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CHAPTER THREE

I returned from my visit to The Corporation feeling disappointed by the lack of answers and unsettled by Posy’s warning—or threat—that everyone I loved would die if I didn’t stay in my lane. Her comment still had me quivering in my boots; I’d been relieved when they made good on their promise to let me leave. Best of all, I was able to pet the Lar’s dog again on the way out, which was the highlight of the day. He was such a good boy.

The same could be said for Kane. True to his word, the demon waited patiently for me at the crossroads. Josie and the soccer ball were nowhere to be seen, and Bert and Paulie had been replaced by Anna and Shoshanna. They were roasting marshmallows over an open fire in the clearing.

At the sight of me, Kane passed his stick to Shoshanna. He engulfed me in his arms and hugged me close. “Did they hurt you?”

“Only if you count the gunk they tried to pass off as hummus. The Greek in me is deeply offended.”

“Hungry?” Anna thrust a roasted marshmallow at me .

“I overdid the h’ors d’oeuvres, thanks.” Posy’s warning had sent me straight to the snack table.

Kane planted a welcome kiss on my lips. “Want to fill me in on the details?”

“Would you mind if we do it later? My head is ready to split open from all the social interaction.”

He kissed me again. “I’m just glad to see you in one piece. Shall I drive you home?”

“I’d rather walk, thank you. I need the fresh air and exercise.” Especially after the gluttony I indulged in. To the manor born, apparently.

I traipsed through the woods, mulling over the day’s events in Paradise. There’d been too many names and faces to commit to memory. No one mentioned knowing my parents except that one executive committee member. I wondered whether he’d spoken out of turn.

My head was still buzzing when I arrived at the front gate of the Castle to find Birdie parked outside the gate in her wheelchair.

“There you are,” the older woman chirped. “I was getting chilly, and I left my blanket at home.”

“This is a nice surprise.”

“I tried to get past the gate, but it was like rolling straight into a wall.”

“That would be my new ward. Sorry.” Some people had been granted automatic admittance, but Birdie wasn’t one of them.

She held up a small package. “The UPS man left this with me because he couldn’t get in either.”

“The ghosts must’ve dialed it up to full power while I was gone.” I opened the gate and held it for her. “They lean toward paranoia and despair.” Not that I blamed them. They knew where I was going and that there was a chance I wouldn’t return .

Birdie laughed as she rolled forward. “Normally, I’d agree with you, but they might be on to something. The crows brought me a gift this morning.” She stopped and held out a shiny object.

I glanced at the silver cufflink in her hand. “Should I recognize it?”

“No, but I do. It belongs to Lucifer.”

My chest tightened. “Are you sure?”

“Yes, it’s his mark on the cufflink.” She held it up for closer inspection.

I squinted. “Is that a star?”

She closed her fingers around the cufflink. “Not just any star. The morning star.”

I pushed her wheelchair across the bridge. “What do you think it means?”

“Hell is empty, and all the devils are here.”

I smiled. “Only one, but he’s more of a demon prince.”

Birdie shook her head. “Don’t you know your Shakespeare?”

“Pretty sure the Bard was speaking metaphorically. Where did the crow find it?”

“Somewhere in the woods of Fairhaven, that’s all I know.”

“If Lucifer came through the crossroads, the werewolves would’ve reported it.” And he certainly hadn’t come through today, while Kane was standing guard.

“He’s the supreme ruler of hell. If he wants to remain hidden, he can and will.”

I parked her in front of the porch steps. “Why come to me? Why not tell Kane?”

“Because Kane is currently preoccupied with protecting you. I need to tell somebody who will protect him .”

I couldn’t bring myself to look at her. “And you think I will?”

“I know you will. ”

“Why not Josie?” Josie would walk into a shower of bullets for Kane.

“Because nobody fights harder for a lover than someone who’s loved and lost before.”

“We don’t use the L-word.”

Birdie peered at me. “Love?”

“Lover. Kane is my inamorato and I’m his inamorata.”

She grunted. “Italian. I should’ve guessed. Demon or not, he’s a romantic at heart, bless him.”

I wasn’t. Like Birdie said, I’d lost too many loved ones to allow myself the luxury. “What would you like me to do?”

“Look out for Kane. If I’m right about the origin of this cufflink, then he’s in grave danger.”

I thought of Canto, the lesser demon that had found his way to the Devil’s Playground not too long ago. Josie had been angry that Kane had spared his life. She’d been worried that the demon would reveal Kane’s location to Lucifer’s minions, either willingly or under duress. The vampire had blamed me for Kane’s softness.

“Here, take it.” Birdie handed over the trinket. “You might be able to use it to track Lucifer or one of his demon buddies. Get one step ahead.”

I slipped the cufflink into my pocket. “Don’t you think we should tell Kane?” Now that my secret was out, I didn’t want to keep any more from him, especially not while we were trying to build a solid foundation to our relationship.

