Open-Haunted-House Page 7

  Hannah held up the image that she had found during her search. “I believe that you are Sable Winter. You disappeared over seven years ago, and your employer contacted law enforcement. They opened a case on you, but your body was never found. We are here to correct that.”

  The ghost stared at the image, and she reached out to touch it. “Braids. I had a weave.”

  Hannah nodded. “You did. They used a ritual to create a path to finding a demon gateway. We think your blood was used to strip away protective magic to put others in danger.”

  “Was anyone hurt?”

  Nylki stepped forward. “That is what we need to discover. To trace the actions backward and forward, we need to find your bones. When we have them, we can remove you from here and put you in a place that suits your liking.”

  The energy being cocked her head. “Anywhere?”

  Imara smiled. “Once we have your bones, you will be able to regain your manifestation, and then, we can discuss where you would like to be interred. Regaining over fifty percent of the bones will also help your memories.”

  “In that case, I welcome your help. What can I do?”

  Nylki smiled. “I need to taste your blood, so I need to know the best part of the wall to get a paint and plaster sample.”

  The ghost paused. “You have to remove a piece?”

  “Yes. My tracking talent works by taste. I can’t find you unless I taste you. Has the house been repainted?”

  Sable paused. “Twice. They thought a fresh coat of paint would get rid of me.”

  “So, I am going to have to dig.” Nylki reached into her jeans and pull out a knife. “Where would you like it?”

  Sable paused and walked through the building. Nylki trailed after her. There was an audible yelp at one point, and Nylki came back to the room with a grimace and nodded. “I have blood. A lot of it.”

  The woman had a handful of paint and bits of wood.

  Sable was rubbing at one hand. “They spilled in that corner. It’s the baseboard.”

  Nylki nodded. “Sorry, but now, it’s over. I have what I need to find you.”

  Sable perked up. “Do you?”

  Nylki dragged in a deep breath. “I do. I just need to get outside to take a breath and get changed.”

  Hannah blinked. “Changed?”

  Nylki nodded. “Yeah, you will see.”

  Imara murmured, “Can you do any long-range tracking?”

  “Um, sure. When I take it in, it will boost the signal. I guess I could direct you guys in the car.”

  Imara smiled. “Good. I don’t want you to stress yourself until you have to.”

  Nylki nodded. “Right then, back to the car and straight down the street. I will try and give you as much notice as I can.”

  Sable’s energy signature looked hopeful. “You will be back?”

  Imara nodded. “We will be back. Hopefully, with your body.”

  Hannah nodded. “Keep calm, Sable. We have found your name; now, we just need to find you. Trickier but apparently possible.”

  Sable wrapped her arms around herself. “I hope so. I just want to know who I was.”

  Hannah walked up to her and put a hand on the glowing form’s shoulder. “I know. Give some thought to the type of place you would like as a final resting place.”

  Sable nodded. “I will give it some thought.”

  “Hang in there.” Hannah nodded, and they left the home, got in the car, and began a slow drive that had a few false turns before ending up at a familiar spot.

  “Of course. Why wouldn’t it be here?”

  Hannah started keying in the code that would let her into the Grunwald mansion. She hoped that the Ar-Thuat brothers were wearing pants.

  Chapter Ten

  Nylki mentioned, “It’s around back.”

  Hannah nodded. “Okay. I know just where to park.”

  She drove down the groundskeeper’s track and pulled up against the shed where the lawnmower and other small vehicles were stowed.

  Hannah sent Neekil a text, and he sent her a smiley face in return. She had no idea what that little smiling face meant.

  Nylki stepped out and lifted her head. “The dark elves are here.”

  “Hopefully, inside the building.”

  Nylki seemed to shrink inside herself. “I really hope they stay there. I am not really good around men.”

  “Is that because of what you are?”

  Nylki walked toward the trees, and she kicked off her shoes and stripped out of her jeans. “You could say that. The more I am me, the less they are them. I pull them into me. It is hard to explain. I just don’t want to hurt anyone anymore.”

