Dying to Dream by Kathryn Long

Author:Kathryn Long [Long, Kathryn]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Mainly Murder Press
Published: 2013-05-19T00:00:00+00:00

Thirty-One

There is no ghost so difficult to lay as the ghost

of an injury.

--Alexander Smith

"Marin Seurat. I don't think you're listening to a word I say," Charlie scolded.

Marin blinked and then stared at Charlie. "What? When did you …?" She searched the room and noticed the familiar bed, vanity, armoire and Charlie. Only Charlie. She tried to clear her head, but fragments of Marguerite's ghostly shadow and the ghastly scene of Murielle's death told by Joshua pummeled her brain. She turned to glance out the window. She let out a long breath, relieved to see no overturned carriage in the drive.

"I was saying how these carvings in the wood are so beautiful and wondering if any of the furnishings belonged to the family. I also commented on how much the woman in this portrait reminded me of Tante Louise. See?" Charlie pointed to the painting on the wall.

Marin studied the images in the portrait. She immediately recognized one of the five people who possessed features similar to Marguerite’s. She gasped when a glance to the right revealed the tiny form of Murielle. Marin wouldn't have known what the woman looked like if it hadn't been for seeing her body after the accident.

"Doesn't she remind you of Tante Louise?" Charlie asked.

Marin ignored Charlie's question and came closer to examine the painting. When her eyes settled once more on Murielle, she drew in a sharp intake of breath. The dream had surely drained her more than she thought. Though her mind argued, Marin couldn't avoid the idea that the expression on Murielle's face had changed from a few seconds ago. The lips, pursed in a grimace, now smiled at her.

"Seriously, look at those beady eyes and the widow's peak in her hairline, just like Tante."

"Yes, I'd say she looks almost identical. Almost like her twin." Marin's voice trailed off into a whisper. Her experience continued to feel surreal. Any minute, she would wake up back in Saint Toulere, and everything about Marguerite, Murielle and Joshua would be erased. The thought of Joshua made her ask, "Did you happen to see a rather tall, good-looking man in here earlier? Dark brown eyes, dark hair, deep voice?"

Charlie laughed. "No, but let me know if you see him again. I want to meet him if he looks that good. What's the matter? You look like you've seen a ghost, no pun intended."

Marin suddenly felt overwhelmed. A cloying smell, sickeningly sweet, permeated her senses. She turned on her heel when another flash of black shadow moved into the corner of the room and caught her eye. She needed to leave and soon.

"You know, I think I've seen enough. Let's go find that lobster place you mentioned. I'm starved. Aren't you?" She grabbed Charlie's arm and pulled her out of the room.

"But aren't we going to visit the cemetery?" Charlie started.

"No need." Marin shook her head and tugged even harder on Charlie's arm.

At once the air cleared, and her heartbeat slowed to a rhythm of calm. She'd never been that affected by a spirit until now, and she didn't like it.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.