I stared at Jeffrey. He might’ve appeared to simply have been Tallulah’s spirit guide, but it was only a ruse. There was much more to him—much, much more.
What would I do if I found myself in Jeffrey’s same predicament? If my people were being used as entertainment and then their very appearances lied about?
I’d be ticked, too.
“I’m sorry,” I said quietly. “I can’t blame you for being angry, but anger isn’t the solution.” I reached for the folder and gently tugged it from his hands. “I will make this right. I promise.”
His gaze bored into me, sending a chill straight to my toes. “You will promise me?”
I nodded. “I promise you.”
I hugged the package to my chest and gave Jeffrey one last look before he vanished into thin air.
“Well, that was something,” Alice said.
I nodded. “It sure was. But now I have a package that I’m responsible for.”
She came up beside me. “You going to make sure Birda goes down?”
My eyes narrowed. “I sure am. Come on. Let’s get Ruth and go home.”
On the wayhome Ruth and Alice were quiet. I felt like they’d heard the comment I made to Jeffrey about Roan and were afraid to ask about details.
That was good. I wasn’t in the mood to answer any details.
By the time I got home, it was past ten. That was what it was like hanging out with spirits. Time always seemed to go much faster when I was around them. Must’ve had something to do with the fact that they were in-between beings—not belonging in our world but remaining despite that fact.
I placed the manila folder on the kitchen table so that I would know exactly where it was in the morning when I took it to Devlin Monk. I made myself hot tea and took a book into my bedroom to read.
The warm drink helped relax my tense muscles. I worked at a knot on my shoulder, pushing and rubbing to loosen it. I closed my eyes and exhaled. The knot loosened, and I sighed, sinking back into my pillow.
I turned off the light and was about to shut my eyes when my phone pinged.
How was your evening?
Roan. It was Roan. A thrill raced to my stomach. I wanted to thumb on my phone and call him.
It took everything I had to stop myself.
It was good. Kicked some ghost butt. The usual.
LOL, he replied. I smiled widely.Tonight’s been miserable.
I’ve been more miserable.
Not possible,he wrote.I want to see you. It hurts.
I pinched my eyes shut, not wanting the tears to come. Hurt was a mild indication of what my heart felt like. It felt like someone had ripped it right in two.
The entire situation stank.
My eyes were still closed when a branch snapped outside my window.
I bolted up. My gaze shifted right and left, and my breath quickened.
From the sound of the wood, whatever was outside was heavy. A possum or a raccoon couldn’t have snapped a branch so big. As quietly as possible, I pulled the duvet off my legs and placed them on the floor.
I padded across the wooden planks silently, avoiding the boards that creaked. I crept into the kitchen.
