This is the proof the Feds were looking for to nail them with more instances of fraud, money laundering, and tax evasion. They thought my parents were involved with more, but they could never find the evidence.
They’d never win their appeal if this came to light.
“Fuck, Sable.”
My attention snaps toward the voice just as two demons come barreling down the steps. I didn’t even hear them opening the door.
I stagger onto my feet, fists trembling at my sides from the… from everything. I’m dead and they’re behind bars andstillthe torment doesn’t end because I’m just as helpless as I was when I was alive.
I can’t do anything with this book.
The full force of Lynx’s anger falls onto me as he charges closer. “Where the fuck have you been?”
“Yeah, Sabe,” Tony joins in. “Where the hell have you been,loca?”
What?
My lips part to answer, but nothing comes out. I try to grasp the rage bubbling through my veins to meet him head-on, but it slips right through my fingers.
“Seriously, dude?” Tony moves to smack the back of Lynx’s head but quickly backs off when his eyes turn red. “You looked everywhere, but you didn’t look in the fucking basement?”
“Why would she be in thebasement?”
I can’t pinpoint the cause of Lynx’s ire, or why he’d even be looking for me. He’s never cared about where I am or what I do before, and I don’t exist to be at anyone’s beck and call. But my voice is lost to me. Any word I could conjure is soundless beneath the thoughts twisting and scraping in my head.
Tony huffs, pointing his thumb to his right. “This guy had his panties all twisted—” He stops suddenly, groaning up at the ceiling. “Ugh. I have to go back to work. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do, kids.” Tony throws something overhead that Lynx catches with one hand. The item crinkles in his grip like foil. “And, hey, remember to wrap it. Don’t want you creating the Antichrist or anything.”
I blink. The spiraling stops mid-twist.
Can demons procreate? Better yet,can I get pregnant? No, I don’t get periods, right?
I’m left to stare at the space where Tony once stood because the bastard dropped a bomb on me then fell through the swirling vortex of darkness he conjured like nothing happened.
The silence stretches between us, and like a beacon, my sights fall to the book at my feet. My mother isn’t here, and still she manages to taunt me.
“What’s wrong?”
I hold up the ledger, unable to answer.
“What’s that?”
“I…” I’m breathless and I’ve barely said anything.
I’m not sure how to feel.
Angry for the hurt they’ve caused other people through their theft. Victorious that I have the key that would ruin the Eldrith name further. Or distraught that there’s nothing I can do with it because I’m a ghost, stuck here to wander these halls, hoping and praying my parents never find happiness.
I stare at the book. “This would keep my parents in prison.”
It’d mean they’d suffer for longer. Mom would hate herself even more for the shame she’s brought to the family. No amount of pity she’s garnered because of her dead daughter would let her dig herself out of the hole she’s gotten herself into.
I don’t know the law well enough to know whether they’d ever be able to own this property or see a cent from its sale, but money won’t do them very good in jail.
“They’re in prison?”
I nod solemnly. “They stole money and deserve to rot in there for all the other things they’ve done.”
“What things?” Lynx’s voice takes on a razor’s edge unlike anything I’ve ever heard from him. He sounds angryfor me.