“You can tell him, but he’ll try to dismiss it like it’s no big deal.” She wagged a finger at me. “Promise me you’ll take this seriously no matter what he says.”

“I promise.” I trusted Birdie’s instincts. If she anticipated Hurricane Lucifer on the horizon, then I’d be sure to batten down the hatches.

I glanced at the two steps required to reach the front door. “I’m sorry my house isn’t wheelchair accessible. Ray and I can lift you up.”

“That’s okay. I wasn’t intending to stay. I only wanted to deliver this in person. I don’t trust phones during a time like this.”

“Do you need a ride home?”

“Nope.” She hooked a thumb over her shoulder. “I’ve got an adapted vehicle parked on the street. Don’t even need to transfer out of my wheelchair to drive.” She swiveled toward the bridge. “You should come by for dinner soon. I’ll make a nice pot roast with rosemary potatoes.”

“I’d like that.”

Ray and Nana Pratt swarmed me the moment I stepped onto the porch.

“What was it like?” Nana Pratt asked.

“Did they admit to killing your parents?” Ray’s question overlapped with hers.

“Slow down,” I said. “It’s been a long day. I need peace and quiet.”

Ray glanced at the road beyond the gate. “Doesn’t look like you’re gonna get it.”

I spotted Chief Elena Garcia’s official police vehicle parked alongside the curb. As she exited the SUV, my heart sank. Her grim expression told me I wouldn’t like what I was about to hear. I held my breath as she ambled toward us.

“‘Evening, Lorelei.”

“Good evening, Chief. End of a shift?”

“If only.” She peered up at me. “Before you know it, it’ll be time to blow up your inflatable swan.”

“The pump is ready.” Although it would be at least another six weeks before the weather would be warm enough to dip my feet in the moat. There was also the minor issue of my aunt Hestia’s summer solstice deadline to take over the underworld. A problem for Future Lorelei. Present Lorelei was mentally and physically exhausted.

“Mind if I come in? We need to talk.”

“Of course.”

“I don’t like the sound of that,” Nana Pratt said. “You haven’t done anything wrong, have you?”

I silenced her with a look, not that the chief could hear the ghost anyway. We entered the house where Ray had been busy staining slabs of wood for the new library.

The chief sniffed the air. “You might want to open a couple windows before the fumes get to you.”

“The downside of having ghosts do your handiwork,” I acknowledged. “No sense of smell.”

Without a word, Ray slid open a window.

The chief and I ventured into the kitchen, shadowed closely by Nana Pratt.

“Tea?” I offered.

“I’d like something stronger, but I’ve got a couple more hours before that’s an option.”

“Tea, it is,” I said.

“I’ll make it,” Nana Pratt said with gusto.

Chief Garcia pulled out a chair and sank into it.

“Do I even want to know?” I asked.

“No, but unfortunately, I have to tell you.”

My body went rigid. “Anybody I know?”

“Does the name Richard Horton mean anything to you?”

I shook my head. “What happened to him?”

“He’s alive, but I wouldn’t say he’s of sound mind and body. He was taken to Glenside earlier today.”

“What’s that?”

“A psychiatric hospital.”

I observed her carefully. “Okay, what does that have to do with me? ”

“He was convinced he was a werewolf. Thought he’d been transformed.”

“There’s no Richard Horton in the pack.”

“Oh, I know. I checked with West. This guy just believed he was. The neighbors found it amusing until he defecated on their front porch to mark his territory.”

Nana Pratt recoiled as she delivered a cup of tea to the table. “Is that how West does it?”

I shook my head.

“When we tried to approach him, he went berserk. Snapping his teeth and howling at us. We couldn’t calm him down. I had to tranquilize him like a wild animal.”

“That’s awful.”

“We thought it might’ve been triggered by ecstasy use. Lycanthropy is a rare side effect, but it’s been known to happen.”

“But there was no evidence of drugs in his system?”

“None. No history of mental illness. No family history either. This happened completely out of the blue.” She watched me expectantly.

“I’m sorry. I don’t know much about psychosis. Do you think it could be schizophrenia?”

“He’s forty years old. Well past the age where it typically develops.”

“Are you here because you think a supernatural was involved?”

“Based on the current evidence, or lack thereof, yes.” Her brown eyes remained fixed on me; it was the type of stare that would make even a hardened criminal squirm.

I flinched. “Wait, you think I’m the supernatural responsible?”

Nana Pratt gasped. “That’s ridiculous.”

“I know you take matters into your own hands sometimes. I’m wondering if Mr. Horton had been involved in some nefarious supernatural business and paid the price.”

“Of madness?” I tried not to be offended, but I was. I used that particular trait sparingly.

Chief Garcia held up her hands, palms out. “I’m not accusing you, Lorelei.”

