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Lucian poked at the lump on his forehead and snarled. She’d hit him with a metal pole! His rotting head made women have vapours, and she had struck him instead. And he was soaking wet from his dousing. Why on earth did that petite nightmare win every time? And now her friend had witnessed it too! The humiliation was unparalleled. Lucian plotted his revenge carefully.
Maggie
Maggie saw Mariah out an hour later and kept a wary eye around her. Today she planned to clean the upstairs. However, she wondered if it was worth it because Melisandre had spoken in detail about how to renovate the rooms and restore the furniture. No, Maggie decided to sit at her laptop instead and search for fabrics, bedframes, and mattresses. Maggie was so intent on her research that she missed the first noise but not the second. A squeak came from near her foot, and Maggie glanced down and screamed.
A huge brown rat glared up at her, joined by another and a third. Before she knew it, a crowd of them raced towards her, and Maggie scooped up the laptop and dashed for the door. She slammed it shut behind her as she paced backwards down the path, panting. Her brown eyes were wide with disgust as she watched the creatures swarm the windows. Damn it! Lucian! Maggie howled silently. Happily peering from the window, she saw the ghost with a smug smile. Oh, she’d pay him back!
The next day, Maggie hid several speakers around the bar and hit play on her phone before shoving in earplugs. This was going to get annoying. ‘I know a song that will get on your nerves’ blasted through the speakers as Maggie grinned. She let it loop for an hour before hitting Cotton Eye Joe, followed by Axel F by Crazy Frog. Lucian appeared after she started looping the first again and glowered at her. Maggie poked her tongue out as Lucian’s expression turned deranged, and he began hunting her speakers. He found one out of the five and dramatically blew it up.
“No more rats!” Maggie shouted, pointing her finger at him.
“Do not point at me!” Lucian roared back.
“No more rodents, or I’ll get a priest in to kick your ass!” Maggie yelled.
Lucian coldly raised an eyebrow. “Try it because I love a good priest!” Lucian mocked.
“Bring it on!” Maggie taunted, wriggling her fingers.
Lucian grinned fiendishly and disappeared in an explosion of power. The speakers all exploded, and Maggie smiled. She’d call that one a draw!
???
Maggie cautiously opened the door the next day and stepped inside the inn. She peeked around, looking for the arrogant ghost, and spotted him standing in front of the fireplace, smiling like a lunatic. Maggie bravely faced him when Lucian’s face wriggled. What on earth? Maggie peered closer and then screamed as his skin tore away and bugs, lots of insects, began raining down on her clean floor. Maggots, beetles, flies, worms, caterpillars, woodlice, and many more scurried across her floor towards her! Maggie shrieked again and disappeared outside. Angrily jumping in her car, she drove towards the nearest church.
The vicar spoke to her as Maggie explained everything that was going on before he admitted it was well out of his experience. But he called someone who managed exorcisms. Father McBride met her at the chapel and listened to Maggie tell her story again. Being a local, Father McBride was quite aware of the reputation of the Jekyll and Hyde. To Maggie’s surprise, Father McBride was astounded that she’d lasted so long. He praised her resilience and agreed to meet her the following day. Maggie drove away as smug as one of those damned bugs Lucian had set on her.
???
Father McBride raced past Maggie and stopped by his vehicle. His face was whiter than white, and his hands were shaking. Maggie chased after him, glowering at what Lucian had done.
“I’m sorry, My Dear, he is beyond me!” Father McBride said, climbed in his car, and drove away before Maggie could say a word. Maggie turned, fists on hips, and glowered at the ghost howling with laughter at her from a window. Lucian had terrified the poor man, and it had only taken half an hour to drive Father McBride off. Maggie tapped her foot in frustration, and then a wicked grin lit her face. Lucian stopped chuckling as Maggie got in the car and sped away. Maggie had a plan!
???
Maggie returned at nearly eleven in the evening, having eaten dinner, packed an overnight bag and brought snacks. She was going to end this ridiculous situation with Lucian for good. She shuffled towards the inn and unlocked it before turning the lights on. Quietly peeking around, she saw no sign of Lucian, so she went upstairs. She dumped her stuff in the first bedroom and returned to get cleaning items. Several hours passed before she sensed Lucian. Maggie finished scrubbing the final corner of the now spotless room before facing him.
“It’s nearly three am,” Lucian said.
“Clever man, but it’s actually half-past two,” Maggie sneered.
“You can’t be here!” Lucian shook his head.
“Watch me. I own this inn, not you! You’ve been dead for three hundred years, and it’s time to let go!” Maggie retorted, sitting down on the freshly cleaned chair.
“You don’t understand!” Lucian gasped, looking over his shoulder. Maggie drew to her full height and peered behind him but couldn’t see anything. She sat back down with a thump and crossed her arms.
“I’m staying. This is my inn, my new home, and you won’t ruin it for me, Little Lord Lucian!” Maggie taunted. To her surprise, Lucian didn’t respond as she thought he might.
“Maggie, you need to leave,” Lucian almost begged. Maggie’s eyebrows shot into her hairline at his desperate tone.
“Why don’t you take a seat and explain?” Maggie said, motioning to another chair.
“Maggie, go now!” Lucian roared, making her jump, and her heart leapt into her throat. Lucian stormed toward her and, to her ultimate surprise, hauled her to her feet. He bent low, picked her up, and began striding across the floor with her.
“Lucian!” Maggie cried as she finally regained her voice. “Put me down!”
“Infuriating wench, spoilt brat of a child, brainless peahen!” Lucian ranted as he got to the door. Maggie snagged the frame and brought them both to a stop. Lucian wasn’t messing about this time as he dissipated, and Maggie fell straight to the floor. As she scrabbled to find purchase again, Lucian solidified and picked her up. Maggie reached into her bra pocket and squirted liquid into his eyes. Lucian roared and released Maggie, and she flew back inside the bedroom.
