Ghost of an Enchantment: Wickwood Chronicles, #2

Chapter one

Hands clenched around the steering wheel of her Miata, Stella drove toward Wickwood, dust billowing out behind her from the gravel road.

She swiped at the tear she’d been trying to hold in, kept telling herself Nana seemed happy and unbothered she’d been displaced from her home two months ago to live at Cedar Ridge. Her grandmother had smiled when Stella arrived, asked her to stay for tea, asked after Loki and Aubrey.

Knuckles white, Stella sniffed and took the next turn a little too fast. Gravel bounced against her undercarriage in a clatter and sprayed into the ditch.

She hated seeing Nana in an institution. She’d raised Stella like a daughter, always vivacious and free spirited. This disease was taking her away piece by piece. Cedar Ridge might be one of the better homes in the area, but Stella needed to get her out of there before Nana lost herself completely.

What good was being a witch if she couldn’t save those she loved?

Stella eyed the storm brewing above Wickwood and turned onto the main highway. The glow of the city brightened the underside of tempestuous clouds.

As she neared the edge of town, tension drained from her shoulders. Each mile closer, her grip loosened on the steering wheel. But even as the soothing energy of her hometown calmed her, it did little to ease her worries.

On top of everything, three of her clients dropped her this morning, all in a row, canceling their website development contracts. She had more clients, but it would cut into her bottom line.

At least she’d finished everything at the Granwin House on a high note. She’d completed her final cleanse and ward on the bed and breakfast two days ago. Only positive energy remained on the property.

Stella slowed her speed as the houses on the edge of Wickwood took up both sides of the road, then slowed again and turned left, heading toward old downtown.

Aubrey would be waiting. They liked to have drinks at Bitters Tavern a couple nights a week if they could, and today her bestfriend of seven years mentioned having a surprise for her.

Usually, Stella liked surprises, but after the day she’d had, she didn’t know if she could handle it.

Two blocks away from the bar, all the instruments on Stella’s dashboard blinked.

What the? She held her breath, waiting for something worse to happen. When everything seemed fine, she exhaled and kept driving.

One block away from the bar, the whole dashboard went black. The engine sputtered, puht, puht, puht, then died completely. Silence pulsed around her.

Shit.

Shoulder checking to make sure the next lane was clear, she thankfully had enough momentum to pull over. Unease coiled in her stomach as she rolled to a stop in a parking spot and shifted into park.

One foot on the gas, the other on the brake, she turned the key. 

Come on, Bessie. Nothing. The engine wouldn’t even turn over. She tried again. Completely dead.

Shoulders suddenly heavy, she rested her forehead on the steering wheel and let out a shuddering breath. Now she’d have another bill, probably something substantial with the way her luck was going.

Would this week ever end?

At least she stalled near the bar. She could call for a tow, and since they lived together, she could catch a ride home with Aubrey.

Inhaling deep, Stella grabbed her purse from the passenger seat, opened the door, and stepped out into the muggy evening air.

The second after she slammed her door, an unusual presence pressed against her energy, something nearby. Stella spun around, searching, eyes scanning up and down the street.

It wasn’t that late; some of the stores were open and a few shoppers walked the block while cars drove slowly by. But no one looked out of place. No one stared at her or paid her any attention.

The feeling that someone watched her slowly dissipated, but unease solidified in her chest.

Taking a deep, settling breath, she locked her car, tucked her purse under her armpit, and crossed the street toward the bar. Her pace clipped, she strode along the edge of the sidewalk, careful not to brush too close to anyone’s energy.

A crack of thunder echoed overhead. She flinched and the people around her dashed for shelter. A moment later, the heavens opened. Stella ran the rest of the way, the rain soaking through her clothing in less than a minute.

Sneakers sloshing, she pushed open the wooden door to Bitters. As soon as she stepped over the threshold, the energy of the people inside punched her in the gut, sweeping away the remaining unease she’d felt earlier.

