Beneath An Ivy Moon (Legacy Of Magick Series, Book 4) (20 page)

“Son-of-a—” Nathan began.

The ghost cut him off, letting out an enraged wail. “Get out!” she shrieked. The force of her voice seemed to shake the walls.

“I banish you from this place!” I shouted at the ghost. “By the powers of earth, air, fire and water, I banish you!”

Apparently that pissed her off, because the books that had been abandoned on the stairs shot out in all directions. “No!” I yelled. Instinctively I threw up my hands and pushed out with whatever magick I had. It worked. None of the flying books were able to penetrate the energetic circle that surrounded us.

“You are not welcome here any longer,” Nathan said, sounding tough as nails. “Go, find peace and walk no more.”

The ghost blew past us in to the lounge, and as she roared past several more books bounced off our shield and fell to the floor. Nathan and I turned as one, only to see her disappear as she shot through the spot on the wall where her portrait used to hang.

Before I could blink or catch my breath, another spirit shimmered to life within the open doorway of the lounge. I saw impressions only— red hair, a sad oval face. But I
knew
. “That’s her,” I whispered to Nathan. “It’s Prudence.”

“The same spirit you saw the night of the tornado?” Nathan said, aiming his phone at the new spirit.

“Sister.” The feminine voice was husky and low. The rough shape began to fill in. Becoming more defined— more real. She bowed her head to me, and then to Nathan. “Brother.”

“Are you Prudence Thornton?” Nathan asked the ghost.

“I am,” she said, holding out her hands in supplication. “They took my property, my orchard.”

“I’m so sorry,” was the only thing I could think to say. I fumbled with my camera and tried for a few pictures.

“Burned my cabin, and left me to die,” Prudence cried. “Even my magick couldn’t stop them.”

“Was it the Crowlys?” Nathan asked. “Did they want your land?”

“It was her!” Prudence’s voice became stronger as she pointed to where Victoria’s portrait was usually displayed. “It was always her.”

“Victoria Crowly?” I wanted to clarify. “She came after you because of her sister’s death? Because of Melinda?” When Prudence inclined her head, I took that for a
yes
.

Her lips lifted in a sad smile. “Listen well— before the Ivy Moon begins to wane, calamity will fall unless you restore my name.”

“We’re working on it,” Nathan said. “Prudence, I promise you.”

Prudence’s image grew brighter. “In the quiet place where she rests, surrounded by an iron gate; bind her with blood to protect another sister from her rage and hate,” she said, and began to fade away.

“Rhymes,” I said, shaking my head at the rough human shape that was left in the doorway. “Why do they
always
do the rhyming thing?”

I clearly heard what sounded like a little laugh from Prudence. “Sister, ask the other to help you.”

And then, she was gone. “Other?” I slanted my eyes to Nathan.

Nathan seemed as confused as I felt. “What
other
?” he said, tapping the screen and ending his recording.

I saw movement in the hallway to our right. A shadowy figure moved towards us, and I didn’t even think— I reacted. I pointed at one of the books at my feet and sent it flying towards the movement in the door. The book went soaring like a missile towards the ‘head’ of whatever
thing
might be there.

“Ivy!” Nathan yelled.

To my horror, I recognized Dr. Meyer at the last second. “Stop!” I shouted, and the book froze in mid-air only a few inches from the man’s face.

“Amazing,” Dr. Meyer murmured. He reached out carefully and touched the hovering book.

I rolled my fingers towards my palm and turned my wrist. The book zipped right towards me and I snagged it. “Dr. Meyer—” I began.

“Hal,” he said, staring at me. “I think under the circumstances you can call me Hal.”

Mortified, and frightened at what he would do, I fumbled for the right words. “Let me try and explain,” I begged.

“Explain what? The ghost you were communicating with? The protective circle you and Mr. Pogue have cast around yourselves? Or the fact that you are both Witches?” He smiled kindly at Nathan and me.

“Buh,” I managed to say.

“Relax,” Dr. Meyers suggested, walking farther into the main foyer from the back of the building, “there’s no need to be upset. You’ve actually confirmed a working theory I’ve had for quite some time.”

Nathan pushed his hands out with a small flourish. “Disperse,” he said, and the protective circle winked out. He unlinked our feet, but remained beside me.

Dr. Meyer stood there, cool as a cucumber. “Might I suggest that we leave the building?”

