Page 29 of Ghosted

As the image of the college faded from my mind, I felt a new resolve strengthen me. I had to win Lucien’s love back, he was mine first and I’d damn anyone that tried to take him from me.

Fire, the idea sparked in my brain once again. Yes, that would do. That’s how I took care of Iris the first time. Lucien thought he was being a hero. Little did he know that Iris was what started the fire at the college. Father tried to tell me that Lucien wasn’t in love with me, but he was wrong. That witch Iris had just gotten her claws into him and he was confused. So, I took care of her for him. A frying pan to the temple and she was out cold. I left her body behind father’s desk and when he returned, I did the same to him. A little gasoline and a match and two birds were taken out with one blaze.

Yes, fire was what I would use to rid myself of this Iris lookalike that was trying to keep my Lucien from me.

Jayce

The next few weeks were an odd mix of falling into a comfortable place in our relationship, and trying to keep Raven alive. After the shower incident, we were almost afraid to stay here, but where else would we go? Would it make a difference if the spirits were attached to us?

Eli and I are now sitting in uncomfortable vinyl chairs in our doctor’s waiting room, as we wait for Raven to come back out again. I already had my turn and am now cleared to return to work even though that part of our lives feels so long ago. I’m a changed man after nearly dying and suddenly, bookkeeping doesn’t seem like such an important thing.

“I think I’m going to talk to my boss about a work-from-home position,” I tell Eli with a sigh. “The thought of being in an office and being constantly slammed with everyone’s emotions nonstop sounds like a fresh hell I don’t want to experience.”

“Agreed,” Eli says with a grim expression. “I don’t think I have that luxury. But I’m terrified I’ll be thrown into a vision. They’ll think I have some sort of seizure disorder or something.”

“Mention them as blackouts to the doctor. We got hurt enough I don’t think he’ll question it and it’ll keep you employed at least.” He nods slowly as he thinks it over.

“Glad we have your logical mind around,” he says with a sigh. “I also hate the idea of Raven being without us.”

“We can’t shield her forever. She’d never allow it, anyway,” I point out. Raven has always been stubborn. Honestly, that fire in her is part of the reason I fell in love with her in the first place.

He laughs at that. “Very true. Maybe it’s time to talk to dear old dad finally.” The hollow tone has me a bit worried but I can’t ask further because Raven is walking back to us, looking a bit lost.

“Hey, babe, what’s wrong?” Eli asks as he jumps to his feet.

“Nothing,” she promises. “I’m just good to go back to work. Feels weird.” She shrugs as her cheeks tint pink with embarrassment.

“I felt the same,” I agree.

“Eli Ridley?” the nurse calls out. He kisses Raven quickly before heading back to see the doctor. I hope he really tells the doctor about his blackouts, it could be dangerous for him.

“Why is Eli freaking out?” Raven asks. It was so subtle I’m a bit surprised she even noticed his tension. But then again she was always good at reading people.

“He’s worried about leaving you and going back to work. He mentioned calling his dad and then got real quiet,” I tell her. She frowns and glances at the door he just went through.

“Then he’s really freaking out,” she says quietly. “His dad was an awful man. Rich and abusive in his own ways. It’s a wonder Eli turned out so lighthearted.”

“Why would he call him then?” I hiss, angry now that he’d consider it. “What does he have to offer him?”

“A position at the company he owns,” she admits. “He calls about once or twice a year and offers it to him. I think he hopes Eli will forgive him and come back, take on the legacy.”

“I can’t see him as some businessman,” I laugh humorlessly. “So, how would this help?”

“Eli isn’t a businessman, but he’s amazing with computers. He could work on their security systems and get paid a few years' salary for a month’s work,” she admits.

“An opportunity to pay your bills and keep you safe,” I say, putting the pieces together. She nods sharply and sighs.

“This is all so fucked up.” There’s a waver in her tone and my heart breaks for her. None of us asked for this and yet we were thrown straight into a chaos we can’t escape.

“We’ll figure it out, Raven,” I promise her. No matter what I wouldn’t let some insane ghost take her from me.

We don’t talk again until Eli is walking out, looking more angry than before he went in. He doesn’t bother to wait for us as he barrels through the waiting room and outside. Raven gives me a startled expression as she grabs her clutch and we rush out after him. He’s already on the phone when we find him, tucked away on a bench around the side of the building.

“I’ve considered your offer,” he says in a harsh tone. “But it’s not forever.”

Raven looks panicked but doesn’t interrupt as he hashes out a few details like demanding to work strictly from home while he heals, only coming into the office once a week. I’ve never seen Eli anything but his usual jovial self, outside of our accident, but now he looks almost broken, and I fucking hate it.

When he ends the call his head hangs low and he shakes slightly. I know it’s taking everything in him not to break down and I don’t want to make things worse.

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