“This might be why your father built that iron room,” Sven said soberly.
Flo winced. “I think so.”
“I think if you can unblock this bridge, then Flo will be free, and so will all of us. She is a revenant and they are harbingers ofdeath, allowing for passage.” Erickson crossed his arms, looking pretty proud of himself.
Sven glanced at Flo, who looked just as decidedly worried as him.
What if breaking her curse meant she was allowed to pass through too?
It might mean he’d never see her again. But if she could be free of her curse, even if it means losing her, then it was a chance he was willing to take.
Chapter
Eight
After they left the hidden place where the barrier was, Sven got a call from potential guests and had to take it. Flo ended back up in his apartment and headed straight for the watch tower to mull over everything that had happened and the possible ramifications.
Her father had wraith in him and was ashamed.
Did he know about the barrier? Was that why he married her mother, because she was the one set to inherit this house? Did her mother know about the barrier? Flo seriously doubted that because Lottie would’ve mentioned it, but then, she was learning that ghosts were a bit scatterbrained, sort of like her.
Except now she was finding her thoughts were more focused. Especially after kissing Sven and feeling that surge of power pass through her. She felt something else too, stirring and longing. She meant it when she said that she wanted more kisses from him. She wanted more than that.
It felt familiar, the need that burned through her. It was like it was lying dormant in her for the last century and had been awakened when he took her in his arms and kissed her. Flo touched her lips, smiling at remembrance of it.
What would happen if she experienced more?
He told her he loved her.
And although she wasn’t sure how she felt, she knew that she wanted to be with him. She felt safe around him. Lottie told her to live the best she could. Time had moved on. She didn’t need marriage. All she needed was him.
She wasn’t going to miss out again.
It was getting dark and she watched as the streetlights on Pleasant Street illuminated. She rested her head on her hands, curled up on a little bench that overlooked the street. Then she saw headlights from Magnus’ truck slowly turn down the road and park at Room with a Tomb. Excitement coursed through her. She got up and headed straight downstairs.
Sven was at the check-in counter on his computer and he looked up when she appeared.
“Are you okay?” he asked so sweetly, concerned.
“They’re back from Tallowfield.”
Sven straightened and they waited as Magnus and Mercedes walked back into the dead-and-breakfast. There was a defeated air about them and Mona was not with them.
“Sorry,” Mercedes started. “We couldn’t get near the library in Tallowfield.”
“It’s like they knew we were coming,” Magnus growled. “There was a barricade up on the road between Harmony Glen and Tallowfield, and they were vetting people.”
Sven cursed under his breath. “That’s ridiculous.”
“It is, but that’s Tallowfield,” Mercedes said, weariness in her voice.
“I’m going to make dinner so I don’t get frustrated by a strange three-sided conversation I can only hear two sides of. Sorry, Flo, wherever you are.” Magnus moved off toward the kitchen.
“Are you disappointed, Flo?” Mercedes asked. “I mean, we might never know the answer.”
“It is what it is,” Flo stated. “It was a long shot. I’m just glad you’re safe.”
“I’m glad too,” Sven remarked. “There is something we found, but I doubt you’ll be able to see it.”