  Her legs were covered in a gold legging, and as she pulled off her sweatshirt, a soft gold gown settled and rested around her.

  Nylki retrieved the painted splinters from her jeans pocket and slipped them into a pouch on the slim rope belt that kept her dress in place. When she turned, her back was bare.

  “Right. I am not going to talk when I start flying. It gets a little awkward for those who hear me. So, just speak to me, and I will nod or shake my head. If you can arrange to feed me, that would be great, too. I eat every six hours or so.”

  She stretched and smiled. “Okay, so I am in this for the long haul. Once you have what you need, stop me, or I will continue until I have all of her.”

  Hannah and Imara nodded. “We understand.”

  Hannah stopped breathing when Nylki nodded and her huge rainbow wings sprouted. Instead of butterfly wings, she had huge eagle wings patterned with the markings of a blue morpho butterfly. Her muddy blonde hair turned into a vivid gold, and she put one of the splinters in her mouth. The golden eyes went completely black, and she launched skyward.

  Hannah whispered. “That is... unexpected.”

  Imara smiled. “The first time I saw her, I ended up on my ass. She’s an incredible accident that turned into something wonderful.”

  “Accident?”

  “It was her father that was the child of Psyche; her mother was a harpy. She was given to her father to raise after she was born. He already had Kuron, so he raised her. She has an affinity for carrion that is undeniable.”

  Hannah nodded. “You stay here; I will go find a receptacle in the house. I think there were some copper basins.”

  “Good. I will keep an eye out. The close bones will be the easiest to find.” Imara kept her gaze toward the sky.

  Hannah nodded. “Right. Back in a minute.”

  She headed for the entrance to the kitchen garden. She pulled her wards and picked the lock.

  She moved as silently as she could, stifling a scream when arms grabbed her from behind, and a kiss was pressed to her neck.

  She turned and faced Neekil. “When did you get here?”

  He grinned. “A minute ago. I caught your scent and found you engaged in some light breaking and entering. Entering by magic is illegal, you know.”

  She yelped as he set her on the kitchen counter and stepped between her thighs, his hands on her back and hips pulled her into him. The thudding of footfalls let her know that they weren’t alone. She pulled him down for a kiss that made his hands clench against her, and she pulled back, stroking his cheek. “Sorry, babe. I am working.”

  He smiled. “Are you sure?”

  He ran his hand up and down her back and pressed his lips to her neck.

  She heard the soft flap of wings. She groaned and threaded her fingers through his hair. “I really wish I wasn’t, but Sable needs to know herself, and I need to help the process. We need to find as much of her body as we can.”

  Krisfel murmured, “We can help. We can find the body.”

  Hannah twisted in Neekil’s arms. “Can you? The bones are over seven years old.”

  The brothers were wearing sweats or shorts. Morith nodded. “We can find most of the stuff in the immediate area.”

  She frowned. “Nylki doesn’t want to be
too close to you. She has issues with men and attraction. She doesn’t want to hurt you.”

  Benko snorted. “As if she could.”

  Neekil whispered in her ear. “What is she?”

  She whispered the answer, and he straightened. “You are serious?”

  “I am.”

  “Oh, this I have got to see.”

  He stepped back and helped her back to her feet. She grabbed the copper basin, and they headed outside.

  Imara saw the entourage, and she grimaced. “Nylki won’t be happy.”

  Hannah sighed. “These guys have signed up for it. They don’t think she’s a threat.”

  Imara grinned. “Folks don’t think Mr. E is a threat, but then, he flashes those teeth, and they know he isn’t. Then, he eats them.”

  Hannah set the copper basin down, lifted the two hip bones, and put them carefully in the embrace of the container. Sable was coming together.

  The dark elves gathered. Morith asked, “Can we smell it?”

  Hannah lifted the basin, and they all leaned in, one by one. They inhaled and tasted the bone. Their eyes glowed, and one by one, they disappeared into the woods. Neekil winked before he launched himself into the shadows.