She sucked in a breath, closed her eyes, and whispered the quick dampening spell Nana had taught her when she was little. Breathing in and out three times, she opened her eyes again and the vibrations dulled to a manageable level—except for one particular energy vibration coming from the bar.

Sensual and sweet, its hot flavor settled on her tongue. She’d never experienced such a compelling combination before. Her feet carried her toward it before she realized, her eyes scanning the crowd in search of its origin.

Stella! Aubrey’s voice rang toward her from the far corner.

Stella stopped and blinked. Already halfway to the bar, she forced herself to turn around and head in the opposite direction. With one last glance over her shoulder, she wove through the patrons standing at the tall tables in the middle of the room.

Sorry I’m late, she said, patting the water out of her wavy blonde hair and sliding into the booth. A lager sat on her side of the table, frothy and waiting, and Stella took a healthy swig before adding, I visited Nana before I came.

How is she? Concern furrowed Aubrey’s brow as she played with the straw in her cola.

Aubrey’s ghost, Finn, was here too, hovering at her side, his energy a light shimmer that Stella had grown used to over the years. He’d been hanging around her friend since before they’d met in college.

Okay, I guess, Stella replied with a shrug. I just hate seeing her there, you know?

Aubrey reached over and gave her hand a squeeze. I know. She let go and tucked a strand of her chin-length brown hair behind her ear. We’ll figure out something better for her.

Though she nodded, Stella didn’t see any solutions. None of her problems would magically go away. That wasn’t the way the world worked.

The energy from near the bar renewed its pull. She glanced over, but only saw the bartender and a couple of guys with their backs to her.

Happy birthday! Aubrey exclaimed, recapturing her attention.

Taken aback, Stella could only stare as her friend pulled out a small package wrapped in silver paper and a bow and placed it in front of her.

Grinning, Aubrey added, I know it’s a little early, and this doesn’t change our plans for your actual birthday in a couple of weeks, but I just had to give it to you now.

Before she could touch it, Stella felt the lure of the thing inside, its positive energy calling to her.

What is it? she asked, her fingers twitching to snatch it.

Open it up and see.

Tentatively, she reached for the box and ran her fingers along the edge, expecting something to happen. The box remained the same, but continued to pulse positivity.

Come on, Aubrey urged with a wave of her hand. Why are you being so weird? Open it.

Stella picked up the package, turned it over, then with one last quick glance at Aubrey, she tore the silver paper to reveal a small, square jewelry box inside. Eyebrows raised, she lifted the lid.

Resting in a layer of white fuzz, a necklace lay curled on itself. An iridescent sphere, a stone polished to a gloss, hung on an antique silver chain. Flicking her eyes to Aubrey’s excited smile, Stella touched the pendant.

She sucked in a breath. For a moment, the alluring vibration coming from the bar was overpowered by the positive energy exuding from the necklace. Many objects had energy signatures, but not usually this strong. She lifted it out of the box and her hand shook from the intensity of it.

Where did you get this? she asked, making no attempt to stop herself from looping it over her head.

A man came into the store the other day and sold it with a bunch of other stuff. It had your name written all over it. I couldn’t fathom selling it to someone else. Aubrey let out a sigh. I knew it would look perfect on you.

The weight of the pendant nestled itself against Stella’s heart. She closed her eyes and inhaled deeply. This close to her, the energy warmed her whole body. She’d never been in contact with such an object before. Where had it come from?

Do you like it?

Stella opened her eyes to find Aubrey frowning at her. Love it. It’s beautiful and unique. She smiled.

Oh, good. For a second there I thought it made you uncomfortable or something. Aubrey took a sip of her cola, eyes watching her over the rim of her glass.

With the new energy of the necklace lapping at her, the dampening spell Stella cast when she entered the bar waned. And that meant the vibe coming from the direction of the bar intensified. She took a gulp of her beer.

What was going on with her? She glanced at the bar to see what or who caused the vibration. Nothing had changed. Cole, the bartender, chatted with two guys sitting on stools.

