Page 111 of The Curse of Redwood

He didn’t respond. He didn’t have to. We both knew the truth.

By the time we left the costume shop, it was three o’clock. Only a few more hours before we had to prepare for the night. My phone buzzed in my back pocket, and I fished it out to see who was calling.

“What’s up, Rich?”

“Nothing much,” he answered. “Just got off work. We miss you at the store, man. I hope you’re enjoying your time off. You come back on Monday, don’t ya?”

“Yep. And I’m doing okay.” I stepped closer to Zeke as he slid an arm behind my back. “How are you and Danielle?”

“We’re good. I’m damn crazy about that girl. T told me you gotta man now. When do I get to meet him?”

“Taylor’s awful about running his mouth,” I said, scoffing. “Not sure when you’ll get to meet him. Hopefully soon.” I knew he never would. Just another one of those impossible things.

“Awesome. You got plans tonight?” Rich asked. “Danielle and I are goin’ to a Halloween party. You’re free to join us if ya want.”

“I have plans already,” I said, and instantly felt the defense sigil tingle. The magic was weakening. “Thanks for the invite, though. We’ll hang another time.”

“Okay, man. Cool. Talk to you later.”

“Later.” I disconnected the call and slipped my phone back in my pocket. My energy had tanked all of a sudden. A dizzy spell hit, and I stumbled in step and bumped into Zeke.

“Easy there.” He gripped my upper arms to keep me steady and peered down at me. “Are you well?”

“Don’t know what came over me,” I said, shaking my head as I tried to clear it of the grogginess. I smiled at his concerned expression. “I’m fine.”

“Do not lie to me.” He gripped my chin. “You need to rest. It’s the mark, isn’t it?”

“Probably.” I let him guide me over to a bench on the sidewalk, then I cuddled up next to him once we were seated. “Callum said it would happen once the mark started to fade. Philip is waking from his sedated state.”

“The wrathful spirit,” Zeke said, putting his arm around me. “The evil inside you isn’t Philip. Not anymore.”

“Are you trying to convince me of that or you?”

His jaw tightened. “Both.”

We sat on the bench for a while, watching people as they walked by. Then, we had an early dinner at a nearby restaurant, even though I was too nervous to eat much. I ordered a house salad and munched on breadsticks while Zeke had bourbon styled grilled chicken and shrimp over rice. The waitress flirted with him each time she came to our table, obviously not picking up on the fact that we were a couple.

The next time she walked up, Zeke reached over and grabbed my hand as he asked for a refill on his water.

I stifled a laugh at her shocked expression. And damn if it didn’t make me feel awesome to have him be so bold in his affection for me. He wanted the world to know he was mine. And I washis… in body and soul.

After dinner, we stopped by the bakery and got two boxes of assorted pastries and donuts, along with a bag of chocolate fudge.

As we drove to Redwood, I glanced at the clock. It was almost six p.m. The sun had mostly set, and the darkness didn’t help the chill in my bones.

“Whatever happens tonight,” Zeke said, reaching over and grabbing my hand. “Remember I’m with you.”

“There’s a chance the ritual won’t work.” I pulled into my usual spot near the shrubs and turned to him in the seat. “Callum said Philip—er, the ghost—will be at his strongest tonight. He might be too powerful to banish. And then he’ll…” I couldn’t say the words out loud. Especially when I saw the look on Zeke’s face.

“Itwillwork,” he said. “Anything else is unacceptable.”

We walked around to the front of the mansion instead of going to the back, and the gates opened for us. The sight of the dark mansion looming in front of me didn’t scare me like it once had.

Redwood felt like home. The living, breathing house that had once terrified me beyond comprehension had become a place where I felt at peace.

With our arms full of goodies for the kids, we walked up the steps and opened the front door. Once we were inside, I placed the boxes on the side table in the entryway while Zeke called for the children. Steps sounded on the hardwood floor before William and Rose appeared in the entrance hall, closely followed by several other little kids I’d seen but hadn’t really spoken to before.

“Oh, thank you, Mr. Warren and Mr. Warren’s sir!” William exclaimed, before leading the charge toward the table. He grabbed a chocolate donut with sprinkles and devoured it in three bites. Quite impressive for such a small body.