Page 17 of Against Ebony Irish Seas

She glanced down at herself. “I honestly don’t know. The light I’m made of is different than you maybe. But we’re losing focus. I’m proud of you for offering up your home. Everyone knows what a homebody you are, Jamie.”

He fought a sigh. “It won’t be for long.”

“But school starts on Monday, and you’ll be staying in a house with a bunch of night owls. How are you going to manage to go to bed at nine o’clock like your usual?”

He started for the stairs. “You’re trying to get my goat, and I won’t let you. Now why don’t you pave the way to my room and let me go to bed?”

“Bed? Some would have gone back to the party, but not you.” She floated up the stairs with him, no whisper coming from her feet. “I admire your dedication to your routine, but you’re going to have to give a little. Growth is good for you, Jamie. Being a recluse isn’t. You’ve been burrowed down in your little den like a fox. Shaking things up will make what you’re facing easier.”

He turned left at the top of the stairs. Before leaving the party, he’d asked Declan which bedroom to take. He’d been directed to the room all the way at the end—two doors down from Liam should he need to call for help, his friend had added with a nearly straight face.

His footsteps echoed down the hallway. He tried not to remember that the old manor used to have a dungeon, which Liam had converted into a meditation room after Declan bought it and set to remodeling. For a moment, he could have sworn he heard the rattling of chains. He swung his head to look at Sorcha.

She lifted her hands. “That’s just your imagination.”

He paused outside his bedroom door. “How did you know what I heard?”

“I can read minds now.” She smiled grandly, enjoying herself. “There’s no ghost but me here.”

Pushing the heavy door open, he held his breath, but all he saw was a full bed, a wooden nightstand, and a nicked-up dresser. Simple enough. He threw his bag on the stone floor and faced Sorcha. “You can go now. I’m locking the door behind you.”

“I can walk through doors, Jamie.” She plopped down on the bed. “Tell me about your plan for the date.”

“I thought maybe McAllister’s Tavern.”

She clapped. “Well done. Another haunted castle with a nice restaurant. And your plan for the children’s arts program?”

He narrowed his eyes at the haunted comment, since surely she’d know, and then decided to ignore it. “I’m still researching. The shed will be finished—”

“Next week, should everything go as Liam hopes.” She crossed her legs. “It will. Jamie, you need to move fast with setting up the program.”

A quiver ran through his belly. “There will be more problems?”

“After today, yes.” She sighed and stood. “Ask Sophie for help. It’s a nice way for you two to get to know each other better. Besides, you’ll need to work together to defeat what’s coming.”

His insides rolled with those words. “You’re just full of bright news, aren’t you?”

She wandered over to him, her face grave. “Jamie, after what you witnessed today, how could you imagine otherwise? But you’ll weather it. Sophie will find the daring she’s repressed, and you’ll find a louder strength. Although not as loud as Carrick, thank God.”

They both chuckled at that.

“I’ll let you settle in. I hope you brought earplugs.”

“Why?” he asked as she blew him a kiss and disappeared.

He found out a few hours later when he awoke suddenly to a loud banging on his door. “Jamie! Are you asleep?”

Brady’s voice mixed with the rumblings of a few others. Picking up his watch, he groaned at the hour. “It’s after midnight. Of course I’m asleep!”

“Open the door!” Declan barked. “We want to ask about your new girlfriend.”

In the past, his friends had both teased him and worried over his lack of a love life. Maybe he’d find their interest touching at another time, but he knew if he opened that door, they’d all be in his room for an hour like flies on horses. Brady probably even had a bottle of whiskey in hand. “I need my rest. I have a date tomorrow night.”

A cheer went up outside, and then Brady said, “Let’s have a drink to celebrate!”

He couldn’t help but smile. “Not on your life. You eejits take yourselves off to bed. I’m going back to sleep.”

Someone booed him like he’d missed a goal in a football game. “You’re missing out,” Ellie called sweetly.

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