Southern Rites by Stuart Jaffe

Author:Stuart Jaffe [Jaffe, Stuart]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: paranormal mystery, ghosts, witches, magic
Publisher: Stuart Jaffe
Published: 2016-09-26T06:00:00+00:00

Chapter 15

Against the dark backdrop of the ceiling, Max saw stars. Lots of them. Little sparkles and swirls. His hand dangled over the chasm of the orchestra pit and his stomach throbbed where he had been struck.

Edward’s black shoes gently clicked against the wood stage, then the wood plank, and finally stopped on the top of the movable stairs. He squatted so that Max could see him, albeit upside-down.

With his elbows resting on his knees, Edward said, “Sorry about that, but I didn’t think you’d listen to me otherwise.”

“Oh, sure.” Max groaned as he sat up. “This is the perfect way to get me to listen. I really care about what you want to say now.”

Edward brushed his pants. With a self-deprecating laugh, he walked back to the stage. “I admit that I can be too forceful at times. It’s part of the baggage that comes with my family. We’ve been held back so often in our lives, had to struggle for each step forward, that we often see a fight when none exists. Still, if you’ll be honest, I don’t think you would have sat and talked with me had I simply greeted you.”

“Probably not.” Max started to stand, but Edward put out his hand. Max curled his lips. “I see. The forceful bit isn’t over yet.”

“That’s up to you.”

Max doubted that. Guys like Edward Wallace acted more like politicians — saying one thing while visibly doing another. He would stop being forceful only when it suited him. Apparently, that would be after he said whatever he wanted to say.

Max’s eyes widened. “This was all a set up. There’s no skeleton here. Was Chester Stanton even with the Regulators?”

“I don’t talk with the dead, so I can’t help you there. That part was arranged by my ancient grandmother, Abagail. But yes, there is no skeleton here. Not that it would matter. I already have all three bones. You can’t stop what is coming.”

Max leaned over on his elbow. It relieved some of the pain radiating from his stomach, but doing so also opened his legs up. Now, all he had to do was wait for an opportunity.

“Wait,” he said, making a bigger show of thinking. “You said you don’t talk with the dead. Isn’t Abagail dead? I mean when you say she’s ancient, we’re talking about a couple centuries.”

Despite the pale ghost lamp, Edward’s eyes shined. “Abagail Wallace birthed this family line and gave us the strength and gifts to build something of greatness. Not all of us speak with the dead, but some always do. Those individuals are our conduit to dear Abagail.”

Max smacked his forehead. “Oh, man, you guys are trying to resurrect her. Look, I’ve been through this before with the Hulls. Trust me. It’s not a good idea.”

“The Hulls are charlatans compared to Abagail. And no, we are not trying to resurrect her. She is content in the Other and strong enough to resist moving on. At least, she resists until I have fulfilled our family’s destiny to rule the magic community here.

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