Page 62 of Darkside

“I am,” I say with a nod. “Helping Allison cross over felt really good. I wish I could do that more. Being a witch feels natural since it, well, is. But being a medium…it’s me. It’s always been me.”

“It’s your calling.”

“I feel like it is. So is saving all the animals.” I came home last night feeling like a weight was lifted off my shoulders. With the warding recast, my house was calm and peaceful. Stuart is still very much a threat, but knowing we’re another step closer to banishing him forever is a good feeling too.

I’m clearing my plate when my phone rings. It’s my childhood best friend, and seeing her name flash up on my screen makes me realize it’s been a while since we’ve spoken.

“Hello?” I answer.

“It was you, wasn’t it?” she blurts out.

“Uh, depends on what it is?”

“The unnamed psychic who solved a cold case from the 80s.”

Right. Headlines. “That was fast. And yeah, it was me.” I smile and put my plate in the sink and then go into the library. “How do you know?”

“It’s all over social media. Last night, someone tipped off the police about the killer’s trophy case. Family was notified this morning and started posting. The Paradise Valley Times posted about it on Facebook. Likejustposted. I’ve been stalking the page since I saw a TikTok by Sara Clayton’s cousin.”

“Send that one to me?” I ask as I pull my phone away from my ear, putting it on speaker as I wait for the link to go through.

“Play it and let me know your reaction,” Laney says.

The video starts with a woman looking into the camera with tears in her eyes. “If you lived in the midwest in the late 80s or 90s, then you probably remember the day my beautiful cousin, Sara, was found brutally murdered. Her case remained unsolved, and I’ll link my other videos about that in the comments, but last night my aunt got a phone call from the Paradise Valley police.” She inhales, doing her best not to start crying. “I can’t give away too much yet, as things legally are still being processed, but they finally know who killed her. It’s been so long I didn’t think it would hit me like this, but I cannot express how much this is going to help heal the hurt we still carry with us, forty-some years later. And when my aunt asked how this new evidence suddenly came about—you guys are never gonna believe this—but the police said a local psychic communicated with another victim.” She shakes her head, tears rolling down her face. “And this person doesn’t want fame or recognition. But whoever you are, thank you. Thank you for enabling my aunt and uncle to finally,finally, be able to move on and rest. Sara’s father swore he wouldn’t give up until justice was served and now he can rest easy in his final days.”

And now I’m crying again. Knowing Allison moved on was a lot, but knowing how much this impacted the families…I really do think this is my calling in the supernatural world.

“What the hell happened, and why didn’t you call me sooner?”

“It’s been a really hectic and crazy week.” I sniffle and sit on the couch, telling Laney everything, starting with Ethan getting falsely accused of murder to everything going on with Stuart.

“That’s fucking insane, Anora. Like talk about the right place, right time, right person.”

“Yeah,” I agree, knowing I have a bad habit of downplaying compliments. “Too bad I didn’t walk in there when I was a baby.” I make a face at my own words. “A lot of lives could have been saved.”

“I’m just in fucking awe, Annie. And you’re hoping to go dig up a grave tonight?”

“Yep. Between you and me, I’m more hoping to watch Ethan take his shirt off and then dig up the grave, but we have to move fast before we’re seen. Getting out of two possible arrests within a week is like tempting fate.”

Laney laughs. “Yeah. And getting caught red-handed is gonna be hard to talk your way out of.”

“For sure. Luckily Ethan has done this before. They make it look easy in movies, but graves are deep down. I planted one tree last fall and thought I was going to die digging a two and half foot hole.”

“Can’t you use magic to dig up the body?”

“I’m sure there’s some sort of spell for it, but I don’t know it…though you did just give me another idea. And we might not have to wait for the cover of darkness to pull it off. Can I call you back later?”

“Yeah. I’m working today so if I don’t answer, that’s why. Miss you.”

“I miss you too. I promised my parents I’d come visit this summer, so I’ll have to bug you then.”

“You better. I’ll get my guest room ready and everything. Bye, Anora. Love you.”

“Love you too, Laney.”

Dropping my phone onto the couch, I pad back into the kitchen, finding Ethan at the sink washing dishes. My god, it’s a beautiful sight.

“Laney said something that gave me an idea,” I start.

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