“I figured she’d know where to find us.”
Mercedes realized what he was saying. He knew who the flapper spirit was after all. “I’ve never told you or Sven that one of the ghosts is named Florence.”
“I know, but like I said before, Sven doesn’t like talking about it.”
“And you never mentioned it to him?”
“I wasn’t sure how he would take it.” Magnus scrubbed a hand over his face.
“So when I mentioned about that ghost from the twenties, you knew who it was? You knew her name would be Florence?”
“I had a hunch.” Magnus shoulders slumped in defeat. “I feel so bad, but I’m trying to protect him. He’s mourned her for so long, and I’m the reason he’s in this predicament of eternal damnation.”
“Why? It’s not your fault.”
“The cursing bit is. I dragged him on the expedition to the New World and then it was my idea to explore farther inland. He didn’t complain, and then he got himself cursed too. And then you mentioned a twenties ghost, which fit her description, and I couldn’t tell him it was her. I mean, I can’t see her to really confirm, but I knew deep down it was Flo. I just couldn’t tell him. How would that solve the problem if she’s dead?”
“Yes, but Flo was cursed by my family too. I don’t think she’s dead.”
Magnus sat up straight. “What?”
“Mona told me. Flo isn’t a regular ghost. She’s a revenant.”
“A what?”
“Adraugrmight be more appropriate for you to understand. Anyways, she’s cursed like you and Sven. The problem is, you two can’t see her. I can, but she also doesn’t remember howmuch she loved Sven. She’s protective of him, but I don’t know if what she feels is enough to break their curse. The curse robbed her of all her memories.”
Magnus stroked his beard. “That is a conundrum.”
“Do you think telling Sven is wise? Will it make him sadder?”
“Who knows, but I think we’d better tell him.” Magnus stood and held out his hand. “We have to do it. We have to tell the truth. All of it.”
She took his hand, but worried her bottom lip, because she wasn’t telling Magnus the whole truth. Why was she still dragging her feet on something so simple? Why couldn’t she just tell him?
They approached Sven, who looked surprised to see them. “Hello.”
“Sven, Mercedes can see the ghosts,” Magnus said, rubbing his neck.
“I know,” Sven replied and his eyes widened. “You mean…?”
“Flo, yes. She’s not dead,” Mercedes explained quickly. “She’s undead, a revenant. Adraugr. She’s cursed.”
“Like a ghoul?” Sven asked, his eyes sparkling with excitement.
“Sort of, but you can’t see her,” Mercedes said.
Sven’s white eyebrows pulled together above his nose. “I don’t understand.”
“She was cursed by my family. Her father wanted it done. It seems he didn’t like that his human daughter was in love with a ghoul. Anyways, it backfired and she disappeared. So they assumed she was dead. The curse turned her into this revenant being, stuck between two planes of existence. That’s why you can’t see her.”
Sven sat down. “Well, how do I see her again?”
“That’s not all of it.” Magnus sighed. “She lost her memories. She’s protective of you, but doesn’t remember much past her name.”
“Oh,” Sven said quietly. Then he perked up. “If she doesn’t remember, how did you find all this out?”
“Mona. She has the gift of sight,” Mercedes said.
