Chapter Seven

 

No woman had ever offered him a heavier frown, a look of absolute defeat.

“Really, Seth?” Alana stood and walked to the window. “I know you were as shocked as I was to learn that I was a necromancer. I know you were just as much in the dark as I was about what that meant. I don’t have my iPhone, do you? There’s no quick access for you to throw out a definition.”

Seth was tempted to lie back on the bed and be his usual casual self but the truth was he didn’t feel like his usual casual self. He felt edgy and eager. Never before in his life had he wanted to put someone’s fears to rest, to make the pain go away…to somehow explain it all away.

“One thing I know without doubt, Alana. You are not evil.”

All she offered was her profile as she studied the curtains. “I don’t think you can be sure of that any more than I can be.”

Before he could speak again, her sad gaze met his. “They left clothes on the bed for us. We’re supposed to change.”

For the first time in his life, someone had noticed something before him. He glanced at the bedside. “We don’t have to do what we’re supposed to do.”

“No,” she whispered. “That’s half of what makes us who we are, eh?”

Seth worked at not frowning. Why should he when she wasn’t? It seemed Alana wanted to make the best of this situation. That despite the news given, she was willing to…live here for now? He ground his teeth and considered. Really? Would they make it that easy on Calum and Grace?

“I think we’ll be making it easier on ourselves,” Alana said.

His eyes shot to hers. Had she heard his thoughts? Of course not. Impossible. “I’m not wearing those clothes.”

Her eyes fell to the tub in the corner of the room. “You don’t have to.”

Seth watched as she unclothed. Holy heck. He’d remembered how she looked on the mountain. How incredibly beautiful. Now, as she took off everything nonchalantly, without a care in the world, he felt his cock harden. Even so, he knew trying to have sex with her again so soon would be a very bad idea. Alana’s mind couldn’t be further from intimacy.

And there was that whole “let’s be friends” thing.

Seth’s eyes were glued as her porcelain white form crossed to the tub. Damn, the woman was fine. She might not have the body of a Playboy bunny, but his eyes couldn’t get enough of her tight, high ass and the little waist leading to perky breasts. In this light the areolas were more of a dark reddish brown, the nipples tight…and lonely. His eyes skimmed down her legs. Shapely, he’d imagine they’d look amazing in heels. How had this woman remained single for so long?

Alana cleared her throat and his eyes met hers. “You’ve “been there, done this,” remember?” She sank down into the water. “We’re just friends.”

Seth shrugged and said, “I’m only human.”

“Barely.” Sinking down, she immersed herself in the water.

“Ouch.”

“Please.” She rolled her eyes. “Are you really offended?”

“Not yet.”

He watched her bathe for a moment. Lucky for him, whatever Adlin had done when reincarnating him had left him clean and refreshed. Good thing or he never would have kissed her. Though nobody had said a word, he’d come out of his coffin smelling like brand new, teeth miraculously brushed. That a condom had been in his jeans pocket had been a little too easy. But who was he to complain?

“Just get dressed. I’m not looking,” Alana said.

Seth frowned. No lie. Her head was tipped back, the lines of her face at rest. She had no desire to look at him. Or so it seemed. Let’s see. He stood and took off his clothes. He was sure to pull his shirt slowly over his head, then peek. Nope, her eyes were firmly shut. Let’s see. Without seeming like a wuss, he shimmied off his pants and left on only his boxer briefs. No doubt about it, he looked damn fine in a set of briefs.

Still, her eyes remained closed.

“How do you suppose I wear this?” he asked.

The hint of a grin touched her lips but she didn’t open her eyes. “I’d say, one leg in front of the other.”

Oh, she was something. “I meant what they expect me to wear beneath.”

“They expect you to wear what you’re already wearing beneath, Seth.” Her smile grew wider. “Just get dressed.”

Grumbling, he turned away. Sure, whatever. He pulled on the stiff slacks and buttoned up the starchy white shirt. “I feel like I’m dressing for the prom.”

Alana’s voice sounded almost dreamy. “Funny, how well they dressed in this time period. Guess we sorta lost that in the twenty-first century, huh?”

“I don’t care what we lost. This blows.”

But even as he turned, Seth realized she wasn’t affected in the least. Alana’s eyes remained closed. Slow drips of water rolled down her smooth throat. Suddenly, he felt as though he were in spirit form peering at her from beyond. Always to admire, never to touch. “Alana.”

