Shortly after brunch, Erik called Cassandra and Alistair to him. They appeared within moments.
“We need to talk,” Erik said. He couldn’t help worrying about what would take place later.
“I heard the conversation at brunch,” Cassandra admitted.
Alistair ducked his gaze. “I didn’t. Was busy with Everaud.”
“You didn’t run into Consuela?” Erik asked.
Monique stepped into the room and pegged him with a stare.
He rolled his eyes.
Alistair shook his head. “No. Though I think he may have a tagalong.”
“Demon?”
“Yeah. I can’t see it, though.”
“Probably possessed before he died. Fused with his soul. Has he done anything bad to you?”
“No…but he has a tendency to lose his temper too often. Not at me, but he rants, spits, and hisses—a lot like a demon.”
Cassandra nodded. “He does.”
“I’ll talk to Consuela when I get a free moment.”
“Thank you,” Monique said.
He nodded. “I hope she listens.”
“Give her a chance.”
“Still need us?” Alistair asked.
“Yes. Tonight, don’t follow me. Stay here, in Edenton. Please.”
“Of course,” Cassandra answered.
“I’ll be too busy,” Alistair stated.
“Be careful,” Erik warned.
Alistair nodded, disappearing. Cassandra faded away.
“Please, call her,” Monique pleaded. “Everaud has been dead for more than two hundred years.”
He nodded. “I’ll need her number.”
She took his phone, entered it, and handed it back. “She may not have known.”
He smiled sadly. “Honestly, I hope not.” He hit talk and put the phone to his ear.
Consuela answered, “Who is this?”
“Erik Mortale. I have a friend who has taken an interest in your brother.”
“My brother is dead,” she stated.
“So is my friend.”
“Oh, what has he done now?” Irritation filled her voice.
“It’s not what he’s done, but what he is. I think he was possessed before his death. Alistair hasn’t seen the demon, but he has outbursts like that of a demon.”
Her voice barely made it above a whisper. “You’re suggesting my brother was possessed before his death?”
“I haven’t called Everaud to me, but there’s something different about him. I think it’s very likely. And I don’t offer this solution lightly, but you may want him exorcised before forcing him into another plane.”
“Exorcised? And forcing him out of this world?” she stammered.
“Look, I don’t know if he’s a source of comfort, or what, but if you care about your brother, and you want him to find peace, you need to do both. The demon is fused with his soul. Forcing them into their own planes will resolve that, but he won’t be able to come back.”
He heard the sniffle. “Possessed? I wish I’d considered the possibility.”
“Was he like you? I only know he died at nineteen.”
“He wasn’t a crimson witch, but he was a strong medium.”
“I think he may have let the wrong being in.”
“After this mess, I—I may need help sending him on. Would you be so kind as to ensure he moves on?”
“Of course. Are you okay?”
A soft laugh escaped. “Yes. I will be. Honestly, thank you.”
“You’re welcome. I’ll see you this evening.”
* * * *
Later that night, Erik slammed his feet into his shoes and tied them.
Monique stepped in front him and waited until his eyes locked on hers. “Still worried about me going?”
“You don’t get it, Monique. It’s not that I think you can’t handle yourself. It’s that you were with Nigel, and I don’t trust that motherfucker not to do something heinous to you.”
“He’s not that big of an asshole,” she protested.
He snorted. “He’s planning to raise the dead to rip apart humans in front of other humans to make sure they freak and start a hunt for my type.”
She nodded. “You’re right. I hate it, but you’re right.”
“Which is why I want you here, safe, away from that asshole.”
“But Robert and Preston believe I can help.”
He stood up and looked down into her eyes. “I do too. Doesn’t mean I want you anywhere near that fucking piece of shit.”
“You didn’t think that about him before I mentioned I was with him.”
“Wait, hang on. I didn’t say that until after I learned he wanted to kill innocent people. It has nothing to do with being with you. I was willing to let that go. That may add to my anger, but that’s not the only reason I want to stop him.”
“Fine. Can we not fight? You’ve bailed me out of trouble more times than I care to recall. Let me do the same. It won’t happen all the time. But I need you to trust me as much as I trust you.”
“I’m trying.”
She leaned up and pressed her lips to his. “I love you, Erik.”
“Love you too. We should go, though.”
* * * *
A bold knock caught Consuela’s breath. She hurried to the door and found Declan’s smile and twinkling emerald green eyes. “You’re still here.”
“I am. Not meeting Robert at his home for another hour. Figured this way I could form the link to block anyone else from taking control.”
“May I step inside?”
She moved out of the way and motioned into the room. He stepped inside and closed the door.
“What do you need from me?” he asked.
Consuela stepped to him and covered his cheeks with her hands. His eyes darkened as he stared back and licked his lips. She felt the spark but held back the desire, afraid to spook someone still mourning the loss of his wife.
They had all the time in the world.
She whispered the words and filled him with some of her essence, blocking any other Deathcaller from calling him to them.
“When we’re done, I’ll release you.”
Concern entered his stare. “Did Victoria threaten you?”
She smiled slightly. “Doesn’t matter if she did. I planned to release you the moment we finish the mission.”
Before she could pull her hands away, he covered hers with his. “I like the way this feels.”
“But if I don’t sever the link, things can get intense between us. You’ll hear some of my thoughts, and I’ll hear some of yours. And I’ve learned that sometimes, especially when someone isn’t ready to move forward, it’s best to hang back and wait.”
“And how’s that working out for you?” he asked with a smirk.
She tipped her head. “Saved me from a few people who still aren’t ready to move forward.”
“And what if that person needs a little push?”
She licked her lips. “Let’s see how tonight goes. I have dark secrets that may come out.”
“I’m sure I’ve seen worse.”
“How?” she whispered.
He pulled her hands down to cover his chest. She felt hard muscle under the silky shirt. “The Dales held me for twenty years. I’ve seen far more than you can imagine.”
“And I’ve done despicable things.” And she didn’t regret half of them.
“So have I. For what I thought were the right reasons. Others because I was forced.” He shrugged. “Doesn’t matter. I’ve learned a lot since becoming a Shadowstalker. And my darkest deeds weren’t even done as a vampire.”
“I not only have command over the dead, but I feed off blood.”
He smiled slowly. “We have more in common. I’ll admit to visiting your dreams last night. I found it interesting I was already there.”
“What can I say? I’m intrigued.”
“As am I.” He lifted her hand and pressed a kiss to her palm. “Perhaps we should go now.”
She nodded slowly, wishing he’d suggested something else, but knowing that they needed a real conversation before delving into a relationship.
Releasing her, he stepped back. “I feel alive in a way I haven’t in so very long. The link is welcome.”
“Your wife, was she also a druid?”
He smiled. “Yes. Though not a Dreamwalker. I’m told Shadowstalkers don’t usually dream, but I’ve retained that aspect of my life. My magic, that’s gone, but I had been avoiding using it for decades. I don’t miss it like I thought I might.”
“The bond, Declan, the longer it stays in place, the more our connection grows. I don’t know if you had anything like that as a Dreamwalker.”
He nodded. “Moira was my Sleepwalker. I could reach her even while she was awake.”
“How long ago did she pass?”
“Forty years ago.” Declan smiled. “I’ve had time to let her go.”
“What happened?”
“A curse, but that’s a long story. She chose to let it take her. We were apart for the safety of our family, but it wasn’t enough to save her.” He caressed her face. “I don’t want to dwell there.”
“Perhaps tomorrow we can talk all night about anything but the past.”
“Sounds like a date.”