged out of her head.

“No. Sexual play.”

“There’s a difference?” she asked.

“In here? Absolutely.”

“I’m still confused,” Katie admitted.

With a jerk of his head, he said, “Come on. It’ll be easier
to show you than to explain.”

“I think a drink is in order first,” she said.

“As you wish.”

Katie found the bar and ordered her favorite mixed drink.
The familiar warmth in her stomach helped settle her nerves. She was a little
out of her element and had no idea what to expect. The only thing keeping her
from running out of the room was the necklace the woman said would keep anyone
from approaching her.

“Are you okay?” Seamus asked.

“Um, yeah. I think.”

“You don’t have to stay if you’re not comfortable. But I
promise you are perfectly safe here. They do not tolerate harassment of guests
or violation of any rules.”

She took a deep breath. “Okay.”

“If you get uncomfortable, just tell me and I will show you
the fastest way out.”

“Thanks,” she said with a smile. “That helps.”

“Come. There’s something I think you’ll find interesting.”

Seamus led her to one of the hallways on the far side of the
room. She passed a few couples but no one stopped her or asked what she was
doing there. She doubted anyone even noticed her.

Thank God.

The warmth from her drink spread and helped her relax.

“We’re going to start with something easy,” Seamus said as
he stopped just before they reached an open door.

“All right.” She smiled, touched that he sensed her unease.

“Most of the rooms in this part of the Dungeon are set up
for some kind of bondage.”

“You mean where people tie each other up?”

“That’s right.”

She shrugged. “I’ve heard of people doing that. I even had a
couple of friends in college who talked about doing it with boyfriends. That
shouldn’t be too bad.”

“Keep in mind, you can take anything to an extreme.”

“True.” She made shooing motions at Seamus. “So, come on
already. Let’s see what they’ve got around here.”

He stepped to the side. “How about if I follow you, then?”

She took one step then paused. “It’s really okay to watch
these people doing whatever they’re doing?”

“They wouldn’t be here with the door open if they didn’t
want someone to watch,” he reassured her.

“Good point.”

Katie glanced into a couple of rooms as they passed. Just
being nosy, she told herself. She saw a wide variety of tools being used and
people being put into all kinds of positions. Some were a little bit scary.

Finally one of the rooms induced her to stop.

The room was painted crimson-red and had a couple of pieces
of black lacquer furniture. In the center of the room was a swing made of
narrow straps suspended from the ceiling.

A voluptuous, dark-headed woman reclined in the swing. She
wore nothing except a bright-red satin blindfold across her eyes. Each of her
limbs was secured in the swing by zebra-striped fur cuffs.

The woman had a male partner but instead of doling out some
kind of punishment, this one was running a peacock feather across the woman’s
breasts and belly. If the smile on the woman’s face and her squirming were any
indication, she was a bit ticklish.

The man walked to the cabinet on the side of the room and
set the feather on the top. He reached into a bucket that was inside the
cabinet and pulled something out. Katie couldn’t tell what it was right away,
but as soon as he touched the woman’s nipple with it, she figured out he was
holding a piece of ice. The trail of melted water glistened on the woman’s
skin.

The woman sucked in a breath when he ran the ice over the
other nipple then let a few drops of water fall onto her chest. With the ice
still in his hand, the man moved around to the front and stood between her
legs.

Katie was enthralled by their actions. It was erotic enough
to see a couple engaged in some kind of sexual activity, but for some reason,
many of the sensations she knew the woman was probably feeling, Katie was
sensing in her own body. The fur cuffs around her wrists. The cold of the ice.
The rough texture of her lover’s hand on her thigh.

Katie’s own nipples beaded into hard pebbles inside her bra
and her breasts ached to be touched. A tremor rippled through her body as she
imagined what it must feel like to be bound, completely naked, while her
partner controlled what sensations she was exposed to. All while incapable of
seeing what might happen next.

The anticipation was probably delicious.

Lost in her haze of sensual overload, Katie wondered what
Seamus must be thinking. When she looked at him, he was watching her instead of
the couple or the swing.

Their eyes met. The longing she saw was unmistakable. A
frisson of need spiraled through her and set her soul on fire. She swallowed.
Hard. Then forced herself to turn back to the couple in the room and forget
about the things she and Seamus couldn’t do together.

If she dwelled on the things she wanted with Seamus, she
would drive herself mad.

Even though she was physically looking back into the room,
it didn’t register what she was seeing for a moment. The man was kneeling
between the woman’s legs, playing with her pussy. If Katie had to guess, she
would have said he still had a piece of ice in his hand.

The woman squirmed in the swing, but since she was suspended
with nothing to push against, she was pretty much at her partner’s mercy. From
what Katie could tell, it wasn’t necessarily a bad position to be in.

The ice was probably a contrast against the heat of her
crotch.

As Katie contemplated the allure of the situation, she
watched the woman arch her back. “Oooo,” the woman cooed.

It occurred to Katie that the man’s hand was free of the
ice. She didn’t notice anything falling to the floor, so she guessed that he
had pushed the piece into the woman’s pussy.

Suddenly the man grabbed the woman by her hips and buried
his face in her crotch. The woman’s mouth fell open and she sucked in a loud
gulp of air then moaned. Even though Katie could only see the back of the man’s
head, it looked, and sounded, as if he was being rather enthusiastic with his
attentions.

“I’ve heard that if you do the alphabet with your tongue, it
provides the woman a wide variety of sensations,” Seamus said as he floated
next to Katie and watched the couple.

“The alphabet?” Katie asked then forced herself to blink
away the image his comment created in her mind.