Ghost Silk (Ghost Perfume, Book 2) | ✔

17 - Now you see me - Part 1 (Rose; Lukas)

Rose (continued)

The revenants flowed away from the house in several directions. I waved from the front door.

"Bye! Good luck!"

At the last moment, several had complained that with my restrictive orders, they wouldn't be able to explain their return to their families. I'd agreed that they could tell the living that a priest, whose name they didn't know, had decided to help them return to the material realm, and that because of the golden thread, the dead had no choice but to do exactly as I ordered them.

Most of them waved back, dignified, but the Nightshade siblings blew kisses at me.

Gideon turned and grimaced like he wanted a parting shot. I waved at him with perhaps too sweet a smile.

He turned around and flew after the Thornes.

"Bye, Rose," Ellie said softly.

Yet again, though we'd hardly had time to reunite, I said goodbye to her and Jane.

I swear, I'll check faithfully on the temple to see if you've found it, and if you never come, then I'll go after you myself.

"See you, Atropos."

They left. I waved till they couldn't see me anymore.

Michael came out to the open front door.

"The revenants have gone?"

I nodded, lying about Jackal, who pressed into my side. "Ellie and Jane have gone exploring, too," I said, instead of going into detail about their plan.

But I didn't feel bad about it. I didn't feel bad about any lies. Because he was such a liar, this beautiful man who now carded his hand through the hair behind my ear, cradling my face and asking me, "Shall we check on the fields?"

Jackal groaned. "Oh do hurry up."

But the fields were abandoned, as before, with no ghost waiting there.

Gabriel was waiting for us when we returned, the portal having deposited us in the living room. (We landed only steps away from the fireplace, which was lit. Gabriel said that my portal was going to take years off his life, and Michael said that we had to keep the fireplace unlit in the future whenever I was using the portal.)

"I think I'll rest for a while," I said. I could feel the blood throbbing under my too-thin skin. "There's ghosts waiting, but ..."

"Ask them to wait a while longer," Gabriel said.

Michael collapsed on the sofa, a hand to his head. He looked exhausted.

I nodded. "I did. And, um ..."

"Yes, love."

"Is it okay if I shower?" There was still salt in my hair and on my skin, and I desperately wanted a change of clothes.

"We can wash your hair, if you like," Michael said.

"I can help," Gabriel said, linking my elbow in his.

"Rooooooose," Jackal complained.

You're dead, Jackal, you've got plenty of time, and my hair itches!

Michael and Gabriel helped me wash and dry my hair, so not a drop of water landed on my bandages, and in privacy I did my best to wash my feet and a few other places.

To my delight, both Alistairs then had to go into the office to take a phone call, so they wouldn't see what I did next. I took an annoyed, vibrating Jackal to the kitchen.