Freaky Rites (A Mystic Caravan Mystery Book 6) Read online

  “I thought you wanted to christen the new bed again?”

  “That’s all I have energy for.”

  “Me, too.” Kade’s smile was sly as I caught his gaze. “Let’s put our energy together and see what we come up with.”

  “That’s the best offer I’ve had all day.”

  SLEEP CAME FAST and hard, but it wasn’t easy. I immediately slipped into a dream that caused my anxiety to spike and my heart to pound.

  “What is this place?”

  I glanced around, frowning at the fog as it rolled around me. It was so thick I could barely make out the silhouettes of people only ten feet away. The only reason I was absolutely certain they were there is because I heard them whispering … and chanting.

  I moved to head toward them, intent on a heavy conversation and explanations for exactly what was going on, but I found I was tied to a wooden stake of some sort in the middle of what looked to be a small town square.

  “Oh, you’ve got to be kidding.” My heart pounded harder. “What is going on here?” I tugged on my arms, hating the way the rope dug into my wrists and caused actual discomfort. I turned to my right to study the knots. They were tight enough, the rope thick enough, that I recognized I wouldn’t be able to break free without magic. This was a dream – I had no problem understanding that – so the odds of my magic working correctly were slim to none. “I think we should have a discussion.”

  “The time for words is over,” a ruggedly masculine voice intoned from the fog, causing me to snap my head back to the space I’d watched only moments before. I still couldn’t make out any features, but I was almost positive I could see the outline of a hat … and I was certain it was the same hat Kade became fixated on while strengthening the dreamcatcher.

  “How can the time for words be over when we haven’t exchanged any?” I challenged, my temper fraying. “I think we should talk before we declare a moratorium on talking. That only seems fair.”

  “You had a chance to speak at your trial, Gilly,” the man supplied. “You said nothing of interest. You can’t change your mind now.”

  Oh, well, great. “Who is Gilly?”

  “That will not work with us.” This time a woman spoke. She was to my right, but I couldn’t make out anything in that direction because the fog only billowed stronger when I tried. She sounded downright evil, though, like an extra in The Scarlet Letter was going to get puritanical on my ass. “We know what you are. We know what you’ve done.”

  “Well, at least you seem to know what’s going on.” I fruitlessly struggled with my restraints. “What is this? Are you going to burn me at the stake or something?” I meant the question in jest, but once it escaped and I thought better about my circumstances, I cringed. “That wasn’t a suggestion, by the way.”

  “Why would we burn you?” the man asked.

  “I … don’t know. I think not burning me is a good idea.”

  “Your fate will be much worse,” he said. “We have to purify you. Burning is not the purification we seek.”

  That sounded ominous. “Well, as lovely as that sounds, I think I’m going to pass. How about you let me loose and I promise to leave this place and never return? I think that’s a good compromise for all of us.”

  “That is not what we’re going to do.”

  “Yes, but … .” I didn’t get a chance to finish. Instead of furthering the argument, the man started chanting. They were words I didn’t recognize, a language I didn’t understand, but he was fervent and determined.

  “Knock that off,” I warned, my cheeks flushing with color. It was an involuntary response, as if my body was somehow reacting to the chant even though I had no idea why. It wasn’t as if I understood the words. “I don’t know who you think I am, but you’re mistaken.”

  “Shut up, Gilly.” Someone smacked me across the face, although all I saw was a hand right before it connected. I recognized the voice as belonging to the woman who previously spoke. Her hand shot out from the fog and caused me to offer a muffled cry as ragged fingernails raked against my skin. The pain was real. More real than it should be in a dream. I had no idea what to make of it, but I could swear I felt blood running down my cheek. “You are guilty and there is no escaping your fate.”

  I was starting to believe that was true … and it terrified me. “I’m not who you think I am.”

  “You are evil and must be cleansed,” the man said. “It is too late to repent. You must be cleaned out until you are hollow and then the goodness and light will find a way back inside. That is our purpose here. Nothing more.”

