Chapter Three

 

Seth stared, dumbfounded, at his body.

Shaking his head, he again tried to talk to Alana. No luck. Now that they were all standing there looking down at his living body, not a soul could hear him. If he could shake his head he would. He was alive! Kind of. Not really. Who knew?

Adlin apparently.

They all stood, except Seth of course, in another cave not all that far from the one he’d free fallen into. Like him, they eyed his body in the simple wooden coffin. Not one of them had completely dry eyes… except maybe Alana. Then again, she was still in shock and he didn’t much blame her. There’s nothing quite like seeing your home literally turn into a house of horrors.

After Devin and Leathan came flying out the door with wild eyes and hair standing at odd angles, they’d hightailed it for their cars. Somehow this time, Seth had been able to follow. It was the first time he’d left this property since he’d ‘died’ and truth told, it felt good as hell.

“I can’t believe he’s still alive!” Andrea said. “H…how?”

Seth looked at Adlin’s ghost again and agreed wholeheartedly. Right, how?

Adlin shrugged. “I saved him. He saved him too.”

“How the?” Leathan said.

“Not that I’m complaining but seriously, how?” Devin added.

Adlin looked at Andrea and arched a brow. “You’ve read The MacLomain Series. You tell them.”

Her eyebrows lowered for a moment before they shot up. “Noooooo! The old Viking magic?”

Adlin nodded. “Aye.”

“I totally forgot about that,” she murmured.

Seth looked from person to person. What were they talking about?

Leathan nodded. “I read the series after Andrea. How could I have forgotten?”

“Care to fill us in,” Devin said.

“It’s old magic that Adlin’s descendants used in medieval Scotland. One wizard can save another by walking through the place in between heaven and hell. Seth must have with Adlin.”

I did? Seth had no recollection of that.

“Exactly,” Adlin said and looked directly at Seth.

Or at least Seth thought he did.

Adlin continued. “With magic I’ve kept his muscles supple and strong and as you can clearly see, his body well kept. I could not have maintained his current state much longer.”

Holy creepy yet Seth could admit he was grateful.

“But how did you get his body here?” Leathan asked. “He’s already been buried!”

“Was he?” Adlin asked. “Did you ever actually see his body?”

Devin flinched. “No. Closed casket for obvious reasons.”

“Aye, obvious reasons indeed,” Adlin snickered. “I stole it!”

Everyone looked between Adlin and Seth’s body, amazed.

Alana sort of floated around the crowd clearly unwilling to look at his body. Seth moved closer to her. “I won’t bite, you know.”

She sucked in a little gasp and shook her head.

It seemed she could hear him again. Okay, he supposed he got it… her sudden fear of him. This was a lot to take in.

“So why is his spirit not connected with his body?” Devin asked.

Adlin’s eyes twinkled and he nodded at Alana. “I’d guess because of her.”

Alana frowned and said weakly, “Me?”

“You were with him when he “died.” You’re connected to the house that trapped the creature he’s meant to fight. Makes perfect sense,” Adlin replied.

“Maybe to you,” Alana muttered. “Sorry, I don’t know what to say. Still trying to…” She glanced briefly at his body, “get a grasp on all of this.”

Adlin nodded. “No doubt, lassie. No doubt.”

Seth had to admit she was handling it well. Then again, she was about as crazy as he when it came to living on the edge so maybe she was just trying to treat this like another extreme sport. Really extreme!

“So how do we get his spirit back into his body?” Dakota asked.

“Good question,” Devin seconded.

“Simple enough,” Adlin said. “He’s got to crawl in.”

Dead silence.

Seth crept closer to his body. Crawl in. Huh? Seriously?

“Is his spirit here right now?” Isabel asked Alana.

She nodded slightly, her wide eyes now officially locked on his body.

“Of course he is,” Adlin agreed and smiled.

Leathan frowned. “Bet he’s wondering how the hell to crawl into his body.”

Halleluiah brother, Seth thought.

