“I trust him. Every instinct I have says that I can and should. I’m not worried about him. But, yeah, I’m still worried. Lionel or one of his lieutenants could find me at any time. And there’s no way I’m giving in to that egotistical, manipulative psychopath. He’d have to kill me. And, sadly, I think he would.” I wrapped my arms around my middle.
“Nobody’s touching you,” Hanlen asserted.
“Nobody,” Sky echoed.
Since neither of them was ever far from their weapons, it made me feel marginally better. But I didn’t own a gun, and I wasn’t with them twenty-four-seven. The thought of even being in Lionel’s vicinity again had goose bumps pimpling my skin.
I had my magic, but I didn’t wield defensive magic like that. I was a powerful witch, and my strength only seemed to be increasing, but it wasn’t like I could throw someone across the room with a wave of my hand. Not to mention, I couldn’t use my magic to harm. Well, Icould, but I wouldn’t. It went against everything I was. And wasn’t that just the kicker? I was—and had been—literally on the run, working to safeguard my life, and my strongest attribute was absolutely no help.
“Hey, guys? Can you all gather around for a minute?”
I looked up and saw Burke. It was so weird—and awesome—to be able to see and interact with him and the others on the ghost crew just like I did with anyone else on the team—just like I had when Burke was alive. That still brought a wave of sadness, and I wasn’t sure that would go away anytime soon, despite the fact that he was still here.
We all walked over to where he stood with the guys, his arm looped loosely around Reagan’s shoulders. Burke’s good looks always got me. Especially since he wore the most adorable wire-rimmed glasses. He looked like professional surfer Kelly Slater in the nineties if he’d gotten a side job as a librarian.
“What’s up?” I asked.
“Hanlen and Harper can fill you all in on what they uncovered, but I wanted to give you some background on the steamboat houses before you head over later.”
“Why don’t we go and sit in the courtyard? It’s nice out, and there’s way more seating all close together out there,” Dev said.
We all filed into the center area of the plantation home and took up spots in the outdoor furniture situated in a horseshoe shape. Dev and Hanlen had gotten all new stuff out here before the wrap party after the Arborwood episode premier, and we used it often now for both work gatherings and casual get-togethers.
“Gunnie and I were talking with some of the spirits at the Captain’s House over there. The one that has the fire damage. There’s a tragic history there, guys. Seems that fire was set intentionally by the owner of the house, and everyone was trapped inside. Nobody survived.”
I gasped, my stomach churning, and everyone else reacted with equal parts shock and sadness.
“There’s also another really tragic story. Did you guys see the big oak in the yard there? I can’t remember which house it belongs to.”
“I did,” I said, remembering walking past it.
“A woman took her life there. She was being abused by members of her family. Their beliefs didn’t allow for mental or physical healthcare, and between that, her ailments, and her declining mental health, she felt hopeless and like she had no way out.”
I cringed. I knew what that kind offamilywas like, and I felt for her. Those feelings, that miserable despair, was like being wrapped in barbed wire. The minute you relaxed and felt you might be okay, the second you breathed in again, the pain started all over. I would have to try to make contact.
“What’s her name?” I asked. “Do you know?”
“Lisbet Marnier.”
I nodded, putting the name to memory.
“We also met three children from a previous homeowner’s family. They died in a tragic accident on the river.” Reagan’s voice was so quiet, I had to strain to hear. Her shy and unassuming personality always seemed at odds with her appearance. She had long, flowing black and purple braids and wore a leather miniskirt and a purple bustier that almost made her dark skin glow.
“Harper and I pulled some deeds and things about the previous homeowners. Given what we found and what you just told us, Burke, I think we have a good foundation for the investigation,” Hanlen said.
Everyone nodded. “As we all know,” she added, the look in her amber eyes serious, “we can never plan what comes up, but wecanplan for possibilities.”
“Exactly,” Dev said and pulled her to him, kissing her on the top of the head. He then looked around. “Wait, where’s Turner?”
“Kholt went to see him this morning.” I answered his question. When all the guys turned to me with quizzical looks, I groaned a little.
“Yes, I was with Kholt this morning. Yes, it’s what you’re imagining. Now, let it go.”
Every single guy gave me shit-eating grins, but they were all smart enough to just smirk and nod.
“Anyway,” I continued, “he said that Turner left him a voicemail last night and sounded upset. Kholt went to check on him and said they’d be over together later. They might have just gotten hung up a little. It is a weekday morning.”
Just as I said that, the two guys walked through the archway into the courtyard.