  “But … .”

  The woman smacked me again, this time from the other side. Even as my fear grew, so did my temper.

  “You’re going to wish you’d never done that.”

  “And here is the devil we expected to find,” the man intoned. “It is finally coming forth.”

  “Oh, you have no idea how devilish I can be.” I yanked hard at my restraints, hoping against hope I would feel some give. There was nothing. My only option was to let loose some magic, which I did.

  Unlike Naida and Raven, my magic is more restrained. I’m Romani by birth, but was never trained properly. Max once suggested that he might train me, but I wasn’t keen on the idea – my parents were insistent that I hide my gifts as a child – so I shelved his offer after a polite “thank you, but I’m good.” I was really starting to regret that now, because my magic fizzled almost instantly.

  “Crap! This isn’t real. I know it’s not real.” I put my head down and struggled harder. “Son of a … !”

  The chanting continued, increasing in volume and speed. The words rolled off me now. I couldn’t understand them, yet I seemed to know what was coming next. A burst of pain opened in my chest, momentarily making me wonder if I had a creature inside that managed to crawl through my skin for escape. It was agony to stand there, tied to a stake in the ground with no recourse as something tore at my skin.

  I wanted to cry but couldn’t find the tears. I wanted to die but had no way to make it happen. The pain was all consuming, to the point where I thought my mind might implode.

  Then I heard something else. I wasn’t sure what it was at first, but then I realized it was Kade. He was crying, screaming for me to come back. His voice was close and yet far away at the same time. He wasn’t alone. I heard another voice.

  Whatever happened was quick. It was as if a set of hands grabbed me on either side of my head and barked a command. In the back of my mind I recognized the voice. I also understood that I was drifting higher, my consciousness escaping from the body on the stake.

  The chanting was harder to hear now thanks to Kade’s anguish. He was begging me to come back … so that’s what I did.

  I BOLTED TO A sitting position in my bed, gasping for breath as I slapped at the hands on my head.

  Raven, her silver eyes full of worry, stood over me. She was dressed in a slinky negligee, her assets on full display, and she didn’t seem embarrassed in the least at being practically naked in my bedroom.

  “Poet.” Kade put his hand to my back, tears coursing down his cheeks. “Are you okay? What happened?”

  That was a very good question. “I don’t know.” My voice sounded raspy and I couldn’t help but wonder if it was because of all the screaming I did in my dream. Perhaps that carried over to the real world, which would explain Raven’s presence and Kade’s shaken countenance. “What happened?”

  “You were having a nightmare,” Kade replied, smoothing my hair with trembling fingers. “I couldn’t wake you even though you were … um … .” He was clearly uncomfortable saying it.

  “You were screaming,” Raven finished. “It sounded as if you were dying.”

  “I think I might have been.” I rubbed my cheek as I stared at her. “Did you hear the screaming? Is that what brought you here?”

  “No.” Raven seemed weary, as if whatever she did to wake me took a lot out of her. “I sensed you were in trouble from my traile
r. That was before you started screaming. I was almost here when that infernal racket started.”

  “It’s lovely to spend time with you, too,” I drawled.

  Instead of being offended, Raven smiled. “I’m glad to see you’re getting your sassy attitude back. As for the dream, what can you tell me?”

  I related everything that happened, leaving nothing out. When I got to the part about the man in the hat I felt Kade tense. He didn’t speak. He didn’t blurt out “I told you so” and start to swagger around the room. He merely kept his arm tight around my back as he lent me a bit of his warmth.

  “That’s odd,” Raven murmured when I was done. “You’re sure they called it a cleansing ritual?”

  I nodded. “I have no idea what they were cleansing for, though. Whatever it was, it hurt. It felt as if something was bursting out of my chest.”

  “What happened here?” Kade asked, lifting my arm. “What did this?” He pointed to what looked like rope burn on my wrist. When I checked, I found I had marks on both wrists.

