“Your father didn’t like that you were in love with Sven.”
Flo’s eyes opened wide and her mouth fell open. “I was in love with Sven?”
“You were.” Mercedes squeezed her hand gently. “And he loved you too.”
“Are you sure? How do you know?” Flo whispered. Her eyes were still wide and her brows furrowed, like she was truly trying to remember it.
“Another witch told me. I just found out yesterday. Your father owned this house and was kind of a nefarious fellow. Maybe Sal knew him, or Mario.”
“They’re from the forties, so, highly doubtful,” Flo said. “Go on though.”
“You’re sure?”
Flo nodded. “Yes. I want to know, because maybe I’ll remember.”
Mercedes took a deep breath. “Your father hired a witch family to curse you, and it backfired. They were supposed to erase your memories of your love for Sven and make it so that your father could control you. Instead, it turned you into this revenant.”
“So, I died?” Flo’s body shimmered, like she was sort of on the fritz.
“Not exactly. Your body is still with you. Why do you think you can solidify better than most ghosts? You’re undead, but sort of stuck. That’s why no one but me can see you. Your father just saw that you were obliterated, so he had a funeral for you. In a way, you’re cursed.”
“A witch family,” Flo mumbled. “Who?”
“Mine,” Mercedes said, grimacing. “Let me just state that I don’t like anything my family dabbles in. I mean, there’s a reason I don’t fit in with them.”
Flo smiled sadly. “I don’t blame you. So I’m cursed and true love breaks curses, and I like Sven but I don’t remember our love. I guess that explains why I’m so protective of him. But it’s kind of hard to date someone you don’t remember, especially if they’re unaware of your existence.”
“I don’t know if true love can break your curse, but yeah, it’s kind of hard to do anything when he can’t even see you.”
“So I’m just stuck here, like Sven and Magnus. Well, I guess Magnus won’t be stuck here forever now that he has you.”
“Right,” Mercedes said quietly. “Although, how long will that last? I have to tell him something kind of big and I’m not sure how he’s going to take it.”
Flo cocked a finely arched brow. “Just tell him.”
As Mercedes opened her mouth to say something more, she saw a couple of human neighbors walking by Room with a Tomb very slowly, staring at her.
I guess it does look like I’m talking to myself.
“Good morning,” Mercedes said brightly and waving.
They waved back and quickly went on their way.
Laughing, Flo hovered above the step. “I better go. Not that I can go anywhere. Just talk to Magnus about your feelings and what’s happening. You have the chance to do that, and some of us won’t.”
“I will.”
Flo nodded and disappeared.
Mercedes got up from where she was sitting and started walking toward the cemetery.
It took about ten minutes to get there, and the moment she arrived, she found Magnus sitting and broodingly watching his brother. She quietly made her way over to him.
“Hey,” she said gently.
“Oh, didn’t you get my note?” Magnus asked.
“No. I was met by Florence who told me where to find you both. I thought it was best I come here.”
