Page 19 of Captivating Magic

Lo’s voice was calm, but there was an edge of urgency.

“Don’t look at him. Jump,” the voice inside demanded. “Do it, Ebba, or they’ll lock you up. Do you want to be locked up for being crazy?”

The room turned cold, and her quick, panting breaths produced visible puffs of air. Fighting the urge to face Lo, she rubbed her arms against the chill and wished the decision to jump wouldn’t risk a broken ankle or two.

“Ebba, Sweet, listen to me, not whatever is urging you to go out that window.” Lo eased closer, and she rebelled against the phantom voice to glance at him. The confidence in his eyes and the hesitant smile screamed trustworthy.Heknew she wasn’t crazy. Hadn’t he already said he saw the ghost?

When he was less than five feet away, the drumming started in her mind.

Escape.

Escape.

Escape.

She swung a leg over the ledge. Anything to ease the relentless noise in her head.

“Ebba, please don’t. I can’t help you if you jump,” Laszlo said, taking another step closer.

And shedidneed his help, didn’t she? Wasn’t that why she’d gone to see him in the first place?

Then he was there. His solid hands were warm on the freezing skin of her arms, hauling her back into the room as the window slid shut behind her without the aid of human contact. The lock was engaged for good measure.

“For what it’s worth, your spirit self didn’t think jumping was wise either,” Lo assured her, wrapping her in a bear hug. Tangling his fingers through her short hair, he eased her head back, and she met his worried gaze. “Whatever that other voice says, don’t listen to it.Ever.It doesn’t have your best interestsat heart and only wants to retain control of your body. Do you understand?”

“It’s so loud in my head,” she croaked. “It’s screaming and swearing, warning me to stay away from you. I’ve never heard it before, but I think it’s always been there.”

“It’s because whoever’s in there is going to get their sorry ass ejected, and they know it.”

Instantaneous rage overcame her, and she shoved his chest. When he didn’t budge, she curled her fingers into claws and aimed for his face. As if he’d anticipated the move, Lo captured her wrists in an instant.

“Your days are numbered, fucker,” he muttered.

Helpless tears welled, and Ebba blinked to clear her vision.

Concern for her was evident in his eyes, but his grip didn’t ease. “We’ll get this sorted, Sweet Ebba. I promise.”

“Help me, Lo,” she cried. “Please.”

“I intend to.”

“Don’t put me away. It says you will. Don’t lock me in an institution.”

“Never!”

His fierce promise eased the panic building within, and for the moment, she was able to suppress the voice. The strength drained from her, and she sagged against him when the fatigue made it too difficult to stay awake.

8

“I’m going to pulverize that fucker when it’s out of me,” Spirit Ebba snarled.

Laszlo snorted as he cuddled her sleeping physical self. He’d always admired her feistiness and can-do drive, but her ghostly form revealed her personality in a whole new light. One he appreciated the hell out of.

“Don’t think I won’t!” she ranted.

“I believe you would if you could. But the ultimate goal is to eject the interloper and put you back where you belong at that exact moment. It’s likely you won’t exist in the same place and time.”

“Dammit!” As she stomped back and forth at the end of the bed, casting them worried glances, the curtains flew and tchotchkes rattled on the dresser.

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