Total pages in book: 67
Estimated words: 62923 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 315(@200wpm)___ 252(@250wpm)___ 210(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 62923 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 315(@200wpm)___ 252(@250wpm)___ 210(@300wpm)
Once upon the small porch, Ryder knocked softly on the colorful front door. His hand held Remi’s a bit tighter as they waited. Nothing. No noise inside the house. No moving curtains. Nothing. Ryder pulled out his ‘cop knock’ and banged on the door hard enough to cause it to rattle. “Open the door, Mary! I know you’re in there!”
“How do you know she’s there?” Remi whispered.
“I don’t; that’s just what cops always say.”
“You’re weird.”
“Maybe.”
Suddenly, a small window on the front door slid open and Mary’s face appeared. She frowned as soon as her eyes landed on Remi. “What a surprise; he’s back. With questions, I presume?”
“Open the damn door, lady! You owe him that much,” Ryder roared in frustration.
Her eyes narrowed. “I don’t owe him anything. He and his friends were here to make fun of my work. I don’t appreciate being laughed at. Perhaps if he apologized, I would consider speaking with him again.”
Ryder didn’t like the idea of Remi apologizing when he’d done nothing wrong. An idea crossed his mind and he answered Mary with, “Perhaps we should just contact Gertie and let her know how you’re treating a friend of her grandson, Jeremy.” Surely a voodoo priestess trumped somebody referred to as Mystic Mary?
“How do you know Gertie?” Mary asked, her expression looking anything but surprised.
“Friend,” Ryder replied sharply.
“Then why aren’t you with her right now?” Her brow arched. “Why waste your time with a charlatan like me?” The sarcasm dripped off her voice to the point that Ryder wanted to burst through the door and demand she help Remi.
“Because the answers start with you. We’ll see Gertie this afternoon. She’s expecting us,” Remi finally spoke up. “You remember me, right? You fucked with my life and then laughed about it? How about you give me a few minutes of your precious time? You know, for old time’s sake.”
Remi’s voice was just as sarcastic, and it made Ryder proud. His lover had some spunk, and Ryder feared he was going to need it.
“I’m calling Gertie first,” Mary said and then slid the small opening closed again, before either man could argue with her.
Remi opened his mouth and then snapped it shut again. “What a bitch. Are you serious?” He turned to give Ryder a worried look. “Does Gertie really know we’re coming, or did you make that up to try and scare her?”
“Gertie’s expecting us. Jeremy’s already called. She’s looking forward to meeting you.” Ryder leaned down and gave Remi a quick peck on his pouty lips. “You’re so damn sexy when you get riled up. Hell, you’re sexy all the time.”
“Stop trying to distract me; it isn’t going to work. I’m terrified right now.” He gave Ryder a serious look. “Something happened that night, Ryder. I literally felt something enter my body. When they finally woke me up and we walked out the same door, I knew I was a different person. I…I don’t want to be that person anymore. I kinda like the old me much better.”
“Lucky for me, I like both,” Ryder quipped. “It’ll get better, Remi. If we can’t find an answer to make this go away, we’ll learn ways for you to control it, instead of the other way around.”
The door suddenly flung open and Mary stood there, a much friendlier smile on her face. “My apologies, gentlemen. One can never be too careful in our world.” She waved her arm for them to step inside. “Welcome to my home again, Remington.” Her eyes drifted to Ryder and she gave him a very thorough once-over. “I assume you’re here on a more personal level.” Her eyes twinkled as she added, “And you don’t have to be psychic to see that.”
Remi’s steps faltered when he stepped across the threshold of Mary’s home, but Ryder quickly wrapped an arm around him to offer support.
“There’s nothing here to fear, young one. My house is always cleansed. You’ll be perfectly safe within this structure.”
Pale blue eyes glared at Mary. “Really? I didn’t feel so damn safe the last time I visited. If my memory serves me correctly, I passed out and had convulsions on your living room floor…or did you forget that part?”
“Feisty,” Mary said. “That’s good. I believe it will come in handy.” Once again, she waved her hand for them to follow her into what she referred to as her reading room. “Follow me, darlings. Let’s see what information I can glean from Remi’s soul.”
Ryder nor Remi liked the sound of that.
“And, just for the record, Remi, you were always completely safe that night. It was merely the first time you’d encountered a spirit requesting that you use your gift to help them. The spirit meant you no harm. She was merely pleading for peace.” She placed two chairs around her round table and said, “Have a seat.” She walked around to the other side of the table and sat down in her own chair, which resembled some sort of ancient throne.