“Everywhere else is fine,” Flo said. “This is a real haunted house and I’m sure we’ll have curious visitors.”
Magnus looked at Sven and he shrugged.
“It is a dead-and-breakfast. It’s just one with a connection to the afterlife,” Mercedes said.
Magnus sighed. “I suppose so. So, we’re a dead-and-breakfast with a couple of ghouls, a witch, a revenant, and ghosts?”
Sven beamed down at Flo and then nodded. “Yes.”
“We need to have a Halloween party!” Mercedes announced excitedly. “It’s in a couple of weeks and I think the ghosts could use a bit of fun right?”
“Yes!” Erickson shouted. “I would enjoy fun and speaking to others besides the ones in this house.”
“What about other spirits who pass through the rift?” Lottie asked.
“I’ll make sure they understand the rules,” Flo stated.
“How?” Sven asked. “You can’t pass through walls.”
“I feel a pull toward the rift. I bet I can still get through there.” Flo walked to the paneled wall. The one Erickson had led them through. Cautiously, she stuck her arm through it, and yes, she could still dissipate through that wall. “See? Apparently, I still can access the barrier.”
“You can hang an iron horseshoe in the place the rift exists. That way you’ll know when new ghosts are checking in,” Lottie suggested. “And I would be happy to facilitate their passage in any way I can. I was once lady of this house too.”
Flo smiled at her. “That would be wonderful.”
“So, that’s settled?” Magnus asked. “We’re really a dead-and-breakfast now, it would seem.”
“It seems so,” Sven agreed.
“I’m so planning that Halloween ball!” Mercedes squealed with excitement. As she was jumping up and down, Vlad the Inhaler came zooming by on one of his rounds, causing the ghosts to screech and dissipate in different directions.
“Why are they so scared of Vlad?” Flo asked.
“They think he’s going to suck them up.” Mercedes chuckled. “I’ve explained to them he can’t, but they heard about your glove.”
“Oh.” Flo giggled.
“It looks like you need to go shopping later,” Mercedes said. “We’ll go this afternoon. Mona has some great items, and there’s a cute thrift store in town called Nifty Thrifty.”
“I’d like that.” Flo wrapped her arm around Sven.
Magnus clapped his brother on the back. “I’m very happy for you, Sven. It’s about time.”
“Indeed.” Sven chuckled. “A thousand years was a bit much.”
“Come on, Magnus. Let’s go make some breakfast for everyone. We have a lot to discuss and I think these two need a moment.”
Magnus nodded, winked, and then walked off to the kitchen with Mercedes.
When they were alone, Sven kissed Flo gently on the lips. “Our curses are broken. I guess even though you couldn’t remember being in love with me, you were. I’m sorry I couldn’t protect you back then.”
“No apologies. You didn’t know. The important thing now is I do love you. I don’t know what this means for our future. I don’t know if revenants are immortal or…”
“You have time to figure it out and now you can access the library in town. You can leave this property.”
Flo worried her bottom lip. “I don’t think I can.”
Sven took her hand and tugged her toward the front door. When they stepped outside, the sun was coming up and it was a bit chilly. Flo shivered.