“Aye, he needs to focus on his body. He needs to go right down into it and position his viewpoint as though he’s looking through his body’s eyes,” Adlin said.

“That’s just trippy,” Dakota said.

But Seth wasn’t worried. As though jumping into the cave mouth that’d gotten him into all this, he catapulted down into his body…and hit the floor.

Adlin chuckled.

“What’s so funny?” Leathan asked. A deep frown brought his brows together.

Adlin shook his head and said, “He’s trying now. I would suggest silence.”

Silence? Seth was fuming. He’d rather they all yell at the meddlesome wizard even if he was supposedly the reason Seth was “alive.”

Frustrated and determined, Seth swung up and around and once more focused on his body. Moving slowly this time he angled down toward his face, his closed eyes most specifically. If he could remain there, just beneath his lids, he knew he’d have it. But how to stay right there? Closing his mental eye, or at least what he’d been looking through so far, Seth focused on what it’d felt like to be in his body. The weight of his arms hanging off of his shoulders and the length of his legs. Funny, until this moment he’d never realized how heavy his body was.

With the focus of sitting behind his eyelids and wearing a heavy suit, he concentrated.

Focus… just continue to focus.

Snap. Pop. Woooooosh.

Seth struggled for breath. Was an elephant sitting on his chest? This felt horrible! Though he wanted to panic, he didn’t. He never had. Why start now?

Breathing downright hurt…but he breathed. Somehow he breathed. He could sense it more than anything. No air rushed into his lungs. Or did it? Something stung. Something tasted horrible. Something smelled like absolute crap.

As though a spear broke through his chest, he arched.

And opened his eyes.

His real eyes. He knew it without doubt. It felt like the skin came unglued when he did. The elephant on his chest grew heavier. The dank, terrible smell of rot grew stronger. In fact, he felt disgusting. What was this?

Adlin’s voice filtered through his misery. “It’s rebirth, the first weight of life, Seth. It will pass.”

Life? Hell no. Life didn’t feel this way. At least not how he remembered it. With a great deal of effort he moved his tongue, just enough to scrape it over his molars. Not a good idea. Nasty.

“What’s happening?”

Leathan’s voice sounded like a thunder drum and Seth flinched. He heard a round of gasps.

“He’s in his body now. Silence,” Adlin said softly.

Uh…yeah! Silence would be wonderful. The wind high above the cave sounded like a tornado mere feet away. The trickle of water on the cave walls, a rushing river intent to wash him away. And the smell, what was that?”

Oddly enough, he sensed movement in the room. It didn’t hurt his ears nearly as much as the sound of everyone’s heartbeat. Peering up into the bright light, he saw her.

Her.

Alana looked down at him with…trepidation? Confusion? Fear?

Seth didn’t like her looking at him like that. Like an angel with an attitude. Better yet, an angel that didn’t particularly want to save him. One who wished she could turn and never look at him again.

That pissed him off.

Blood boiled and rushed through his head, then right down through his core and limbs. Without hesitation, he reached up. Or at least thought he did. Surprisingly enough, he felt her hand in his. Soft, cool, smooth, she touched him. Alana’s face was clear now in his vision and her expression startled.

For several moments all he could do was stare up into those amber liquid pools. Her soul was in her eyes. And he liked what he saw.

“Seth?” Andrea whispered.

Blinking, he turned his gaze to his sister who stood on the other side. Tears welled in her eyes. This drove home the fact that he’d been dead. Kind of. Awe hell. With renewed determination he breathed deeply. Ouch! But the elephant had become a dog and the raunchy smell of death had nearly diminished.

“You can do it, lad,” Devin said softly from somewhere near his feet.

“Aye,” Leathan agreed.

“A few more breathes,” Dakota whispered.

“It’ll get better,” Isabel said just as softly.

His eyes returned to Alana. She stood a silent sentinel, as though she wasn’t sure whether she supported his spirit melding with his body. Regardless, her small hand squeezed his.