  Nylki flew back to them, and they accepted the bones from her. Leg bones. Hannah looked up at her and said, “The dark elves are also searching for the bones. There are five of them. You can bat around the other ones, but the one in the t-shirt and jeans is mine.”

  Nylki put her hand over her face, cleared her expression, and nodded. She returned to the search, but she aimed far further afield.

  With six folk who were good at finding bones in the woods beyond, the basin filled up quickly. Hannah placed an order for several sandwich platters, including some vegan options, just in case Nylki ate vegetables only. If not, Hannah could use a break from the standard takeout she had been consuming. The deli was used to extranaturals and always did a really good job with the portions.

  Hannah couldn’t do what they were doing, but she could keep them fed and hydrated.

  Neekil brought back pieces of Sable’s hand, and he made her pay for his offering with a kiss.

  Imara smirked. “Fair trade. Hand for mouth.”

  Neekil chuckled and slipped back into the woods.

  Hannah got the food delivery and set out a meal in the back yard, using some furniture that she got from one of the old coach houses behind the mansion. She set out tables, chairs and cleaned them all as they waited for the hunters to emerge from the woods and the sky.

  Neekil walked up to her and said, “We have found all we can for now.”

  Imara said, “Two hundred and four.”

  Nylki landed and put two tiny finger bones into the bowl. She retracted her wings and wrapped her arms around herself as she walked toward Hannah. “We got her all. The grounds are warded so that even the carrion eaters didn’t take her further. Whatever needs to be done can be done.”

  Imara smiled, and she pulled out her phone. “I am not much for the skills required to determine what happened to her, but I know someone who might just be.”

  Neekil wrapped his arms around Hannah. “Who are you calling?”

  Imara smiled slightly. “Hello, Benny? What are you doing this afternoon before you go on shift?”

  Hannah chuckled and guided Nylki to the table where she was sitting at one end with no one next to her.

  Krisfel was staring. “Your other form is very beautiful, Nylki. The structure of your wings is fascinating.”

  She took a sandwich and started nibbling. “Thank you.”

  “So, child of Psyche and a harpy?”

  She looked at Krisfel in surprise. “They told you?”

  “No. Hannah told Neekil, but he didn’t tell us. I have just seen the result before.”

  Nylki blinked. “You have? Where?”

  “Hundreds of years ago. There was a confusion of gods and monsters fighting over artifacts created in a wave. Many mixed and mingled in unusual ways that resulted in new extranaturals. Many of those new creations were hunted and destroyed, but the children of Psyche invariably made beautiful offspring no matter the partner.”

  The brothers were all listening intently.

  Hannah looked to Neekil. “How old are you precisely?”

  He smiled and poured some lemonade. “Here you go.”

  His brothers laughed, and she gave him a dark glare. “I am going to get an answer eventually.”

  He held out a strawberry from the fruit platter. “Eventually can be a long time away.”

  She very precisely used her teeth on the fruit. He finished it with a smile.

  Nylki blinked. “You guys aren’t spilling.”

  Hannah swallowed. “What?”

  “Spilling lust. Usually, there is a lot of messy spill-over when I am around.”

  Hannah smiled and explained, “I am fascinated by him, he is fascinated by me, and his brothers are just trying to figure out modern women, so they are taking notes.”

  Imara raised a hand. “I am a little turned on.”

  The group laughed. Even Nylki smiled. She looked less nervous than she had a few minutes earlier.

  When Benny showed up, they were all chatting about plans for the upcoming fall season and the details of running a cat café.

  Benny smiled at Hannah. “You are looking like you are settling in.”

  Hannah nodded. “There was no choice. So, I am adapting to my situation.”

  Benny’s three companions—mates—arrived with her, the vampire’s eyes were concealed behind wraparound lenses.

  “If anyone is hungry, we have plenty. Well, we have enough.” Hannah smiled.

  The shifter and elf moved toward the table. Benny caught the sandwich she was thrown.