“Sounds like you are.”

She lowered her hands. “I had to ask. This is new territory for me, as you’re well aware. There’s bound to be a learning curve.”

Her response didn’t assuage my hurt feelings. “I understand, but I thought you knew me better than to think I’d inflict insanity on someone as a form of punishment.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to insult you. I wouldn’t be doing my job if I didn’t investigate all the angles.”

“People have mental breakdowns all the time. There doesn’t need to be a supernatural in the mix.”

“I realize that, but like I said, the numbers didn’t add up. As far as I know, you’re the only one in town with the power to drive people crazy.”

“Has she met Ginny Halstrom?” Nana Pratt interjected. “The woman’s blathering could turn Einstein’s brain to jelly.”

I was too stuck on the chief’s accusation to fully appreciate Nana Pratt’s comment. “I get that the supernatural world is still new to you, Chief, but please don’t start to blame us for every bad thing that happens in Fairhaven. Humans carry a decent portion of that load.”

Her brown eyes radiated empathy. “I’m sorry, Lorelei, really. West told me I was barking up the wrong tree.”

“I’m surprised he would use that idiom.”

The chief gave me a vague smile. “Okay, that was my version of his response.” She drank her tea in two quick gulps. “Any word on that potion? ”

Resident witch Phaedra Bridger was currently in the process of crafting a potion that would give Chief Garcia and Officer Leo the Sight. It wouldn’t necessarily have helped in the Richard Horton situation, except for the fact that the chief would’ve known immediately he wasn’t an actual werewolf.

“Nothing she’s ready to test.”

“Let me know as soon as you hear anything. I’ll see myself out.”

I remained seated as she scraped back her chair and exited the house. I’d expected there to be a teething phase as she and Officer Leo adjusted to their new knowledge. What I hadn’t expected was for that knowledge to be used against me. I was beginning to regret my decision to enlighten them.

Ray appeared in the chief’s empty seat. “Are you okay?”

“Disappointed, but otherwise fine.”

“I don’t blame you,” Nana Pratt said. “It was downright offensive. It’s like she doesn’t know you at all.”

Ray glanced at the elderly ghost. “In a way, she doesn’t. The chief knew Lorelei Clay, the mysterious woman who bought the most expensive pile of blue stones in town. Now that she’s met Melinoe, she needs to recalibrate.”

“We all had to do that,” Nana Pratt sniffed.

“We aren’t all the chief of police,” Ray said. “Elena has a different mindset.” He squeezed my shoulder. “Cut the chief some slack. I’m sure her head is still spinning from having the curtain yanked back.”

Ray was right, as usual. I thought of all the information I’d learned in recent months. I’d already been privy to the supernatural realm, yet still my world had been tilted on its axis. I could only imagine how unsettled the chief was.

I’d give her time. I only hoped it would be enough .

That night I dreamed of a flowing river and a giant statue of Cerberus at its mouth. I didn’t recall a statue like that in the underworld and wondered whether Spedo had influenced my creative juices.

After a quick breakfast of granola and blueberries, I lingered at the table, examining Birdie’s special delivery. The cufflink wasn’t particularly memorable. I wouldn’t have identified it as a token of hell. I was glad the older woman had been vigilant enough to learn everything she could about Lucifer, which was far more than I’d done.

“What’s that hunk of junk?” Nana Pratt asked, startling me. She laughed. “Since when do you get rattled by ghosts?”

“I was concentrating on this.” I motioned to the cufflink.

“Why? Are you trying to levitate it or something?”

“I wish it were that simple.” I explained the situation.

“Ray,” Nana Pratt called. “Get in here. Lorelei has a project for you.”

Ray glided into the kitchen, clutching a two-by-four. “I’m already in the middle of a project, or have you forgotten the library?”

“This is urgent.” Nana Pratt jerked a finger at the trinket. “This thing came from h-e-l-l.”

“One of Birdie’s crows found it. She thinks it’s a sign that Lucifer has discovered Kane’s whereabouts.”

Nana Pratt squinted at the shiny cufflink. “And dressed for the reunion?”

Ray’s face grew contemplative. “What do you think?”

“I think Birdie is a helluva lot smarter than I am, so I’m inclined to listen. She wants me to keep an eye on Kane.”

“You have enough to worry about,” Nana Pratt said. “Kane is a grown demon who can take care of himself.” There was an unspoken harrumph at the end of her declaration.

The cufflink hovered in the air as Ray studied it. “What makes her so sure? ”

I pointed to the faint symbol etched in the metal. “That’s his, according to Birdie. Lucifer Morningstar.”

Ray pulled a face. “I don’t know how she could see that. It’s nearly worn away.”

“One of her crows brought it to her. She knew it had to be important enough to keep looking until she understood. She thinks I might be able to use this to track him.”

“You’re not a witch,” Nana Pratt said.

