Haunt by Heather Hambel Curley

Author:Heather Hambel Curley [Curley, Heather Hambel]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-10-30T16:00:00+00:00

Seven

As darkness fell over Harpers Ferry, a malevolent feeling permeated the cold, damp air. I lit several oil lamps and candles to brighten the kitchen and, although it lit up the space, it did little to brighten my spirits. My body—my actual soul—was beyond fatigued. Something had woken up in the Ferry, something that was waiting just outside of my consciousness. It was different than a restless spirit or a lost soul. It scared me.

I took pride in not scaring easily. But this? It was different.

And then there was the vision. The watch had never done that before: I still didn’t know if what I saw was what was happening…or if what could happen if I didn’t stop it.

Whatever it was.

Emme was starting to doze on the floor, a frying pan, sage bundle, and knife in easy reach. She seemed to give a good example. I was ready to crawl into bed and forget what was going out outside, to wake up and the raid be over; the visions gone. The souls gone. At this point, I’d be satisfied to put my head on the table and close my eyes for just a moment…

Just as I started to drift off, I was jolted awake by the sound of footsteps heavily treading up the backstairs from the shop. Thomas.

He pressed his lips to my forehead and then slumped down in the chair next to me. “I’ll be the first to admit I’d fallen asleep when your brother came down for his shift.”

“I offered to keep you company.”

“I offered to ravish you.” He winked, his lips spreading into a sly smile. “An offer which, by the way, still stands.”

Emme cleared her throat loudly. “My sweet, virgin ears can’t hear such talk.”

I snorted.

Thomas shrugged and yawned, stretching his arms over his head. “Bent right over the counter—her suggestion.”

“Should have done it.” Emme stuck her tongue out at me and walked to the cookstove, pulling the lid off a stewpot. “Then you could stop talking about it.”

I ignored her, keeping my attention on Thomas. “What’s going on out there? I mean…how bad is it?”

“You don’t want to know.” He pulled my hand to his cheek and nuzzled my open palm. “People have taken to the streets. They’re hell bent on revenge now. I watched them drag one of the raiders to the railroad bridge and shoot him until he was cut to pieces. Miss Fouke was screaming for him to be given fair trial, but the mob got him first. Three are dead in the river.”

I grimaced. All the death—all the anger—in town was no doubt drawing souls back to consciousness. I didn’t want to think about it…but, at the same time, I had to be ready. “Are you hungry? I made soup earlier and we have some day old bread. Not the best meal, but it’s better than nothing.”

“You spoil me, sweet love.” He pressed his lips to my open palm. “Do you…ah…think you’ll have more trouble tonight? I mean, if Brown’s boy

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