The Seventh Key, page 10
That had happened again. She’d stepped out of the reality she had known her whole life and now stood on the other side. The paranormal was real. Ghosts were real. There was something after death, an awareness that carried over from life.
Ghosts existed. The dead lingered when they had unfinished business. What did she do with that evidence?
What would her afterlife be? Would she be locked in a moment like a residual? Would she be aware like Ester, desperate to be heard?
Nina couldn’t help but fear she would be trapped back on that metal table for all eternity.
She forced her thoughts back to the moment. The afterlife would have to wait. She was alive now and had to deal with the problems in front of her.
Somehow, Nina doubted that whoever was terrorizing her would want to tell her where her childhood security blanket was hidden.
“I’m not going to lie to you,” Vivien said, taking a seat next to her in the front row.
Nina turned her attention away from Jacob.
Vivien picked candy pieces out of a box and tossed them into her mouth. “That séance was child’s play.”
Vivien offered her candy, and Nina shook her head in denial. She was too nervous to eat anything.
“Don’t get me wrong, it was sweet to see mother and son have a moment,” she continued, “but I’m guessing it’s not your mom possessing people to mess with you.”
“She would never,” Nina agreed.
“You said earlier that you thought they might be haunting you?” Vivien prompted. “Now would be the time to share with us who they are.”
“Teeter’s other victims,” Nina answered. “They’re the only ones who died around me. Maybe they’re mad at me for living. Or for not helping them in time? I don’t know. Do you really think someone is possessing people to terrorize me?”
“It’s our best guess. Heather hasn’t seen any ghosts hanging around you, but something is causing your bad luck.” Vivien set the candy box into the drink holder on the chair. “Were you there when Teeter…?”
Nina shook her head. “Only the last one. He liked to overlap his toys. He wanted us to know what was coming. He wanted us to know there was no way out.”
Faint sounds echoed from a hellish place within her memory. She tried to keep that thought-demon locked up tight, but sometimes it spilled out and demanded attention.
“Thought-demon?” Vivien frowned. “You never said anything about a demon.”
“Are you in my head?” Nina stood, not liking the idea of her thoughts being read. She pushed her hands against her temples to physically block the intrusion.
“Psychic,” Vivien reminded her, patting her hand over her chest. “I pick up fragments.”
“Thought-demons. Bad thoughts. It’s just something my mother used to call it when people dwelled on the bad things that happened to them and couldn’t move on.” Nina dropped her hands to her sides. “This is the second time tonight demons have been mentioned. Is that a real concern?”
Vivien didn’t readily answer.
“I thought you said you weren’t going to lie to me,” Nina stated.
Vivien sighed in resignation like a kid caught sneaking candy before dinner. She picked up the box and plucked another piece from inside before dropping it back in. “Yeah, demons are real.”
Nina waited for her to expand on that. When Vivien simply stared into the box, shaking it as if trying to find a flavor she wanted, Nina insisted, “And?”
“Oh,” Vivien glanced up. “Sorry. I was just thinking. No, there shouldn’t be any demon stuff happening tonight. I mean, the one time we summoned something that bad it was by accident. We were new, and we didn’t close the veil between the realms like we were supposed to, and something slipped through. We sent it back. It’s all good now. We’ve gotten much better at séances.”
All good now?
Nina simply stood, staring down at Vivien and her candy.
“Are you sure you don’t want one?” Vivien asked, offering the box.
“Yeah,” Nina answered in disbelief. “I’m positive.”
“Anyway.” Vivien again set the box down. “First, we’ll call Julia. She’s got more experience than all of us combined. Then we’ll call the six women and try to give them peace. Whether they’re behind your bad luck or not, we should help them find peace. No one deserves to linger with that.”
Lorna and Sue came from behind the back curtains, carrying their coffees. They walked down the far aisle toward the stage.
Nina nodded. “I’ll do anything to help them. After what those women went through… Anything.”
