Page 30 of Medium
Dimi appeared next to Shane, pointing at something midway between him and Ellis. “And look at this piece of crap bond they made without you. Better get started by spilling the beans about being a Medium so you can get to the fun part.”
She’d been complaining about the state of Shane and Ellis’ “bond” since we’d walked into the house. All I knew was that their “bond” was why they couldn’t be more than a few feet apart from each other. It didn’t seem fun, but I didn’t want to know why Dimi thought I was responsible for fixing it. I wasn’t getting involved. I’d just make sure Pia would be okay, then I’d go back to my regular little life.
Except I did need to do something about Uncle Hugo and that asshole Randolph Chamberlain. Maybe I could borrowone of those Hunters. No need to involve Shane or Ellis, or their “bond”.
Pia handed the empty water bottle to Ellis. I asked her, “Are you ready to, uh, try out the apple tree?” It wasn’t like I knew exactly what she’d bedoingwith the tree, but I wanted to be supportive.
She reached for my hand. I walked with her over to the tree trunk, and she threw her arms around my waist. “I’ll be right here if you need me,” I told her.
“Me too, baby,” Lorraine whispered, though of course Pia couldn’t hear her.
She released me and turned to the tree. Then she just... walked into it. And she was gone.
I sucked in a breath. “Where did she go? Is she alright?” I gazed wildly around at the ghosts, Shane, Ellis, and Ms. Jackson.
“She’s fine,” Shane said, echoing what I was hearing from the ghosts. “She’s in the tree. She’ll come out when she’s ready.”
I sagged. “Okay. Thanks.” I went over to the hammock. “Can I sit here?” I asked Ms. Jackson. They nodded, and I sank down into the rope netting. I leaned back and closed my eyes. Shit, what a fucking night it’d been. My arms ached, and I didn’t want to move.
“Why don’t you put your feet up and take a nap?” Ellis suggested.
Okay, I’d move for a nap. I scooted around until my whole body was on the hammock. It swayed gently, and I sighed. I might never get up.
Ellis draped the throw over my legs.
“Thanks. Talk later,” I slurred as I let sleep take me.
The smell of bacon frying woke me. The sun was up, but the light filtering through the apple tree leaves was still weak.
“He wakes!” Grandfather announced.
I groaned and rubbed my eyes. The muscles in my arms were fucking sore. Sitting up, I examined the apple tree. No sign of Pia. Hopefully she was healing.
I put a foot on the ground to stop the hammock from swinging, then I stood up. Crap. I hated sleeping in shoes and socks, and these dress shoes were pinching my toes. Maybe one of my hosts had large enough feet that I could borrow a more comfortable pair.
Grandfather, who was pretending to sit on the end of the hammock, smirked. “Shane and Ellis were arguing about you last night.”
I frowned. “Why?”
He chuckled delightedly. “Apparently that Ellis likes you. You know,likesyou. And since Shane and Ellis are bonded, which Mercy says means they’re permanently married with magic, Shane’s a little miffed. But I told Mercy you’re polyamorous, so if you can win over Shane, there won’t be a problem.” He winked at me.
I groaned. “Is that what Dimi meant when she said I needed to fix Shane and Ellis’ bond? She wants me to, what, sleep with them? I don’t have a magic dick.” Though it wouldn’t have been a hardship to have sex with them. Ellis was attractive, and so was Shane, but I’d been focused on Pia last night, so it hadn’t seemed important.
He cackled some more. “That’s a good one. I’ll have to tell Dimi.”
“Grandfather!” Fucking hell. “Tell her I’m not doing it.” Especially if only one of the pair was interested in me.
Shit, was IdisappointedShane wasn’t attracted to me?
Shaking my head, I turned to the apple tree. The potted plant was still next to the trunk, and it had grown at least a foot during the time I’d been asleep. The new leaves were blurring the twisty shape it’d had the night before.
“Hey, Pia, if you can hear me, I’m just going inside to clean up and get some breakfast. I’ll be back as soon as I can.” At least it was only April, so the weather was bearable.
I walked to the house, grimacing at my uncomfortable shoes. The back door was cracked open, and I could hear dishes clinking.
When I reached the patio, I took my shoes off. I pushed the door wide, and the first thing I saw was a huge tiger sitting next to the kitchen table. I gasped, clutching my shoes to my chest.
The tiger turned, showing me the Ouija board on their chest. Fucking hell.
