Faye had temporarily forgotten about Rav. She had forgotten his large, wide, strong frame and his heavy brows; had forgotten the primal, bullish sense of him. Now that she saw him again, she was reminded of his inherent strength and masculine grace.
Rav was so different to Finn, so much more earthy, whereas Finn had a sense of transcendent beauty about him. Yet, Rav moved with care in the little shop, as if mindful not to disturb anything. Faye looked at his hands as he carefully picked up a tiny glass jar of incense. The jar appeared like something from a doll’s house in his wide, strong palm. He read the label with interest and put it down again, looking up to catch her eyeand smiling slowly. Faye felt her cheeks redden at being caught staring.
‘Ah, no…you surprised me, that’s all.’ She smiled.
‘You do know that this is a shop? Probably best if people do come in, I’m guessing?’ He came up to the counter and picked up a novelty spell book next to the till. Like the jar of incense, it looked like a toy in his hands. ‘How’s business?’
‘Not too bad.’ Faye wondered what it would be like to be held in those vast arms; a bear’s embrace. She let out a long breath at the thought of being so completely safe.
This is real life, she thought. Not myths and strangeness and old legends in dusty old books.
‘Thought I’d drop in on the village’s mysterious enchantress.’ He raised an eyebrow, his black, long-lashed gaze holding hers. Faye was drawn to him. ‘Who is even more beautiful than I remembered.’ He seemed totally at ease, paying her a compliment, flirting with her unashamedly. He was very confident. Not in a flashy way, she could see that. But confident in himself, of his masculinity.
‘Um. Thank you.’ Faye blushed. ‘Is there anything in particular you were looking for?’
‘Apart from you?’ He gave her that same, lazy smile that took her breath away.
Caught off guard, Faye was at a loss for words. ‘Umm…’ she stammered.
‘I imagine people must come in here all the time just to see you,’ he continued.
‘Well…yes…but only for spells, readings, that kind of thing,’ she blushed.
‘Indeed. How have you been?’ he asked, maintaining eye contact.
‘Fine. And you?’ she asked, wanting to look away, but somehow unable to.
‘I was hoping for some advice, actually,’ he went on. ‘The thing is – don’t think I’m deranged or anything – but I think…my house might be haunted.’
‘Haunted?’ she echoed his words.
‘I know, I know. It’s a mad thing to say. But ever since I moved in, there’s been these weird noises in the night. Running footsteps in the hall. Sounds of laughing. And when I go downstairs, there’s been a few times when the fridge door’s been left open and stuff pulled out. Food all over the floor.’ He looked chagrined. ‘I just thought…if anyone would understand, it would be you. Hence, the visit.’
‘It’s not mad.’ Faye frowned. ‘You know there have always been stories about that house. No one ever stayed there long, not since it was built.’
‘Really?’
‘Yeah. My grandmother always said that the fae were close by, here in Abercolme. She would blame anything on the fae. Someone’s dog was ill. Getting a cold. Stupid things, really,’ Faye thought for a moment. ‘But I do remember her talking about that house, too. She said that it had a lot of fae activity, because it sits on a ley line. That was why no one stayed in it too long.’
Rav gazed into the hearth, frowning. ‘Hmm. Well, whatever it is, it’s scary, Faye. I mean, I’m embarrassed to say it, but I don’t want to sleep there right now.’
‘You don’t have to be embarrassed. These things happen all the time. Spirits that haven’t moved on – occasionally people with powers they don’t know they have, affecting their environments. The local minister would probably do you an exorcism.’
‘ShouldI have an exorcism?’ Rav ran a hand through his long, dark hair.
‘You could. But I’d be happy to come and have a look for you first. See if we can’t give the place a good cleanse. That might be all it needs.’
‘A cleanse? You think so?’
‘I can come and see, anyway. Take it from there.’
‘That would be great.’ Rav looked relieved. ‘Honestly, I haven’t had a good night’s sleep since I moved in.’
She looked at the antique clock behind the counter; it was almost four.
‘You can show me now, if you want,’ she said.
‘Now?’
