Whispers

Chapter 15

Erika still wasn't awake within thirty minutes. Loyd carried her over his shoulder, even though I insisted on carrying her. Grigori followed us out of the Chamber of Doom, which is what I have officially titled that place. We made it through the maze and we stopped at that door. I made a promise and I was keeping it. I tore down one of the tall hedges, officially breaking the devils trap so Loyd and Diaz could leave the garden. Loyd and Diaz got Erika in the SUV while Grigori and I stayed off to the side.

"So, Grigori," I started. I bit the pad of my thumb as I looked at him. He was transparent now and it was odd seeing him. "What happens now?"

"That choice is yours, son."

"No, I mean with us. Did you have unfinished business?"

"I still do, but I can't leave here, Michael." Grigori crossed his arms and looked at the SUV where Erika was. His features softened. "You know, there was nobody I loved more than Charlotte. You have no idea how much it killed me to be powerless against what happened that night."

"I saw what happened. We both did." I scratched the back of my head.

"You should dye you hair. I think you'd look much better with black hair." Grigori chuckled to lighten the mood.

"You know, for being a sadist, you're not a bad guy."

"I'm tired, son. I made a deal that I couldn't follow through with because I got Charlotte killed. Seeing your Erika eased my rage, in a sense. It was as if I got a second chance, but it's not with me directly." Grigori shook his head. "I'm sounding like a damn child, getting all gushy over this."

"All good." I laughed. I thought about it for a moment. "Why don't you stay with me? You're the only real family I have. Just don't start getting sadistic or I will get rid of you."

"Seriously?" Grigori started to smirk.

"Don't be too much trouble." I glared at him before I reached my hand out. He took it and as if a wave of energy zipped through me, Grigori was back in my body. I gasped as I lost my breath again. I coughed and hit my chest slightly. "I have got to get used to that."

"Michael." I turned and saw Diaz walking to me. She put her hands in her pockets. "Look, you're a smart kid. Your grandfather and I have a deal that can not be broken as long as the blood line continues. You are the last of his blood, so the deal applies to you."

"What was the deal exactly?"

"We made a deal that he gets this mansion, being the richest man alive, and to get Charlotte. Deals do back fire. Charlotte died because she got curious. You have that part of her, yet you kept going. That could've gotten you killed." Diaz shook her head. "Anyway, that deal got passed down to you. You have to either fulfill the deal or pass it on. I have a feeling that you will fulfill it."

"What is the catch? What happens after it ends?"

"The deal was all of that for the first born daughter. That hasn't happened, obviously. When it does happen, I will come for the child. If you stand in my way then I will kill you and your wife." I nodded and looked at the SUV. "Is it possible to make a separate deal?"

"You already have the deal to get who you want." She scoffed.

"No, that's not it." I shook my head and looked Diaz in the eye. It spooked her. "I want to make a deal to erase everybody's minds of this trip and that nothing bad happened. Erika and Jeremy will have no memory of what we found, nobody recalls that room or the cellar. Everybody besides me, of course, including my parents. The elderly couple will only know that the heir to this mansion is going to take it back, but they are more than welcome to stay, earning the profit of the hotel they made since I have plenty of money waiting for me."