  The vampire smiled. “I just ate.”

  Benny grinned. “Sorry, Imara. You called during his lunch.”

  Imara snorted. “Fine. Well, Hannah, if you could help me do the explanation of who Sable was?”

  “Sure.” Hannah got up and finished the pickle she was crunching. She wiped her fingers on a napkin and swallowed as she took the file.

  She explained what they knew, and then, she added, “She was last seen on Thursday and reported on the following Tuesday after she missed work.”

  Benny frowned. “This feels familiar. Were there any marks on her?”

  Hannah shrugged. “The bones were just found today. No one ever looked for her here. Frankly, I don’t know if anyone actually really looked for her at all.”

  Benny crouched next to the bones and cupped a large piece of skull. “Aw, sweetie, what did they do to you?”

  Hannah asked softly. “Can you find out?”

  Benny nodded, and she reached into a bag that she was wearing across her body. “Yeah, I can. This would be easier at night, but I think that time is a factor here.”

  She marked out a circle around her and the basin. Hannah stepped back.

  Benny looked at the dark elves. “Can you throw me some shadows?”

  The brothers stood close together, and shadows crept out of them and wrapped around the rest of those gathered.

  Benny smiled. “Thanks.”

  She sprinkled a liquid across the bones, and her lips moved swiftly, going faster and faster until the bones began to rise. The bones aligned, and the skeleton was completed.

  Benny whispered, “Show us.”

  The image of Sable’s face centered over her skull. She started whispering, and her eyes opened.

  Those gathered as her arms were obviously pulled out to the sides, and a brand was pressed to her forehead. After that, her legs were tied together, and she was swung upside-down. Hannah covered her mouth as Sable’s throat was cut, and the blood was dripped into a basin that was similar to the one that the bones had been in.

  The blood was removed, the body was raised up, and it was offered to the sky. Birds began to arrive, and the flapping wings
covered her body.

  Hannah watched the rapid escalation until there was nothing left. The stand collapsed, and the bones were carried off by scurrying mammals.

  The overlaid images faded, and Benny sighed as the bones collected in the basin. “Damn it.”

  Hannah asked, “What is the problem?”

  Benny turned, and there were tears in her acid green eyes. “My great grandmother put a hit of sorts out on me. My mother had done something stupid when I was an infant, and as a result, women who had shared the nursery with me were murdered. We only managed to rescue one. This spell was the shopping list to find us all. I should have known that it was blood magic. Damn it.”

  Benny leaned over the bones and kissed the forehead. “Rest, Sable Winter.”

  Hannah said, “Can I have her?”

  Benny frowned. “Her bones are demon marked. I need to cleanse them. I mean, I know the mark and the demon is dead, but the energy is still permeating the bones.”

  Hannah whispered, “Leave it. Let me ask her what she wants to do.”

  Benny paused. “Are you sure? If I deal with her bones now, she will simply be released.”

  “I want her to have that choice. She already had her life taken from her; we have no claim on her afterlife.”

  Benny smiled. “Good call. If you need help dealing with her after you speak to her, you have my number.”

  Benny dismissed the circle and handed Hannah the bones. “Take care of them. They were scattered, but now, they are dangerous. Demon-cursed objects are deadly in the wrong hands.”

  Hannah blinked. “Oh. Right. I will be careful.”

  The gathering began to disperse, well, Benny and her guys went to destroy the remains of the lunch, Nylki was looking nervous, and Imara was speaking to her quietly until Krisfel walked up to stand next to her. Nylki visibly relaxed and looked at Krisfel in surprise.

  Hannah smiled and looked at Neekil. “I think I should get these back to Sable.”

  Imara nodded. “We will come along. I am pretty good at moving souls around. Well, this explains a few things.”

  Benko stepped forward. “I am coming along. I will offer her a memorial. I can carve anything.”

  Neekil looked at him and then nodded slowly. “Very well. If she wishes a resting place, you are one of the best for the lifelike details.”