Page 23 of Christmas Spirits

When she checked the rearview mirror for the hundredth time, she blew out a breath and glanced at me. “You okay?” she said as she tried to catch her breath.

I was still panting, my heart hammering against my ribs. “Yeah. You?”

She nodded. “Did you get him?”

I pointed to the wrapped up bundle in my lap.

“Good.”

I swallowed, trying to calm my frazzled nerves. “What happened back there?”

“He found you again,” she replied simply. “Although it’s a bit scary how fast he can track you. I’m guessing it’s because you’re a Medium.”

Yeah, being one did make me easier for spirits to spot. Like moths to a flame.

“But that only confirms that the spells and protective wards on the shop are working. He only seems to be able to get to you once you leave.”

Also true.

“And what was that unnatural speed before?” I asked. “As we ran to the car. It reminded me of the Roadrunner.”

“A speed spell,” she replied and stepped on the gas a little harder. “A level two. Can make people or objects faster or slower. Depending on what you need. But it’s temporary. And can only be used on one thing at a time.”

“Quick thinking,” I said, “but I’m not sure if what I have in here is actually going to help us.”

“What do you mean?”

“He’s pretty much dust now.”

She chuckled. “That’s okay. As long as we havehisdust, the necromancer should be able to use it. I would assume he’s a pretty strong one.”

Well, that was a relief.

“Just hold on to it because if we lose even an ounce, it could hurt our chances of getting rid of Marc for good.”

“Okay.” I gripped the corners of the blanket a little tighter and tried not to think that it was what was left of an actual person on my lap. To distract myself, I peered through the windshield at the brightening sky as we headed south-east back toward Fairport.

In the gleam of our headlights, a shadow darkened the road ahead of us, like the silhouette of a bird or some other flying creature. Since there weren’t many cars on the highway at this early hour, it couldn’t be from another vehicle. But whatever it was, it was keeping its distance somehow, even with Arianna’s lead foot.

Had to be a trick of the eye.

Leaning forward in the seat, I squinted. “Do you see that, there?” I pointed to the strange patch of darkness where the lights couldn’t penetrate. “What is that?”

Arianna peered at it, too, her brow furrowing. “Not sure…”

Just then, the darkness flew at us. I screamed and ducked as it knocked into the windshield so hard the glass shattered, showering us with shards. Arianna swerved, the tires squealing as she hit the brakes at the same time. I squeezed my eyes closed as the car spun out of control, and in those few fearful moments, all I could think about was Zach and Laurence and how I didn’t want to die and leave them behind.

When the car jerked to a stop, I lifted my head, gasping for air. Arianna’s forehead was pressed against the steering wheel, her dark hair tossed around her face. She wasn’t moving.

Thinking the worst, I reached out and tapped her arm. “Arianna?”

She groaned and relief flooded me. As she turned to me, I noticed the gash across her forehead and the blood traveling toward her brow. My heart seized with fear.

Her shaky hand found the cut and the blood. Examining her now red and glossy fingertips, she cursed.

Right then I realized I couldn’t do this anymore. I wasn’t cut out for this stuff. All the chaos and danger. I wasn’t like Jade; I wasn’t a fighter. I was a peacekeeper. A baker. All these knuckles came in contact with was dough.

I couldn’t keep doing this.

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