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“It did, in a way. You…” Hank paused, so pale I thought he might also faint. “You almost drained yourself dry with your attack. You almost died.”
I gave up on sitting and lay back on the floor. “I feel like it. I’m dizzy and…so tired.” I closed my eyes as my vision began to blur. “I’m still not sure…”
The next moment, I could feel Esmara beside me. She had her hands on my heart, and I could feel the love flowing in from her. Love, compassion, and strength.
Take what you need. It won’t hurt me,she said.
I forced my eyes open a crack. She looked luminous, clad in a sunflower yellow gown. And whatever she was doing to me was working. My headache was starting to fade and I didn’t feel like I was at the edge of death’s door.
“Are you sure?” I asked, not wanting to hurt her.
Take all you need. I may grow faint for a while, but I won’t fade away. The healing energy comesthroughme, my dear. Tell Hank to draw on the energy he needs. I can channel enough for both of you.
“Is the demon gone?” I had to know before I could rest.
Yes, you destroyed it. Sirus is free from the curse, and Janet should be free. Now replenish yourself, and remember, tell Hank.
Sirus was kneeling by Hank, who had also collapsed.
“Hank, Esmara’s offering you energy. Take it. She can handle it,” I managed to squeak out. As I began to accept the flow of energy again, I realized that I was awash in emotions. I burst into tears, overwhelmed, but they were happy tears and that was what mattered.
* * *
Sirus was okay, except for a pounding headache. Caitlin had come running in when he shouted for her, and she and Violet helped me and Hank into chairs, bringing us tea and food to replenish our bodies. Esmara had fed us a tremendous amount of healing energy, which restored our equilibrium.
We told Sirus what had happened, and that the demon had been responsible for Janet’s death as well as Candy’s death, and that it would have killed Violet and continued to feed on his misery and guilt till he died.
I called Millie and asked her to check into the father’s whereabouts before Janet’s death. She said that he had supposedly gotten to the church right before discovering her body, but there was no one who could alibi him. Since he was dead, there would never be any way of verifying that he was the one who killed Janet under influence of the demon.
“Then it jumped to you, Sirus. My guess is the father repressed the memory so well that the demon couldn’t find much to feed on. So the next logical victim was you. You were so deep in mourning.” I shivered. “I’ve never dealt with a pain-eater before and I never want to again.”
He shuddered. “That thing’s been feeding on me for years? No wonder I couldn’t ever shake the deep sense of loss. They say time heals but it didn’t for me. Now, though, I feel lighter.”
“That’s because it’s not forcing those memories into the forefront,” Hank said. “You should be okay now, though I highly recommend you hire a witch to come out and ward your tea shop and home so that you don’t attract anything else.”
Sirus paused. “Is there a way I could say goodbye to Janet? I never got closure with her.”
“I think so,” I said. “I’ll call you in a while, after I talk to her.”
By the time we felt up to moving, it was well past noon. We said goodbye, though not for good, and headed out, feeling reasonably recharged and glad to be alive.
* * *
Janet was nervous. She paced the living room. I hadn’t told her that her own father had strangled her—why burden her afterlife with that knowledge? But I did tell her she was free from the dress, and that she could move on. I also told her that Sirus wanted to say goodbye.
What do I say to him? How will he hear me?
“Esmara said she can put enough oomph behind you for him to have a couple of moments where he can hear you. So make it short and succinct.” I was grateful that this adventure was almost done. Buying a wedding dress was stressful enough without having a ghost and demon come as part of the package. But I was glad we had helped Sirus, Violet, and Janet. And if Candy had been trapped into anything, she should be free now, too.
I wish you’d change your mind,Janet said.The wedding dress might have been meant for you. It fits you so well.She glanced down at her torso.We were very much the same size, it seems.
“I was going to ask about that. The dress seems far bigger than you look,” I said.
I was your size in life. I put on weight due to an illness. That was one thing I loved about Sirus. He never cared—he lovedme. I admit, I have missed him all these years.She paused, then added,I went back to the size I was most comfortable with after death. It was one of the few things I could control while still attached to the dress.
“Killian loves me for who I am, regardless of my weight. I guess I lucked out that way, too.” I looked at the dress. I’d brought it downstairs, ready to take it back to the bridal shop. “I don’t know that I can handle getting married in a dress you were murdered in.”
It’s not the dress’s fault. It isn’t cursed. Please consider it. I know you love it.
