Page 66 of Real Fake Hauntings

“Hands!” Dorsey barked.

We immediately held hands again.

“The spirits don’t like arguing,” she said. “They will leave if you continue this way.”

“Sorry,” we muttered.

“Ah, I feel a strong presence,” she continued. “Someone…an old soul…”

We looked at each other, waiting for someone to guess who it could be.

“Is it my grandfather?” Leah asked barely above a whisper.

“No, child. Someone unrelated… Oh!”

We all leaned in.

“It’s a great sorcerer! So much power!”

Gasps of delight escaped Miriam and Leah.

“A sorcerer?” Jim asked, unconvinced.

“A great druid of the past!”

“What does he say?” Miriam asked.

“He says…” Dorsey pinned me with a glittering cold stare. “To not meddle in magic that isn’t yours to tame, for you are weak and cannot comprehend all its secrets.”

I held her gaze. “Perhaps if the great druid had been more powerful, he wouldn’t have gotten his ass kicked by the Romans and died, yes?”

A strangled laugh came from Veva’s direction, but my focus didn’t waver. With a wide smile, I added, “Live every day to its fullest and reap its power, for there is nothing you can do once you’re dead.”

Other than get stuck haunting houses and bathtubs.

Dorsey sniffed. “The great druid is laughing at your naïveté and eagerly awaits to watch your downfall.”

“The great druid is not very nice,” I said. “Can’t you find us someone more friendly?”

“I do not direct the spirits,” she said smugly. “Rather, they guide me to impart their knowledge.”

“Can you ask the great druid if he’s met anyone famous?” Miriam asked.

The candle’s flame flickered, almost dying out, and a woosh of wind sent my hair flying everywhere.

“Oh, my God,” Leah exclaimed. “Did everyone feel that?”

“The great druid is not here to talk about petty fame,” Dorsey said somberly. “You have angered him.”

“I’m so sorry,” Miriam said in a rush. “I take it back. Forgive us, oh, great druid!”

A soft breeze went through the room, then quieted down.

“The great druid understands the folly of youth. He has forgiven you.”

“Thank you, great druid!”

Leah giggled. “What else can he do? Can he lift the table or something?”

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