Page 19 of Touched By Destiny

Rhonda lifted a dark brow. “Darling, that’s a big street. I don’t suppose your spirit wants to give us a specific address.”

Tropicana Avenue was a major thoroughfare running perpendicular to the famed Las Vegas strip and went beyond the bright lights of the city proper, but Eric had to start somewhere. He’d learned to trust his instincts many years ago, and although he might not locate this spirit today, he’d get closer to tracking it.

A grin tugged at Eric’s mouth.

“They usually aren’t that cooperative. I promise to do much of the walking,” Eric said, lifting a hand and crafting a thin silver crystal. “You can wait by the car, and I’ll teleport back to you once I’m sure the spirit isn’t around.”

Teleportation was an ability Eric loved to experiment with, but he rarely had the chance. He wasn’t even sure how far of a distance from the homing crystal he could go, but with Gabriel gone, Eric could work on some skills. Since necromancers couldn’t startle humans by using the crystals to travel often, it was another avenue Eric knew little about. His family used cars and planes to travel.

The only time he could recall anyone teleporting was when he’d kept a crystal in Richard’s room as a child. If he was frightened of a bad dream filled with scary ghosts, he could pop in and climb into his brother’s bed. It was Richard who’d taught Eric how to create the crystal and use it to jump from one spot to another.

“Are you sure? If there’s people around, they may see you disappear,” Rhonda replied.

“If I see anyone, I’ll walk back.”

“And you teleport with Gabe around?” Rhonda asked. “He doesn’t stay at your side through the entire ghost-hunt?”

Without answering her question, since he refused to lie to her, Eric shifted his satchel and scooted toward the door. They’d already left behind the cluster of mansions on the edge of the city with their opulent views of the mountains, and they were approaching the first vestiges of civilization. In the distance, Eric could see the plethora of casinos gleaming under the sun, but his gut told him his current spirit wasn’t that close to the hustle and bustle of Vegas.

“Can we stop here?” Eric asked, handing Rhonda the crystal.

“You’re the boss,” Rhonda remarked. “But you didn’t answer my question.”

“Don’t worry, I never go out of Gabriel’s sight. I won’t wander too far away.”

“Promise me you won’t do anything reckless.”

Eric laughed, but it was a hollow sound. “When have you known me to ever do anything reckless?”

He’d done that the other night by running off to a hotel room with Gabriel, and he’d spent the past few days miserable. The last thing Eric wanted to do was throw caution to the wind again.

“Eric, you’ve spent your entire life doing exactly what we’ve asked of you,” Rhonda said softly. “Without complaint, you comply with rules. You’ve never been alone. Not once. You have no privacy and rarely leave the house except for your ghost-hunts. As much I as approve of your dutifulness and caution, I worry that someday you’ll understand all you’ve sacrificed in the name of safety. Bend the rules sometimes so you don’t go nuts. I don’t want you to snap and run from this sheltered life because you can’t stand it any longer. Do the things you can. Get drunk. Have wild sex. Learn new things, and seek adventures with your guards nearby so we don’t lose you.”

Nearly brought to tears by the compassion and worry in her voice, Eric stepped forward to hug her, and she embraced him tightly. “You’re right, Rhonda. Thank you. I’ll think about what you said and plan something adventurous.”

“Within reason,” she stated emphatically with her lovely smile.

“Within reason,” Eric promised. “I might even see if Richard wants to have a few martinis with me tonight.”

“Have a little adventure. Wait until your parents are asleep, and get drunk. Strip naked and skinny-dip in that pool of yours.”

Eric laughed, and this time it was robust and cleansing. “I’m so glad you came ghost-hunting with me today.”

“Me too, now let’s find your spirit.”

???

By Friday night, Eric was no closer to finding his ghost, but he’d laughed merrily with Richard and Maribeth as they frolicked in the pool without a stitch of clothing. Richard had grandly declared he’d never don a bathing suit again, while Maribeth had promptly fallen asleep on a massive rainbow pool float. It was silly and wonderful and had helped lift Eric’s spirits—at least momentarily.

But now it was nearly nine in the evening, and Eric was alone. Which gave him time to think, and that was the last thing he wanted. It was impossible to stay focused on lost spirits when his brain kept straying to that night with Gabriel. And those horrid moments after they’d had sex. Did Gabriel still regret it? Would Gabriel ever feel anything but remorse? The phone rang, interrupting Eric’s stubbornly cyclical thoughts, and a glance at the screen had Eric biting his lip.

It was Gabriel, so what else could he do but answer it? Bracing for whatever was about to be discussed with fear in his gut, Eric tapped the screen to accept the call.

“Hello,” Eric said.

“Hey,” Gabriel replied. The husky tenor of his voice sent a shiver of pleasure down Eric’s spine. “I wasn’t sure if you’d answer.”

Eric refused to explain that his relentless crush on Gabriel would hardly allow him to ignore his soulmate, so he changed the subject. “I’m surprised to hear from you.”

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