Promptly at eight o’clock, Scott, Anjali, and Coulter were in the dining room of the Santa Perla, waiting.
“I see dumb people,” Coulter said, staring out the window.
A few moments later Sly Tullins entered, followed by Vivica, two of her men, and a heavy-set middle-aged woman dressed in a flowing purple robe, with a beehive of yellow hair and at least three layers of makeup. Numerous rings winked and sparkled on her hands.
“So how are we going to do this?” Scott asked.
Sly was looking increasingly nervous as he gazed around the room. “I, ah, think I’ll flip a coin. The side that wins calls the shots.”
“Well isn’t this professional,” Scott mumbled.
“What’s the matter, Wilder?” Vivica sneered. “Afraid we’ll go first and win or you’ll go first and make a complete ass of yourself?”
“I think he’s more afraid you’ll sink your fangs into him and make him one of your undead,” Coulter said. Gaspar and Fitch glared at him.
Vivica turned to the heavy blond woman. “Odina, what do you think of the setting?”
Coulter snorted. “Odina?”
“We shall proceed,” Odina thundered. Sly jumped. “The spirits are restless.”
“Right.” Sly dug into his pocket, pulled out a coin, and flipped it in the air. “Call it!”
“Heads,” Vivica said quickly.
Scott shrugged. “Fine.”
Sly caught the quarter and slapped it on his palm. “Heads.”
“Excellent.” Vivica shot Scott a triumphant look.
“We will set up in the southeast corner of the room,” Odina ordered. “It is particularly conducive to contacting the spirits.”
Coulter rubbed his stomach. “I’m starving. Who do I have to contact to get some food?”
The lights were turned off, candles were lit. A platter of Fisherman’s Wharf sourdough bread had been placed in the center of the table. All eight of them sat around the table that had been stripped of the tablecloth and prepared for the séance. “Join hands,” Odina commanded.
Anjali took hold of Scott and Coulter’s hands. Coulter sat next to Sly and grimaced when they joined hands. “Do you have to sweat so much?” he demanded.
Sly was next to Fitch, who didn’t look too happy about sitting next to Odina. On the other side of Odina were Vivica, then Gaspar, and then Scott.
“Now everyone place their left foot on top of the foot of the person to their left,” Odina instructed. “Together we form a circle of positivity. No negative energy will be allowed to enter this circle. Those participators who are negative may leave the circle now.”
Coulter pushed back his chair. Scott shot him a look. Reluctantly, Coulter scooted back in.
Odina watched them, her mouth a grim, straight line. “Let us begin,” she bellowed. “Dearest spirits, we bring you gifts of light, gifts of nourishment, into death. Commune with us, feel free to walk among us.”
“Everyone watch your valuables,” Coulter said.
“Wilder, either you control your team or leave the room,” Vivica said sharply.
Scott gazed pointedly at Coulter. “We’ll be quiet.”
Odina closed her eyes. “Kind spirits, do not be afraid, we are here to help. Commune with us. Show yourselves. Spirits, we seek to communicate with you from life into death. Why do you haunt this dwelling? We are here to help.”
A soft wind blew through the room; the candles fluttered. Anjali squeezed Scott and Coulter’s hands hard. Both men looked at her. In the dim light her golden complexion was covered with a thin sheen of perspiration.
Odina raised her voice. “Spirits, knock if you are here. Let the wood of this table be your conduit.”
Anjali sat up straight, holding on to the two next to her in a death grip.
“Gentle spirits,” Odina said. “You may enter. Let the wood of—”
A loud knock echoed through the room.
“Spirits, are you with us?” Odina’s eyes remained closed.
Two knocks in quick succession followed.
Odina opened her eyes. “I am going to allow the spirit to speak through me. The circle must remain unbroken.”
A moment passed.
Slowly the table moved in a clockwise direction.
Odina sat still in her chair. “The circle must remain…”
Her voice trailed off as a high, tinny voice rose into the air.
The spirit was speaking.
But the voice did not come from Odina.
It came from Anjali.