  “That’s where I fought being tied to the stake.”

  “You brought injuries out of your dream with you?” Kade was furious. “That can’t be right.”

  “It’s not right, but it is real,” Raven countered, running her tongue over her teeth as she tilted her head to the side. “I have no idea what we’re dealing with, but we need to add some individual charms to the dreamcatcher tomorrow.”

  “What’s wrong with tonight?” Kade challenged. “She needs to be kept safe tonight.”

  “I don’t have everything ready to do it tonight.” Raven was clearly tense as she fought the urge to slap Kade back. “Tomorrow is the soonest we can do it.”

  “She won’t be safe tonight then,” Kade persisted. “She can’t go back to sleep. If she does … well … she’ll die.”

  “That’s not entirely true.” Raven stood. “Do you have any of the pixie sleeping draughts in your medicine cabinet?”

  I understood what she was planning and nodded. “Yeah.”

  “I’ll charm one so you don’t dream.” Raven was matter of fact. “I’ll also have Dolph and Nellie watch the perimeter until dawn. I doubt those things can cross the dreamcatcher. But if they have found a way to invade our minds, we need to adjust the frequency of the dreamcatcher to stop that from happening.”

  Raven disappeared into the bathroom, giving Kade and me a moment of solitude.

  “I’m sorry for frightening you. I … am so sorry.”

  “Stop that.” Kade’s tone was harsh. “I just want you to be okay. I … couldn’t wake you. I was scared out of my mind.”

  He wasn’t the only one. I decided to keep that tidbit to myself, though, at least until I was more settled. “I’m okay. I’m already feeling better.”

  “And this will take care of the rest of it.” Raven strode back into the room, a small vial in her hand. “I charmed it so you won’t dream. We’ll deal with the dreamcatcher in the morning.”

  “What about everyone else?” I asked. “If they can’t get in my dreams, what makes you think they’ll stay away from everyone else?”

  “I think they went after you for a reason,” Raven replied simply. “You’re more in tune with your psychic senses. It will take them – whoever they are – longer to infiltrate everyone else’s minds. That means the dreamcatcher is our number one priority tomorrow.”

  I really had no choice but to acquiesce. “Okay.”

  Raven flicked her eyes to Kade. “I know that you won’t willingly go to sleep because you’ll be watching her, but she really will be okay. Don’t work yourself into a frenzy over this. We’re going to need you tomorrow to check on a few things. It would be better if you were fresh and at full strength.”

  Kade made a face. “Don’t worry about me. I’ll do my job.”

  “Yes, well … .” Raven spared me a glance. “Try to make him sleep. Watching you won’t do him any good.”

  “I’ll do my best.” I offered her a salute before downing the sleeping draught. “Thanks for yanking me out of the pits of Hell, by the way. I appreciate it.”

  “Yes, well, I wasn’t doing anything else of note at the time.”

  Her outfit told me otherwise, but I knew better than to press her on it. “Thanks anyway.”

  “Don’t mention it.”

  10

  Ten

  Thankfully Kade managed to get some sleep. I was fairly certain he sat watch over me long after I slipped into slumber, but his eyes were closed and he was breathing evenly when I woke.

  Despite the terror of the dream, I felt fairly well rested. I did my best to remain immobile to give Kade more time to recharge, which allowed me to look back on the dream with something of a detached eye.

  “I can feel your mind working from here,” Kade murmured, his eyes still closed. “Are you okay?”

  “I’m fine.” I pressed my fingertips to his stubbled cheek. “I’m sorry for freaking you out.”

  “Don’t apologize for something you couldn’t control,” Kade growled, finally opening one eye and fixing me with a stern look. “You’re okay. That’s the most important thing.”

  “It is.” I stretched my arms over my head and heaved a sigh when I saw the marks on my wrists. “This sucks. I need to get some ointment from Nixie and Naida. People will think we’ve been playing some rather rough games.”

  Kade poked my side. “I don’t find that funny.”