Awe hell. He’d whispered! What was the matter with him? Warlocks didn’t whisper.

But she heard him. Alana’s eyes opened and slowly swung his way. “Well, look at you.”

With a mad scowl, he brushed back his hair with his fingers. “Not my best look.”

“Matter of opinion.”

Before he could appreciate her for too long, she dunked under the water once more and rose. Hell, she was smokin’ hot. But he’d be damned if he let her see that he thought that. He turned and eyed the room. Water swooshed behind him. She stepped out of the tub and he heard the sound of a towel wiping over skin. Good. She needed to dry off. Seth kept busy studying absolutely nothing as she dressed. Finally, silence reigned.

“You ready to go?” he asked.

“I guess.”

Seth didn’t look back but opened the door. He studied the hallway beyond until he grew bored and looked at her. That took about one second.

“Well?” She stopped and waited, as though she knew damn well he’d look her way.

Holy hell. Alana looked amazing. She wore a pale green dress that dusted the floor and cinched in at the waist.

“My butt looks huge in this. Glad bustles went out of style,” she remarked.

“Aren’t you supposed to wear that too?”

Alana eyed the bed with disgust. “I’m so not wearing a corset.”

“I don’t blame you. Besides, you don’t need one.”

“Yeah, yeah.” But she smiled a little at the compliment and slid on some old fashioned shoes.

“Well, if you’re not wearing the corset, I’m not wearing the frock coat.”

“You know fashion!” She replied.

He frowned. “Actually, I don’t. Not sure where that came from.”

Her brows drew together. “And I’m not sure how I managed to get myself tied into this dress so quickly. It was as if I’d been doing it for years.”

Seth ignored the strange feeling of trepidation, but smiled and said, “Guess we really are ghosts!”

“Ha ha.” Alana sauntered his way, hips swinging before she stopped short. “Did you see how I was just walking?”

“How could I miss it?”

“Strange,” she murmured. “I don’t…walk that way…but this dress. I don’t know. Weird.”

“Works.” He grinned.

“See, this is good.” Alana nodded. “We get along much better when we’re friends. You’re a pretty nice guy after all, Seth.”

“Humph. If you say so.” But the compliment met its mark and made him happy. As to the friend part, they’d see about that. For now, however, he’d go with it. Couldn’t hurt.

“Let’s go downstairs. We haven’t had a chance to really look around down there yet,” she said.

“Sure.” Seth followed her down. Darkness had started to fall and with it, the interior now seemed to come alive. They’d done a heck of a job decorating it. Dimply lit wall sconces lined the hallway and a huge chandelier hung over the downstairs foyer. The numerous diamond leaded windows seemed to reflect the lights a thousand times over.

“All the same furniture,” Alana commented.

“Yeah? I didn’t get to see much of it in the future with the sheets and all.”

“Right,” Alana said.

That was it. Guess she wasn’t ready to explain why the house had looked so unlived in. Eventually he’d get it out of her. After all, friends liked to talk.

“Some really expensive items here,” he remarked.

“Money was something Grace always seemed to have enough of.”

As they walked through the arched doorway to the dining room, Seth eyed the Oak court cupboard that was so ornately designed. How was it that he knew what it was called? Again, that uneasy feeling threatened to overwhelm him. It seemed every room had a chandelier, each grander than the last. And strangely enough, each room seemed to suit Alana. She looked as if she belonged in this era…in this house. He supposed she did. More than ever, he felt drawn to her as he followed her from room to room. He remained several feet behind her as her skirts dusted the floor and the lighting reflected off her hair.

Suddenly, she stopped. “Strange seeing it in one piece again.”

“What?”

“The mirror.” Alana nodded at the tall, decorative mirror hanging in a short hallway. “That’s the one that broke. The one that told me to read the journal.”

“Ah.” He put his hand on the small of her back and they continued walking. “You’ve got to love time travel.”

“Matter of opinion.”

“Right.”

They entered the kitchen. A large paneled canopy with rope style molding was the main feature. A large vented hood made from hammered copper perched over the island cooking center.

“It hasn’t changed much,” she commented. “Just minus the modern day appliances I suppose.”

“I think I’m going to miss your potato chips and granola bars.”

Alana grinned. “No doubt.”

