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“Figured as much,” I grumbled.
Zach dropped down on the edge of the bed, while Eddie leaned up against the wall, arms folded by the television stand. I turned to Max. “So, looks like we’re shit out of luck in that department?”
He jerked his chin in agreement before he laced his hands behind his head and leaned back in the leather chair, sending it squeaking beneath him. “There must be something we’re missing that’s hidden within what appears to be straight-laced people.” His gaze firmed. “There’s always a motive.”
“Yeah.” I knew that well enough and didn’t doubt for a moment that behind Alexander’s death there had to be a motive. “But finding it is the problem.”
“We’ll keep at it,” Eddie said, exuding much more confidence than I thought he should portray, considering they were getting nowhere. “The further we look into it, and now that we have names, the likelier it is someone will stand out.”
Max lowered his hands from his head, sending the chair to squeak again. “Everyone has skeletons. It’s just digging deep enough to expose them.”
“Sounds good.” I drew in a deep breath, inhaling the odd potpourri in the air that I couldn’t quite place—cinnamon…no maybe vanilla. I gave up on figuring it out and pondered.
Even if I didn’t believe their assistance would help at all, since it hadn’t showed anything yet, who was I stop them? I currently suffered the same level of determination I saw on every face here. They wanted to help with Kipp’s predicament. I wasn’t about to refuse them that right.
Zach pulled up one leg onto the bed and leaned his elbow against his thigh. “Anything else come up?”
I shook my head, wishing I had more to tell them, especially considering how much I knew they all wanted this to end, especially Caley. She hadn’t said a word—definitely not like her—and simply stared at me with furrowed brows. It became obvious she was restraining herself from ordering me to go home. “Not much has happened since we last talked.”
Disappointment shined in Zach’s features. “Did you speak with Alexander again?”
“Yeah.” I cringed, seriously not wanting to do what I was about to, and hoping I’d discover a way out. Sadly, the longer I thought about it, the more I realized I had no choice.
A long awkward pause followed, all eyes on me, since I couldn’t find the strength to spit it out before Max asked, “Do you plan on elaborating?”
“So…you see…” I heaved a sigh, staring at Zach in front of me on the bed, Caley next to me, who rested against the pillow, and Eddie as he leaned against the wall, frowning at me. And Max who looked mildly impatient. Why prolong the inevitable? “I need someone to become possessed.”
A silence so thick filled the room and I bit the inside of my cheek, glancing from face-to-face. The ripple of shock crossing everyone’s face was almost comical. If I had the power to turn people into statues, it appeared I’d unleashed it.
Zach’s mouth finally dropped open, showing some type of movement. “That’s a joke, right?”
“Err…no.” I waited for the foreseeable outburst, but when everyone continued to stare at me as if my head had suddenly fallen off, I added, “The problem is, it’s the only way to get Alexander stronger.”
Max cleared his throat, standing from his seat to approach the bed. “By allowing him to take over someone’s body?”
I smiled tightly. “Not so bad, right?”
Eddie barked a laugh, pushing off the wall to settle in next to Max. “Nah, just everyday business.”
The heavy quiet once again took over as I looked at everyone and they continued to stare blankly at me. Blessedly, moments later, Zach finally turned to Gretchen, who had remained silent through our talk and asked her, “You don’t have any other suggestions except that one?”
She shrugged and crossed a leg over her knee. “It’s the only spell that will allow us a longer time with Alexander. I do have spells that would last minutes, but it wouldn’t get us anywhere. This way, we know he can stay as long as we need him to.”
“Yes…and well,” I continued, still less than pleased since what I said next would create a shit storm, of that I was sure. “I need Zach in case things get scary since he can go die-killer-die on them. Max and Eddie, you need to stay here and finish the investigating to see if anything comes up on that end, so that leaves….” I could have sworn a unison gasp filled the air when I glimpsed to my right.
Caley’s eyes were huge, her face paling before my eyes. “You cannot be suggesting?”
I worried my bottom lip, and no doubt, the horror displayed on my expression since she glared at me. “There isn’t anyone else I can think of. We need to find a way to get Alexander to be able to talk because right now it’s impossible. And so…there is you…and you’re here…not doing anything…so I thought…”
“You didn’t think, Tess Jennings,” Caley said through gritted teeth. “Because if you did, you would know I would never agree to let a ghost come inside my body.” She shuddered before her glare deepened. “Are you out of your fucking mind?”
“I’m thinking, yes,” I told the truth.
Her eyes blazed.
I sighed, trying a different approach, a common sense one. “What other choice do we have? I’d ask Amelia since I know she would do it, but I don’t trust she won’t tell Dane and Wayde. Right now, I don’t trust any of them.”
