Thomas gives me a cheeky grin. “That’s why you have me. I’m not only the brawn, you know. I’m as smart as I am good-looking.”
“Please,” Gilbert huffs, and despite the shit storm going on around me, I smile.
* * *
I squeeze my eyes shut,trying to stop them from burning. We spent the last half an hour cleansing the house with sage smudge sticks and the banishing spell. The entire house smells like a college dorm, and if anyone were to come over I’d have a hard time convincing them we’re not all high.
Once the house was cleared of negative energy, Hasan lined the entire thing with salt. Gil put extra lines of it around the windows and doors, magically locking up this place like Fort Knox. From spirits, at least.
Yawning, I set a plastic bag of herbs on my nightstand and sit on my bed. I lie back, keeping my eyes closed for another few seconds. I wafted smoke right into my face the last time I did the banishing spell and my eyes have hurt ever since.
The floor creaks and someone steps into the room. I can tell it’s Jacques from the energy he puts out.
“This should help.”
I squint my eyes open and take a cool, wet rag from him. “Thanks.” I press it against my eyes, feeling instant relief.
“Tired?”
“Kind of. It feels later than it really is,” I say honestly.
“You did the banishing spell several times. You’re still getting used to expelling your energy in a new way.”
“Right. It’s not as bad as it was before at least.”
He crosses the room and sits on the bed next to me. His aura is calm and comforting while at the same time it makes me hot and bothered thinking about his lips on mine. I never knew someone could do that to me…to be both the shelter and the storm.
“You’re learning fast. I know I told you before that it takes years for others to learn what you’re figuring out on your own.”
“I’ve always been a quick study. Well, only on things I set my mind to, I guess. But I know if I want something I’ll get it if I work hard enough. So that’s what I’ve done my whole life. Work hard.”
“You’ve worked hard enough tonight. You can go to bed. We’ll keep watch, though I don’t think anything is getting in the house tonight.”
“Nothing ghostly.” I flip the rag over, putting the cool side on my eyes.
“She’ll come back,” he says, somehow knowing what I’m thinking. “She already did, warning you against going after the Pink Dress Ghost, as you call her.”
“I hope so. But at the same time…” I trail off, shaking my head.
“It’s hard to say goodbye all over again,” Jacques finishes softly.
“Yes. I can’t say I miss her less, but I got more and more used to living without my parents.”
“That’s understandable.”
“Yeah.” I remove the rag and blink a few times, focusing my vision. I can see just fine now and my eyes are hardly hurting. “I didn’t get the answers I wanted either. Kind of a bummer, huh?”
“You will.” He takes my hand in his, slipping his fingers between mine. “We’ll send the Pink Dress Ghost back to the spirit world and do another séance, the right way next time.”
I give his hand a squeeze. “Thanks, Jac.”
His lips brush against my cheek. “Get some rest, Ace.”
“I will.” I turn in toward him, longing to feel his body against mine. Not in a sexual way, not right now at least, but having him here, being near to him, just feels right. “Do you want to stay with me for a bit?”
“I always do.”
* * *
