Scream in the Wind (Paranormal Peacekeepers: Book Two)

Chapter Five

CHAPTER FIVE

Grace

"No running. No climbing. No jumping. No falling. No bending down to tie your shoe. No eating a hot dog unless its cut up into teeny-tiny pieces."

Standing outside the van, waiting to start our next investigation, I rolled my eyes as Bodhi listed off a million and one things he didn't want me doing. I'd never had a real brother, or even a father for that matter, but with Bodhi, I had a pretty good idea of what that kind of relationship might be like.

"I got it, dad," I said, rolling my eyes. "You don't have to worry about me. You know I'm not actually sick."

"No, I don't," he argued. "And if you're stepping foot inside that house for an investigation, then you're doing it safely."

"Yeah, but-"

"No, Grace. I'm in charge. When I give an order, you follow it. When I say run, you sprint. When I say sit, you plant your ass. It's that simple. Comprende?"

My cheeks burned red, whether from anger or embarrassment, I wasn't sure. Every single member of the Peacekeepers stood around Bodhi and I, unpacking equipment as they pretended not to listen to our leader scold me like a five-year-old.

When I refused to grace him with an answer, Bodhi's gaze softened. He blew out a frustrated breath before wrapping a hand around my arm and pulling me to the side, just out of earshot of the others.

"Grace, I can't go in there and do my job if I know you're putting yourself at risk. The only reason I agreed to let you come was because I had no choice." He cast angry eyes toward Violet, who had refused to go to Fatherville without me. "We're all going in with clear heads, and we're all going to make safe, wise decisions. Got it?"

Even though I refused to look his way, I could feel his glare burning into my skin. I didn't want to back down, seeing as how I thought he was being unreasonable, but the sooner this argument was put to rest, the sooner we could get inside and get on with our jobs.

"Fine." If that one word came off sounding stubborn or bratty, I didn't care.

"Okay." Bodhi stalked off and grabbed his pack from Zeke's outstretched hand. "Let's go."

There was no reason for Bodhi to worry. I'd dealt with this before and I'd deal with it again. It wasn't the end of the world. Not for me and definitely not for the Peacekeepers.

Our small group made our way up rickety porch steps and Bodhi knocked on the wide front door. When it shook and rust from the hinges tinkled to the ground, I took a cautionary step back.

Hurried footsteps inside sounded and we all pulled our lips tight in welcoming smiles as a tired looking woman swung the door open wide.

"Bod-high?"

I chuckled as Bodhi stuck out his hand in greeting and offered her a charming smile.

"Yes, Mrs. Altham. Although, it's pronounced Bode-ee."

"Oh, I'm so sorry," she blushed. "Come on inside, and please, call me Sue."

Sue held the door while all six of us filed in, equipment and all. Once we were all standing awkwardly in the foyer, a gray-headed man joined us from the hall.

"This is my husband, Robert," she said, nodding at the man with a smile.

Bodhi shook Robert's hand. "Pleasure to meet you, sir." He turned so he could point to each of us proudly. "This is our psychic Zeke, our two mediums, Violet and Grace, and our civilians, Mark and Miles."