“A box?” Marcus questioned, tilting his head.
Erik stepped closer, brushing his hand over Marcus’ cheek. His hand went through his skin, leaving both men looking miserable when they realized they couldn’t touch. There were simply too many ghosts on the property with Erik here now. But that might actually be a help for us.
Dylan was beside me, taking my hand in his and I mentally slapped myself for forgetting I needed him with me.
“Can you translate whatskatmeans?” I whispered, my eyes not leaving the men in front of me.
“Oh, sure,” Dyl said, ignoring the scene in front of us and taking out his phone.
“I was going to propose to you that day,” Erik said, his eyes locked on Marcus’. I couldn’t look away. The way both men cried as they watched each other. The longing. The love.
“You were?” Marcus asked, his voice choked up as he laughed. “I was, too.”
“Really?” Erik asked, his eyes bright.
Marcus nodded, then laughed again. “It all turned to shit so fast, though. I tried to find your spirit so you could be attached to me, but you were nowhere to be seen.”
“At first I was inside the box,” Erik explained. “Then I finally found a way out but couldn’t move away from where the box laid. It wasn’t until Mike touched the box that I was freed.”
Marcus’ eyes left Erik and landed on me, a soft smile spread across his face. “You must be Mike.” Something about the way he’d spoken now changed, but I couldn’t quite tell what the difference was.
“I am,” I confirmed. “The box had turned into a cursed object, leaving him locked onto me instead of the location.”
“Oh, I see,” Marcus said, a hand on his chin as if deep in thought. “I hope you don’t mind me taking Erik from you. But I need him with me again.”
“You sure?” I asked, eyeing both men.
Marcus nodded. “I won’t risk losing him again.”
“But, skat, I’m not the same man anymore. I won’t stay and risk your unhappiness,” Erik said.
“I don’t care if you’re alive or dead, Erik. You’re mine and I will only ever want you. Soon enough, I will join you anyway and then we’ll be together forever.”
It was clear Marcus had never told Erik that he was a medium, but Erik didn’t seem to mind the secrecy, he was mostly staring at Marcus with so much love that I felt tears threaten to escape.
“Skatmeanstreasureand it is what you call a loved one, often a partner or your children,” Dylan explained, reminding me I had him look it up.
“Thank you,” I grinned, kissing his cheek.
“Anytime,” he grinned, then faced Marcus. “I’m Dylan, nice to meet you.”
Marcus grabbed his hand, looking a tad embarrassed by his tears. “Nice to meet you.”
“I apologize in advance if I have to ask questions while we work together,” Dylan said. “I’m Mike’s anchor and I only understood some of what you were saying before.”
I gave Dylan a confused look. “He was speaking English, Dyl. I get that you couldn’t hear Erik, but Marcus and I spoke English.”
Dylan shook his head. “No, you didn’t.”
Marcus looked just as confused before he shrugged. “Might be a communication thing. I’ve never really thought about how we communicate with them, simply because I speak several languages.”
“Fair enough,” Dylan nodded. “I’ll wait on you to translate for me if needed. I trust your judgement of what I need to know and when.”
I adored Dylan. Many wouldn’t be comfortable in this situation, not knowing what was happening all the time. However, he knew we had to focus on the ghosts and he wanted to be as helpful as possible. He truly was the best anchor a medium could have.
Suddenly, I felt lightersomehowand shot a glance towards Marcus. He was pulling Erik free of me and though the sight should thrill me, I liked Erik and I wasn’t ready to see him go. I didn't have the chance to protest before I suddenly felt our connection snap. Without powers, I wouldn’t have felt anything, but I did. I wished I didn’t. I knew Erik was meant to be with Marcus and I came to Denmark to leave him here, but seeing Marcustodayhadn’t been theplan. I’d selfishly thought we would have more time before he left my side.
“My man is back where he belongs,” Marcus rasped, his voice choked.
