Page 73 of Air Of Mystery
“I am not at liberty to share those details with you at this time, Skye,” she said.
“So, whatcanyou tell—”
“In fact.” She cut me off. “We feel—”
We feel.I thought.She must be talking about herself and Estella.
“That you and your family would be better off—not to mention safer,” Amanda continued, “by not knowing.”
“What do you mean, safer?” I asked, sitting up straight. “Is there still a threat?”
Amanda folded her hands in her lap. “You are already well known for your paranormal show. The recent events that have occurred in Alton have people talking. And while I imagine that public interest is good for your sponsors and the ratings, this newest incident that transpired on Henry Street has caught the attention of more than the just media and local police.”
Concerned, I started to speak, but she held up her hand.
“And this attention,” she said seriously, “especially from these sources…is not a good thing.”
Oh shit,I thought, gulping nervously.
“So, believe me when I tell you to let this drop, Skye—that I mean it.”
Recognizing that a boundary had been put into place by the Guardian herself, I dipped my head in assent and didn’t argue.
For a long moment we sat there studying each other. I tried to play it cool, but in truth, nervous sweat was running down my back.
“You have my word,” I began, “that I won’t share with anyone what I witnessed.”
Amanda silently inclined her head in acknowledgment.
“I will also keep your identity as the...” I had started to say ‘Guardian’ out loud and thought better of it. After clearing my throat I continued with, “The secret of your status and that of your assistant is safe with me.”
“Excellent.” She smiled and rose to her feet. “Is there anything else that I can do for you, Skye?”
“No. Thank you, Amanda,” I said formally. “I appreciate you taking the time to come and see me and for the tourmaline bracelet.”
She went to the door and paused. “Do you realize how incredibly lucky you are to be alive?”
Nervously, I ran my fingers over the beaded bracelet. “I’m beginning to.”
“The high-powered water gun...” She grinned at me, suddenly looking approachable and more like the woman I’d first met. “Squirting him in the face with holy water. Now,thatwas a brilliant move.”
“Thank you,” I said, formally. “I’m honored that you think so.”
“Take care of yourself.” Amanda tossed me a wink. “See you around, Skye.”
I waited a good thirty seconds, listening carefully as she went down the stairs. I heard Brynn speaking briefly to Amanda and thanking her for dropping by. Only once I heard the front door of the manor shut did I fully exhale.
***
A few days after Amanda had come to visit me, and while I was at the orthopedic surgeon’s getting a cast, the house on Henry Street caught on fire.
The old Victorian burned to the ground in only a few hours. While the fire was intense and the house had been destroyed, oddly enough the neighboring homes hadn’t been touched. A couple of tree branches were singed in their yards, but other than that the neighbors had no damage.
The police came to see me after the fire, to ask me for my whereabouts. Fortunately, I had an iron clad alibi and witnesses. Those being the surgeon and the office staff as well asCharlie. He’d been the one driving me to the appointment and back home.
The whole thing was unsettling. The local news later reported that the fire department had determined the blaze was caused by faulty electrical work from when the house had been renovated earlier in the year...
That may have been the official reason, but I knew better. When Amanda had told me that the ‘negative energy would be neutralized,’ she hadn’t been kidding. One vampire lair had been destroyed. I found myself nodding in approval at the method chosen. Fire, after all, was the best and most purifying force of nature. No ghoul or paranormal beastie would have survived that.
