Page 69 of Evil Hearts

Chapter 6

I enter the town library with a light heart for the first time in years. The test went so well. Now I just have to do something about the damn ghost in my house. I contacted some of my aunt’s friends and asked around about someone who could help me.

I got lucky and someone said the librarian in town knows how to handle stubborn ghosts that refuse to leave. I called her and she suggested I come out and she can give me some tips on how best to go about handling this thing. She didn’t have a lot of time to talk yesterday, so I didn’t have time to tell her how strong this thing really is.

The library is two stories and houses everything you can think of. There is a section for computer usage, a section for reading comfortably, and a little kids’ section in the far corner. This place is far bigger than I remember when I was a child.

There is a petite woman waiting behind the counter. Her hair is thrown into a messy bun and her glasses sit sideways on her nose. She looks like she could use one hell of a long vacation somewhere.

“Hi. My name is Lila Evans. I think we spoke on the phone.”

“You are correct. I’m Fiona. I hear you have somewhat of a ghost issue you need to solve. Tell me a little about it.”

“It’s a woman. She is stronger than I’ve ever seen a ghost. She can touch and bruise the body.”

“Oh, dear. Did she hurt you?”

“A little. At first I thought it didn’t want me in the house, but now I think it may have just been trying to grab my attention. It doesn’t have a feeling of malice in it. It feels familiar almost. I’m not sure how to describe it.”

“Sounds like you have an anchor in the house somewhere. Perhaps your aunt brought something home with her from one of her trips. The best thing you can do is find the anchor. When you do, there is a spell I can give you that will help release the spirit’s hold. Only then will it even be possible for it to move on. Until then, strange things will continue in the home.”

“Is there a way to find the anchor other than just searching the entire house and hoping I guess what it is?”

“That’s the kicker. Ghosts that are attached to an anchor won’t let you get close without a fight. Find the one place the ghost fights the hardest to protect and you will find it in that room. As for knowing if it’s the right thing, you will know. There is a particular energy that surrounds the anchor and the ghost will be very unpleasant.”

Fiona hands me a slip of paper with a spell on it. I glance over it before stuffing it in my pocket.

“Thank you so much for all your help. Hopefully, this doesn’t take forever to fix. I’d like a nice night of sleep.”

“Good luck. Some ghosts are stubborn as hell.”

I wave as I retreat out the way I’d come. Stepping into the cool air outside, I walk down the sidewalk and find myself lost in thought, letting my feet take me where they want.

Before I know it, I’m pushing a door opening and a bell is chiming above me, bringing me out of my head. I look around and the coffee shop with its warm interior and great smelling coffees greets me. My eyes find hers without even trying. Cat.

She’s behind the bar and serving an older couple. I can’t help the gravitational pull toward her as I fall in line. I should head home to take care of this damn ghost, but here I am fawning over the girl behind the counter.

I wait my turn in line and when I get to her, I nearly freeze again. Recovering far quicker than last time, I utter the only word that comes to mind.

“Hi.”

I want to pinch myself and fix my absolute awkwardness, but instead, I just stand there with a smile on my face and a bug eyed appearance.

“Hi, yourself. Want me to get you the same thing I made the other day?”

“Sure. If you don’t mind.”

She rings it up, and I pay for my drink. Moving over to the side as she moves around to make it for me.

“Are you ready for tonight?” She asks me over her shoulder.

“Yes. I’m looking forward to it. It’s been a pretty great day so far, actually. I’m hoping that continues.”

She smiles over her shoulder and then turns back to add some foam to the top of my cup. Dropping sprinkles of cinnamon on top of the foam in a quick shake. Turning to me, she hands me the cup and I take it. Our hands touch and she lingers her grip before releasing and letting me take it.

“I’m sure we can make sure that tonight is puuurrfect.”

She practically purrs the word, and I know my face is heating like a red tomato. I take a sip of my drink as I try to hide behind the large amount of foam on the top. She turns back to her counter to take the next order and I know I should move on and take care of my ghost problem so I can get ready for our date.

“I’ll let you get back to work. Tonight at seven?”

“Tonight at seven. I’ll be there.”

I can’t help the smile that stays on my face as I leave the shop and walk toward my car parked at the end of the street. Today has been one hell of a day and I can’t wait for our date tonight. Now if only I can get this damn ghost out of my house.

I search the house, moving room to room to find the damn anchor. So far I’ve searched all the lower half and moved on to the bedroom and then the office upstairs. Still nothing. Not even the ghost has made their appearance known while I’ve searched.

It’s almost like they have just disappeared. Like the ghost just decided to leave the house and me alone now. Which is so fucking weird. I search until I swear I’m pouring sweat in places I didn’t know I could sweat and I’m covered in ten thousand layers of dust and grime.

I’m so tired and I didn’t even find what I was looking for. Not once did I spot the ghost or did the temperature change, no matter where I was in the house. Giving up for tonight, I head for the shower to get ready for my date.

This is the first date I’ve been on in a while, so nervous doesn’t begin to describe my feelings. I turn the shower on and strip while it’s warming up. I have to hurry because it’s already six and I’m supposed to meet her at seven.

I shower off, my mind lost on the ghost and the anchor that’s somewhere in this house. I swear I’ve searched every single room and not once did anything change or did some strange energy just appear.

I hurry through the motions of showering and then climb out to towel off. Where could it be hiding? Am I missing something?

I drop the towel on the counter and head into the bedroom to find the dress I’d laid out earlier. It’s a deep purple and has little charms hanging in strategic places. I love this dress, much like all my other dresses. They give me the power to be confident in myself as a witch, but also to show that I’m not afraid to just be me.

I know it’s just a dress, but it’s how I’ve always felt about them. Looking back, it’s most likely a trauma response from my mother’s bullshit. Either way, a beautiful dress and a gorgeous woman at my side tonight. A perfect way to end my evening.

I dress quickly and throw on some makeup and brush my hair. I pull it up in a half up do and leave it alone. Nothing too dressy, but still pretty. The phone rings and I rush over to where it sits on my nightstand.

“Hello,” I answer without looking at who it is.

“Lila Evans. This is Wendy. Your Witch’s License has been approved. Congratulations. Come by next week to obtain the official paperwork. Have a good evening.”

The call clicks, ending, and I stare at the phone in my hand for several minutes. Shock fills me with a sense of impossibility.

“I did it. I got my license. Take that mother!”

I spin around and squeal with delight. Fucking finally. This day is the best day ever. Holy shit. I glance at the clock, and with ten minutes to spare, I rush from the room.

If I don’t get out of here, I will be late for my date. My mood couldn’t be brought down by anything tonight. Not even that damn ghost.