There was a narrow sort of goat trail in the dirt leading down to the riverbank. We picked our way down, and once I reached the sandy area, I realized many ghosts had taken notice of us. A few braver souls dressed in period clothing came in closer. There was some hesitance there.
I smiled. “Hi, I’m Mack, and a Medium. I’m here to help anyone who wants to pass on. Do I have any takers?”
Many hands shot up into the sky.
“Wonderful, wonderful. I’m going to set up some lights, and then we’ll take you one at a time. Ah, this is Gwyn, she’s an apprentice Medium. She’ll be helping as well, but try not to overwhelm her.”
Like the old hand he was, Brandon divvied up the lights with me, and we had our path laid out in record time. We really should time ourselves at some point. I think it only took us three minutes or so. While setting up lights, I asked questions of any ghost hovering nearby. No one had seen either Halfacre brother or the mob ghosts recently, but I kept asking with the hope I’d find some kind of intel to help us.
All lined up, I extended a hand to the first willing ghost. “Miss, take my hand. I’ll boost you a little and then guide you through. Just imagine you’re going home—because that’s what you’re doing.”
She took my hand, a little gingerly, but I passed her without any struggle.
That started a trend, and I had ghosts coming in single file, having organized themselves. Gwyn either took note of their names or took turns with me passing ghosts along. We had somewhere over thirty ghosts passed on in no time flat.
Passing ghosts on was more than a duty. I felt so bad for them, being stuck here when they didn’t want to be. I imagined if I was ever in their shoes, I’d be praying someone came along who could help. It was why I always took the time to offer. I didn’t want that bleak future for these poor lost souls.
As many ghosts as there were, we started winding down. The rest of the ghosts either kept their distance or showed no interest in what I offered. That was fine. I wouldn’t force those who didn’t want to go. Well, unless they were causing trouble, of course. I still hadn’t found any information to help us, which was frustrating.
The man with the slightly yellow aura approached, but it wasn’t me or Gwyn who interested him. No, he went straight up to Brandon.
“Hey,” the ghost greeted. Then frowned when Brandon didn’t even glance in his direction.
I opened my mouth to intervene, but Gwyn neatly beat me to it.
She explained, “He’s not a Medium, he can’t hear you.”
“Oh.” The man stared at her for a long moment. “I want to ask this man a question.”
“Okay?” Gwyn offered her hand. “I can boost you so he can hear you.”
I was of two minds, as the ghost’s aura said he wasn’t completely stable, but he wasn’t being antagonistic right now. I’d give him a chance.
The ghost hesitated for a long moment before taking Gwyn’s hand.
Gwyn boosted him easily. She was really becoming a pro. Boosting a ghost was more instinct than anything, as you could do too much, and it took some experience to get a good feel for it. She’d gotten the feel for it quickly.
Brandon had watched her, and I saw the second he could see the ghost, as his eyes snapped to the man. “Oh, hello.”
The ghost seemed grimly satisfied now. He’d been a powerful figure in life, nearly as tall as Brandon. Not well dressed, probably a miner, as the clothing he wore was shabby on the edges and the knees worn out. A handsome man, though, his features strong and chiseled.
“This girl yours?”
Brandon blinked at the question. “Not in the way you mean it. She’s my lover’s apprentice. Mack is mine.”
The ghost hadn’t expected Brandon’s answer. He turned his head to look at me. “Well, doggone. That right?”
This was an interesting reaction. He seemed almost pleased? “He and I are engaged, in fact. I’m Mack. What’s your name, sir?”
“Samuel.” He studied me some more. “Met many a man who liked men. Never thought… Well, world’s become a better place, I guess.”
Eh, debatable. “Samuel, would you like to pass on?”
Samuel sighed, gaze falling to the dirt. “Can’t. Tried. I’m still too mad at that goddamn—” His eyes darted to Gwyn and he grimaced. “Pardon the language. That woman who betrayed me. I’m still too mad at her.”
Ohh, okay, so this might be something I could work him through. “Tell me about it.”
Samuel heaved a massive sigh. “When I was living, this woman approached me. Flirted. I thought she was dipping.”