He squeezed back.

The amber in her eyes flared as they had when they first jumped together.

It was time to jump again.

Using all the warlock power he’d come into, Seth focused on being part of this world, part of his body. The dog became a cat. The cat vanished. The smell vanished. He felt light. Blinking again, he lifted his other hand and took Andrea’s. Running his tongue over his teeth one more time, he croaked, “Get me out of here.”

As if they’d been waiting all along, Devin and Leathan moved Alana and Andrea aside and swooped in. Even though they each put an arm under his shoulders, Seth engaged his abs and sat up. The minute he did coughs raked him. But Devin and Leathan held on through it. Eventually, they subsided, as did all the feelings he’d felt when he first entered his body.

“You okay?”

He cocked his head slightly toward Leathan’s voice and nodded.

“Missed you, lad,” Devin said with a smile in his voice.

Seth worked at a grin then asked hoarsely, “Where’s Alana?”

“Here,” she said softly and appeared in front of him, Andrea on one side, Dakota on the other.

Alana’s face somehow gave him strength. No, her eyes, now a super-pale amber, as though her soul had somehow thinned for him…waited for him?

“Right here,” she repeated and reached out to take his hand again.

“Your hand is so soft,” he said, so low he barely heard his own words.

“Your hand feels like sandpaper,” she responded with a wink.

A smile hurt his face. “You’re still you, eh?”

She squeezed slightly. “Well, what did you expect?”

“Not this.” Another rough round of coughs broke from his chest and he released her hand. Once he caught his breath he lurched up and said to his cousins, “Get me out of this fucking coffin.”

Devin and Leathan didn’t hesitate but dragged him out and let him lean back against it. Thankfully, they kept holding on. After a minute or so, he shook his head.

They let go.

Damn it felt good to stand on his own two feet. He’d missed this! Bracing his hands against the coffin, Seth hung his head and tried to gather his thoughts, tried to discreetly get used to the uncomfortable feeling of being back in his body. In a million years, he never would’ve imagined being separated from his body. He always figured he’d escape it.

But what had he really escaped?

“Death, laddie. Death.”

His eyes snapped to Adlin but the ghost was nowhere to be found.

“Are you okay?” Andrea asked.

Seth looked at his sister and nodded. “I’m good. Just a little off right now.”

She wiped away a tear. “I’ll bet. I’m so glad to have you back.”

His cousins said nothing but he knew they’d mourned too. What a long road. Or had it been? “How long was I gone?”

“About a month,” Leathan responded.

“That’s it?”

Devin nodded.

“Felt like an eternity,” Seth said.

“I’ll bet,” Leathan said.

“It must’ve been a heck of a ride, lad,” Devin said softly. “Even for you.”

Seth snorted. “You’ve no idea.”

“Nope, we don’t,” Leathan said. “But when you’re ready, you’ll bloody well share.”

A strange sensation rolled through him. It almost felt as though he didn’t want to share. That though he’d hated it wherever he’d been, it hadn’t really been so bad. Odd. Maybe he just felt that way because of the immediate and very negative feeling of being back in his body.

“Are you sure you’re okay?” Alana asked, her voice whisper soft.

He looked down into her eyes, slightly disoriented by standing taller than her again. “Yeah, I’ll be all right.”

But would he? This was seriously messed up.

“You want to get out of here?” Dakota asked.

With a slow nod, Seth gazed around at the cave. “Yes.”

“Hell right,” Leathan agreed.

“Let’s go,” Devin said.

Both nodded avidly but neither left his side. He knew that they were waiting to hold him up if he couldn’t successfully walk. Though the thought aggravated him he understood it. Regardless, he’d always been strong and daring and heck if he needed help now. One step in front of the other, he walked. And it worked. It felt extremely odd but it worked. Amazing how good the human body felt after you got past the disturbing part of entering it. A certain sort of vitality had started to fill his limbs.

