Page 66 of Dead End

My footsteps were heavy as I returned to my truck. I spent the drive home replaying our conversation in my mind. I wasn’t sure why I felt disappointed. The trolls had always been an insular group with their own agenda. There was no reason to believe they’d change course simply because I asked nicely.

Back at the Castle, I was surprised to see Ray still seated on the porch. “Anybody here yet?”

“Not yet. And Kane went out about fifteen minutes ago.”

“Want company?”

“If it’s all the same to you, I’d like to spend these next few minutes alone. Sun’s about to go down. I’d like to marvel at nature’s grand finale in solitude.”

“You know you’re facing east, right?”

He snorted. “I’m sure going to miss that sass.”

I retreated into the house. Taking a cue from Ray, I walked upstairs to the balcony that overlooked the town. I knew the moment the sun dipped below the horizon. The air cooled and the eastern sky transformed into a breathtakingcanvas of deep orange and vibrant pink. They swirled together, blending with soft purples and hints of indigo. I hugged myself as the fading light cast a warm glow over the landscape, illuminating the river to the east and the silhouettes of trees to the south. Wispy clouds caught the last rays, glowing like molten gold against the encroaching twilight.

A sense of calm washed over me. This world was a beautiful place. I was sure going to miss it.

I wiped a stray tear from my cheek. Life ebbed and flowed. Change occurred whether we invited it or not. The only part we could control was how we received it.

I exhaled, long and slow.

By the time I abandoned my perch, the stars were competing with the lights below for brightest distraction. I passed Goran in the upstairs hallway and told him what I was about to do.

The Slavic prince blinked. “I’m sorry to hear that. I’ve enjoyed my cooking lessons with Nana Pratt.”

“You can tell her that yourself, but I’d do it now. Their families will be here any minute.”

While Goran hurried downstairs calling Nana Pratt’s name, I stopped by the guest bedroom to check on Kami and Libby. The goddesses were playing a game of cards on the bed.

“Hey,” I said.

Libby glanced up. “I hope you don’t mind. Goran found these in the kitchen drawer and thought we’d like to play.”

“I have an assortment of games. I’ll show you where they are before I go.”

Kami and Libby looked at each other. “We’re just wondering whether we ought to leave before you,” Kami said.

“I don’t expect you to leave at all. You’re welcome to stayas long as you need to. In fact, I’ll feel better knowing the Castle is being well looked after.”

“They’re here!” Nana Pratt’s voice rang out.

“I need to go downstairs now, but we can talk later.”

Renee and Alicia were first. Alicia had her mother by the hand, practically dragging her across the bridge. Renee’s stiff body language suggested resistance, as though she, like Ashley, suspected what was to come.

The ghosts hovered in the foyer. One seemed as nervous as the other, but I knew their anxiety had nothing to do with the decision they’d made and everything to do with telling their families. There was something to be said for an Irish exit.

Once Ashley and Steven arrived, I ushered everyone into the parlor room and waited for Ashley to cast the spell that allowed them to see and hear each other. She was even quicker this time than the last. Phaedra was proving to be an excellent teacher.

“I’m sorry for the late notice,” I said, “but your family members have requested that I help them cross over tonight, and they wanted a chance to say a final goodbye.”

Alicia looked stricken. “Is this because we’re moving? I told you that you can come with us, Grampa.” She turned to glare at her mother. “He thinks we don’t care about him anymore because he’s dead.”

Renee placed a gentle hand on her daughter’s shoulder. “I don’t think that’s the reason, sweetheart.”

“Which realtor are you using to sell the house?” Nana Pratt asked. “I hope it isn’t that Justin Blake. I hear he’s lazy.”

“No, we hired Big Boss,” Renee said.

---