The Resurrection of Josephine (8 page)

BOOK: The Resurrection of Josephine
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Sandra's laughter mixed with Josephine's, bringing everyone to a halt. “She may be young, but I'm stronger in ways that will serve you. Once you have my magic, mixed with your own, you can use it, can't you?"

Martin realized Josephine was considering the other woman's words very carefully. It was probably true that Sandra's magic was stronger than Rumer's, and Josephine would know that. And in her greed and eagerness to gain corporal form again, she might not realize Sandra was dying.

Sandra narrowed her eyes at the spirit, then laughed, a full-bloom explosion of sound aimed at making Josephine angry. And it worked.

"Come on, witch, have you lost your nerve? Afraid you can't live outside the stone you've called home for the last fifty years."

Martin could tell it took all of Sandra's strength to say the words. It hit him then that while she seemed stronger than she had the last time he'd seen her, her hands shook, and it wasn't from fear.

"No.” He shook his head in disbelief and looked to Tori, who stood nearby, tears falling from her eyes. He could tell the woman wanted to run to her mother, to pull her back, but he also knew it was too late.

There was a burst of sound as Josephine screamed, and Sandra's whole body shook. The spirit form of the witch disappeared, and then Sandra fell to the ground, writhing in pain. When Noah made to run toward her, Martin held him back.

"Don't touch her. She's poisoned herself.” He looked to Tori for conformation. The woman nodded and burst into tears.

"No!” Rumer rushed forward, but stopped just inches away from Sandra's body.

Martin could feel the two spirits within the one body, Josephine now fighting to leave, and Sandra fighting just as hard to keep her inside until the flesh gave out and the body died.

It took two horrible minutes for Sandra's body to fall still. Martin felt the spirits leave, felt Josephine's scream of pain before her spirit disappeared, the evil gone. And then he felt Sandra's yell of triumph, felt her surge of satisfaction, and lifted his eyes to see her floating near her now lifeless body, a smile on her beautiful face.

"Good job,” he whispered softly, his eyes widening when he saw Josephine coming up behind her. It took him a few seconds to realize it wasn't Josephine approaching, but Lydia. She placed her hands on her sister's shoulders, then turned her gently and pulled her into a hug.

Tears filled his eyes as he turned to Tori, now sobbing in Rumer's arms. “Your mom's okay, and your aunt is here, too."

Tori nodded, but continued to cry.

"We need to get out of here,” Dev said to Martin. “It's going to be hard to explain being in a cemetery on Halloween with a dead body. We've got to get her back to her house."

"You're right.” Noah stepped forward and gathered Sandra's body in his arms, carrying her gently to Tori's car. Quinn drove as they left, with Dev and Fletch following behind in Margrette's car.

Martin turned to where Sandra and Lydia still stood, their closeness making his heart swell.

"I can't believe she did it,” Rumer said, softly.

"Why. You were you willing to do it, right? She's sick, and she knew she was dying, and this was her way to right something she thought she'd done wrong, and keep anyone else from being hurt."

Noah stepped up on Rumer's other side. “Is she really gone? Josephine?"

"Yes.” Martin looked around the cemetery, where a few spirits still lingered. “I need to try and help the souls she's displaced."

Rumer put her hand on his arm, looking into his eyes. “Will it hurt you?"

"It might drain me a little, but I can't leave them."

"Then we'll stay with you,” Noah said. “Cause that's what lovers do."

Martin kissed them both gently, letting his lips linger on theirs, savoring the feel of their hands on his hips and back as the three of them hugged.

Then he stepped back and turned to Sandra. “Thank you. From the bottom of our hearts. You and your sister need to go, now. Make up for lost time, and don't be a stranger."

When she was gone, he sighed heavily, then walked toward the first spirit who showed him any recognition. It promised to be a long night.

He'd only taken a few steps when he stopped, the presence of Rumer and Noah giving him a surge of energy. Usually, a challenge like the one standing before him would be daunting. He knew it would exhaust him. But tonight, instead of seeking solace after his work, he would hold out his arms, and Noah and Rumer would be there.

That gave him a sense of belonging and of power that he'd never felt before.

He turned to them and held out a hand, love filling his heart as they both gaze at him. “Come with me."

And so they did.

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About the Author

Melinda Barron loves to explore Egyptian tombs and temples, discover Mayan ruins, play in castles towers, and explore new cities and countries. She generally does it all from the comfort of her home by opening a book.

Melinda is the fourth of five children born to an Army officer and his wife. A longtime newspaper journalist, Melinda has loved to read and write from an early age. Now she lives in the Texas Panhandle with two cats, Amelia and Pippin, and enough books to, according to her brother, open her own library. In addition to reading and writing Melinda enjoys travel, cross-stitching, watching movies and spending time with her friends and family.

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BOOK: The Resurrection of Josephine
7.19Mb size Format: txt, pdf, ePub
ads

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