Vivien stood and placed her hands on Nina’s shoulders. “Jacob being here is good. Usually, I’m all you don’t need a man—and you don’t my amazing woman friend—but you’re better when he’s near, calmer. And you have us now. If those thought-demons start to overwhelm you, I want you to look at me. Use our connection. Feel that you’re with friends. Feel me telling you that everything is going to be okay.”
“I will.” Nina took a deep, steadying breath.
“Julia’s ready,” Heather called down to them. “Let’s get her before she manifests as a burlesque dancer.”
“What does that mean?” Nina asked.
Vivien led the way out of the row to the stage. “Julia manifests from different eras on her timeline. Sometimes it’s Grandma Julia who made cookies and has a handle on her magic, and sometimes it’s bootlegger Julia bored and looking to stir a little trouble. And sometimes it’s burlesque Julia possessing one of us,” Vivien pointed at herself, “and trying to put on a show.”
“Do possessions happen a lot?” Nina couldn’t imagine something slipping inside of her and taking over.
“What’s a lot?” Vivien shrugged, not giving a real answer. “Don’t worry. Your ring will protect you. Julia’s the exception since it’s rooted in her magic, and I don’t think she’d ever do that to you. I’ve known her my whole life, and she knew I’d have fun.”
“Ready?” Heather moved to the edge of the stage.
Nina nodded. Jacob watched her as she walked toward him. He offered his hand as she neared, and she took it. He pulled her close so that only a sliver of air separated them.
“Are you nervous?” he asked.
Nina nodded.
He leaned his head close to hers. “I’m right here. I’m not going anywhere. Whatever happens. I’m in this with you, Nina.”
“I know.” Nina couldn’t stop herself from gravitating into him. “Are you okay? I can’t imagine what you’re feeling right now.”
“I will be.” Jacob wrapped his arms around her. She felt his hands massaging up and down her back. “I’ll miss her presence, but I’m happy she’s found peace.”
“If you want to talk about it, I’m here. This friendship goes both ways.”
“I know it does.” He nodded. “Thank you.”
“Join hands,” Heather said. “We’re starting to lose Julia’s attention.”
Jacob held her for a few more seconds before letting go. He took her hand in his.
“Did you get ahold of the guys and let them know we’re all right?” Lorna asked Heather.
“Yeah, they’re all at William’s watching sports bloopers and eating deep-dish pizza,” Heather answered. “There was shouting in the background. It’s boy paradise.”
“So, what you’re saying is I’m going to have to heal a sprayed something later when they’re done reenacting whatever it is they are doing?” Lorna nodded. “Got it.”
“Exactly,” Heather said.
“We intend to talk to Julia Warrick,” Vivien announced as they resumed their circle around the séance cloth. The candle wicks erupted into flames.
The zap of energy and emotion rushed over Nina as it came through their joined hands. Their hair lifted off their shoulders. Her heartbeat sped in anticipation and uncertainty. She felt safe with the others around her, but there was no denying what they were doing was dangerous.
“Teeter is in jail,” Vivien said, prompting Nina to meet her gaze. “He can’t hurt you here. He can’t hurt any of them. Stay strong. We’re going to get through this.”
Nina nodded that she understood. She felt Vivien trying to send her reassurance through their connection.
“He’ll get what’s coming to him,” Heather said.
“We’ll make sure of it,” Sue added.
“You’re not alone,” Lorna soothed.
How had this happened? How had she met these wonderful people? Part of her felt as if she didn’t deserve it.
A tear slid over her cheek. How could she ever repay this kindness? There was no judgment, no hesitation, only support and love. This was how female friendships were supposed to be.
“Let’s do it,” Heather said.
“Say the words the best you can,” Vivien told Nina.
“Spirits tethered to this plane we humbly seek your guidance,” the other women said in unison. Nina joined them, using their words to prompt hers a millisecond behind. “Spirits search amongst your numbers for the spirit we seek. We call forth Julia Warrick from the great beyond.”
