Page 119 of The Curse of Redwood

“The ghost tour,” I said, sighing. “Should be the last night they do it.”

“We should wait until they leave, then head out.”

“Yeah.” I stood up, careful not to walk in front of the windows where they could see me, and walked toward an arched doorway to the left.

“Where are you going?”

“Just…” My throat constricted and my eyes burned. “Just give me a moment to myself, okay?”

“Okay. Take your time.”

I maneuvered down the twists and turns of the corridor, running my fingertips along the wall. The darkness no longer scared me. Every bad, twisted thing had fled when the curse broke, along with all the good. I thought I was doing a great job of holding myself together, until I turned the corner and walked into Zeke’s library.

Books were scattered all over the tables, piled in the corner, and lined every shelf. I walked through the room before going over to the table where he kept his favorites. The spines were worn from the countless re-reads. I spottedDracula,Frankenstein, and J.M Barrie’sPeter Pan. I smiled at that one and picked it up, flipping through it.

One book was missing.

And I knew exactly where to find it.

I left the library and found my way back to the foyer. Callum had everything packed and was sitting on the floor against the wall with his eyes closed. Poor guy would probably sleep for days once he got home. The woman’s voice from the ghost tour was still sounding outside. She was telling them about the hauntings now and how no one ever lived in the mansion for long.

I continued up the stairs and to the second floor. My sternum ached, and that ache shot through the rest of me, spreading to the tips of my fingers and to the top of my head. I felt heavy and slow. It was a profound sadness that made it hard to keep walking. All I wanted to do was curl up into a ball and forget about the world for a while.

But I forced myself to keep going.

Reaching Zeke’s bedroom, I pushed open the door and stepped inside. My eyes had adjusted to the darkness, and I was able to see the tangled sheets where we’d spent the morning kissing and fucking. Strange how it already felt like a lifetime ago. I lay on the bed and pressed my face into his pillow. Roses drifted to my nose, and I whimpered with another soft cry.

“You’re gone, but I still feel you here,” I said, before expelling a shuddering breath.

It took a while to pull myself together, but I eventually got off the bed and studied the room one last time. Though my heart continued to break, I smiled at the memories I had there—the first night I’d woken up in the bed after William scared me and I passed out, the first time I slept over, and how Zeke would hold me in his arms all the nights after that as I fell asleep.

Before I left, I grabbed the worn copy ofDr. Jekyll and Mr. Hydeoff the nightstand and held it to my chest. It was the one thing I’d take with me.

Once reaching the staircase, I walked down to the entrance hall. Whispered voices reached my ears before abruptly quieting once I reached the last step to the ground level. My heart beat quicker.

“Callum?” I asked.

“I’m here.” He stood from the floor and walked over, slinging his bag over his shoulder.

“Were you talking a second ago?”

“Only to myself,” he answered. “The tour is gone now. It should be clear to leave.”

I headed for the door but stopped when I realized he wasn’t walking with me.

“You go ahead,” he said, nodding to me. “I’d like to sage the mansion before I go, just to cleanse it of any leftover negative energy.”

I was too tired to question him about it. “Okay. I’m sure I’ll see you again soon. Taylor will probably drag me into your shop before too long.”

“More than likely,” he said, before pressing his lips into a thin line. “You should go home and get some rest.”

“Not gonna argue with you there.” I opened the front door and stepped onto the porch. I wanted to turn around and look at the mansion once more, but I couldn’t. I didn’t want the last thing I saw to be an empty room where Zeke used to be. I wanted to remember it as it once was.

I barely recalled the drive home. It was like I was on autopilot. I didn’t even bother taking off my clothes before plopping into bed, still holding Zeke’s book to my chest.

“I love you,” I whispered, before closing my eyes and imagining him staring back at me. He’d smile and touch my jaw before kissing me goodnight.

My lips tingled at the memory.