I grunted sourly because, yeah, I didn’t like it either.
On the other hand, yay, another teaching moment! Couldn’t have too many of those. “Gwyn, how about we bust out some candles after lunch. I’ll teach you how to pass ghosts. If these guys are cooperative, they’ll be easy peasy to work with.”
“And then when they’re gone, we’re going to salt the windows and doors, aren’t we?”
“Oh, we’re going to salt everything. Trust me.”
Assuming we’d bought enough salt. I had doubts.
We ate lunch, then I took Brandon and Gwyn out with me to the back patio. We set up a short runway of candles, an easy enough affair. Brandon took a seat to watch our backs as I shook my hands out, getting ready to do some passing.
“Now, ma petite chère, let’s go over basics here. We’ve got a good crowd, I think, to teach you with. They’re friendly and amped up enough, passing should be easy peasy.” Should be. We’d see shortly if there were any curveballs. “Now, first thing, let’s organize this bunch.”
Gwyn turned uncertainly to face the crowd. There were a good thirty of them, at a guess, so not a small crowd. I did feel bad that this was Gwyn’s first case because it was a doozy. Overwhelming even for me. Still, only way past was through.
I took the lead here and smiled at the man nearest me. “I’m Mack. Who might you be, sir?”
“Name’s Bill, sir.”
“Bill, enchanté. We’re ready to pass you on, if you’re willing?”
“I am.” A touch of trepidation entered his expression. He looked as if he’d lived a hard life, experience carving grooves in his face. “What do I need to do?”
“Not much. Line up here, at the start of the pathway. Take my hand and then imagine you’re going home. Really, that’s all you’re doing. A door will open for you when you reach the end.”
“Oh. Sounds easy enough, then.”
We oriented, his fingers just touching mine. It didn’t matter how firm a grip I had, as long as I could boost him. I didn’t need to boost him much at all. The energy in this place did most of the work for me. We walked steadily, and I could see the door open. Bill’s expression lightened into a bright smile as he stepped right on through.
Gwyn blurted out, “That’s it? It’s that easy? I barely see any energy transfer between you and him.”
“That easy, ma petite chère. Well, usually.” Unless you were a half-eaten Scottish ghost, but I could relay that tale later. “Now, I’ll walk you through how to transfer energy first. After, want to give it a try?”
She looked nervous but nodded gamely.
Transferring energy wasn’t usually hard; there was just a little trick to it so you weren’t giving too much. I walked her through it, having her imagine she was grazing a whisper of power to make contact. That simple touch would tell her how much more she needed to give, as she’d have a feeling for it then.
We practiced between us, palms pressed together, back and forth, but I thought she had it. “Gwyn, all you can do now is practice.”
“Then let me try.” She offered a hand to a ghost. “I’m Gwyn. What’s your name?”
“Walter, miss. Pleasure.” Walter seemed more Gwyn’s age, barely into his twenties, and had a nose three sizes too big for his face. He put his hand in hers but glanced at me, uncertain.
I nodded back in reassurance. If, somehow, Gwyn faltered, I’d step in. Either way, everyone would get passed today.
Walter and Gwyn lined up on the walkway and started down it. I saw Walter’s form steady out, strengthen a little. I saw the energy transference, the nearly white light of energy going from her hand to his. She was giving him a bit too much, but before I could correct her, she realized and backed off a notch. There ya go, she had it now. Truly a natural, this kid.
Walter paused at the open door and high-fived her with his free hand. “Perfectly done, miss. And thank you.”
Gwyn laughed as she smacked her palm against his. “You’re welcome. Enjoy your afterlife.”
“With pleasure.” With a skip, he went right on through.
Gwyn practically pirouetted back to me. I also gave her a high five. “You really did do it perfectly. Do it again.”
“Okay!”
Nerves were long gone now. Gwyn offered a hand to the next gentleman, and away they went. I stood there in case she got tired or stuck, really. I wouldn’t make her pass all thirty of them, I’d stop her about fifteen in, but it was great practice.