Cole had never given off this type of energy before, so it couldn’t be him. It had to be coming from one of the other guys.

What are you staring at?

Stella’s attention snapped back to her friend. Nothing. Just distracted. My car broke down a block away from here and I need to get a tow and a mechanic. She touched the pendant, her fingers tingling. But this is positively lovely. A thoughtful gift brightening my day. Thank you. She took another sip of her beer.

Sucks about the car. I thought Bessie would outlive us all. Remember when we went camping that one time and we thought she was dying in the middle of nowhere, but we actually just forgot to get gas? That was hilarious.

Ha. Hilarious. Yeah, right. We were sure laughing at the time.

Actually, it had been terrifying, but they were lucky enough to phone a gas station in the next town and a teenager drove a jerry can out to them. They’d been able to continue on to the national park without any further hiccups.

Had she ran out of gas today? She’d just filled up, so that didn’t make sense.

How was work? Stella asked, not wanting to dwell too much on her dead car.

Aubrey let out a long breath. Business was pretty slow. I keep waiting for it to pickup. I know I’m not the only antique store in town, but I know mine’s the nicest. I’m waiting for the rest of the city to notice. She twirled her straw.

Her antique store was the nicest in town. Filled with light, everything Aubrey touched resonated with love and caring. Each time Stella walked into the store she wanted to buy something, and it wasn’t just because Aubrey was her friend. She had an excellent eye when it came to antiques.

Stella touched the pendant at her heart, another testament to her friend’s good taste. How about I stop by and do another blessing? Maybe a prosperity spell and a good luck spell too.

Aubrey smiled, her shoulders relaxing. That would be great.

Stella stole another glance at the bar. Where was that delicious vibration coming from? She couldn’t focus on anything else. And the titillating energy combined with the one hanging around her neck made her nerves twitch. She needed to get to the bottom of this.

Want another drink? she asked Aubrey without looking at her. I want another drink. She hopped out of the booth, her sneakers squelching with each step.

You could flag down the waitress. Aubrey’s voice followed her to the bar. And you’ve barely touched your first beer.

Stella wouldn’t have been able to stop her feet if she’d tried. With her new necklace propelling her forward, she followed the energy wake right to the end of the bar and stopped behind the man on the left like she hit a physical wall.

The energy came off him so thick it was almost visible. Broad shoulders narrowed into trim hips. He must work out on a regular basis if the muscles in his arms were any indication. His head was angled slightly, allowing her to see that his short dark hair migrated into a line of scruff along his jawline, highlighting the strong ridge of his chin. Dense vibrations came off him, washing over her in waves, making it hard to breathe.

Why? She stepped closer, their bodies almost touching; his body heat complimented his vibrations. Why was his energy so potent?

She closed her eyes and inhaled. A citrusy spice filled her head. Was it his laundry detergent? Cologne? How could her body be on fire after five seconds of standing next to him?

What are you doing?

Her eyes flew open. What? she asked, blinking over and over again to clear her vision.

He’d turned his body toward her, his brows lowered over copper eyes. Are you smelling me?

If she’d thought his energy potent from behind, it was nothing compared to the full force of his attention. Sun-kissed skin and high cheekbones framed his perceptive gaze, while his rough stubble gave him a slightly rugged appearance. He’d rolled up his dark green button up shirt past his elbows, revealing corded forearms that made her mouth water.

The middle-aged guy beside him peeked around his shoulder, one eyebrow raised.

She should probably say something.

Um… She turned to Cole, who stared at her with his head tipped to the side. A lager and a cola, please, she blurted.

Cole straightened, nodded, and got to work fixing her drinks.

Stella let out a breath, hoping that was the end of the awkwardness created solely by her not thinking through a random trip to the bar.

So, were you smelling me?

And her hopes were dashed.

She flicked her gaze to the stranger’s face. His eyes twinkled at her, and she couldn’t help but smile at her foolishness.

