Itwasn’tuntil something much more raucous disturbed my peace that I was fully awoken from my ghostly slumber. My memories flicker back to a family of four moving into the house. First, there were the crashes of walls coming down, the sound of a machine cutting through floorboards, and the murmurings of men—something I had not heard in over a decade. But it was the sound ofhervoice that triggered my eyes to finally open andtrulysee.
Moira Baker.
I shake my head and dislodge the memory from the front of my mind, only to realize why Calliope looks so familiar. Sheresembles her grandmotheralmost identically. I want to ask her so many questions, but themurmurs of wonder from everyone around me are toomuch.
Iretreatto the front of the house, rubbing my hands together to soothe the tension building inside me.After a while, the majority of the spectators decidethey’re bored andit’s time to go.Even Aidan suggestsit’sbest to leave the witches to their work, and I watch as he and Joanna quietly close the front door behind them, a murmured “goodbye” following them out.
I’mleft with Kennedy and the two witches. Realizing something, the novice looks at me with a sheepish grin. “It’s Theodore, right?”
I press my lips into a fine line and nod.
“Thank you for letting us use your house.” Her eyes dart across the cobwebs in the rafters with bright optimism. “Clearly you were right about the magical properties here, Calliope.”
The more experienced witch waves a hand in dismissal and shrugs, rolling her eyes smugly.
Having them here without Aidan is uncomfortable. Amidst the urgency of the situation, Aidan had only briefly introduced them after politely asking permission to use the house. I respect Aidan, but clearly no one from this generation has any clue about the history between my family and the witches of Shadow Hills. If they did, they would not be alone with me right now.
Simone glances at me nervously when Idon’trespond to her, but Calliope’s focus is solely on Kennedy who has now chosen to sit cross-legged on the floor.
“You can leave the circle, you know.”
My voice causes both witches to jump, but Kennedy smirks.
“Of course!” Calliope insists, playfully tapping herself on the head as if she simply forgot. “You’re not stuck.” She pokes and slides her finger across the surface of her telephone. “Ah yes. And if you ever get lost again,you’llautomatically get pulled here.”
“Cool,” Simone gushes. “So,it’s like respawning in the last saved spot of a video game.”
Calliope lifts a brow. “Sure.”
“So, this is where I’m supposed to stay?” Kennedy questions nervously.
Six pairs of eyes land on me.
“Is that a problem?” Calliope asks shortly.
But Simone jumps in with, “If that’s alright with you!”
Kennedy’s eyesremainon me.She’swaiting for me to say something with that same confident aura as before.
Am I really agreeing to open up my home to another ghost?I had no problem providing her with a safe place to be summoned, butI’veenjoyed my solitude for over a hundred years, and now Imustgive it up just because this spiritcouldn’tfigure out how to tether herself properly?
Then I see her face start to fall.
Without realizing it, I find myself relenting.I drop my chin and close my eyes, giving Kennedy a single nod.
She smiles and tells the others, “He’s fine with it.”
Chapter Eight
KENNEDY
Finallybeing groundedtoone placedoesn’tfeel like I thought it would. Especially since the placeI’vebeen rootedtois completely foreign to me. I have no idea where I am, but my spirit somehow sensesthat I’mstill in Shadow Hills. I understand the lore behind why ghosts tend to gravitate toward places that are familiar and where they feel safe, but for me, why is that placehere?
My mother grew up in Shadow Hills, and if itweren’tfor my sister’s budding talents, Iprobably wouldhave called this place home for more than just twelve years. I was still a kid when I stood outsideourmiddleschool with my sister,hearing the pride in her voice whenshe told me we were moving to pursue her dance career.
Why is this the place my spirit chose to rest?
I clear my throat and watch Theodore as he hovers aimlessly in front of the large bay window.Calliope and Simone are still here, unsure whether or not their presence is needed.Theyobserveanxiously, as if watching two ghosts interact for the first time is the most exciting thing to happen to them all week.