“Want to go outside again?” he asked.

“This is really hard for you, isn’t it? Being inside.”

“I’m working on it,” he said. “Can you blame me?”

“No, I guess not.”

They walked out the same backdoor she’d so recently stumbled out of when she called Devin. The air was cool and a three quarter full moon lit the yard.

“What did you mean when you asked Devin if he’d felt the same as you when he turned?”

Seth had hoped she hadn’t caught that. “Long story. One better told by Devin.”

“Why don’t you tell me?”

“I don’t know. I guess I feel wrong about it.”

Surprisingly enough, she nodded and let the matter drop. Good thing. About the last thing he wanted to tell Alana was what happened to his cousin. Nope. He’d leave that alone.

Though she’d been beautiful by the home’s lighting, she was stunning by moonlight. Her hair appeared much darker and her skin lighter. Combined with the long, flowing dress, she seemed almost ethereal. How ironic. Instead of heading for the rock, she veered into the gardens. They were amazing. Nothing like how they looked in the twenty-first century.

“How is this possible?” She said.

“What?”

“The gardens. It’s as if she planted everything years ago but that can’t be. The house seems too new. It smells so new. And obviously, it is new.”

“You’ve got to keep in mind that things aren’t always going to make sense.” He sighed. “Everything’s likely to get more confusing before becoming clearer.”

Alana fingered the stem of a vine running around a garden post. “I suppose.”

“I’m sorry.”

She glanced at him. “Why are you sorry? None of this is your fault.”

Seth shrugged. “It’s more my fault than yours. If you’d never met me, you wouldn’t have gotten sucked into Calum’s curse.”

“That’s one way of looking at it.” Alana kept strolling. “If you’d never met me, you would’ve never ended up at Grace’s Revival because without doubt, she’s a part of this house.”

“They both are,” Seth agreed. “Seems they’re pretty hot for each other too.”

“Mmm.” Her stroll became slower, as though she drifted. “Do you hear that?”

“Hear what?”

“I don’t know. Some sort of music.”

“No, I don’t hear anything.”

Suddenly she spun, her eyes nearly white. Seth stumbled back. When she spoke, her voice sounded melodious, foreign… a little creepy. The temperature plummeted. Her breath came out in foggy wisps. “Beware the black rose. It will rip from you your very center. It will take from you your heart.”

Seth pushed fear aside. It had no place here. “Who are you?”

Alana, or whoever possessed her, slowly pointed in the direction of the mountain. “It will take from you your very heart.”

What the hell was it talking about? “I don’t understand. What black rose?”

The temperature rose and Alana’s eyes cleared. “I’m sorry. What were we talking about?”

It took everything in him to hide his shock. She’d been through enough and he truly didn’t want to freak her out further. “Eating. I said I was hungry.”

“Really?” She frowned. “I could have sworn we were talking about roses.”

Keep a level expression, Seth. He shook his head. “Nope. My stomach growled. I’m hungry.”

The look of confusion vanished from her face. “Okay. What do you suppose we eat here? Not exactly the era of microwave ovens and munchies.”

Chuckling, he said, “Too true. Let’s see if we can find Calum. Maybe he can help us out.”

Alana offered a delicate snort. “Couldn’t hurt.”

When they walked back in, conveniently enough, Grace was fluttering around the kitchen. Seth sensed Alana was as uncomfortable as he was as they watched her. Not discomforted by the fact she was cooking away but by the way Calum assisted. Their flirtatious banter wasn’t meant to be viewed by others. When Calum leaned close and whispered in her ear, his hand slowly cupping her ass, Alana cleared her throat.

Calum didn’t rush to remove his hand but turned a lazy, mischievous gaze their way. “So how was your stroll in the garden? Grace has done such a wonderful job with it.”

Alana’s eyes narrowed slightly. “Just how old is that garden exactly?”

Grace turned her head a fraction, offering them her profile. “Older than the house.”

A strange shiver ran through his body and he knew Alana experienced the same.

“The garden was planted before the house? I don’t understand,” Alana said.

Grace dried her hands and turned. “It’s nothing to worry about dear. Why don’t we sit down and eat. It will be a nice family reunion.”

“Nothing to worry about?” Seth shook his head. “If it’s nothing to worry about, why don’t you just tell us what you mean.”