That would be silly, wouldn’t it? she said, trying to strike a casual pose against the empty stool beside him despite the fact she had been smelling him.

Lucas, he said, sticking out his hand.

She stared at his fingers, strong and sure. What would it be like to touch a man who gave off such remarkable energy? After hesitating so long he began to drop his hand, Stella abruptly grabbed it.

Lightning shot up her arm so fast it was like he hid a hand buzzer in his palm. His face changed from smiling to serious in under a second, and she knew she wasn’t doing any better.

They dropped hands at the same time. Her heart pounded hard and fast in her throat, her eyes locked with his. What the hell?

Cole set the drinks on the bar top, clearing his throat to grab her attention.

Thanks, she said, knowing he’d put it on their tab.

She grabbed the drinks and tried her best to ignore the man beside her, whose energy still made her buzz. How was he doing it? How was he making her every nerve ending tingle?

Trying to keep her cool, she gave him one nod, and turned back to her table.

I didn’t get your name, Lucas said, stalling her.

She glanced over her shoulder, taking in his facial features one more time. Stella, she replied, attempting to keep her voice even.

His copper eyes glowed their pleasure.

She continued to the booth where Aubrey waited, her friend’s eyebrows raised under her bangs.

What was that all about? she asked when Stella slid her drink to her.

She barely restrained herself from taking another peek at Lucas over her shoulder. Had he watched her as she walked back to the table? It felt like he had.

Oh, yeah. He’s definitely watching you, Aubrey confirmed without her needing to ask.

This is nonsense. She needed to get herself under control. Stella closed her eyes and redid the dampening spell. When she opened them, she could breathe easier. Tell me when he stops looking.

Sure, Aubrey said, taking a sip from her new drink. Are you going to tell me what happened there?

Stella didn’t know where to begin and shook her head. Maybe tomorrow when I can think with a clear head. She took a swig of her new beer, abandoning the old one. You were supposed to tell me when he stops looking.

He hasn’t stopped looking yet.

She swallowed hard. Need to see for myself. A glance over her shoulder revealed that sure enough, Lucas watched her, a frown wrinkling his brow—which transformed into an easy smile the second her eyes met his.

She whipped her head back to Aubrey. This was too much. Her dampening spell weakened at an alarming rate. Lucas’s energy and the energy of the pendant around her neck competed for her attention, and every other energy vibration from every other person in the bar pulled and slapped at her in a way that made the hairs on her nape stand on end.

I might be ready to go home. She took a deep breath. I’ve had enough of people for the night.

Sure. No problem. Aubrey frowned, but knew her well enough not to force her to stay in a crowded room. Want to call a tow truck for your car?

A long breath escaped Stella. She’d already forgotten and didn’t really want to deal with it right now.

I’ll call one in the morning.

She wanted to go home, have a salt bath to cleanse herself from everyone’s energy, then go to bed.

The next time a waitress came by, they paid their tab, and headed out. As they neared the doors, Stella couldn’t resist one last look over her shoulder.

Lucas still watched her, his smile creating a dimple in his right cheek.

Her stomach flipped tiny somersaults inside her. She turned away quickly and followed Aubrey out.

When they stepped into the night air, she inhaled a deep breath, glad to see the rain had stopped, but renewed tension crawled across Stella’s shoulder. She might have left the competing energies of the people inside the bar, but the unease she’d felt earlier returned. Was someone waiting for her outside? Watching her?

She scanned the sidewalk in both directions, but the rainstorm had chased the pedestrians away. Cars drove up and down the street, splashing in the puddles left by the shower.

Aubrey sent her a glance. Where did Bessie die?

This way, Stella said, cocking her head to the right. Where did you park?

Same way, came her quick reply.

As they walked side by side, Stella’s unease slowly unfurled, and once her car was in sight, she squinted at it.

The lights were on. But everything had been dead when she left it.

She stopped in her tracks, her heart leaping in her throat, when she realized the car purred softly, the motor running.

I thought you said your car died, Aubrey said, pausing beside her.