  No, from his point of view, probably not. “It was a bad joke.”

  “Let’s not make it again.”

  “Sure.” I briefly pressed my eyes shut before turning my head to the window. The sun was shining, the fog long since dissipated. It looked like a beautiful day. “We should probably get moving. Raven and I will be busy casting charms most of the morning.”

  “Are you strong enough for that?”

  “I’m okay. It was just a dream.”

  Kade gently grabbed my arm and held it up so I could see the raw injuries around my wrist. “This is more than just a dream.”

  “I know, but I’m okay. You don’t need to worry.”

  “I’m pretty sure that worrying is part of the job description. It says so right in the Boyfriend Handbook.”

  “I’m guessing you got all As in school,” I teased, going for levity.

  “I want to ace my class in Poet-ry.”

  I groaned at the pun. “Nice.”

  “It just came to me.” He rolled and gave me a soft kiss, lingering for an extra moment. “Let’s get your wrists patched up and head outside. You need food, and then we have to see what we can do about the dreamcatcher. Just for the record, I’m going to stick close to you. I know that will probably annoy you, but I believe it says right in the Girlfriend Handbook that you have no choice but to put up with it.”

  “Smooth.”

  “I do my best.”

  I WAS RAVENOUS WHEN it came time for breakfast. Nixie and Naida insisted I sit rather than help. Raven rolled her eyes but didn’t argue the point, instead instructing Naida to fetch the ointment for my wrists and ordering Percival to lend a hand with breakfast preparations even though the men rarely helped with when it came to cooking.

  The gender roles were somewhat antiquated at Mystic Caravan, but because the women were stronger on the battlefield it somehow managed to even out.

  “That sounds all kinds of creepy,” Nellie complained as he watched me shovel heaping forkfuls of eggs and hash browns into my mouth. “You knew it was a dream and yet couldn’t get out?”

  I swallowed, not bothering to wipe the corners of my mouth despite the food I knew to be clinging there. “I was definitely stuck. I kept telling them they had the wrong person but I don’t think they believed me.”

  “The only name you heard was Gilly?” Percival asked, his fake British accent on full display. Not long after joining our group he let slip that he wasn’t really British while screaming like a teenager at a boy band concert in the face of mortal peril. The next day
he was back to being his usual self – clown shoes and all – and we’d barely mentioned it since. Yeah, it’s totally odd. I can’t explain it.

  “Yes. No last name.”

  “We might be able to track the name down, but it won’t be easy.” Percival daintily wiped his mouth. “I’ll see what I can dig up.”

  “That’s a start, but I’m not sure Gilly is where we should focus our efforts,” Raven said as she took her spot next to Percival. “I think we need to focus on the guy with the hat.”

  “Why do you say that?” Kade asked, alarmed. “Why do you think he’s key?”

  “I didn’t say I thought he was key. I said that I thought we should focus on him. He was the ringleader in the dream. He clearly unnerved you out by the trees.”

  I ate as I considered Raven’s statement.

  “Poet says there’s a chance that those things we saw weren’t real,” Kade argued. “She says that something else might be going on.”

  Raven exchanged a weighted look with me. “Do you believe that?”

  I shook my head, hating the way Kade cringed. “I thought it might be a remote possibility before the dream. I believed that perhaps Caroline was a witch and I didn’t pick up on it, that she created the shadow hunters to keep people away from her property.”

  “Oh, like maybe she’s out there growing pot and doesn’t want anyone to stumble over her stash,” Nellie said knowingly. “That’s a good possibility.”

  “Not after the dream,” I countered. “I think we’re definitely dealing with something that is rooted in history. Something bad happened – and it happened close to here – and I think whatever is lurking in the fog is somehow tied to that.”

  “Well, there goes the pot theory.” Nellie made a face. “I was totally looking forward to pinching some, too.”

  “How does the wendigo fit into all this?” Nixie asked, her eyes bright and keen. “I mean … that’s definitely what Raven heard howling last night, right?”