| |
Paul was at work and I was showered, prepped and ready for the day when Frankie and Darla arrived. Ivy was making her own breakfast.
“Were you up with the sun?” Ivy asked.
“More or less. We have a golem now,” I said.
“A who? That creepy sniveling thing from the long boring Hobbit movie?” she asked.
“No. I mean, it sounds the same but it’s not the same thing at all. It’s a big mud Hulk that Paul made with people he won’t tell me about,” I said.
“Paul made a man? Maybe he can make me one,” Ivy teased.
“I don’t think it’s anatomically correct. Honestly, I don’t want to know. It’s out in the garden hiding during the day. It’s supposed to help protect the house,” I said.
“Awww, that’s nice. Weird but nice.” Ivy frowned.
“I already talked to Greg today. He sounds good. He’s okay with the golem if we can find out who made it. Really, Paul doesn’t have the supernatural levels. That’s dark magic,” I worried.
Ivy put her coffee mug down hard. “De, you’re supposed to keep this stuff away from Greg. He doesn’t need the stress or the temptation to get involved.”
“I know, I didn’t want him here to see it. I just wanted to know what he knew about them. He’s still a resource. He worked with Gran for so long, it’s a terrible waste if he lost all of that knowledge. You know he wants to help still. He should write a book,” I said.
Ivy sighed. “That’s a good suggestion but we need to avoid involving him with this stuff.”
“I know and I’ll try, but he’s never going to avoid it completely. It’s New Orleans—everything is haunted. He’s going to have to learn how to deal with it without getting himself involved. He’s our friend and it’s not like he’s addicted to the paranormal. He got involved with a bad person. The Church didn’t deal with it properly. Paul is setting Greg up with a therapist and we’ll all support him,” I replied.
“But the baby and your safety come first?” Ivy asked.
“Said the woman who is interviewing nannies before I’m in the third trimester,” I shot back. “Yes, in a scenario a baby or a child’s life takes priority—if that wasn’t de facto clear in the world of right and wrong.”
“Fine. Go finish working with Frankie and Darla. But at lunch I want to see this golem.” Ivy opened the back door to let the houseboy in.
I went to the staircase and peeked in the small room beneath. Frankie and Darla had been doing great. The angels sorted things out and Death had assigned an underling to trap the freed souls.
Frankie looked tired. “All done here.”
“You’re sure?” I asked.
Darla nodded. “The objects are cleansed, not haunted anymore. We can get the Bartons in to buy them if you’d like. I’ve worked with them before when buying homes after a death—they buy estates and everything. Very reputable and New Orleans natives, so they understand things may be haunted or may have been used in a certain ritual. The Bartons treat them accordingly and don’t take chances. I’d feel safest if we went with them, if you want to get the stuff out of the mansion.”
“Sure, set it up whenever. Thanks.” I hugged Frankie. “You okay?”
“Good. Tired. Yanking demons is tricky. The angels are giving me a boost, I think,” he said.
“It took me a lot longer to get to the demon yanking place. I believed I needed Greg or another priest to assist. I’m glad you’re learning faster.” I might’ve felt a tad jealous of his progress, but my game had upped seriously around the time Eddie was in trouble. Oscars seemed to rise to necessity.
“We should grab lunch,” Darla said.
“Okay, I wanted to show you guys something in the back garden after we eat,” I said.
“Well, I have a house showing at one so maybe we can do that first?” Darla asked.
“Is it like a flower or stone path or something?” Frankie asked.
“I think Frankie should rest. He doesn’t need to be at the showing, right?” I asked Darla.
“No, but he’ll recover. Food and a little non-para work will be good.” Darla smiled.
“Let’s look now.” Frankie shrugged it all off.
“Okay.” I led the way through the kitchen.
Ivy was busy making smoothies and warming leftover pasta.
“Let’s go out back now,” I said.
Ivy nodded and turned off the oven.
I felt like I was leading an expedition to the North Pole.
We went into the thick of the gardens. “Come out.”
The golem stepped into view and I felt the ground shake a bit. I must’ve been too tired to register that before. He was massive, so it made sense. Hopefully no one mistook him for an earthquake.
“That looks like a mud Hulk all right. What the heck?” Frankie asked.
“Paul made it. It’ll protect the property. I wanted you to know he’s here, just in case. He won’t hurt anyone who isn’t out to hurt me, Paul, or the baby.” I shrugged.
Darla inched back a bit. “He’s very large.”
I nodded. “I know. But the angels can move around when we need them. This is like the security cameras. Focused on the house.”
“That’s pretty awesome and scary at the same time,” Frankie added.
“Paul made this?” Ivy asked.
“Not alone, no way, but at least he’s making an effort to use his powers. To control his supernatural side. It’s not as natural for him but it’s good that he’s strengthening his grip. I just wish he would tell me who helped him and that they’d consulted me before they did this,” I replied.
Darla nodded. “That’s good. Do we need to introduce ourselves?”
The golem stared at Darla more than me or Ivy, which felt a bit odd. Part of me wanted to just get rid of it. The risks seemed to outweigh the benefits, but Paul had gone to all this trouble and I wanted to encourage him to take control and be involved in the supernatural since being with me left him no choice.