It did.

It looks like its alive now.

It does. Stella kept walking toward it.

It wasn’t an apparition. It looked like her car had fixed itself. She stood there, staring at it for long minutes.

I don’t understand this. The key wasn’t even in the ignition. It was in her purse.

What’s there to understand? Aubrey leaned in, squinting through the driver’s-side window. Now you don’t have to call a tow truck and now you won’t have a repair bill to pay.

Stella blinked. I guess.

But could she trust Bessie after this? Maybe it would be a good idea to get a mechanic to check it over anyway. Maybe Zack would take a look? She knew he was handy with cars.

Okay. Aubrey straightened. I’ll follow you home just in case it acts up again.

Good thinking, Stella agreed, unlocking her door while Aubrey jogged to her blue Civic farther down the street.

Bessie kept running, purring, like she normally did. Was her baby turning into a high maintenance vehicle because of its age?

Sinking into the comfort of her bucket seat, she closed the door and put her key in the ignition just to be safe.

This had been one weird day. And she was kind of used to weird days, so that said a lot. She brushed the pendant resting against her heart, enjoying the zing that tingled through her fingertips.

She closed her eyes and exhaled one slow breath. Things are going to be okay, even if I should consider renaming Bessie to Veronica.

Chapter two

If the day got any weirder, he’d need a vacation. Not that Lucas hadn’t had weird days before. Wickwood seemed plagued with them most of the time, but today placed in the top three.

Mrs. Nora Brown from the library had called him first thing when he’d arrived at work. She’d had a break-in and said he needed to get there right away. Except, when he’d arrived, there was no evidence of a break-in. Nothing had been stolen, nothing had been broken, no locks forced.

When he and his partner Joe questioned her further, she admitted it had been just a feeling when she’d opened the library, but swore someone had been inside that shouldn’t have been.

Lucas had to warn her against misusing police resources. Again.

The next call came in not long after. Since they’d been in the area, they’d looked into a reported break-in at an herbalist’s store.

Except, when he and Joe arrived, there was no evidence of a break-in. Nothing was stolen, no locks or windows broken. The French woman admitted it had been just a feeling, but would put money on the fact that someone had been in the building who wasn’t supposed to be.

Lucas’s sense of déjà vu had started kicking in at that point.

While Joe had remained at the station, Lucas took a third call at an antique store. The woman working there had seemed familiar somehow, but Lucas couldn’t place her, and her name hadn’t rung any bells.

And when she apologized profusely for calling them, saying it probably wasn’t anything at all, she admitted she’d thought someone had broken in, but had no evidence of the fact. She’d said it had taken her most of the morning to convince herself it hadn’t happened. Then she called the police, realizing she really did think it had happened and wasn’t sure what to do about it. And of course, it had been just a feeling.

He didn’t know why, but the whole time he’d been talking to her, Lucas kept thinking of the woman he’d met at the bar a week ago. Stella. There hadn’t been a day since that her face hadn’t appeared in his mind, the memory of her scent—something both herbal and floral—making him inhale in an attempt to recapture the moment.

There’d just been something about her, something about the way her caramel eyes had stared at him like she could see right into him, about the way her blonde hair had glowed in the low-light of the bar. He hadn’t been able to get her out of his head.

It had taken a lot of effort to keep his focus on the call as he took a walk-through of the sunny antique store, giving the owner pointers on where she could amp up her security. Beyond that, there was little he could do. Nothing had been stolen she could see, and she seemed to know every piece in the store. There also hadn’t been evidence of a forced entry on any of the doors or windows.

And now a fourth, similar call at Langport Financial. Why would he get four almost identical calls without a thing to substantiate their claims?

He stood with his pen poised above his notebook and stared at the security guard who kept scratching the top of his head like an idea might pop out of there at any second.

Can you repeat that? Lucas asked, conscious of his partner Joe standing right beside him, nose scrunched up like he’d smelled something bad.

