Ghosts of July (Shamans of the Divide, Book 1)

Chapter Twenty-five

"Where does he go?"

Skye asked the question but kept his focus on the bouncing terrain ahead of us as we drove back to the highway to return to Shades. I think he was talking just to distract himself from the pain he must have been feeling. The fall into Dull Blade had left a nasty gash on his head and his forearms were skinned and bleeding, too. I'd asked him if he was okay when we first got in the truck and he didn't answer me. He hadn't spoken for most of the five or so miles we'd already driven until he asked about Ernie.

"He says he gets weak when he stays too long here," I said. "He's called it 'the gray' before, but I don't know what that means. I wonder if you'll be able to see him soon."

"I'm not sure I want that particular gift," Skye said, finally smiling. "I like my privacy."

"That's the truth," I laughed. "I threatened to put a cat bell on him earlier. I don't like surprises like that. I think he's using all his energy to find the council. He mentioned they're in town and all hell has broken loose."

Skye pressed harder on the accelerator once we'd made it to the smooth highway and we sped back toward town.

"Did you see anything back at the Stones?"

He didn't say anything for half a breath.

"Yes," he finally said.

I waited for an explanation.

"I saw huge claw marks across the side of the formation, about ten feet up or so. They looked new."

Claw marks in stone? I didn't like the sound of that.

"Great."

Skye nodded.

"Do we need to stop for something for your cuts? They look pretty bad."

"No," he said. "If this is all I get by the time the night's over, I'll consider myself damn lucky."

Minutes later, we finally approached the outskirts of Shades and I immediately noticed that none of the street lamps were lit.

"Weren't those on when we drove out?" Skye pointed at one of them.

"Yes," I said. "They were."

Skye slowed the vehicle down a bit and we tried to peer into the darkness at the houses and outlying shops that led into downtown. Nothing was lit. Not a front porch light, not a television through a front window, not a neon business sign. Nothing.

"I sure wish your friend would pop out and tell us which direction to head toward," Skye muttered as we crawled past empty sidewalks and dark buildings.

We drove closer to town center hoping somebody would have a light on somewhere. No luck. Near the library Skye came to a stop.

"What?"

"Is he here?" Skye jerked a thumb toward the back seat and I looked where he pointed. But Ernie wasn't there.

"No," I said. "You feel something?"

Skye frowned but nodded.

I looked out toward the weak wash of light the headlights cast and I sucked in a breath. The creepy little girl from two nights ago. No longer standing in the middle of a crowded intersection, she stood about ten feet from the front of Skye's car.

He must have seen my face.

"What? You're seeing something?"

I couldn't speak but I nodded.

The little girl, complete with droopy bow and knee-length tea dress, smiled at me like she did before. A slow, spreading smile that merely bared her teeth instead of conveying genuine happiness. I hated that smile. My skin crawled.