The book slipped out of my fingers. It hit the floor with a bang and I cringed. “My nerves are shot to hell and gone,” I said to Nathan as my knees began to wobble. “Get me out of here.”

“Let’s go,” Nathan suggested.

The three of us exited the dormitory with Dr. Meyer leading the way. I followed behind and Nathan brought up the rear. We moved quickly, going out the way Nathan and I had come in. The door slammed shut behind us, on its own. I made it to the bottom of the steps, before my knees gave out. “Damn it,” I muttered, grabbing onto the metal rail.

“Hey.” Nathan grabbed me from behind. “
Hey
.” He sounded concerned as he tucked his arm under my shoulders and helped me down the back steps.

“I should have had more than a soda for breakfast.” I began to laugh. Why that seemed funny, I had not a clue.

“You’re having a blood sugar crash,” Nathan muttered. “You used a lot of magick and haven’t had anything to eat all day.” He took the camera from around my neck and handed it to Dr. Meyer. “That was pretty stupid, Ivy.”

“Probably.” I grinned at him. “Good thing
you’re
smart then.” I felt punch drunk, and couldn’t help it as another laugh bubbled up.

Without another word, Nathan picked me up like a sack of potatoes and hauled me over to a nearby wooden bench. He dropped me down unceremoniously, so that I bounced when my butt hit the bench.

My head spun and my stomach lurched. For a couple of seconds I seriously considered throwing up. “Jeez, Pogue.” I clutched my stomach, no longer laughing.

“Are you going to get sick?” he asked.

“No thanks to your caveman moves,” I snarked.

Nathan took my messenger bag and began to root through it. “Do you have snacks in this monster sized bag of yours?”

I squinted at him, and also saw my brother walking towards us. “Bran?” I shook my head. “Why are you here?”

“I texted him before I entered the building,” Dr. Meyer explained, “told him to drive over. I had a feeling that I should.” The older man shrugged.

“Ivy?” Bran called. “What’s happened?”

I frowned at them all. I heard this loud buzzing sound in my ears, and my stomach roiled. “I am
not
going to pass out,” I said— mostly to hear myself say it. It didn’t seem to help. I gripped the bench and concentrated on my brother. I could see his lips moving and then... I found myself lying on the grass with my head in my Bran’s lap.

“Weird,” I muttered.

“Should we call an ambulance?” I heard Nathan ask.

“Don’t you dare!” I said, offended.

“And, there you are.” Bran smiled down at me.

“
Sonofabitch
,” I said.

“I love you too, Ivy,” Bran said dryly.

“Sorry,” I said to Bran, and tried to sit up.

“I think that was directed at me,” Nathan said cheerfully.

Bran helped me ease into a sitting position.
Oh gods! How embarrassing!
“I’ve never fainted before.” I frowned at my brother. “Got knocked out, but never
passed
out... It sucks,” I decided.

“What do you mean, you’ve been knocked out?” Nathan wanted to know.

“Long story,” I said to Nathan.

“You didn’t tell him about the abduction?” Bran said so only I could hear.

Nathan’s eyebrows shot up to his hairline. I guess he’d overheard. “Did you say,
abduction
?”

I looked significantly over at Dr. Meyer. “We can get into all of that later.” I patted my chest and lap, realizing my camera was gone. “Where’s my camera?”

“Right here, safe and sound.” Dr. Meyer sat on the nearby bench in his khakis and green polo shirt, holding my camera.

“How are you feeling now?” Bran asked, helping me to stand.

“A little loopy, and I’m
starving
.” I shivered and pulled my cardigan closer.

“Why don’t we go get Ms. Bishop something to eat?” Dr. Meyer said. “Then we can all have a nice talk.”

“Agreed,” Bran said, taking my arm. “My car is right over here.”

Nathan moved to my opposite side and took my other arm. “Let me help.”

“For Goddess sake,” I muttered, “I can walk on my own, unless this makes you two feel more manly.”

“Shut up, Ivy,” Bran and Nathan said simultaneously.

I sighed and let them take care of me. A short time later, I found myself sitting at a concrete table in the shade at a local fast food joint.

Nathan popped a soda in front of me and stuck in a straw. “Drink it.”

“I know how to counteract a blood sugar crash, Pogue,” I grumbled.