I’m not sure why I called you in the first place, Lawrence, the security guard, said. The Langport Financial logo was stamped under his name, and his uniform looked freshly ironed. I thought someone had broken in, but really there’s no evidence. And when I called the big boss man after I called the police, well, he got right pissed off, so I guess I just wasted your time.

No evidence, Lucas repeated, his sense of déjà vu slapping him upside the head as he exchanged a glance with Joe.

They stood in the lobby of the financial building still under construction, right in the center of new downtown. For the past year and a half, the developers had been erecting the thirty-floor structure.

Joe moved away from him, inspecting the site, his eyes scanning the second floor where it overlooked the first.

Scaffolding towered on either side of the curved central desk hidden by a layer of plastic. A fine white dust covered everything. The powdery scent of drywall hung in the air, and a mountain of tile boxes sat stacked in the middle of the concrete floor. Yellow tape spanned the width of the two elevators at the back of the two-story space, with do not cross stamped across it.

Strangely, only the security guard was present, no workers anywhere.

Lucas glanced down at the empty page on the notebook, then back at the security guard. Well, since we’re here, why don’t you walk us through it anyway. What made you think you should call the police?

I don’t know. Can’t really put my finger on it, Lawrence said, scratching his head again. Maybe you could dust for prints?

Across the room, Joe snorted as he lifted the cardboard flap on one of the open boxes of tile.

Lucas returned his attention to the security guard. I’m sorry, we can’t oblige. This is a construction zone. The chance of getting prints that aren’t the work crew are slim to none, and you don’t have an actual crime to report.

Right, he said, scratching his head again.

Joe moved around the stack of boxed tile, frowning, then peering closer at something behind it. The boxes were stamped with the words Himalayan Porcelain across the middle, but when Lucas raised his eyebrows at his partner, Joe merely shook his head, stepping away from the stack.

When were those boxes delivered? Lucas asked the security guard.

Yesterday.

Lucas would have taken a look himself, but the two-way radio on his hip crackled to life—a call from dispatch. What were the odds it would be someone with a break-in that hadn’t happened?

Today? Seemed like pretty good odds.

He clicked the mic on his shoulder to speak. This is three-twenty-five. Over.

We have a noise complaint at 623 Willowpark Lane, said the voice in his earpiece. Looks like you two are the closest.

Lucas met Joe’s eyes. Ten-four. We’re en route.

Most of the time, noise disturbances turned out to be nothing, but since it was daytime it could be a domestic violence situation. Which meant they should get there as fast as possible.

He gave Lawrence his card. If you discover anything missing, let me know.

For sure. Sorry to waste your time.

Joe was already out the front door and heading to their car.

What were you staring at in there? Lucas asked, unlocking the car with his key fob.

As he climbed into the police cruiser, Joe answered with a question of his own. Do you know why you’d need cases of black salt at a construction site?

Staring up at the tall building a moment, Lucas pulled away from the curb into light traffic. Nope. No clue.

Chapter three

With the early evening sun warming her little car from the inside out, Stella signaled and turned into the lane for the ATM drive through. She wanted enough cash on hand for a trip to see Nana today, then again tomorrow. She tried to see Nana every day, but with Cedar Ridge being an hour away, she sometimes didn’t make it there. It killed her every time she missed a day.

A white truck sped across traffic, tires squealing as it cut in front of her. Stella slammed on her brakes to keep from hitting them, letting out a slow breath as she watched the truck take her spot in the drive-through lane behind one other vehicle.

A bad day to you too, she muttered, heart thundering in her chest at the near miss. Obviously, they were in more of a hurry than her.

Turning in behind them, she absently touched the pendant at her heart when she rolled to a stop. Anytime she had her feathers ruffled for whatever reason, she found it calmed her to touch the iridescent orb, to absorb its positive energy into her fingertips. A lovely gift, even if her birthday wasn’t for another week.

