Chapter Ten

 

“A few hours? I’ve been gone weeks,” Devin replied. Grumbling, he headed downstairs. Had he gained any ground with the Isabel from the past? He definitely needed more time.

“Hello to you too,” Leathan said.

They followed him down to the kitchen, every eager face curious.

“Did you see Tim this time?” Andrea asked.

That snapped him out of his own misery for a second. “No, hun. I’m sorry.”

Blinking back a tear she nodded and said, “That’s okay. I really didn’t think you would after what Isabel said about him being trapped in the house.”

Seth squeezed her shoulder. “Don’t worry, sis. We’ll get him back.”

“So you were gone weeks, eh?” Leathan shook his head. “That’s amazing.”

“How went the ‘wooing’ of Isabel?” Seth winked. “Bet that drove you crazy.”

Ignoring Seth, Devin reached into the fridge and grabbed a beer. Twisting off the cap he took a long swig. The last thing he wanted to do right now was chat with his cousins about his time with Isabel in the past. Better yet, how little he’d actually found out about where her former fiancé/lycan was.

“So what did you learn?” Leathan asked.

Sitting on one of the island stools, he shrugged. “Not nearly as much as I’d hoped to.”

“How’d it go with Calum?” Seth asked.

“Better than I would’ve expected,” Devin replied. “He’s actually a pretty decent guy. Treats his workers well.”

“Now that surprises me,” Leathan said.

Seth grabbed a beer as well. “And the journal, did you find it?”

“Yeah, actually.” Devin said. “In fact, as of a few days ago, he’d only completed about one quarter of it.”

Andrea raised her brows. “He’s still writing it? Well, I suppose that makes perfect sense. So that means it’s definitely here somewhere if you saw him writing it.”

“Not necessarily.” Seth shook his head. “Devin could’ve seen him writing it in the 1700’s but he never finished it.”

“True,” Andrea concurred.

“But it’s best for now to assume he did,” Leathan added. “And keep looking.”

“So I take it you didn’t confront Calum again when you went back. How’d that go anyway? Did he recognize you at all? Show off any of his dark magic?” Seth asked.

Devin drained the beer. He really didn’t want to talk about any of this. Instead, he’d rather focus on trying to contact Isabel’s spirit. Damn, he missed her already. “Listen guys, I’m wiped. Gonna−”

“No you’re not,” Leathan interrupted. “Tired or not you’re still a paranormal investigator and Andrea’s husband is still trapped in this house. Not to mention, you’ve got a monster after you…or did you forget that?”

Well, at least Leathan had his mind where it should be. That didn’t make less the fact Devin wanted to crawl into the nearest bed. But maybe he could kill two birds with one stone. “All right, why don’t we run an EVP session, see if we can make contact with Isabel.”

The way Andrea eyed Devin he knew she knew exactly what he was all about.

“EVP session? Count me in!”

Everyone turned to see the source of the voice. Dakota! Leathan’s face split into a wide grin and he scooped up his new wife, neatly plunking her on his lap when he sat. “Glad you made it,” he murmured.

Devin grabbed another beer while they kissed hello. He couldn’t blame Leathan for kissing her so soundly. Only a year ago, Devin wanted to do the same. Dakota had this certain eroticism that tended to drive guys crazy. Her blue black hair cut in a stylish bob, tall willowy figure and striking features didn’t hurt any. Funny though, for the first time ever, Devin was amazed how blunt her features appeared compared to Isabel’s. How much louder and brazen than Isabel she seemed.

Then again, Dakota was a modern day woman who owned a paranormal social networking sight and hunted ghosts for fun. Isabel was a woman from a different era who’d had to learn how to survive in a very transitional age.

Dakota’s gaze finally fell on Devin, Emerald eyes sharp. “For the most part I’ve been kept up to date on things.” She wiggled her cell in the air. “But last I heard you’d vanished back in time. What gives? Isabel didn’t return with you this time I take it?”

