“I would think two such beauties as yourselves would enjoy that,” Rafe said, honestly confused.
“I think he just complimented us,” I said to Luna.
“Yeah, he’s trying to flatter me into not banishing him,” Luna muttered as she pulled to a stop in front of Miss Elva’s house.
“Should we get out?”
“Yes, let’s go up there. I don’t want to spring Rafe on her in the car,” I said.
“Do you think she’ll even be able to see him?” Luna asked.
It was true. Most people couldn’t see ghosts. Luna and I had that extra fun ability.
“I guess we’ll have to see.”
We all got out of the car and made our way to Miss Elva’s porch. The sun hung low in the sky – just kissing the horizon – but the heat was still present per usual. The sky was clear and a light breeze kicked my caftan up. A good night for full moon festivities, I thought.
“Whoa,” I breathed, stopping on the stairs as Miss Elva stepped from her weathered front door.
Her outfit put mine and Luna’s to shame. A sequined turban with peacock feathers sticking easily a foot in the air was perched on her head. A fully beaded and sequined cloak in a rainbow of colors flowed around her large body, shimmering and shaking with her movements. She looked like that moment when the sunlight hits the water and explodes in shimmering diamonds.
“Praise the Lord for delivering such beauty to me,” Rafe crossed his chest.
“You’re Catholic?” I whispered, but he ignored me, his enraptured gaze focused on Miss Elva.
“Well, now. What have you brought me?” Miss Elva demanded, her hands on her hips as she surveyed Rafe. Rafe floated over to her and my jaw dropped as he took his hat off and bent at the waist, delivering a sweeping bow to Miss Elva.
“I am Rafe de Leon Rackham, head of the great Santa Maravilla, the sweetest pirate ship in the waters. And never have I been presented with such beauty in my life. I implore you to allow me to love you,” Rafe said, and MissElva’s cloak shimmered with movement as she let out a belly laugh.
“I thought he just pillaged his lovers,” I whispered through clamped lips to Luna. She just shook her head as we watched the spectacle unfold.
“Well, I’ll be damned, you’ve got yourself quite the rake here,” Miss Elva said, batting her eyelashes at Rafe.
“Did she just bat her eyelashes?” Luna whispered.
“I’myourrake,” Rafe insisted, his eyes drinking in all that was Miss Elva.
“Sho enough, you’ve got a naughty one on your hands,” Miss Elva slapped her leg and laughed her big laugh. Turning to us, she smiled. “Where’d you find this one?”
I opened my mouth to explain, but Luna cut in.
“Someone over here likes to drink before trying to cast a circle,” Luna said. I poked her in the side.
“Knock it off,” I whispered.
“Child, didn’t I tell you to listen to Luna?” Miss Elva said, her tone implying I was a total idiot.
“Yes,” I sighed, “you did.”
“And did Luna tell you that you could drink before doing a ritual?” Miss Elva said, hands on her hips, Rafe hovering around her in rapture.
“No,” I said meekly.
“And what made you think you could disobey that?”
I threw my hands up. “I’m sorry, okay? I got it. Listen to Luna. Listen to you. No drinking before spells. Don’t you think I’ve learned my lesson? Rafe is punishment enough.”
Rafe drew back, looking offended.
