“Mind if I stop by tomorrow and check in on you guys?” I fake a smile. I’m hoping my request will work two-fold. One, to warn Eugene I’m coming back so he doesn’t do anything to hurt Aisling, and two, to let Aisling know she’s not alone. I’ll come back every day if I need to.
“That’s not necessary.” Eugene scowls.
“I insist. It’s the least I can do until my father is back since you want to speak with him so badly.” I don’t drop the smile. I probably look and sound a little deranged, but this guy doesn’t scare me, however, I need to play it cool. I don’t want him pissed at me and taking it out on Aisling.
Eugene casts his eyes over me again, letting his gaze trail from head to toe, and it feels smarmy. When he moves his tongue behind his teeth, the feeling intensifies.
“Since you insist,” he finally agrees, but his tone makes it clear I’m not welcome.
I pretend not to notice his displeasure and turn to face Aisling again. Normally, I wouldn’t give my back to someone like Eugene, but I’m confident the guys will keep an eye on him. “Let me give you my number in case you change your mind and want to see the doctor. Don’t hesitate to call for anything,” I tell her while looking right into her eyes.
Aisling stares back at me for a long moment before gathering a notepad and pen from a nearby drawer. I recite my number for her slowly and have her read it back just in case.
Knowing I can’t force her to leave, even if that’s what my gut is telling me to do, I walk out of the kitchen with a feeling of unease trailing after me.
Eugene escorts us all the way to the front door. He stops mid-step, and I follow his gaze to the ground, seeing my silky mink waiting there.His magic doesn’t fit,Percy observes with a twitch of a whisker. I want to ask what he means, but Eugene shoves open the screen, all but kicking us out of the house.
The heavy door closes behind us the second Gray is on the porch. “I really don’t like leaving her here,” Felix says, reaching for my pinky to lock our fingers together.
“Me either,” I confirm.
“Not much we can do about it.” Gray looks back at the door. “Maybe she’ll talk to your dad.”
“Maybe. We should go though. I don’t want to make things worse for her,” I murmur softly.
Once we’re in the car with Percy secured on my lap, I stroke my hand over his back and ask, “What did you mean in the house, about his magic not fitting?”
I’m not quite sure. His magic has touched the house, but it hasn’t seeped into the soil or foundation.
Gray turns so he’s looking into the backseat. “What’s he saying?”
“He thinks Eugene is as fucked up as we do,” Felix answers for me.
“Why would she stay with him?” Remy muses out loud, but it’s as if he’s speaking to himself.
“She was different when we were alone. Not so…” I struggle to find the right words.
“Scared?” Gray snorts.
“Maybe,” I concede. “But she seems pretty aware of the presence in the house too. They have a manifestation, and she made it seem like it was a new development.”
Percy surprises me by saying,Maybe it’s just making itself known, but that energy has been in that house for a very long time.
Felix fills the others in on Percy’s thoughts on the ghost while I think about his claim. “It—the spirit seemed helpful toward Aisling. It turned on the water for her.”
“Spirits don’t just manifest on their own. They are either conjured or created by a tragedy. Has there been any terrible deaths in the house or on the property?” Felix leans forward as he addresses Gray.
“Not that I know of, but it’s not like I’m the town historian.”
“Can you find out?” Felix urges.
“Not at six-thirty in the morning, but I know a few people I could talk to,” Gray agrees after sitting back in his seat.
“Want to get breakfast?” Remy asks after a short pause. “Afterwards, we can head into the woods, finish the ritual, and fuck all day. Do you think we’ll be able to hear Percy once it’s done?” He glances at Gray.
Dear Hecate, hear me now!Very loudly, he adds,Drop me off at home before the debauchery.
I snicker and cover my mouth, but then the gravity of what Remy said sinks in and my chuckle dies slowly. I don’t even hear how Gray responds.