“No, afraid not.” Devin nodded when Seth plunked some paranormal detection equipment down on the counter. “Gonna try to make contact now.”

Dakota exchanged a look with Leathan. Was it that apparent he was smitten with Isabel? Devin couldn’t really deny it. While it hadn’t been that long, he really liked what he knew of her…both from the past and the present.

The sun was setting and an orange glow covered the island countertop. As Devin organized the equipment his mind wandered to just a few hours past. Walking through this very room with her. Teasing, talking, pancakes. Now it’d all vanished. And even though the room he’d stood in before had literally been the shell, the current room with all of its appliances felt more the shell for her not being present.

Not yet anyways.

Eying the EMF (Elecro Magnetic Field) detector and EVP (Electro Voice Phenomena) recorder and a twist top flashlight she could turn on if possible, Devin wondered if it’d be enough.

“Camera’s rolling too,” Leathan provided.

Devin nodded. He really hoped they’d be able to make contact with Isabel. No matter what people might think, it typically took a great deal of time and patience to catch evidence of an entity. Then again, this house was part of Calum’s curse so there stood a very good chance they wouldn’t have to wait long.

Nobody said a word. This was his gig.

With both the EMF and EVP going and flashlight ready, Devin said, “Isabel, it’s Devin. Please, if you can, try to communicate with us…with me. If you step close to this box−” He touched the EMF detector. “It should blink. If you speak−” He touched the EVP recorder. “We should be able to hear your voice in this.”

The flashlight turned on.

“Nice,” Seth murmured. “Good girl.”

A ripple of pleasure went through Devin’s body. “That’s right, you’ve got it.”

The flashlight turned off. All five green lights on the EMF detector lit and stayed solid.

“That’s great,” Dakota whispered.

The flashlight lit again and slowly started to spin. The EMF flickered to one light then back to a solid five. The temperature started to drop.

Leathan pulled out a digital thermometer and winked. He carefully placed it on the countertop. Seventy degrees. Sixty-six degrees. Sixty-two degrees. Fifty-eight degrees. A low rumble started, as though thunder rolled in the distance. Then it vanished.

“Touch my arm,” Devin said softly, holding out his arm. “You know who I am, Isabel.”

Sniffing deeply, he prayed to smell her scent. Instead, the fine hairs on his arm started to lift. Closing his eyes, he smiled. When he opened them, the outline of a human form slowly wavered beside him.

“Let me see more of you, Isabel,” he whispered. “Please. I miss you.”

Devin didn’t care if the others heard him. She needed to hear. Gradually, bit by bit, the form wavered, becoming more solid. Her long blond hair, shimmering golden curls, the shape of her face. Isabel was right there, materializing before his eyes. And she smiled, he could see it already.

Before he knew what was happening a black light slithered out from Seth. Instead of fear, Devin saw only interest when she looked in his direction. His reaction, however, was far different. What the hell was Seth doing? Thump. Thump. Devin’s heart started racing.

Between Seth and Leathan stood Calum’s ghost.

Leathan had started chanting something. Where Seth’s black aura had sparked to life, a deep pulsing blue surrounded Leathan.

Sonofabitch! Dark magic.

There hovered Calum, a look of approval on his otherworldly smug face. When his eyes narrowed on Devin he could all but hear the ghost ask, “And why aren’t you using your gift, lad?”

Truth told, even if he did use his dark magic right now…he had no clue what his cousins were up to.

Leathan’s chanting increased. Latin. A language that apparently came built in when one became a warlock. With the chanting, his aura expanded and surrounded Seth’s aura and Isabel’s ghostly figure. The temperature dropped until Devin could see his heavy breaths puff on the air. Isabel still didn’t appear frightened. No, at this point, all her attention was focused on Calum. Calum, who apparently was not part of whatever was happening save as an observer.

Interestingly, as his cousins used their dark gifts, Devin began to feel something akin to strength fill his body, a distinct feeling of power and anger and determination. In some ways, it was similar to the feeling he’d had in the basement of this house with the Isabel from the past. Except then, he’d channeled all of these feelings into lust and getting what he desired.

