Chapter One

 

Devin drove down the long, desolate road and again contemplated the previous year. What happened in the old Victorian both repulsed and fascinated him. Though paranormal investigators, he and his cousins never could have imagined what it had in store for them. Time-travel of a sort, vampires and of course, ghosts.

That house and everything in it had changed them irrevocably. Devin didn’t like it one bit. Unlike his cousins, he didn’t embrace the ‘gift’ they’d inherited there. Who wanted to be part of Calum’s Curse?

Now he was en route to Andrea’s new house. While she too investigated the paranormal and had been at the Victorian, she’d avoided their fate. Lucky her! But he was grateful. She didn’t deserve it any more than they did. Now she felt her new house was haunted and needed his help. No problem… if he could find her home.

He pulled over and hopped out. Legs crossed, leaning against his pickup truck, he whipped out his cell phone and texted, “K, officially lost. Did you have to move to no man’s land?”

After hitting send he sighed and tilted back his head. Tall, stoic pines swayed in a light breeze and spit down random needles. The air felt different here, deceptively fresh. Devin wasn’t sure why he thought it wasn’t as pure as it could be.

He pulled from his pocket the picture Andrea had sent him and stared at it. Without doubt, a woman stood beside Andrea and her husband. Gently rubbing the side of his thumb over her face, Devin once again felt mesmerized, sucked in almost. Though impossible to make out features, her slender frame and long curling white-blond hair were arresting. He wanted to reach into the picture and run his hand through its thick, inviting length. Wrap his arms around her tiny waist.

His phone rang and he answered, “What, you don’t like texting?”

“You know I don’t,” Andrea said. “Why not just call?”

“I dunno, habit not to I guess.”

“Where are you?”

He almost snorted. “The forest.”

Her chuckle bubbled through the phone. “Vague.”

Picture tucked in his pocket; he opened the truck door and slid into the vehicle. “You tell me how else to describe a long paved road with nothing but towering pines on either side.”

“What’s your GPS say?”

Devin rolled his eyes and started driving. “Turn right at the slumped pine tree. Drive a mile until you reach the really tall pine tree. You have reached your destination.”

A smile in her voice, Andrea replied, “Come on, what road are you on?”

About to speak, he yelped when the phone turned flaming hot. Ouch! He tossed it away, blew on his fingers and frowned. What the hell? The GPS flashed, its pixels scrambling, before it said over and over, “Turn left.”

What left? Devin banged the GPS with the pad of his hand. The truck leapt forward. He fell back. Damn! Though he slammed the brake, the vehicle bucked and swerved. Hands on the wheel, Devin tried to bring it under control. Regrettably, it hit forty miles per hour in short time. Though he pressed the brake to the floor, something else had power over the gas. Grunting and groaning, the pick-up’s back end started to fishtail.

Remain calm. He started to pump the breaks. Pretend he was on an icy road. C’mon baby. Bloody truck didn’t like it. Slamming from the right to the left side of the road, dirt and rock spit up in his rearview mirror, pummeled the truck bed.

The GPS sputtered—the feminine voice, though slurred and dying repeated, “Turn to the left.”

Hell. Devin continued to struggle with the out of control truck. I’ll be damned if I die like this. Suddenly, the vehicle slid to a stop. He lurched forward. His body hit the steering wheel. The airbag released. Whoosh. He slammed back. Plastered against the seat he eyeballed everything.

This wasn’t good.

They weren’t kidding. Airbags really could kill. Or so it felt like it. The thing had him pinned, head turned sideways. Devin felt inside his pants and pulled out a pocket knife. He punctured the airbag and breathed deeply.

The bag deflated. What the? Devin’s mouth fell open. Was that a dirt road jutting off to the left? I need to relax. Think clearly. He took a deep breath. Why go searching for the paranormal when it found him first. He’d better perform a quick EVP (electro voice phenomena) session.

He pulled a tape recorder from the glove compartment and pressed record.

“Who are you?” he asked.

After waiting the appropriate amount of time for a spirit to answer into the recorder he asked, “Why did you do that to my truck?”