Nina glanced around as they fell silent. She turned her attention to the book to watch for Julia to appear.
“What kind of living hell have you brought me?” a woman exclaimed from behind Nina.
Nina gasped and spun around to find a transparent young woman standing close to her. She dropped the hands next to her, forgetting that she was supposed to be part of a circle.
The ghost wore a button-down shirt fastened all the way up to the throat. Her wavy bob and red lipstick belonged at the turn of the 20th century. She had high-waisted trousers and heeled boots with narrow laces running up the front.
“Looks like we didn’t get Grandma,” Lorna said.
“Julia?” Nina whispered.
The ghost waved her hands in front of Nina’s face. “I can’t even see her under all this dark smoke. Does she have a face? Is it unfortunate?”
“What smoke?” Heather asked.
“Her aura. It’s…” Julia coughed and took several steps back. The softest echoing thud followed the sound of each of her steps.
Nina looked down, trying to see what Julia was seeing. “I don’t understand.”
“Is she talking?” Julia asked. “It sounds all muffled. What’s wrong with her? I mean, I heard about putting a potato sack over someone’s head, but this is beyond the—”
“Julia, this is Nina. She found one of your rings,” Lorna put forth to stop the insults. “She’s a friend, a very beautiful friend.”
Julia flicked her hand to the side. A cigarette appeared at the end of a long holder as she brought her hands to her mouth. She inhaled and the look of smoke swirled within her transparent chest. “I can barely breathe next to her. She sucks the air from the room. Maybe she should wait outside.”
“Be nice,” Heather scolded. “She needs our help.”
“Who’s that wolf hiding behind the smoke cloud?” Julia gestured her cigarette. “Step out where I can see you, handsome.”
Jacob stood next to Nina and should have been in full view of the spirit. He stepped forward. “Hello, ma’am.”
“Ma’am is my mother’s name,” Julia flirted. “Call me your baby doll, and I’ll take you to the best juice joint in town. What do you say? Want to blow this chicken coop and find a real party?”
The spirit winked at him.
Jacob moved closer to Nina.
“Oh.” Julia frowned. “You’re with the storm cloud. Too bad. Let me know if you change your mind and want a little sunshine. I may be dead, but I’m not dead, if you know what I mean.”
“Easy,” Heather said. “He’s taken. We’re here for Nina, not your libido. You enchanted the rings to bring us together so that we could help each other heal from our individual pains. Nina is here to heal. Help her. Help us help her.”
Julia’s spirit was much more aware than Ester had been. If not for her translucence, she acted just as she would have when she was alive. There was no looping or confusion. Her voice was strong and clear, and her gaze sharp. “I don’t see a ring. I can’t even see a face. How do I know what’s hiding under that mess?”
“Why can’t she see me?” Nina asked.
“What’s she saying?” Julia inquired. “All I hear is mumf-mumf-mumf-mumf.”
“She wants to know why you don’t see her,” Sue said.
“What ring does she have?” Julia’s cigarette disappeared and she shoved her hands into her front pockets as she came close to Nina. She leaned over, searching for a hand she couldn’t see. Nina felt a chill radiating from the woman.
“Large oval.” Lorna held her hands in the shape and size of Nina’s ring.
“Oh.” Julia instantly straightened. Her expression appeared stunned. “That’s bad. I was hoping no one would ever need that one.”
“What is it?” Nina asked.
“What is it?” Vivien repeated for her.
Julia faded, stopping short of disappearing altogether. Her face changed as her image reemerged older than before. Lines framed her eyes and mouth. Her trousers flared as they morphed into a skirt, and the button-down became a silky blouse with large flower patterns on it.
“Big ring for big magic for mountain-sized problems.” Julia’s voice sounded more mature, and her expression was less mischievous.
“Hi, Grandma,” Heather said. “Thank you for coming.”