The low rumble started once more. This time it grew louder, a steady drum roll that soon started to vibrate the floors and walls. Pans clanked against the walls. Dishes clattered. The more the rumble increased, the calmer Devin felt.

“Grrrrrrrrrr.”

Devin didn’t have to turn around to know what was coming. A smooth well-honed rage filled his body. His hearing became acute. Mangy mutt filled his nostrils. Turning−not hesitating for a second−he flung out a hand. Blood red surrounded him then spiked out and muzzled the wide gaping ethereal fangs of the wolf before it clamped onto Isabel. Glaring, he directed all his anger at the huge Lycan head coming out of the wall. Their eyes met and Devin knew his eyes blazed forth the same deep ruby red as the beasts. He also knew that their rage and hatred of one another was equally matched.

The ghostly werewolf flung its head back and forth and tried to slam against Isabel. Between Seth, Leathan and Devin’s magical protection, it wasn’t getting anywhere near her. Leathan started chanting something different.

The beast grew more furious.

When Devin once more met its eyes, he keenly remembered the forest by the river. The need for blood. Death. Destruction. The overwhelming urge to conquer and defeat. Yet the strongest emotion then as it was now remained the need to protect.

Devin used his free hand to wrap Isabel in his aura as well. Through that link, he gained the added strength of his cousins. With a furious roar he pushed all his hatred at the wolf. The muzzle snapped off and the head went whipping back into the wall as though it’d been shot at with a warhead. A loud whine echoed off the wall and the wolfish visage vanished. Bits of plaster fell to the floor.

Isabel remained, caught in all three auras. Nobody could question that her expression was one of triumph and pride. Leathan said a few more words and he and Seth pulled their auras away.

Only his remained around her. Isabel smiled. She knew exactly who he was. This ghostly self of hers knew everything they’d been through together.

“Isabel,” he whispered again. “I miss you, need you. How do I release you from this house? Please tell me.”

As his rage vanished, so did the power he’d used on the Lycan. When the last of his red aura washed from her form and left only the dying rays of sunlight to splinter through her, Isabel once more looked Calum’s way then vanished.

“Bravo! Bravo!” Calum’s ghost clapped. “Well done, chaps!”

Devin sat slowly, still staring at the place from which Isabel had vanished. Where a year ago−even a few weeks ago−he would’ve spit in Calum’s face, now Devin didn’t quite hold the same anger he did before. How could he when he’d seen a different side of his ancestor in the eighteenth century?

“Wow, that was extremely intense,” Andrea said. “What exactly did you guys just do?”

“They helped my girl,” Calum provided. “Used their magic and protected her from the creature in a fashion far better than I’ve ever been able to do. Now she can manifest at will without that beastie being right on top of her.” Calum nearly cackled. “And, they managed to desensitize her better than I ever could. It’ll be a lot harder for that damn dog to track her down within these walls now. Really, very well done my boys!”

Devin turned his head slowly and narrowed his eyes. “Do you mean to tell me she’s been trying to evade this werewolf ghost for three hundred years within these walls?”

“That’s precisely what he means,” Adlin said appearing out of thin air. This was the first they’d seen of his ghost since the Victorian. It seemed he was determined to keep a close eye on Calum. More importantly, he was determined to keep an eye on those descended from him…of course, only because Adlin adored Calum’s parents so much.

“Oh, hell,” Calum muttered. “Guess the whole crew’s here.”

“When I can come I do,” Adlin replied. “I wish I could be here more often. Someone needs to protect everyone from you.”

“Always the same tale, old man.” Calum adjusted his top hat. “I still don’t understand why you feel the need to tag along during every haunting.”

“Aye, but you do, laddie.” Adlin’s white robes dusted the floor. “Only solid bit of good magic in your life.”

“I don’t need good magic!”

“Humph. So says you.”