Once another minute passed, he hit rewind then play. Nothing had answered his questions. Figures. Putting the recorder back in the glove compartment, he sighed. Some might be afraid at this point. Some may see all this as completely freaky—a good reason to leave the truck, run hard as heck, and never look back.

Not him.

Truck in gear, he turned left. Two minutes after he started down the forgotten rocky road it opened up. Devin almost stopped when he saw what loomed beyond. Look at that. He pulled up in front of one of the most impressive houses he’d ever seen.

Andrea, tapping her cell phone against her hip, grinned and walked his way. Devin smiled and hopped out of the truck. Before she made it much further he scooped her up and spun her. She laughed and hugged him.

“It’s been far too long, cousin.” He set her down and grinned. “Look at you!”

“Just the same.” Andrea smiled.

He didn’t comment on the fact her smile seemed slightly forced.

“I’d say, not hunting the paranormal suits you.” He nodded at the mansion she’d moved into. “It’s incredible.”

She offered it a haphazard glance. “It is, isn’t it?”

He squeezed her hand. “You called only me. I can’t help but find that curious.”

Andrea sighed. “I didn’t want to call everyone if I’m wrong.”

With her long wavy brown hair pulled back into a ponytail, Andrea appeared more beautiful than ever. But he saw the faint lines around her lips, the worry between her eyebrows.  “I don’t think you’re wrong,” he murmured.

Her eyes met his. “Something’s already happened to you.”

“Aye, let’s just say my truck went a little nuts.” His eyes wandered back to the imposing stone Georgian backed by deep green pines. Symmetrical, three stories tall, with four massive chimneys and numerous multi-pane windows, it seemed to be a living, breathing thing. “But I’ve no definitive way to know if it’s connected to this house.”

Andrea’s eyes widened briefly at the limp air bag sagging from the steering wheel. She looked to the house. “I’d be shocked if it wasn’t. You okay? Did you get in an accident?”

“I’m fine. Just a ghost having some fun.” Devin reached into the cab of his truck and pulled out his duffel bag. “I think we should get Seth in on this as well.”

“What about Leathan?” she asked.

“He’s still on his honeymoon. I say we call him only if─” his voice trailed off and he grimaced.

Andrea watched him steadily. “Only if it proves to be part of the curse?”

With a grave nod, he walked with her toward the house. “I’m sure it’s not. Don’t worry, lass.”

Visibly shivering, she shook her head. “This is my new home. That’d be terrible.”

Devin stopped before he walked up the steps to the front door. A shiver slithered up his spine. Had someone been standing in the window above? He could have sworn. “We’ll figure this out. I’m sure it’s just your average haunting. Calum never said the curse would necessarily continue after the Victorian, did he?”

“No, but you know as well as I that his journal heavily implied it.”

Devin once more contemplated Calum’s journal and the terrifying Victorian where his cousin Leathan had met his current wife, Dakota.

Andrea ushered him into a small breezeway decorated with blue velvet upholstered benches on either side. The main foyer hosted a pale marble floor with a huge area oriental rug that mixed various shades of pale blue-gray together. A staircase ran up to the second floor. Andrea led him into the living room. “You want a tour of the house now?”

“No, I say we sit and have something to drink. Catch up a little first.”

She nodded. “Sounds good to me. Make yourself at home. I’ll go get some tea.”

Devin shot her a look.

Her brows rose. “Whiskey?”

“If you don’t mind.”

“Of course not. Be right back.”

While he waited, Devin studied the room. The walls were wood paneled to Dado height then wallpapered in sage green printed with repeating trefoils. Mouldings were intricate and the furnishings wing-backed and delicate, upholstered with burgundy glazed cotton fabric designed with small sprigs of flowers. Long curtains had the same fabric with pagoda styled pelmets on top.

But it was the fireplace that caught his attention. Huge and elegant, flanked with classical pillars, it had basket grates, a cast iron back and decorated fonts featuring swags, urns and medallions. A firescreen with a trompe l’oeil painted in a similar sage green as the walls sat in front of a crackling fire.

