Page 15 of Deceiver


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“It says ‘not dead.’” Talon looks a little pale. “And ‘fix it.’”

“Fix what?”

She shrugs. “Your relationship, maybe. He’s got unfinished business for sure. He either doesn’t know or doesn’t accept that he’s dead.”

“He knows,” Mercy says. “He’s being stubborn.” She directs her gaze to the ceiling. “How will you fix it? You can tell Keagan.”

My fingers remain still.

“Is he gone?” Talon asks.

“No,” Mercy says. “Definitely still here. Let me try something.” She clears her throat. “Harold, if you answer us, we’ll leave. Just assure us you’re not here to hurt Keagan. Can you do that?”

A strange sensation washes over me, like when you feel you’re being watched, or there’s something hiding in the darkwaiting to catch you. I glance around the room, and while it looks ordinary, it feels like anything but.

Then the tugging returns to my fingers and the planchette moves to spell the wordNever.

“Never,” Talon whispers. “He’ll never hurt Keagan.” She puts her hand on my wrist. “That’s a good sign. I don’t sense any deception.”

“Same here,” Mercy says. “I think we’ve pushed as far as we can for today. I’m not sure he’ll answer your questions, but we can give it a few days and try again. Maybe with a little more time, he’ll respond better.”

I nod, even though I’m disappointed. “Thanks for this. At least we got somewhere.”

Talon nods. “He promises not to hurt you, but he came for something, so be careful.”

“I’m not scared of him.”

“Good, but that doesn’t mean you should trust him either. Spirits can be tricky.”

“I’ll remember that.”

Mercy blows out the candles and collects her crystals while Talon packs up her board. I hand the amethyst necklace back to Mercy.

“There’s a metaphysical store about three miles from here,” Mercy says. “You can get another crystal there just for some added spiritual protection.”

“Thanks.”

I walk them down the stairs and to the front door, and Talon offers me a slight smile. “I’ll call and check on you tomorrow, but if anything major comes up, feel free to call. Or maybe call Wilder.”

“I will.”

The two women leave, and as I watch them drive off, an idea comes to me. If my dad wants to talk to me, I could get my ownouija board. I’m not a medium, but if he knows how to use it, maybe we could communicate that way. It’s worth a shot.

If what Talon and Mercy said about him lying was true, I need to find out more. Why would he lie about it now when he’s dead?

I glance up the stairs, noting how quiet and peaceful it seems now. Could he have left? Part of me knows it would be a great thing if he did, but the part that needs to know the truth is a lot stronger.

Decision made, I grab my keys from the entry table and head outside. I’m getting a ouija board, and I hope that somehow I can make it work. This is my last chance to close the door on this mystery once and for all.

Chapter 5

Wilder

It isn’t often that I’m summoned to the Revival House for a meeting with Farnsworth, and for good reason. I’m such a seasoned Chaser that I don’t need check-ins. Something major must be up.

I close my eyes, focusing on Farnsworth, and in seconds I’m between the realms, my feet touching down in the house where I found my calling over two hundred years ago. He appears from the shadows, dressed in his ubiquitous 1960s era suit. He looks like a young Frank Sinatra, which I assume pleases him.

“You called?”