Both of them nodded. “Okay, give me your hands. Mark, ask your grandmother how she feels. Edie, you answer him. Wait until I squeeze your hand.”
Mia closed her eyes and linked with both grandmother and grandson. She squeezed Edie’s hand. Mia felt something akin to sinus pressure but didn’t hear anything in her mind. She waited until Mark lessened his grip before opening her eyes. “Did anything happen?”
Mark and Edie had tears rolling down their cheeks.
“I’m sorry, did it hurt?”
“No, you marvelous girl,” Edie scolded. “I heard him.”
“I heard her. How is this possible?”
“Ted would say that I’m a USB chord between two devices. I’m thinking that maybe we can arrange a time when your mother is back and see if I can help you to hear your father. But, Mark, I have to warn you. He’s been locked-in for some time. He may ask you to do something that you aren’t going to want to do.”
Edie looked at Mia and nodded. “Go ahead, tell him.”
“Mark, some people who are in the physical state your father is in, want to die. They see death as their only escape.”
Mark nodded but didn’t say anything.
“In the meantime, I’ll have Ted look at this. Between him and a doctor friend of ours, perhaps they can make this machine better and cheaper.”
Mark sprang at Mia and hugged her hard. “I don’t care if he asks to die. I want to hear him say it.”
Mia held him and patted his back.
“Welly Bees,” Brian said from the floor.
Mia smiled down at her son. She was proud that he connected with the heartfelt moment. He was going to make someone a great husband one day.
“There’s a haunted house near here,” Mark said, letting go of Mia.
“There are a lot of haunted houses, Mark. What makes this one special?” she asked, getting on her knees to play with Brian.
“I think the house is calling to me at night, in my dreams.”
Mia looked over at Edie, who was nodding her head, and back to Mark. “Tell me about the dreams?”
“I don’t see how the people died inside of it, but I see the house as it was when it was happy and now that it’s dying.”
“Sam and I have a hard time believing the house can feel,” Edie admitted.
“I’ve come across a few buildings that could. One did everything in its power to keep functioning as an inn,” Mia told them. “Have you ever walked into a room that people just finished arguing in? Yes? There is a lot of stored energy. Sometimes the home absorbs this energy and, in a very unscientific way, comes alive. The worry I have is that the house is calling to you, Mark. Have you been in it?”
“No, Grandpa Sam asked me not to. He said it wasn’t safe. But I’ve seen and heard a few things.”
“The house is dangerous. After the windows went, nature got to the floorboards,” Edie said. “But the funny thing is, the wood trim looks like it’s been cared for.”
“Gran, have you been in the house?” Mark asked.
“You’re not the only one the house calls, Mark.”
“Tell you what… If one of you will watch Brian, Ted and I will take a look. We’ve been through places like this before.”
“You might find the gold,” Mark said.
“Gold?” Mia asked.
Mark and Edie took turns and told her the story of the Wayne house.
“Do you know who owns it now?” Mia asked.
Edie shook her head.
“When I get to a place where my cell works, I’ll have my good friend Audrey, she’s our researcher, see what she can find.”
“If we found the gold, then we could buy the place and fix it up,” Mark insisted.
“Unfortunately, the gold would belong to the people who own it,” Mia said. “But sometimes there is a small finder’s fee.”
“I doubt there’s anything there. It’s been almost stripped to the bone by treasure hunters,” Edie said and then offered, “I’ll watch Brian anytime you and your husband want to go out.”
“How about now? Could we go now?” Mark asked excitedly.
“I have to ask Ted first, and then the three of us need to prepare. We don’t have any of our gear here. How about tomorrow?” Mia asked. “Today, I’ve promised Brian a swim, and then we’re going into town for some ice cream. Would you like to come along?”
Mark looked at his grandmother.
“As long as you have your chores finished,” she said.
Mia picked up the toys and then Brian. She thanked Edie again for the welcome basket and promised to pick up Mark on their way into town. She climbed the hill and stood there and closed her eyes a moment. She didn’t feel anything malicious in the wind. But then again, the wind could change at any moment.
Chapter Nineteen
Orion set down on the patio. He wasn’t surprised to see Angelo perched on the wall overlooking the herb garden, but he was surprised to see him happy.
Angelo got up and shook Orion’s hand. “Come inside. Once you’re refreshed from your flight, I’ll serve breakfast, and you can tell me about your research.”
“Thank you, that would be most welcome. As you know, the gargoyles’ cuisine leaves a lot to be desired.”
Orion went into the guestroom and over to the closet where Angelo’s servants stored his clothing. He approved of the drop railings which were a recent addition. He wouldn’t have to levitate to get to his clothes. He chose a casual outfit and went into the washroom where a stepstool was placed before the massive sink.
Angelo nodded to the housekeeper. “You can wet the tea. He should be but a few minutes.” He sat down and waited at the well-appointed table, picking up the publication that Father Santos’s secretary had sent over. He flipped through to the marked pages. There was Mia modeling some yoga outfits in a tasteful and yet arousing manner. He wished he could go back to the time when she was but a