As he headed for the mouth of the cave, his slow walk became a steady stride. His tight muscles loosened and life started to flow rapidly through his veins. Somehow he was stronger because of his experience. He knew it without question. The minute he stepped out into the muted sunlight, canvassed by trees, it felt like he’d stepped into heaven. Though the air was cool, it felt like bliss rushing into his lungs. The forest seemed slightly ominous, but the stark beauty of its energy made him stop short.

The others came up behind him and stopped as well.

“Gorgeous, isn’t it?”

He nodded when Isabel said, “You never quite saw it like this, did you?”

“What’s he talking about?” Andrea asked.

“It’s sort of like how I felt when I lost my hearing. My other senses sharpened. Even though he has no disabilities, I think that death itself was one and now his senses are more in-tune than ever.”

“Wow,” Devin said.

“That’s intense,” Leathan agreed.

“Seriously?” Dakota asked.

“He’s standing right here. Why don’t you ask him,” Alana said.

Silence.

“She’s right.” Seth turned and eyed them all, gaze softening on Alana. “Just ask me. Don’t speculate. I don’t deal well with anything less than direct. You know that.”

Seth was surprised to see them all look crushed. Had he sounded that harsh? He supposed he must have. But, really, he’d been through hell and while the world looked shiny and new, he remained mentally off kilter.

Andrea shook her head sharply. “No, don’t look at us like that, Seth. Don’t look at us like we’re somehow wrong for wondering why you’re acting the way you are. You died. We were devastated. This is a lot for everybody to handle.”

Had to love his sister, she always spoke her mind. “I think Isabel’s right. Everything seems…different.”

That’s all he was willing to give right now. He stalked into the woods. Everything smelled and looked altered. About thirty steps away he swung back abruptly. They all remained where they’d stood. “This is what you feel like when you turn, eh Devin?”

Devin didn’t flinch. “Probably. But my senses are that of a wolf so I can’t be sure.”

Seth sighed. “Of course you can be sure. We deal in magic, bro.”

Leathan stepped up. “What he’s trying to say is he’s scared shitless. We lost you. Don’t spit nails at us because you’re confused. We’re on your side.”

Blinking, he staggered back a step. Nobody moved an inch save Alana. She was by his side in an instant. “What the hell, Seth.”

Not weakened in the least from the tough love his cousins dished out, he focused on her. “I’m fine. No worries.”

“Are you? Really?” she whispered. “You’re white as a ghost.”

Ghost. Good way of looking at it…of looking at him. “I’m fine. Really.”

Her small hand landed on his forearm. “I think you need to rest.”

“Probably,” he muttered, ignoring the stunned look on everyone’s face. True enough, he never relented to anything, never mind a pint-sized redhead.

“Where do we go from here?” she asked.

His eyes locked with hers. Good question.

A blush crawled over her cheeks and her freckles became more noticeable. “I mean, where do we all go.”

Funny how her skin glowed now just like it did before she jumped off a cliff. He’d never get tired of that. Tired of that? He shook his head in confusion. Tired of what? Death really had messed with him for thinking long-term thoughts about any girl!

Turning away, he responded, “Your house. There’s no other place for me to go.”

Damn. That had sounded intimate. As he strode in a random direction he shot over his shoulder, “I’ve got to face whatever’s in that house then we can all move on with our lives.”

He’d made it a few more steps before Leathan said, “Um, Seth?”

Screw their sentiment or good intentions, this creature needed to be dealt with. He continued walking.

“The car is in the other direction, laddie.”

Seth frowned and stopped at Devin’s voice. Awe hell. He turned and strode in their direction. “Fine, let’s go.”

Everyone started walking. Nobody said a word. Good. He didn’t need a lecture. He didn’t need to be asked questions. And he certainly didn’t need to talk about the creature he was about to face.

Within a half hour, all of which no one spoke, he stood in front of the house. A house he’d only been able to drift around. A house he’d been unwilling to enter. At least in the state he’d been in. He’d been petrified. And as much as he hated to admit it, the feeling hadn’t entirely vanished.