“Hi, Pumpkins,” Julia answered. “Fill me in. What’s happening with this one? Vivien, are you seeing this aura? It looks like someone set her soul on fire.”
“No,” Vivien said. “Sorry, Julia. I still can’t see auras like you. I see hints of a little cloudiness but not a storm.”
Julia frowned. “It seems like that gift should have kicked in more for you already.”
“May I tell her what’s happening?” Vivien asked Nina.
Nina started to speak but then merely nodded.
“This is Nina Cole. She escaped a serial killer sixteen months ago and is his only survivor. She needs our help finding peace for the six who did not make it,” Vivien explained. “We think they might be influencing people around her.”
“And the killer is not dead, is he?” Julia concluded with a nod. “That explains the murky overcoat this one is wearing. She’s still marked for death. He’s covered her with bad intentions. You’re going to need more than a sage bath to get rid of that cosmic stain.”
Nina hugged her arms to her waist.
“He’s in jail,” Jacob asserted. “He can’t hurt her.”
Julia pressed her lips together with pity. “You’re talking to a ghost, but your head is still thinking like the world is only what you can see and touch. Of course, he can still hurt her. He’s hurting her now. Trauma lives in the soul. Those scars will always be there.”
Nina bit her lip, not speaking.
“Careful. He’ll try to sneak into your dreams,” Julia warned. “Don’t let him live in your head.”
Nina could do nothing about the nightmares. Well, sleeping pills, but she didn’t want to feel groggy.
“We think maybe his past victims are upset that she survived.” Heather made a move to reclaim her spot around the séance circle. “Nina has been having a run of bad luck. She’s been affected by living people who don’t seem to be acting on their own accord. It could be possessions or ghostly influences. We think the first step is helping the other women move on. There are six of them.”
Julia didn’t appear happy with the proposed plan. “It’s tricky business with one, let alone six. You girls haven’t dealt with wronged spirits before, not like this. They’re like vortexes, desperately sucking any energy they can. Full of need and desperation and rage. It’s unpredictable.”
“That’s why we called you,” Heather said. “I know you want us to do this ourselves, to use the book and the magic you gave us but this—”
“Not with this,” Julia interjected. “I don’t know that I would have attempted this one even when I was at the peak of my power.”
“Please help us,” Nina begged.
“We can’t leave them in limbo.” Vivien stood next to Heather and grabbed her hand. “We’re doing this. Don’t make us do it without you.”
Sue and Lorna joined hands.
Nina looked at Jacob. “You don’t have to stay.”
He frowned. “I’m going to pretend you didn’t suggest that.”
Jacob took Vivien’s hand.
“You’re not doing this without me,” Julia assured them.
Nina was the last to join hands as she reached for Lorna and Jacob. The energy surged, lifting their hair in a now-familiar reaction.
Julia faded only to reappear next to Heather in her 1920s garb. The youthful spirit whispered in her granddaughter’s ear. Heather answered just as quietly. Julia nodded.
“Get ready to do-si-do, promenade, and hold your partners tight, ladies. This is one dance you don’t want to misstep.” Julia remained between Heather and Vivien. She touched their joined hands and an icy cold shock rushed through the circle. The spirit’s body solidified some at the contact until she only had a glimmer of transparency. “They might not all come, but we’ll try. Hopefully their connection to the rain cloud is strong enough of a pull. Otherwise, we’ll have to take this on the road to where it happened.”
Nina was not going back to the scene of the crime. She couldn’t.
“Ready?” Heather asked.
When they nodded, Julia said, “I’ll lead.”
Nina tightened her grip afraid she might be tempted to let go. She told herself to be brave. She needed this to work. So much rode on tonight.
Julia tilted back her head and said, “We open the veil between two worlds to call forth the spirits of Richard Chester Teeter’s victims. Come back from the grave so that we may hear. Come back from the grave and show yourself so that we may see. Come back from the grave so that we can guide you to peace. I, Julia Warrick, summon you from beyond. I command you to join us.”
