Wherever She Goes (Psychic Seasons, ReGina Welling [novels to improve english TXT] 📗

just such an occurrence because that’s how he managed to navigate his way to the living world, by pulling extra strength from the light. With his grudge against my family and his blood connection to Logan, he picked exactly the right time and place.”

Kat was confused. “Pulling strength from the light?”

“Earthwalkers are spirits who deliberately turn from the light. Technically, I am one as is Estelle.”

His words shocked Kat.

“But you two are not evil.” This much she knew without question.

“Only because our intentions were good and as long as we stick to those intentions, we’ll be fine. Over time, the temptation to meddle enough to alter someone’s free will gets stronger and even our intentions might not be protection enough. Most spirits never make it that long. They see reason after a generation or two and find their way back to the light. Other never wanted the light to begin with and few, like Billy, find a human host and at that point, they are beyond redemption.”

The concept was a lot to digest. Kat needed time to ponder the implications but Julius had another bombshell to drop.

“Billy is intentionally killing Logan from the inside and unless the earthwalker leaves willingly or is forced into the void before it is too late, Logan’s soul will be ripped away.”

How could Julius be telling her these things? Until now, he had been prevented by what he called “the powers that be” from giving out any of this kind of information. Something had obviously changed. There was more to the story, she was sure of it.

“Tell me the rest.”

Picking up where Julius left off, Estelle continued, “When Julie used the first key, she set in motion certain events. Whether she finds the final key or not, Julius and I can only stay until the equinox. At that point, if we have helped resolve the situation we caused, we will become guardian angels.” Estelle closed her eyes and took the ghostly equivalent of a deep breath.

A chill settled over Kat; one that even raised a few goosebumps on Zack’s arms. “And if the situation has not been resolved? What happens then?”

“Our fate becomes bound to Billy’s”

“What does that mean?”

“We will be tasked with carrying him forcefully into the void where our own souls will be lost forever.”

For a moment, Kat could not speak; her brain was reluctant to process such dire information. Estelle’s revelation was so shocking that no response seemed adequate.

She looked over at Zack who sat back in his chair, arms crossed, face blank and unreadable. At any other time, she would have made an attempt to soothe him but not today. He was a big boy; he could take care of himself.

When he finally spoke, Kat got her second shock of the day.

“This Billy, the earthwalker, or whatever—” he shook his head, “what happens to Ellis if you take him to the void.” He might as well have made air quotes considering the emphasis he gave the word.

It was Julius who spoke, his voice subdued, “If there is anything of Ellis left by then, he will live. Otherwise…”

“Then we need a plan.” Zack pulled out his phone, activated the note-taking app, and began to grill Julius for every bit of information the ghost could provide before Julius’ energy level dropped too low for him to stay visible. There was no way he was letting Ellis slide off into some void without paying for his crimes.

Gesturing for Estelle to follow her, Kat went to the kitchen to make coffee. Perfectly dark roasted beans whirled in the grinder and perfumed the air with their earthy scent. Kat inhaled gratefully, the way this day was shaping up, she would need the boost of caffeine. She may not have known Zack for years but there was no mistaking his determination—before this night was over, he would have a plan. He’d probably have a few choice words for his sister, Kat, and the rest of the group for keeping so many secrets, too.

Easily the largest room in the house, the kitchen sprawled across the entire rear third of the first floor. Hand crafted cabinets coated with layer after layer of white paint stretched to the high ceiling; any little chip revealing age like the rings of a tree. Above the sink, a jalousie window faced the small back yard. Kat hadn’t seen the area in so long, she had no idea whether any of the shrubs currently hibernating under a liberal coating of snow would flower in the spring.

Almost everything in the room belonged to another era. Kat’s grandmother, the original Madame Zephyr, would have recognized everything in the room except for the gleaming, triple-priming, stainless steel espresso machine that looked like it would be more at home in the Jetson’s kitchen.

Now that her sight had returned for good, Kat thought she might make some changes to the decor. Maybe add some items of her own choosing to personalize the space more.

Once the hissing machine had dispensed its fragrant nectar, Kat turned to Estelle who had remained uncharacteristically quiet. “How is it that Julius is suddenly so free with the information?”

Estelle shrugged and tried to pull off a bit of nonchalance but Kat wasn’t having any of it.

“Time is running out and with the circle complete…”

“You mean Zack?” Kat did not need to see Estelle’s nod, she already knew he would be integral to their success. “How is it you’ve never mentioned this circle thing before? I mean, Julius had no way of knowing it would be Julie who was going to be finding his lost valuables when he created the hiding places and their keys.”

“No, he didn’t. Galmadriel set the parameters for the circle once Billy came into the picture. The way I understand it, she cannot influence Logan or any of the rest of you directly because that would interfere with your free will. But, she can work within an if-then scenario to enhance the chance for success.”

Kat thought she caught a glimmer of