Leathan stood on one side, Devin the other.

“With Calum’s help we were able to make the house a little safer,” Leathan said.

“And just how did you do that again?” Seth asked.

“With this.” Devin held up an old journal.

Seth’s eyes widened. “Calum’s journal for this house?”

“Aye,” Leathan said. “No need to search this time. It was literally handed to us.”

“Calum’s really starting to loosen up, eh?” Seth said.

“Seems so,” Devin replied.

“Or this creature’s so bad he had no choice,” Dakota said.

Leathan nodded. “Very true, lass.”

Seth stopped at the front door, thoroughly irritated by the blatant fear he felt. “So how’s that journal supposed to help?”

“Not sure. Calum didn’t say. Just that it’d help protect us inside the house and that we all needed to be here,” Leathan said.

He rolled his eyes. “Super.” Not allowing himself time to overthink or let the fear take root too deep, Seth put his hand on the doorknob and entered.

It felt odd to finally enter the house he’d only hovered around. While the interior was obviously done in true Tudor style, the home looked nearly unlived in. Besides the living room, the furnishings elsewhere were covered with sheets. He frowned. Alana had been here long enough that it shouldn’t look this neglected. Seth was about to say as much but she hadn’t entered with the rest of them. “Where’s Alana?”

Andrea nodded towards outside. “I think she headed for that rock again.”

Without hesitation he headed for the door. This haunting could wait. “Be right back.”

Though Devin and Leathan looked a little shocked neither argued with him.

What was with her and that rock? Strangely enough, he felt almost betrayed that she’d go there without him. It had sort of become their spot. But there she was leaning against it, eyes closed, face tipped to the sun. How many times had he watched her do that? And just as he’d felt when he watched her before, he marveled at the sheer smoothness of her ivory skin illuminated in sunlight.

Seth didn’t say a word but leaned back against the rock next to her. It felt warm against his skin. The air felt clean going into his lungs. In fact, his body felt clean, even his teeth. For a moment, he felt at peace. As though the giant house in front of him didn’t trap a beast set to destroy him. It was as if he was exactly where he was supposed to be with exactly who he was supposed to be with. He too leaned back his head, closed his eyes and let the sun warm his face.

A minute or so passed before she softly asked, “What was it like being…wherever you were?”

“Lonely,” he answered honestly.

“I’ll bet.”

“Thank you.”

“For what?”

“For being there. Hearing me.”

“I didn’t do it on purpose so you don’t have to thank me.”

He tilted his head forward and opened his eyes to find hers studying his face. “What’s with you? Can’t you take a compliment?”

She didn’t bat a lash. “Sure. If it’s deserved.”

Seth crossed his arms over his chest. “Are you mad at me about something?”

Alana studied his face for a moment before she said, “I suppose I am.”

“Why?”

“Are you serious?”

He nodded. “Obviously.”

Crossing her arms over her chest like him, she said, “You died then you haunted me then,” She nodded toward the house, “brought all this with you.”

“Ah.” She still maintained that feistiness he enjoyed. Seth grinned. “Yeah, sorry about all that.”

Alana frowned. “You’re not sorry in the least.”

“Nope.”

“Then why say that you are?”

“Dunno. To see you get fired up?”

She inhaled deeply through her nostrils. “I would’ve thought that death would’ve had more of an effect on you, Seth.” Alana pushed away from the rock and walked toward the house.

“What do you mean by that?” He walked after her. “And wouldn’t you rather death didn’t change me?”

Alana stopped so quickly that he nearly walked right into her. Face red with anger she pointed a finger at his chest and said, “You needed some adjustments!”

Something about the fire in her eyes and the liquid heat of her tone set off his anger as well. Hell yeah, he needed some adjustments and knew right where to start. Before she knew what hit her, Seth pulled her into his arms.

And made his first adjustment.