He swung a leg over the curved concrete bench and sat next to me. “Well then, you should have been smart enough not to put yourself in the position of ever suffering one.”

I took a sip before I answered. “I’ve never done battle with, or tried to banish a book-throwing ghost before.” I resisted the urge to make a face at him. “Cut me some slack, will ya?”

Bran and Dr. Meyer came out, each carrying a tray loaded with burgers and fries. Bran sat the tray down and handed me a wrapped double cheeseburger. “Eat,” he said, sitting on my other side.

Dr. Meyer divvied up the fries. “Thank you Dr. Meyer,” I said when he placed them in front of me.

“Please, call me Hal,” he said.

I grinned at him. “Thanks, Hal.” I dived in to my burger and fries, content to listen to Nathan and Hal discuss their parapsychology backgrounds. I finished my burger and felt better immediately.

Bran kicked my foot gently under the table. “The things you learn,” he said, tilting his head at the two men.

“Aw check them out. They’re so ghost-nerd cute,” I said, nibbling on my remaining french fries.

Nathan swung his head around. “Did you really call me a ghost-nerd?” he said.

“I believe she said ‘ghost-nerd cute’,” Hal pointed out. “I’ll take it as a compliment.”

Nathan narrowed one eye at me, smiled and stole some of my french fries in retaliation.

“Dr. Meyer,” he said, “how did you get inside Crowly Hall?”

“The door was open.” Dr. Meyer— Hal— waved a french fry at me. “How did you and Miss Bishop get in?”

“The door opened up for us, all by itself,” Nathan said.

I shivered. “Almost as if the spirits wanted us to come in to witness the event.”

Bran draped an arm over my shoulders. “So what happened in there?”

Nathan looked to me. “Do you want me to tell them?”

“Go ahead,’ I said.

I was more than happy to let Nathan fill them in on what we’d experienced. It gave me the chance to let my system level. To Nathan’s disappointment, the video recorded no clear images. It did, however, manage to record our voices and most of the ghosts’.

“Calamity?” Bran frowned at Nathan as he listened to the cell phone recording. “As in more to come? We’ve already had a serious accident at the archeological site, and a death on campus from the tornado.”

“Well, things happen in threes,” I said. “The archeologist getting injured was one, and the fatality from the storm at Crowly Hall would be two.”

Hal adjusted his glasses. “Victoria Crowly’s ghost had in the past been considered a benign presence on campus,” he said.

Nathan swiped a few more of my fries. “From what we’ve experienced she’s becoming more aggressive.”

“Desperate maybe,” I said, thinking it over. “With the discovery of the remains, and the foundation of the house, the old surveyors maps and Mary Girard’s journal... it’s all coming to light. She was
nasty
when she went after us today, so I did my best to banish her from the Hall.”

“Do you think it was successful?” Hal asked.

“Well, she left.” I frowned as I thought about it. “She blew right through that spot on the wall where her portrait used to hang.” I rubbed my forehead. “I don’t know if she’ll stay gone.”

“When the information we discovered today gets out,” Nathan said, “what happened to Prudence Thornton, and how they took her land. Victoria Crowly’s reputation is going to be challenged.”

Bran folded his arms over his chest. “The Board of Governors at the University will fight hard to protect the image of the school’s founder.”

“Exactly,” Hal said, “they’ve built up quite the PR campaign over the years trying to showcase her as a brave pioneer and benevolent founder of the school.”

“In the meantime,” Nathan said, “we have to be on guard for another accident.”

I closed my eyes and tried to recall what Prudence had said.
In the place where she sleeps… surrounded by an iron gate… bind her with blood...
I shuddered and glanced over at Nathan. “What do you think? Will the calamity be at the dig site, the dormitory, or someplace else?”

Nathan rubbed a hand over his chin. “Definitely someplace connected to Victoria or Prudence.”

Bran wiped his hands on a napkin. “Most of the university is surrounded by decorative iron fencing. It’s been in place for over a hundred years... That warning doesn’t really narrow it down.”

“The dig site is surrounded by fencing too,” Nathan pointed out.

“We have to find a way to eliminate some of the possibilities...” I trailed off as an idea came to mind.

Bran narrowed his eyes at me. “I know that look.”

Hal leaned closer across the table. “It would be almost impossible to foresee where and when the next incident would happen.”

I winked at the older man. “It’s not impossible, Hal. Especially when you have a Seer in the family.”