“A rich guy from the east coast bought a bunch of farmland for cheap with the promise he’d let the farmers keep living on it and using it, but then charged them rent that was like double what was reasonable. And according to one article I read, it seemed like a handful of people in PV back then sold their land for the cash but had some sort of verbal agreement they’d be able to buy it back once they could. The whole thing is shady if you ask me.”
“That is, and I can see how the resentment built from there.”
“Oh, totally.”
“I’m not sensing anything dangerous,” I tell him, assuming he stayed in the car because he was too creeped out to go in alone. “Want to head in?”
Keith winces, sucking in a breath through his teeth. “I forgot to get the key from my aunt. She’s going to swing by and drop it off.” He checks the time on his phone. “Should be soon.”
“Or I could do this,” I say and twirl my hand in front of me. “And unlock it with magic.”
Keith’s eyes light up. “Yes, please.”
Smiling, we go up the porch and I take a second to look at the lock. It’s a standard, modern deadbolt and I put my hand on it, imagining someone inside turning it back and letting us in. Just a second later, it unlocks, and I open the door, stepping inside. Light from behind us spills in, and I reach into my pocket for my phone. With all the windows boarded up, it’s dark in here.
“The power is on,” Keith says and comes in behind me, reaching for a light switch. “Not all rooms have ceiling lights, though. We think someone stole them.”
“Nice,” I say sarcastically and step in a little more so we can close the door. Suddenly, the energy shifts and I can tell immediately that something doesn’t want me here. It’s not because I’m a medium and will be able to easily find them. It’s because I’m a witch.
ChapterNine
The door slowly creaks shut behind us, and I blink, adjusting my eyes to the dark. Keith turns on another light and shuffles close to me.
“It’s rough, but we did have an inspector come to make sure it’s safe to be in here,” Keith tells me. “And it is, as long as we stay out of the basement.”
“What’s in the basement?” I ask, already imagining skeletons in the closets. Literally.
“Radon. It’s common in this area, if you didn’t know, and it’s a pretty easy fix. Someone is coming out next week to put in a mitigation system so it’ll be safe to go down there.”
“Oh, well, that’s good you guys got it checked out.”
He nods. “The previous owners got all the asbestos and black mold taken care of. But this is pretty much where they left off.” He sweeps his hand out in front of me and I turn, taking in the full grandeur of what this place once was. We entered into a foyer that still has a lot of the original woodwork, but a wall has been put up, blocking the view of the rest of the house. I’m guessing it was to divide this place up into apartments.
Another wall to our left has been knocked down, leaving dark marks on the hardwood floor. This room will have a gorgeous view of the apple trees along the driveway once all is said and done. Carpet has been rolled back, revealing what I’m going to assume are the original hardwood floors. I shine my phone light around the room and step in, trying not to think about anything in particular so I can pick up on whatever is lingering here.
“You’re going to die when you see the library,” Keith tells me.
“Ohhh, where is it?” I turn around, pointing my light on the ground.
“Back of the house. And I don’t mean likedie of excitement.I mean part of your soul will die when you see what they’ve done to it.”
“Now I’m scared.”
“You should be. Whatever happened in this house, destroying that place is one of the biggest crimes that happened here.”
As soon as he’s done talking, something knocks against a wall. Keith jumps, grabbing my arm.
“Oh shit. What was that?”
“It came from upstairs?” I question, looking at Hunter. He heard it too, and he’s picking up on the same things I am. He wants to go investigate and will take the lead, checking for vengeful spirits as well as weak floorboards. “Yeah, good idea.”
“What’s a good idea?” Keith tightens his hold on me.
“Finding the source of that noise.” Hunter tips his head, picking up on something else. “Well, in a minute. Hunter said someone just pulled down the driveway. Probably your aunt?”
Keith lets out a breath and drops his hand from my arm. “I’ll check.”
Together, we go back onto the porch and wait for Keith’s aunt to park her truck and get out.