Page 16 of Eternal Love
“Oh, it’s okay, dear, I’m no friend of theirs, believe me, this is sadly the only watering hole in town.”
Julia decided she liked her.
Tabitha continued, “My family have lived here for generations.” She looked at her pointedly, before taking a deep breath. “What happened to that man...” She shook her head. “His curse finally has the chance to be broken. My family...” Tabitha looked at her, tipping her head to the side. “I’m assuming if you can see him, dear, that you have an open mind?”
Julia nodded. Clearly, she did. But Tabitha did, too. Far more open than hers, clearly. Julia had to force her mouth closed, to stop it from gaping open at Tabitha’s knowledge of the situation. She needed to focus on what Tabitha was telling her. She could be shocked in her own time.
“I come from a line of practicing witches, and my ancestors needed money, and so, before the murder, the restless soul curse was placed on Theodore, cursed to remain in the manor for all eternity, unless a soul spoke to his own. And even then, the curse wouldn’t be broken. He’s carrying his own demons, as I’m sure you know.”
He thought he had cursed himself ... when it was his murderers all along. Another act of violence, never allowing him to rest. Julia’s blood boiled. “That’s why I’m here. I need to find the proof of the murder so he can rest.”
“You won’t find it here, dear.”
Julia glanced at the Pitts. “There are letters that might hold it. But wouldn’t they have burned them?”
Tabitha shook her head. “I don’t know, but I do know something they can’t burn, not without a witch, at least. That’s not how the restless curse works. In order for it to remain intact, the instructions must be passed onto future generations.” She nodded at Sandra and Luke. “They could have set him free, but they didn’t. They are following the instructions. Get hold of the instructions and all will be well. Find me when you do, there’s a ritual I need to perform.”
She nodded, looking into Tabitha’s eyes. She felt she could trust her. Her whole sorry story came spilling from her mouth. To her credit, Tabitha just entwined her fingers and sat back and listened.
“Love is very powerful, you know,” she said wisely. “More powerful than even magic, at times.”
“Is that why, maybe, he’s looking more ... alive?” She frowned before Tabitha could answer. “But then why was I able to photograph him? It was a little blurry, sure, but I sent it to my friend Camilla, and she could see him just fine.”
A smirk crossed Tabitha’s face. “Well, dear, it sounds like your friend Camilla may be more powerful than she realizes. There are a few reasons one can see the other side. They can have the sight, the power to see what the naked eye cannot.” She stopped talking and gestured to herself. “Or they can have opened their third eye or cast a spell. I myself opened mine when I was only thirteen.”
Yep, that was Camilla all right. She enjoyed watching spooky videos that freaked Julia out to no end when they were kids. Then she’d graduated to a fascination with all things spiritual. Julia’s mind cast back to when they were fifteen, sitting cross-legged in Camilla’s bedroom. Camilla had tried to persuade her to open her third eye with her. Julia had point-blank refused and left her to it.
Well shit, I wonder if Camilla knows it was successful. That some of the people in this world she’s seen are spirits? She shook that thought from her head. That issue could be dealt with later.
“So that photo would be blank for pretty much most of the population?” she asked.
Tabitha tapped her nails on the table. “That’s right. Only those who have an open mind and want to see further than the confines of this world can.”
Julia nodded, taking it all in. “Thank you for your help.”
“I’m just sorry for the part my bloodline played in it.” Tabitha covered her hand with her own. “If there’s anything I can do to help, please let me know.”
Julia bit her lip. “Well, now that you mention it...”
