With my father’s pocket watch tucked away in a drawer upstairs, the routineof the seasonshasbecome the only waytonote the passing of time, as well as acrutch upon which I dependformy sanity.As long asthe seasons continue to change,I’llknow how longI’vebeenhere—stuckin this house, cursed to live as a shadow of my former self.
I take a deep breathto calmmyracing mind.Though the mention of witches sets my teeth on edge, I am curious what has brought Aidan to my doorstep.
“What’s this about witches?” I ask pointedly.Better to get this over with.
Perhaps theyhave questions for the son of a warlock with insider knowledge, butI’mcurious whatcouldn’tbe answered by the coven in town. I stare openly at the man I call a friend, waiting for him to explain himself, and after several seconds of gathering his courage, he speaks.
“We have a unique situation at hand,” he begins. “Shadow Hills is home to only a handful of ghosts, all of whom are registered with the mayor’s office, correct?”
“Yes,” I concur flatly.
Aidan shoves his hands into his slacks. “I believe we have a new ghost.”
Iliftone brow. “And what makes you think that?”
At the exact same time, Aidan answers, “Because she appeared to us,” and Joanna says, “Because she told us she was dead.”
This actually makes me chuckle slightly.“Both are good arguments, but that stilldoesn’texplain whyyou’vecome to me. Why not ask the mayor toassistyou in… What is it you needassistancewith?”
“From whatshe toldus, this ghost is having trouble staying ontheearthly plane. Rightnow,she’sfloating freely through empty space, appearing occasionally and then disappearing again.”
“She mustberecently deceased,” I say. “She’llfigure it out on her own. It takes time for all of us.”
It took me well over a decade to navigate the afterlife on my own. Why does this ghostget a free ride?
This time Joanna speaks up. “She sounded really scared. Idon’tthink she remembers anything about her death. We just thought, sinceyou’realso, you know…a ghost…thatmaybeyoucould reach her whenshe’sfloating around out there in thenothingness andthen bring her here.”
Whether she means here as in my home or here as in Shadow Hills proper, Idon’tlike it.Somehow,I feel as if getting involved with this will mean I am tobe responsible forthis wayfarer.
“It doesn’t work like that,” I tell her.
Joanna’s eyes widen. “It doesn’t?”
“No. I assumed that’s why you brought up the witches.”
Aidan and Joannaexchangea knowing glance. “The girl—Kennedy—she’s the one who said she needed a witch.”
“And she’s right,” I say. “I have no way of knowing where the ghost is. Wedon’thave special psychic connections to one another. But a witch can call upon a spirit with a spell,ifthey have something that belongs to the deceased.”
Aidan heaves a sigh and pinches his brow. “Of course. Idon’tknow why Ididn’tthink of that. Wemusthave a seance.”
Joanna shivers. “You mean, like, Ouija board shit? Nuh-uh. No way, José.”
“Who’s José?” Aidan and I both ask at the same time.
She scoffs. “Wow. You two really are old.”
She then pulls a deviceI’vecome to learn is a mobile phone out of her pocket and frowns. She places the phone next to her ear with a furrowed brow. “Hey,what’sup? Is everythingalright?”
Joanna’s eyeswidenand Aidan stiffens, having heard every word ofwhatever’sbeing said with his paranormal hearing.
Instead of addressing his mate, he looks at me. “The ghost,” he says, “She’s at Kiki’s Cafe right now.”
Chapter Five
THEO
It’sone thing being visited by Aidan and his new mate, but having the house suddenly full of strangers is a step far outside my comfort zone.