“No, I think he’s pretty limited in his understanding. Like a zombie or something. Be careful and I’d stay out of the gardens, let him roam.” I smiled up at the golem. “You can go back now.”
The golem crept back into the shadow of the deep gardens.
“Lunch?” I asked.
Ivy nodded. “That’s so weird.”
I shrugged. “What’s normal around here?”
Ivy laughed. Darla and Frankie whispered amongst themselves. They were learning but the hardest part to understand was that you’d never know it all.
After lunch, everyone left and I napped in bed. The cat seemed content now that I kept the shades closed. Every time Tish saw the golem, she hissed. Now she napped with me instead of staring out the window.
I woke naturally but a text from Greg caught my eye. He wanted to know when and where we were meeting for dinner. Everyone was invited.
I’d totally forgotten we were all going out for dinner at Ivy’s insistence with no clue of the reason behind it. I wasn’t objecting to a nice variety of food when I was going to put on weight anyway. I made an executive decision that involved steak and seafood options. I texted him and everyone once I’d made a reservation.
Without dinner to prep, I wandered down the hall. The baby’s room was cleared out for painting, but nothing had been moved in. We hadn’t picked a theme or anything. It was too early yet. I felt way too old for a baby shower and I didn’t have a massive network of friends or family to attend anyway.
I found myself at the attic access point. The dropdown staircase was just above that ceiling panel.
I could feel the demons mocking me, challenging me, and wanting to hurt me. I had some stubborn ghosts up there, too. Dead people refusing to cross over simply because they knew they’d most likely end up in hell.
The panel rattled a bit. They knew we’d be coming for them.
“Death!” I called.
A tall tan surfer showed up in nothing but a Speedo bathing suit. “We had a new arrangement.”
“Sorry, Death.” I smirked. “But I thought maybe you’d want to take a run at the souls in the attic. Give them a chance to go before things get ugly with the demons.”
The panel shook again.
“Damn, that’s a lot of energy.” Death shook his long hair. “I guess it’ll help things along.”
“Be careful. Don’t let anything loose,” I warned.
“Are there any angels around?” he asked.
I nodded and the angels assembled as a backup to protect against escapees.
Death vanished and I heard loud bangs and knocks coming from the attic.
The angel wings came out and things were getting serious. I stepped back farther from the access area. The ceiling felt dark and seemed to shake all along the hallway.
“Seven,” Amy announced.
“Seven ghosts removed?” I asked.
“Seven ghosts refuse to leave. The demons remain as well. It’s all that is safe to do for now.” Amy nodded and the angels dispersed.
Death reappeared in my hall—this time as a woman in Victorian garb.
I grinned but said nothing about the outfit. “Get a lot out?”
“A few dozen. They know about the objects and decided to get it over with. Some refused. They fought. The demons, they’re playing their game. They know they’ll never win but they try to fight tooth and nail. Is that all?”
“Yes, thank you. I just thought it might be worth doing while the house is quiet,” I said.
Death curtsied, of all things, and vanished.
I ignored the rattling of the ceiling and checked the time. Heading back to my bedroom, I needed to get ready for dinner.
At the restaurant, I sat between Paul and Greg. Ivy was on the other side of Greg and I felt like I was in trouble.
Greg leaned over toward me and Paul. “A golem?”
“No, no supernatural talk,” Ivy insisted.
Matt and Gunner shared a look. Frankie and Darla did, too.
Then I realized there was a seat for one more person.
“Did they give us an extra place?” I asked.
Greg shook his head at me.
I half-expected Mary Lou to walk up, but she’d gone so deep into her own charity work that I’d be shocked if she made time for a dinner out of the blue. She was more likely to notice the golem and drop in for coffee.
As we ordered drinks and checked out the menu, Brody approached the table.
Ivy turned deep red under her mahogany skin and contoured makeup and smiled. “You all remember Brody.”
We all said hi and greeted him like nothing had happened.
I gave Greg a look and he smiled. Ivy’s attention was consumed with chatting with Brody, Matt, and Gunner.
“Did you invite Brody?” I asked.
“No, she did. She’s been nervous and talking about him. Hopefully, it works this time. No Eli around to screw it up,” Greg said.
“I hope.” I nodded.
“Now tell me about this golem,” Greg said softly.
Paul and Greg chatted about the creation.
I looked across the table and Frankie was listening intently. Darla and I shared an eyeroll. Men liked the idea of making something. I just wanted to control the bad guys.
After we’d ordered our food and had our drinks, Greg tapped his glass. “I just wanted to say thanks to everyone here. I know I won’t be fighting with you the same way but I’m not behind bars or in a psych ward. I can help people and rebuild my life. We’re never alone with friends. Thank you!”
We applauded and drank, me just water, but I could eat steak, a baked potato, and have room for a massive hot fudge sundae. The baby couldn’t live on smoothies.
“Tomorrow we’ll tackle the attic,” Darla said softly.
“That attic. Wow, I remember when your Gran started storing spirits up there. Some are really dangerous and have personal vendettas,” Greg replied.
Ivy nudged her cousin. “You’re supposed to stay out of that.”
Greg smiled at Ivy. “I can help with the history. The truth and my memories aren’t dangerous.”
“Who is the biggest threat in the attic?” I asked.