While Devin was near furious with Calum for trapping Isabel in this house for three centuries trying to get a word in edgewise between this warlock and wizard would take a miracle.

“So it’s a love match between Devin and Isabel this time, eh?” Calum asked.

“Well, why not?” Adlin said. “The very least they deserve.”

Both kept rambling on but as their words grew more distant, so too did their forms.

“No!” Devin said. “I need more answers!”

Too late. Calum and Adlin were gone. Zapped from this plane of existence as quickly and efficiently as they had been in the Victorian.

“Mmm, that blows.” Leathan trailed a finger up Dakota’s arm.

Dakota offered a small grin. “There’s nothing quite like the after effects of you boys using your powers.”

Seth yawned and rested his chin in his hand, propped up by his elbow. Devin’s stomach issued a loud growl. Awe hell. He’d forgotten this part. Then again, it’d been a year since he’d used his gift to such a degree. Things were just as they’d always been…Lethan became aroused, Seth tired and him? Starved!

Andrea shooed Leathan and Dakota out of the kitchen saying, “Girl, pick any room upstairs and let him…do whatever he needs to but I better not hear anything. Ick!”

Next, Andrea opened the fridge and pulled out a bowl of cut up assorted fruits and plunked it front of Devin with a wink. “See, I prepared. No need for you to get fat because of your gift.”

Popping a piece of cantaloupe into his mouth he watched her wake up an already sleeping Seth and drag him out of the room, most likely to the couch.

Damn the hunger. It overwhelmed. He could barely think of anything save the next bite of food. Why’d he get the gluttonous aftershocks and Leathan the erotic? Must be nice. Even sleeping like Seth would beat this extreme need for food.

Andrea came back into the kitchen and sat across from him. “Taste good?”

“Where’s a homemade bagel when you really need it?” he mumbled around a mouthful of strawberries.

Crossing her arms over her chest Andrea smiled. “You’ll thank me later that I kept it healthy.” For a few minutes, she merely watched him eat. When she spoke he knew she’d debated whether or not to say anything. “Are you going to be okay, Devin?”

He finished chewing and sat back. “Honestly? Had you asked me that when I first arrived here I would’ve said, “Probably not.” Grabbing his beer he took a sip. “Now, yes. I’m going to be just fine.”

Andrea’s brows lowered. “What I mean is…will you be able to get back to your old self a little bit?”

“You mean the happy-go-lucky Devin you knew? Doubt it.” He plopped a blueberry in his mouth, chewed and swallowed. “But I can tell you one thing, if anyone inspires me to, it’s Isabel. No offense.”

“None taken.” Andrea sighed. “So what you’re essentially telling me is that a woman who you may never know beyond your experience with this house is our only hope to have somewhat of the ‘old’ Devin back?”

Devin noticed the dark rings beneath Andrea’s eyes, her slight weight loss and chose his next words carefully. “Despite what happens in this house, I’ve decided to embrace my new gift so one way or another I’ll be somewhat as you remember. Want me to cook one of my famous breakfasts now?”

Eyes narrowed, a little grin broke free and Andrea shook her head. “Oh, no. Nice try!”

Smiling he replied, “C’mon, can’t you hear the bacon sizzling already? Smell the bread toasting?”

His stomach growled again and they laughed. Standing, she put the bowl of fruit in his hands and pointed upstairs. “To your room with the fruit. Like Leathan, soon enough you’ll need sleep too. Why Seth skips everything and crashes immediately beats me!”

Devin looked at her. “You gonna be all right, cuz? I know this is rougher on you than any of us.”

“Yes,” she said softly. “After what I just witnessed, I know you guys will get him back for me. Now go.” She pushed him toward the door. “Eat and sleep.”

“Okay, okay.”

Even as he walked down the hall and trudged up the stairs he could hear her sniffling in the kitchen. Devin tried not to think about the fact that this house had already changed him and if it had done so to a man not trapped inside its walls…what would it do to a man that was?