When Andrea returned she handed him a cup. Devin sat and took a deep swig. “You definitely kept with the era in this place, eh?”

She rolled her eyes. “Don’t you ever read my emails? I told you this place came fully furnished. Now I’m starting to wonder about that.”

“Ah yes.” He took another sip of whiskey and pulled the picture out of his pocket. “You must be referring to the period clothing the woman in this is wearing.”

Legs crossed beneath her, Andrea sat in the opposite chair. Her eyes widened. “How many times have you looked at that thing? It’s nearly threadbare!”

“Not that much,” he replied defensively, but couldn’t help but glance at it once more. “Are you sure she’s a ghost?”

“Of course she is. When my friend took that picture, there was no one there but the three of us.” Andrea set her tea aside. “But I think you know that. I think you sense it.”

Naturally, the conversation would have headed in this direction. “Honestly, I haven’t really…experimented with my new gift the past year.”

“Yeah, I know. I heard.”

His eyes flickered to hers. “Seth can’t keep his mouth shut. Then again, sounds like he’s dived headfirst into our, “new state of being.””

“I’m surprised you haven’t,” Andrea murmured. “What’s up?”

It seemed he’d had to answer this question a hundred times in the past year from both Seth and Leathan. Since they’d learned they were warlocks—whatever that meant. “What purpose would it serve? It doesn’t apply to my life.”

Disturbed, she responded, “How can you say that? Chances are the Victorian was only the beginning. Hasn’t it occurred to you that we started there because the haunted houses after it might be more vicious?”

“More vicious than that place? Are you serious?”

Andrea cocked her head. “You seem different, not the jovial Devin I’ve always known. What’s going on with you, hon?”

Good question. He’d been asking himself that for a while now. “Nothing. Just trying to get on with life.”

He clutched the picture possessively and stared into the fire.

“Devin,” Andrea said softly.

When his gaze met hers, he saw clearly her concern. “I’m okay. Really.” Devin mustered up his brightest grin. “When do you expect Tim home?”

She studied his face for a few moments. When she spoke her voice seemed strained. “Regrettably, not for a week. He’s away on business but sends his love.”

Were they already having marital problems? “Well then, I suppose my timing is good. You won’t be alone here.”

Andrea nodded absently. “Your equipment in the truck?”

“Of course.” He gulped down the rest of his whiskey. “I should probably unload and set up.”

“I agree. But don’t think you’re off the hook. I’m keeping my eye on you, cuz. I want to know what you’ve been up to the past year besides hunting ghosts.”

Devin was about to answer when a telling cool breeze blew through the room. The temperature dropped. Andrea obviously felt it as well because she pulled out her cell phone and started to snap pictures.

“This happen often?”

“Lately, yeah,” she responded.  “But I never catch anything.”

Typically, a sharp drop in temperature indicated a spirit. A cool hand brushed his where he held the picture.  “Something tells me you might now.”

Andrea looked at the picture she’d just snapped and froze.

Devin took a deep breath. She was near. He knew it with every ounce of his being. “Do you smell that?” he murmured.

Andrea didn’t respond, eyes wide.

He turned his head slightly and inhaled deeply. “Spicy, fresh.”

Help me.

Gripping the picture, Devin whispered, “Who are you?”

As quickly as the spirit came, she fled. Devin stood, suddenly desperate. “Come back. Please.”

Andrea snapped a few more pictures. “She’s gone, sweetie.”

Crossing to her chair he held out his hand. “Let me see what you caught.”

Andrea clicked to a picture and handed him the phone. Though difficult to see, something had definitely stood by his side. With a few clicks, he sent the picture to his phone and handed Andrea’s back to her. When he sank into his chair, Devin felt distracted, edgy—eager almost. “Have you researched this house?”

“Naturally, but I found no record of a young woman with blond hair living here.”

“But she did. I know it,” he muttered, his mind spinning as he planned his next move. He lurched from his seat and headed for the door. “I’m getting the equipment.”

Andrea followed. “I’ll help.”

