“She seemed shocked that there was a hot spot in White Castle,” Aunt Liz said.
“I agree,” I responded. So why were they here? Me? It didn’t make sense. Harry said there wasn’t a special pull to me, and there weren’t ghosts lined up on my property line looking for a moment with the daughter of the angel of death. Then again, my wards kept all the dead folks but Harry out.
“How many are we talking about?’ Abaddon asked.
“A few hundred,” Dave answered. “Maybe more.”
My father tilted his head and pursed his lips before taking a sip of the hot chocolate and coming away with a whipped cream mustache. Lucifer raised a brow, looking amused, but nobody said anything.
“Do you have any idea why they are drawn here?” I asked, trying not to stare at the white foam. Someone should tell him.
“There are several possibilities,” Abaddon said. “If Donn’s involved, weird shit will happen, all of it linked to death. His very presence in the world will unbalance it, given he hasn’t walked the Earth for centuries. That kind of power will have a ripple effect.”
Wonderful. We had a rogue deity wandering the world, creating chaos.
“Why White Castle?” Dave asked.
Abaddon’s eyes caught mine. “He will know about Cora through Eloise, as she will no doubt have confided in him. He wouldn’t stand for secrets.”
“Wait, do you know him?” I asked.
Abaddon nodded. “I know all the ancient gods. Just because they’re inactive doesn’t mean they simply disappeared.”
“Is there a retreat for retired gods?” I smiled a little at the thought of all those old gods sitting around a pool, sipping margaritas.
“Not exactly. They just no longer play in this realm.”
Everyone froze as that sank in.One realm at a time, Cora.The thought of worlds beyond ours was too enormous to comprehend. Perhaps when my grandmother wasn’t hellbent on altering the future of this one, I could poke at the others.
“So Cora is responsible for White Castle’s haunting?” Dave asked.
Aunt Liz slapped the back of his head, and Aunt Sophia pointed her crochet hook at him. “My grandniece might dance with death, but she is not responsible for a mass group of remnants.”
Dave scowled and rubbed his head while Hudson snorted.
“Are there any other reasons?” I asked. “Because blaming my heritage is rather convenient.”
“I agree,” Sebastian said. “Eloise and Donn would actually benefit from keeping this from us for as long as possible.”
Abaddon narrowed his eyes like he was trying to pick through all the possibilities. “Then there are only two reasonable causes left.”
“Which are?” Rebecca asked. She’d been quieter than normal, almost subdued. Was it Ezra that was getting to her, or something else? I needed to make time to speak to her.
“Well,” Abaddon started. “One could be that someone else sent them here to warn Cora, who would then draw us together. It’s a warning. Perhaps someone in The Order, or maybe one of Donn’s followers.”
I grimaced. “Donn has followers?”
“A small sect, yes. You mentioned a ghost came to you from Peach Tree to tell you of the atrocity there?”
Ice slid down my spine. “Yes, Caleb.”
Abaddon nodded. “I’d suggest paying them a visit. They’re located in Ireland, as one would expect. Take your mate in case things get ugly. His prehistoric tiger will give them pause.”
Looks like we were going to Ireland. “What’s the second option?”
“Sometimes, when spirits gather in a particular area, it’s to witness something, like an apocalyptic event. Or maybe He’s planning on a visit.”
“He?” Dave asked.