She leaned back in her seat and waited, trying not to dwell on the fact that another client had canceled their contract this morning. What was going on? These were clients she’d had for years, and they up and left her in a big clump. There would be other clients, and her consulting job should cover her bills for now, but she couldn’t help but be troubled by the recent exodus.

No one would give her a good explanation of why they’d left, and she’d checked online to see if anyone had left her bad reviews recently. She’d found nothing.

The white truck pulled up to the ATM, and the man reached through his window to slide his card in the slot and punch in his numbers.

Drumming her fingers on her steering wheel, Stella let Wickwood’s energy center her. She wasn’t sure what it was about this city that calmed her. Other places she’d been to didn’t feel the same, didn’t feel right. Wickwood’s energy flowed, steady like water. It might have something to do with the river bisecting the land.

A jaunty tune came from her cell phone lying beside her on the passenger seat. Aubrey’s picture popped up on the screen. Stella had already checked in with Aubrey this afternoon, but since the man in the white truck was still messing with the ATM, she took the call.

What’s up?

Oh, hey, Stella, Aubrey said, her voice thin. Sorry to bother you. Are you able to come back home right now? I’m having a bit of a problem.

Her friend’s tone had the hair on the back of Stella’s neck standing on end. What sort of problem?

She glanced at the clock. Five thirty. Aubrey closed the store at five on Saturdays, which meant she hadn’t been home long before making the call.

Oh, you know. Just a problem you’ll probably need to see to believe. Her voice went high, edged with panic.

Okay, Stella said, worry spiking through her. I’m stuck in the ATM drive through. I’ll be there in maybe fifteen minutes?

Oh, good. Thank you. I’ll wait for you here. The call disconnected.

Stella tossed the phone on her seat, unnerved by Aubrey’s shaky voice, then glared at the truck in front of her. It seemed to be taking a long time to extract cash.

Her eyebrows shot up when the man hit the ATM with his fist, yelling at the machine, then drove off with a squeal of tires. Had his card been eaten? Whatever the reason, after being rude and almost causing a collision, he kind of deserved it.

With a mental shrug, she pulled up to the ATM and hurriedly took out the cash she’d need for the rest of the weekend. After stuffing her cash in her wallet, she pulled out of the bank lot to head home.

What had happened to spook Aubrey? Bessie rocketed through one yellow light when she pressed the accelerator, then another. Stella arrived at their house in record time and parked beside Aubrey’s blue Civic in the driveway. She hurried up the front steps, then clicked open the unlocked front door.

It swung open to reveal Aubrey standing with her back against the wall in the living room beside one of the plant stands, her phone clutched to her chest.

The regular scents of herbs and plants in their home mixed with a burnt wood smell. Aubrey stared at the center of the room, and when her eyes met Stella’s, her shoulders relaxed a fraction.

Oh, good. You’re here.

Stella took a cautious step inside. What’s wrong?

Her friend’s ghost wasn’t here but that didn’t surprise her. Finn rarely entered their house anymore.

Um, maybe don’t come in any farther for right now, okay?

Stella paused, then looked where Aubrey stared. A ring made of metal lay in the middle of the hardwood floor, about eight inches in diameter. Stella hadn’t seen anything like it before, but for some reason it had a sort of familiarity about it. It was unusual, but not disturbing, an antique artifact of some type.

What was disturbing was the charred wood around the ring. About two feet wide, it made a perfect, black circle in the middle of the living room, a stark contrast against the beechwood of the floor.

What is that? Stella took a step toward it.

Don’t.

She stopped, her eyes tracking to Aubrey’s wide ones.

Don’t get close to it, Aubrey pleaded, finger flexing around her phone. I don’t know what it is.

Okay, Stella agreed, not wanting to send her friend into a full-on panic attack. She’d been doing so much better with them lately. Where did it come from?

A thin breath escaped Aubrey’s lips. "It came in with a bunch of stuff a couple of weeks ago. I didn’t know what it was and neither did my regular appraiser. I was going to take it to Langport tomorrow to see if someone there might know about it and how much