When he exited the house, the sun was setting beneath the line of trees. It cast orange prisms of spiked light over the fresh, green lawn. Desperate to catch this ghost in any way possible, Devin took long strides. Her words haunted him. Help me. Was she somehow trapped?

“Did she ever speak to you?” he said over his shoulder.

“No, never,” Andrea responded. “She talked to you. What did she say?”

Almost to his truck, his phone beeped. He’d received a text. Andrea did as well. They stopped and looked at one another, pulling out their phones.

Devin pulled up his message. It was from Seth. “Stab me with a pine tree and put me outta my misery.”

What?

Andrea laughed. Screech. They looked down the drive. It couldn’t be. Sure as heck, as they watched the tree line, a black Mercedes broke free and peeled up the drive. It had to be traveling at fifty miles per hour.  Well-timed, its driver slammed on the brakes soon enough that a cloud of dirt kicked up behind and managed to not hit the back of Devin’s pick-up by mere inches. A loud base thrummed a steady beat from inside as the dust settled. Across the top of the windshield, in thin gothic words, Worldwide Paranormal Society became visible.

The door opened and a tall man with black hair and even darker sunglasses stepped out. Andrea wasted no time but flew into his arms. “Seth!”

As he had, Seth spun her, laughing. “Sis, are you really that surprised to see me?”

“Truthfully? Yes!”

Devin approached with a smile. “Cousin. Good to see you.”

The men embraced, patting one another on the back.  Seth shrugged. “What can I say? Had a feeling you guys might need me.”

His attention turned to the house and he released a low whistle. “So this is it, huh?”

“Thought you were covering the haunting in Delaware?” Devin said.

“I was. I did.” Seth shoved his glasses on top of his head, blue eyes challenging. “Easy fix. Spirit just needed to say goodbye. Besides, that─” he nodded at the Georgian, “requires immediate attention. Am I wrong?”

When his gaze found Devin’s, he knew his cousin already knew more than he was admitting. “Seems so,” he replied carefully.

Seth turned, popped his trunk and started pulling out equipment. “So, how goes Ireland this time of year?”

Devin started to unload equipment as well. “Wet.”

“Your country’s timeless forecast.” Seth smiled and shut the trunk. “Hasn’t been the same investigating without you these past few months.”

“How’s Dakota done with it?” he asked.

Seth’s eyes met his, dark. “Good, she loves it.”

No fool, Devin knew what he was thinking. Why was Dakota there when you should’ve been? Where have you been? What’s your problem?

Andrea grabbed a few more bags and headed for the house. “Seriously, not that I’m not grateful, but what brings you this way, Seth? I haven’t told anyone about what’s going on here but Devin.”

Seth chuckled. “Didn’t you get the hellish memo—Haunted Victorian House 101─ I’m a warlock.”

Tapping her forehead with the palm of her hand she responded in a lightly sarcastic tone, “How could I have forgotten?”

“You mock!” Seth grinned and entered the door after her. “And I shouldn’t have said it that way as you both know I’ve embraced my new role.”

Had he ever. Once again, Devin wondered…should he have? No, definitely not. It could only lead to trouble. After all, he didn’t seem to possess half the power Leathan and Seth did.

The faint smell of roasted potatoes and corn beef filled the home. Good old fashioned Irish-American meal. Andrea took one of the laptops from him and shot a sheepish grin. “I thought it would be you and me. I dared to challenge the best cook ever.”

For a split second, looking into her smiling eyes, he almost felt like the man he’d once been. “A lot to take on, lassie.” He sniffed. “Must admit, smells delicious.”

Andrea preened. “Come, both of you, to the kitchen.”

“Grabbed some take-out hours ago, at the border of this desolate state, but must admit, bit hungry again.” Seth entered the kitchen in front of Devin.

As elegant as the living room, the only difference in the kitchen were all the modern day appliances. But even they were masked discreetly behind wood paneling and soft subtle colors so nothing appeared intrusive.

Andrea shut off a crock pot on the counter and nodded to Devin. “Plates are in that cabinet, silverware in the drawer. Help me set the table. We’ll eat in the dining room. Sound good?”

