Page 58 of RAKEish

“Interesting insight,” Ms. Birdie mused. “But I can assure you, this curse isn’t a figment of Scott’s imagination.”

Lux tapped her chin as she thought, her training at high alert. “But could a curse be an imaginative creation of the ancestor who supposedly first incurred the witch’s wrath? His get-out-of-a-relationship-free card? And upon his death, the myth was passed down through the generations. And now Scott has simply accepted it as truth?”

Ms. Birdie leaned in closer, her expression somber. “He did not fabricate it, Lux. I have reasons to be certain.”

“How can you be so sure?”

“That’s where things get a bit tricky.” Ms. Birdie’s gaze shifted to a nearby table that had just become occupied. “It’s getting rather crowded,” she said in a voice barely above a whisper. “Shall we take a walk? Some fresh air might do us good for this part of the conversation.”

“Where to?” Lux pushed back from the table and gathered her purse.

“You’ll see,” Ms. Birdie replied.

Once they were walking along the bustling streets, Ms. Birdie spoke. “Tell me, Lux, do you believe in the supernatural?”

This felt like a trick question. Hadn’t they just been discussing the validity of a curse? “I don’t disbelieve, but I can’t say I’m a firm believer either. Why do you ask?”

“Because what I’m about to share will require an openness to the unseen, the unexplainable.”

Why the hell not? “I’m listening.”

Ms. Birdie took a deep breath, and Lux gave her a sideways look. What was so bizarre it required a steadying breath?

“A couple of years ago,” Ms. Birdie said, “a dear friend of mine passed away. After her death, I was unexpectedly invited to meet with a young woman named Molly Thorn. Molly possesses…certain skills that are quite unique.”

“Like what?” There were a lot of special skills that could fall into the unique category. Brain surgeon, professional ball player, encyclopedic knowledge of soap opera expert.

Ms. Birdie pulled her to the side and whispered, “She has a way of communicating with the dead.”

Lux laughed before she could stop herself. “You met a medium?” She tried hard not to double down with a pudgy-judgy look—which should be easy considering what she did for a living—but must have failed if Ms. Birdie’s pinched lips were anything to go by.

“She’s not exactly a medium in the traditional sense, but for simplicity’s sake, let’s just call her that.” Ms. Birdie waited for a couple to pass them before continuing. “I bring her up because when I discovered Scott’s curse, I couldn’t help but wonder if Molly Thorn could reach the witch responsible and negotiate an antidote.”

“Negotiate with a witch’s spirit?” Lux’s tone failed to hide her incredulity.

“Yes, barter, if you will,” Ms. Birdie continued.

“Was the bartering successful?” This was starting to sound like one of those paranormal romantic comedies Lux adored.

“As it turned out,” Ms. Birdie said, sighing, “that particular wicked witch had already turned to dust, making contact with her impossible.”

Was this the onset of a late-life crisis for Ms. Birdie?

“At least you tried,” Lux said.

“Fortunately, Molly has quite the network in the second veil,” Ms. Birdie added.

Lux had two options. She could steer the conversation away from the bizarre path they were traveling, or she could go all in and embrace the topic. She ignored the vanilla option and chose the fun one. “The second veil? Is that some kind of ghostly VIP lounge?” After just one short week with Scott, it appeared her taste in a lot of things had changed.

“According to Molly, it’s a realm where spirits with unfinished business congregate,” Ms. Birdie explained.

Then again, it would be negligent on Lux’s part to avoid signs of a problem, just because she’d gotten a taste for what it was like to live your life not thinking beyond the moment.

“Ms. Birdie, are you sure you’re feeling okay?” Lux asked in her Dr. Stone voice, half-expecting the woman to start talking about befriending Beetlejuice next.

“Yes, dear, I’m perfectly fine,” Ms. Birdie assured her, a hint of exasperation in her voice. “I know it sounds outlandish. Maybe one day, I’ll introduce you to Molly. Seeing is believing, after all.”

“That would be…enlightening.” And a hoot. Lux hoped Ms. Birdie followed through with that offer.

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