Page 14 of Madly Deeply

Alexandra forced a smile, trying not to think about how much she wished she were back at the hotel, alone with Spreag where she could talk to him without someone listening closely. She shouldn't have told anyone, shouldn’t have come to dinner. The thought had been nagging at her since dawn.

Yes, they were friends who'd experienced their own supernatural relationships, but this link with Spreag was different, precious. What if their well-meaning intervention somehow ruined it? What if they found a way to force him to move on, thinking it was for the best? What if the witches destroyed everything completely.

A shadow fell across the table as clouds swallowed the sun again and her eyes cut to her husband. Finally, she was awake enough to understand just why he’d been nervous. He gave her a little nod.

“It’ll be fine, love,” he said just above the din at the table. “If we must, we shall go, aye?”

She looked at her plate and gave a little nod just for him.

As if trying to prod the conversation, the rain intensified briefly, drumming against the windows, then softened to a gentle hiss. Another shaft of sunlight broke through, catching the rising steam from various cups along the tabletop.

"Pass the toast, would you, Lorraine?" Duncan asked, then added with forced cheer, "And perhaps a slice of yer witchly wisdom?"

Meg elbowed him. "Let them eat first."

"Oh, we don't mind," Lorraine said, stirring her tea. "Though I suspect some of you won't like our answers."

Spreag disappeared from the couch and reappeared at her right shoulder. Unconsciously, she reached up and laid her left hand where he would have been resting his. She resisted the temptation to look up.

"Well, here’s the crux, then. " Wyndham set down his coffee. "How is it possible that Spreag can be both audible and visible to Alexandra? When we were ghosts, it took immense energy just to appear briefly."

"And not all of us could at that.” Duncan grimaced. “Though I do remember Simon kissing Soni at the bonfire.”

The sisters exchanged a look, though neither of them seemed concerned. It was almost a relief.

Almost.

With Alex’s permission, Duncan told the sisters what had happened at the restaurant.

"Interesting that you could hear this woman speaking to your husband.” She looked at her sister. “Overhearing a conversation between ghosts?" She looked pensive and glanced at her sister. “Not the purview of a Seer.” To Alexandra, “Have you encountered any other unusual magic since arriving in Scotland?"

Alex laughed. "Other than what? Witches, resurrected ghosts, a regular ghost, monsters, Seers—oh, and that big blond fairy? No. Nothing at all.”

Lorraine waved away her sarcasm. "No talismans?" Lorraine asked. "No gifts from strangers?"

"Or from friends?" Loretta added pointedly.

"Nothing from Wickham?"

Alexandra spread her hands. "No magic wands or anything like that.”

Both sisters shrugged. “Must be a miracle.” Lorraine looked at her sister. “Don’t you think?”

Loretta bobbed her eyebrows and looked slyly around the table until her gaze stopped at Alexandra. "Ah, but is it Spreag's miracle? Or yours?"

Alex blinked. "What do you mean?"

"Well, consider the facts. Spreag is a ghost, just as these men were. He turned from the light, as they did. Other than his precognition, his abilities should be exactly the same."

"Which means…" Lorraine nodded. “The difference must lie with Alexandra."

"But how?" Bronagh asked. "What's changed?"

The way the sisters grinned made Alexandra's stomach flip—or maybe it was the lingering smell of sausage.

"Something has leant you the power to see Spreag,” Lorraine said gently. "Something decidedly magical."

"Or someone.” Loretta actually giggled.

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