In the past year, Devin had avoided this. Anything that reminded him of who he was before…what had happened. Staring around blankly he said, “Sure, Seth, help out.”

Seth and Andrea gazed at him for a long moment before they swung into action. Seth started pulling out plates, Andrea silverware.

“How about at least setting the table?” Andrea asked.

“Sure.” He took the handful of utensils from her. The kitchen table was simple and wooden. Almost carelessly, he plunked the pile in the center and turned back.

Seth and Andrea stood, aloof, and stared at him with matching frowns.

“What?” he asked.

They shook their heads and kept to their business. “Nothing,” Andrea responded. “I’m glad to have you guys here. This is great.”

“Quaint place,” Seth said. “Never would’ve figured you for it.”

Spoonful by spoonful, she filled plates with corn beef. “Kind of fell into my lap, you could say.”

Silence descended.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean it like that.” A weak smile vanished from her face as she carried the plates to the table. “More like it was meant to be?”

Seth stood in the doorway, frowning. “We all know how Dakota found that Victorian. Andrea, if there’s a chance this house came into your hands in a way you found unusual we should have already known about it.” His frown deepened. “But we’re willing to hear the truth now if you held back before.”

Devin met Seth’s eyes, then Andrea’s. Seth was right. Nothing but the truth had a place in their lives, most especially in any haunting they investigated.

Not after the Victorian.

Hands braced on the counter, she shook her head. “No, no. It wasn’t like that.”

“What wasn’t like that?” Devin felt a sickening sensation in the pit of his stomach.

Andrea blinked rapidly, as though something fell into place in her mind. “There’s no way this house is─”

“Is what?” Seth said.

Devin put his arm around her shoulder. “Tell us now. Let’s not have to research it on the internet. What’s this house’s story? Why did you buy it?”

The same chill he’d felt earlier passed over him. Seth stood straighter, eyes narrowed. Andrea hung her head.

Devin gripped her shoulder harder than intended and said through clenched teeth, “Andrea, what’s going on?”

The room grew colder. “Her name Is Isabel,” she whispered.

The picture in his pocket burned against his thigh. Devin laid it on the counter and pointed at the picture of the ghost. “Her?”

Andrea nodded. A tear escaped.

Seth leaned forward and studied the picture. “Why didn’t you tell Devin? Any of us?”

Andrea swallowed hard. “Because I had no choice. I couldn’t.”

Before Seth could slide the picture his way Devin pocketed it. “Why?”

Andrea shook her head, eyes hollow and vacant. “It’s got Tim.”

It felt like a tidal wave crashed over him. “What the bloody hell are you talking about?”

“We need to eat,” she urged absently and headed for the dining room.

He and Seth exchanged a look of confusion before following. Her brother spoke first. “Who has Tim? What’s going on, Andrea?”

After she set a plate on the table, Andrea crumbled into a chair, sobs wracking her slender form. Seth knelt and put an arm around her shoulder. “It’s okay,” he soothed.

“No, it’s not,” she mumbled through tears. “You don’t understand.”

“Help us too.” Devin sat in the chair next to her. “Please.”

Andrea shook her head and said nothing.

“You have to,” Seth urged, brushing hair away from her forehead.

She took a shaky breath. “Leave, both of you. Now.”

Devin frowned. “Figure the odds. Talk to us. What happened?”

When she stood abruptly, they leaned back. “This.” Andrea made a wide sweep with her hands. “This place.”

Seth stood. “So I was right.”

“Right enough,” she said, voice strangled. “I should have never,” Andrea’s mournful eyes locked with Devin’s, “brought you here. Can you ever forgive me?”

“For what?” He grabbed her hands and pleaded. “What’s happened, lass? Where’s Tim?”

Though she made to speak all that resulted was a heavy, cheek-streaking tear escaped from her right eye. “I love him so much,” she whimpered.

Three phones beeped at once. They had all received a text message. When he released her hand, Andrea sunk back into her chair, and cried harder.

He and Seth fished their phones from their pockets.

Devin knew they had the same message…sent by Leathan.

It read… “The curse is back. I’m coming.”