Total pages in book: 76
Estimated words: 71312 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 357(@200wpm)___ 285(@250wpm)___ 238(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 71312 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 357(@200wpm)___ 285(@250wpm)___ 238(@300wpm)
“Or I could do this,” I say and twirl my hand in front of me. “And unlock it with magic.”
Keith’s eyes light up. “Yes, please.”
Smiling, we go up the porch and I take a second to look at the lock. It’s a standard, modern deadbolt and I put my hand on it, imagining someone inside turning it back and letting us in. Just a second later, it unlocks, and I open the door, stepping inside. Light from behind us spills in, and I reach into my pocket for my phone. With all the windows boarded up, it’s dark in here.
“The power is on,” Keith says and comes in behind me, reaching for a light switch. “Not all rooms have ceiling lights, though. We think someone stole them.”
“Nice,” I say sarcastically and step in a little more so we can close the door. Suddenly, the energy shifts and I can tell immediately that something doesn’t want me here. It’s not because I’m a medium and will be able to easily find them. It’s because I’m a witch.
Chapter
Nine
The door slowly creaks shut behind us, and I blink, adjusting my eyes to the dark. Keith turns on another light and shuffles close to me.
“It’s rough, but we did have an inspector come to make sure it’s safe to be in here,” Keith tells me. “And it is, as long as we stay out of the basement.”
“What’s in the basement?” I ask, already imagining skeletons in the closets. Literally.
“Radon. It’s common in this area, if you didn’t know, and it’s a pretty easy fix. Someone is coming out next week to put in a mitigation system so it’ll be safe to go down there.”
“Oh, well, that’s good you guys got it checked out.”
He nods. “The previous owners got all the asbestos and black mold taken care of. But this is pretty much where they left off.” He sweeps his hand out in front of me and I turn, taking in the full grandeur of what this place once was. We entered into a foyer that still has a lot of the original woodwork, but a wall has been put up, blocking the view of the rest of the house. I’m guessing it was to divide this place up into apartments.
Another wall to our left has been knocked down, leaving dark marks on the hardwood floor. This room will have a gorgeous view of the apple trees along the driveway once all is said and done. Carpet has been rolled back, revealing what I’m going to assume are the original hardwood floors. I shine my phone light around the room and step in, trying not to think about anything in particular so I can pick up on whatever is lingering here.
“You’re going to die when you see the library,” Keith tells me.
“Ohhh, where is it?” I turn around, pointing my light on the ground.
“Back of the house. And I don’t mean like die of excitement. I mean part of your soul will die when you see what they’ve done to it.”
“Now I’m scared.”
“You should be. Whatever happened in this house, destroying that place is one of the biggest crimes that happened here.”
As soon as he’s done talking, something knocks against a wall. Keith jumps, grabbing my arm.
“Oh shit. What was that?”
“It came from upstairs?” I question, looking at Hunter. He heard it too, and he’s picking up on the same things I am. He wants to go investigate and will take the lead, checking for vengeful spirits as well as weak floorboards. “Yeah, good idea.”
“What’s a good idea?” Keith tightens his hold on me.
“Finding the source of that noise.” Hunter tips his head, picking up on something else. “Well, in a minute. Hunter said someone just pulled down the driveway. Probably your aunt?”
Keith lets out a breath and drops his hand from my arm. “I’ll check.”
Together, we go back onto the porch and wait for Keith’s aunt to park her truck and get out.
“Hey, Aunt Lauren!” Keith calls with a wave.
“Hey!” she calls back. Like Keith, she’s tall with dark hair and brown eyes.
“Your aunt is gorgeous,” I can’t help but note, watching her walk across the path and up to the porch. She’s wearing a teal athletic set, looking like she stepped out of a fitness Instagram post, only she has no reason to filter or edit her photos.
“She is,” Keith says with a smile. “She really turned her life around. Three years ago, she was living with an abusive prick who was draining her bank accounts. She drank a lot and put on a ton of weight. Once she finally kicked him to the curb, she got back into yoga and now teaches classes a few times a week at the gym in PV in between her shifts at the hospital in Thorne Hill. We’re really proud of her, but don’t tell her I said that.”