Raven’s head lolled to one side, and Aiden’s eyes glazed. His hand gripped hers, but his face paled.
“Cuz, you okay? You look a little green.” Luke stepped toward the salt circle, but both Marie and Gabby held him back.
“He can hear you, Luke, but he can’t answer,” Capiria replied instead. “Aiden is straddling two worlds, and he needs all his attention on Raven. Just as they can’t engage, neither should you.”
The three moved even farther back, sitting on the couch to watch.
“Raven’s stronger and smarter than anyone I know,” Gabby whispered. “It’ll be okay.” She paused, gripping Luke’s hand. “I hope.”
Chapter Ten
A vortex spun in Raven’s mind, taking her and Aiden in a downward twister into the depths of her memory. No soft mists, this time.
“Ugh, I think I’m going to be sick.” Raven held on to Aiden’s hand, the tornado-like wind whipping them round and round.
“Just hold on. It’ll pass,” Aiden shouted over the whooshing din.
“How do you know that?”
“I don’t.” He gripped her tighter around her waist. “I’m betting on Capiria.”
“But she’s not with us.”
“I’m here, child.” Capiria’s voice feathered over the whirlwind. “You’ll hear my voice no matter what, but I cannot join you. This is for you to do alone. Aiden is your mate, so the Goddess made an exception.”
***
Gabrielle got up to pace, her stomach in a knot. It had been fifteen minutes since Raven went limp, but if seemed like hours.
“Are they okay? Please tell me they’re all right.”
Capiria put a finger to her lips, but nodded just the same. Luke got up from the couch as well, folding Gabby in his arms.
“C’mon. Let’s take a walk,” he offered.
She pressed her forehead to his chest. “I’ll pull it together. It’s just Ray is the only family I have.”
“Not your only family, cherie.”
Gabby turned to find Marie holding her hand out to her from the couch.
“Come. Sit with me. Your friend is in good hands. My nephew loves Raven more than his own life,” she paused, “just as my Luke loves you.”
Capiria lifted a hand. “Everyone. Quiet.” The old witch closed her eyes, cocking her head as if listening. “It has begun.”
***
Raven squeezed her eyes shut, burying her face in Aiden’s shoulders as the spiral wound. Voices penetrated the vortex, but it wasn’t Capiria or the others.
Laughter drifted through as the twister slowed. She lifted her head, squinting to listen closer.
“Rayyyveee… I’m almost as big as you are.”
Raven smiled against Aiden’s shoulder. Lulu. Her voice was different than she remembered. Higher pitched. More of a soft tinkle than a squeak.
Giggles followed. “I’m still bigger, silly. I’m six!”
“We must be getting close.” Aiden kissed her cheek by her ear. “This memory tilt-a-whirl is slowing.”
“Did you hear that?”
“The giggling.”
“Yes.’
Her breath hitched. “Hearing Lulu like that makes me a little sad. The last time I saw her she came to warn me. Warn us. Not all is as it seems.”
“She was dead on about that. Maybe you’ll see her again once this is over.”
The slow spin came to a stop, and Raven slowly unwound her arms from Aiden’s neck.
“This is the barn where I played at as a child. Aunt Antoinette’s farm.” She went to take a step away from him for a closer look, but he held tight.
“Oh no, you don’t.” Keeping one arm around her waist, he let go with the other to grip her hand. “You go, I go. Capiria’s orders.”
She nodded, leaning it to peck his lips.
They were in the hayloft, and Raven sneezed. “This is no dream, Aiden. I used to have shots as a kid because I was so allergic to almost everything on this farm. Especially the barn. I think we’re really here.”
She bent to pick up a handful of straw with her free hand. “See?” She blew it from her palm.”
“Shadows, babe. Vivid shadows, but shadows, nonetheless. We are the ghosts of Christmas past. That means looky, but no touchy.” He wiped the remaining hay strands from her hand.
“If we’re shadows, then we can get closer. I remember it being hard to hear, especially with Lulu telling me to stay quiet and stay out of sight. I crept to the edge of the breezeway and watched from there.”
In a blink they were standing on the barn floor by a horse stall, and two field hands held Henry down as Father Pete made the sign of the cross on the man’s forehead with holy oil. He recited the litany of saints and then began the blessing.
Raven’s hand went her forehead. The oil Aiden rubbed into her skin warmed, getting hotter with each Latin evocation the priest uttered.
“Ah,” she winced. “I feel like friggin’ Harry Potter. The sandalwood oil burns like a mutha.”
“Don’t touch it, love. It’s burning for a reason. It’s opening your third eye chakra so you can remember.” Capiria’s voice feathered across her mind.
Father Pete was resolute, compelling the demon from Henry’s body. Antoinette looked on. Her face severe.
“I remember my aunt’s expression, but I thought it was worry for Henry. After everything we’ve found, I realize now she was pissed her scheme didn’t work.”
Antoinette turned, and she looked straight at Raven and Aiden as though she saw them standing by the stall.
“You always were a nosy little bitch. You and your Lutin friend. That spirit needs to be taught a lesson.”
Lulu’s lilting voice cried out, and Raven jerked her gaze to the hayloft. The Lutin was suspended in the air, her face as red as her hat as she gasped for breath.
“No!” Raven jerked her hand from Aiden’s grip and lunged for her aunt.
“Raven! NO! Come back!”
“Aiden! Stop
