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“Yes. I cannot lie. You endanger everything The White Witch and I gave up to save the people,” Kit replied. He wondered if Stephanie was understanding everything he’d told her.
It was a lot to assimilate. The history of the Nortons was rich in lore—but also truth. Their skills as hunters were legendary, and their stance against evil made them famous amongst the dregs of society. Darkness fled before God’s Scourge, as they were known, and for someone like Stephanie to believe in everything he told her… well, it would be a miracle.
“Vampires and demons exist?” Stephanie asked.
“Yes. But not all are malevolent.”
“Werewolves, ghouls, zombies too?”
“Yes, but not all werewolves turn bad. We refer to them as shifters, and they don’t just come in wolves,” Kit replied.
Stephanie’s frown deepened.
“But ghouls and zombies are always evil?”
“Yes.” Kit was trying hard to be patient. Stephanie was discovering that an entire paranormal world existed, and that was a huge idea to comprehend.
“You’re not a ghost, but something extra. And you died fighting and trapping a really big baddie,” Stephanie said.
Kit’s lips twitched at the ‘big baddie’. “Yes.”
“So… what is The White Witch?” Stephanie asked next.
“You remember I said about my home being sentient? The White Witch is the same. She can make decisions and protect herself and me.”
“That’s the power I sensed downstairs?”
“Yes. The White Witch came to your defence and protected you and herself during Justin’s attack. She is a law unto herself, so please remember that. She deserves to be treated with respect,” Kit said.
“What is she, though?” Stephanie persisted.
“A sentient building. Some buildings are imbued with the essence of a ghost within their very bricks. Some become aware over time. Not every building that is self-aware has a spirit attached. The White Witch is a rare building that, over time, with all the magic performed around and in her, developed consciousness. And she is powerful, make no mistake. That magic infused into her very walls and created a new life. But she has good intentions only. She is not plagued by the negative emotions we humans feel,” Kit explained.
“Okay. I can respect that idea, even though I struggle to understand it. A sentient building isn’t the oddest thing I’ve encountered tonight. And I’m guessing she helps protect the world from this evil, too?”
“Yes, she does. As I laid dying, The White Witch reached out and grabbed my essence to help defend the inn from intruders. She had already grasped that with my death, the inn would be open to those with less than good intentions, and so she sought a remedy. That was to grab my spirit and attach it to her walls. While she stands, I exist; as long as we both live, the evil cannot escape.”
“Does that haunt the inn?” Stephanie asked, craning her neck and looking around.
Kit felt amusement at her actions.
“No. It is trapped in a prison, but should that be broken, it will be hell re-capturing it. For now, I would ask that you stay away from my personal room and respect my commands. They are not issued for the sake of it but to protect everyone in these walls,” Kit explained.
To Stephanie’s credit, Kit noted she didn’t look too intrigued by the evil he captured. She’d not even asked what it was. Kit sensed Stephanie planned to avoid it. Stephanie simply had no interest other than her inn and how to run it. Which was a shame because Kit couldn’t allow her to remain.
“So, for now, I’m allowed to stay, but as soon as Justin’s threat is dealt with, I have to leave. Is that correct?” Stephanie asked.
“Yes.”
“What if I choose not to?” Stephanie challenged.
“Then you and I become enemies, and I will force you to go,” Kit said, even as Stephanie blanched at his words.
“You would hurt me?”
“No!” Kit exclaimed indignantly. “I would terrorise you. But physically harming a woman makes me physically sick. It will never happen.”
“But frightening me to death is okay?” Stephanie challenged.