“No, but it would be a simple spell for Phaedra.” And it was in the town’s best interest to know if Lucifer himself was on Fairhaven soil. The mere prospect of it made me shudder.

A familiar image shimmered in front of me. “Alicia’s here.”

“Why isn’t she in school at this hour?”

“It’s Saturday, Ingrid,” Ray reminded her. “I’ll get the door.”

I lowered the ward to let the teenager pass through the gate. Then I stuffed the cufflink in my pocket. I couldn’t be too careful when it came to Alicia. The teenager had a knack for pilfering things from my kitchen.

Alicia entered the kitchen and swung her backpack onto a chair at the table. “Hey, Ghost Lady.”

“Hey, Alicia. You brought your backpack?”

“I’m going to my friend’s house after this. We’re making our own graphic novel.”

“Sounds cool. How was school this week?”

“Mid. Is Grampa here?”

“Of course. He let you in.” I pointed to the doorway where Ray now hovered, eager for an update on his granddaughter’s life.

Alicia pivoted to face him. “Big news. My dad’s in town. He’s staying with us this week.”

“Is that so?” Ray rubbed his jawline. “That’s an interesting development. ”

“If your dad is visiting, then why are you here instead of at home?” I asked. Alicia’s parents were separated; she lived with her mother in Fairhaven, and her father lived and worked in San Francisco.

“Because he’s working remotely while he’s here and he warned me that he had an important conference today.”

“It’s Saturday,” Nana Pratt objected. “What about her mother?”

Ray’s expression soured. “Renee works more hours than the Hudson Tunnel. She and Hakeem are both workaholics, which didn’t help their marital issues.”

Alicia sniffed the air. “Do I smell midmorning snacks?”

I couldn’t help but smile. “Salty or sweet?”

“I’m in a salty mood.”

“Always,” Ray said.

I retrieved a bag of pretzels from the pantry and poured some into a bowl. “Iced tea?” I asked, setting the bowl on the table.

“Water’s good.”

“Please,” Ray and Nana Pratt added in unison, not that Alicia could hear them.

“How are you feeling about your dad’s visit?” I asked, as I filled a glass with water and brought it to the table.

“Surprised. It seemed like it came out of nowhere. I didn’t even know they were speaking to each other.”

“How are he and your mom handling being under the same roof?” I sat next to her at the table and listened to her crunch on pretzels.

“Weirdly fine. They’re on their best behavior, I guess for my benefit. Mom’s at work most of the time anyway, so it isn’t like they’re stuck together in the same room all day.”

“Ask Alicia about her grades,” Ray said. “Tell her she needs to buckle down. ”

I gave him a pointed look that said, gee, I wonder where Renee gets it .

“Ask her,” Ray urged. “The year will be over before we know it.”

I sighed. “Ray wants an update on your grades.”

She rolled her eyes at the empty air. “I’ll make the Honor Roll, Grampa. No big deal.”

“Ask her if her parents are sleeping in the same bedroom?” Nana Pratt asked.

Ray and I aimed our gazes at her. “What kind of question is that?” he demanded.

Nana Pratt shrugged. “What? We’re all thinking it.”

“I wasn’t,” I said. It was none of my business.

“It’ll confuse the girl,” Nana Pratt said, flicking a finger at Alicia.

“My grandbaby’s hard to confuse,” Ray said. “She takes after my side of the family.”

Alicia housed half a bag of pretzels and downed two glasses of water during her visit. By the time she left for her friend’s house, Ray was practically dancing a jig.

“What’s gotten into you?” Nana Pratt asked. “You see her every week.”

“I know, but Hakeem’s visit can only mean one thing—they’ve decided to reconcile.”

Nana Pratt and I looked at each other. “It could be that he wanted to spend time with his daughter,” I told him.

“Then he’d be staying in a hotel. The fact that he’s staying in the house is huge. I wish Renee would come by and talk to me.”

“Sounds like Renee barely has time to talk to her living daughter,” Nana Pratt groused. “I don’t see her making time to come here.”

Ray appeared unfazed by her remark. “Renee has always been a hard worker. Alicia is the same. ”

“Says the ghost building me a library,” I said. Even in the afterlife, Ray didn’t know how to slow down.

“I have no problem taking a break,” Ray said. “Let me know if you want me to do anything with that cufflink.”

I burst into laughter. “I’ve got it covered. Go outside and get in touch with nature. I’ll see you two later. I’m going to get changed and drive over to see Kane before the club gets busy.”

It was Saturday, which meant the clientele would start arriving around noon and stay until the wee hours of the morning. The conversation I wanted to have with him required privacy. To be fair, everything I wanted to do with him required privacy, but there were more urgent matters than my base desires. If Birdie was right and the cufflink belonged to Lucifer, we had far more pressing problems than my standoffs with Aunt Hestia and The Corporation.