I gave him a short nod and showed myself out. When my mother saw the amount of money taken out of my trust fund, she was going to be apoplectic. But that was the thing about immortality.
We always had time to make more and keep accruing that interest. After thousands of years, it added up more than handsomely.
I slid into my truck, started it up, and headed over to the local bank to make a massive withdrawal. Although I was terrified, I was also excited to see my friend. But I also dreaded it. He had no idea he'd left behind a pregnant wife, and I was sure he'd be furious about it. There was nothing he could do, but I hoped he appreciated what I was trying to do for them both.
I walkedout of the bank with a massive cashier's check in my hand and a feeling of dread. On one hand, this was the right thing to do. Sikesshouldknow his wife was pregnant. And I needed his advice desperately. He also knew how to slip out of trouble, though I wasn't sure he'd ever faced this kind of trouble before. This could get both me and his wife killed.
I'd heard pretty incredible things about Helen's talent, so I was hopeful about the odds of us having a good conversation. When I pulled out of the bank parking lot, a weight felt like it had been lifted off my shoulders.
As soon as I pulled into Helen's long driveway, my phone chimed with a text. As soon as I saw who it was from, a slow grin formed on my face.
I still think you're a jerk. I just wanted to remind you. I'm deleting your number from my phone. I wish you wonderful luck in your jerkiness.
I responded quickly.
And I think you're still a giant shrew with poor taste in clothing.
As soon asI got out of the truck, I slid the phone in my pocket, still smiling.
Helen openedthe door before I'd even knocked and wiggled her hand in a gimme motion. I placed the check in her hands and pretended not to notice I could tell exactly how her scent changed and her heart rate picked up. She gave me a curious glance.
"You really want to see him, don't you?"
I nodded. There was no reason to lie about it. "He was my best friend. And I need his advice. What I'm doing right now is dangerous for everyone."
Helen, to her credit, didn't disagree or try to argue against what I was doing. I assumed it was because I'd basically paid her enough money to ensure she could roll around in it like Scrooge McDuck. But maybe because she was also a decent person.
She took me out to her backyard where a gazebo and massive slab of concrete rested. She'd placed candles all around the slab and lit something in a bowl that looked like herbs. "Do you have anything of his I can use to focus his spirit?" she asked. "I won't be able to obtain his body without going through a lot of red tape, but I can summon his spirit here. It just might take a little longer."
I slid the chain holding one of his dog tags from my neck but hesitated before giving it to her.
Helen's expression softened. "I promise you it won't come to any harm. I just need to use it to focus on. It helps when the token is personal, which I can assume this is."
My throat was closed, so I nodded, trying to keep my emotion at bay. I dropped the chain into her hand.
She motioned behind her. "Go have a seat away from the ritual area. I ask all customers to keep their back turned while I perform the summoning. It may take a little bit before he is able to communicate with you. Do you understand?"
I nodded and made my way over to the gazebo.
What feltlike forever and a day later, Helen called me over to the slab. I stiffened, suddenly scared out of my wits. What in the world was I doing? I shook my hands out, took a deep breath, and headed down the steps, only to halt mid-step when I saw a shimmering image of my best friend sitting on the slab.
"Sikes?" I breathed.
He turned his head to me and a wide, familiar grin broke onto his face. "Marsh! Holy shit, brother! You're looking well." A grimace replaced the grin. "Alive, I mean." He held up his semi-transparent hand. "I, on the other hand, look like I need some Vitamin D."
I laughed, though I wanted to cry, and hurried over to the slab, only to feel Helen's hand on my arm. "Do not reach into the slab area and break the focus," she warned. "Things will go bad in a hurry."
I swallowed hard and nodded, instead choosing to take a seat right in front of him.
"I have news," I said.
Sikes nodded. "I know you do. Marissa. How is she?" he whispered. "And the baby?"
My eyes widened, although I shouldn't have been surprised. "The baby seems to be well." I licked my lips. "That is what I'm here to talk to you about."
"You have to take care of her, Lucas. You promised."
I shut my eyes for a moment. "I'm well aware of what I promised. But she is pregnant with what our kinds consider to be an abomination."