“Now, now. No need to get everyone upset,” Calum declared. “We’ll eat and chat civilly over dinner about all of this.”

Grace smiled warmly. “What a lovely idea.”

Alana’s mouth hung open by this point. His too probably. These two seemed like a couple out of a cheesy fifty’s program. Play nice and pretend everything and everyone is shiny and happy. Damned odd. “Are you two serious?”

“Are you hungry?” Calum countered, a somewhat sly glint in his eyes.

Did he know what’d happened to Seth out in the garden? Good chance. But for now, he was cornered. “Yeah, I’m hungry.”

“Good then!” Grace turned around and grabbed a bowl of what looked to be freshly baked bread. But when would she have had time to bake? They’d been in the garden no longer than fifteen minutes.

Alana and Seth followed Grace and Calum into the dining room.

“How the heck?” Alana asked.

Seth agreed. The dining room table was now set to the hilt with fine china and burning candles. A roast steamed invitingly from its platter. Whipped potatoes and bowls full of various vegetables lined the table. Everything smelled amazing. “I’m with Alana. None of this was here twenty minutes ago. I don’t get it.”

“My boy, it was well underway twenty minutes ago. Perhaps you were in the garden longer than you thought,” Calum said.

“Unlikely,” Seth said.

“I can assure you, we have been putting this together for you two for some time.” Grace nodded at Calum when he pulled out her chair.

Seth didn’t hesitate but pulled out Alana’s chair. She gave a small nod of thanks and sat. Had he ever in his life pulled out a chair for a woman? Who the hell did that nowadays? Then again, it wasn’t nowadays and the gesture had come so naturally to him. In fact, he couldn’t help but wonder why the polite gesture had become all but extinct in present day. Seth shook his head. What was he thinking?

“You’re overthinking all of this,” Calum said.

Seth’s attention snapped to his predecessor. Had he heard his thoughts?

Calum smiled and sat. “You both have traveled through time and now reside in a very haunted house. It’s of little surprise that you lost track of time.”

“I must say, you cut a dashing figure in that outfit, Seth,” Grace said. “You and Calum could be brothers!”

“They really could,” Alana murmured.

Surprised by her input, Seth’s attention turned her way. Every inch the nineteenth century female, she sat, back straight, with her hands folded in her lap. She appeared so pristine and beautiful. What had happened to his dare-devil Alana?

“It is a very haunted house,” Calum said. “But one in which we can all enjoy a good meal.”

Why did it seem Calum somehow answered his every thought? No doubt he did! Devious warlock. Yet, Seth couldn’t help but settle into his surroundings. The ambiance was perfect and the food delicious. Why fight the feeling? Being polite was working for him. Who knew? All his concerns seemed to vanish for the moment and it felt pretty good.

“So, in celebration of your arrival, we have a gala planned for tomorrow. One hundred of our closest friends will be joining us. We thought to open the ballroom,” Calum said.

“Ballroom?” Alana asked.

Exactly…what ballroom?

“Well, this one of course!” Grace said. “I know you’ve always seen it as a dining room, but it clears out rather well. Look at the size of it.”

“Speaking of how I see things,” Alana said. “Where am I? I mean, where is the younger version of me?”

“With a family member for a bit,” Calum provided. “Until we get this all figured out of course.”

“Of course,” Alana said a little too quickly.

Seth was less concerned with the who’s and why’s by the minute. This food was delicious. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d eaten a good, home-cooked meal.

“It will be divine. I already have an orchestra scheduled and a beautiful dress for you to wear,” Grace gushed to Alana. “It’s time you truly enjoy this home. Become the woman of this house.”

Alana smiled softly and continued to eat.

Seth knew somewhere in the back of his mind that things were off. He knew he should be questioning all of this. But the food was too good and the company so… refined? Why rock the boat. This felt great, looked great and above all, tasted great!

Even odder, they all proceeded to chat idly for the rest of the meal. The weather was perfect. The house was the envy of Vermont. The project of building it had gone so smoothly. The couple who had built it had fallen in love and now lived here. It was all so grand.

Near the end of the meal, Calum said, “Seth, I thought perhaps on the morn I’d teach you more about being a warlock.”

He’d said it as casually as he would, “Could you pass the tea?”

And in response, Seth nodded and replied just as casually, “I’d like that.”

The women nodded. The men smiled. It was all quite cordial.

Until the next morning.