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Fucking asshole.
I just shake my head. Merrick will be Merrick, there is no changing it.
“I need to bring the goblet and dad with me. Can you help me with that?” I ask, without acknowledging his remark.
Standing up, he brushes my cheek with this thumb. “The goblet and blade are in the crypt already. I moved it after Joanie finished there this afternoon. Everyone is already down there, waiting in the shadows. Before coming here, I saw Joanie starting her walk back out through my bedroom window. So grab your dad. The rest is already waiting for you.”
Looking at him puzzled, “Your room?”
“Yeah, it’s across the hall.”
All this time, he was across the hall from me? “But when I went exploring one day, that door was locked.”
“Joanie locked it after I died. I don’t need a key to get in. I’m a ghost. Remember?”
“Of course I remember. I was just, never mind.”
“You’re nervous, but you don’t need to be. We are all here with you.”
And just like that, he’s gone.
Taking one more deep breath, I walk towards the shelving and pick up my dad.
“Ok, Daddy. The one thing you tried to protect me from. That you tried to escape. Is now the one thing I know I was meant to do. I love you and thank you for being my dad.” I kiss the urn.
The only thing that would complete this night is if he were here with me.
Chapter23
Fallon
The night is foggy. It slithers on top of the ground and covers my feet. The sky is clear as the moon shines down Port Canyon. I pass the Angel of Death and realize she makes sense being here now. Unlike on my first day, she is absolutely beautiful tonight.
She knows the torch is about to go out for another soon.
Garden lights surround her amongst the flowers and they light the pathway to the gated archway within the hedges. As soon as I open that gate, my old life will be left behind. Walking along the stone walkway, my heels click against them with each stride.
The evening chill causes goosebumps to rise along my arms. It’s a different energy out here than most nights. I can feel it in my bones, and my stomach is uneasy. Every part of me hopes Joanie hasn’t caught on. That she went willingly to the mausoleum, unknowingly maneuvering her own demise. Whether she saw it this way is irrelevant. Her overbearing attitude that the dead are indebted to her is what has led to this. She was meant to protect them, help them, and take care of spirits, new and old. Not act as though they would be stranded without her.
With one arm wrapped around dad, I move to open the gate, but something doesn’t feel right. Stopping mid-reach, I pull my arm back.
“Merrick. Can you help me, please?” I could feel him with me during my walk here.
He pops up, back leaning against the gate all cool and casual, “You rang?”
Rolling my eyes, “I did. Thank you. Can you help take my shoes off? I want to feel the earth beneath my feet when I enter the cemetery. It will make me feel more connected to them.”
Merrick smirks at me, shaking his head as he bends down, “Chicks are fucking weird.”
Slightly lifting the front of my dress to expose my foot. Brushing his fingers up my calf before unbuckling the strap and gently sliding the shoe off my foot. He does the same with my other shoe. “I’m keeping these.”
Looking down at him, confused, but I don’t argue. They are horribly uncomfortable. “Go for it. I don’t need them.”
He stands with my shoes in hand and chuckles at me. “Oh, my desperate little slut, I’ll have you in them naked while riding my cock later, don’t you worry.” Merrick taps the urn with his finger, “Don’t worry brother, I’ll take good care of your little girl. She likes it rough, so don’t mind the handprints decorating her body once I’m done.”
“Shut up!” I hiss at him while glaring.
Merrick throws the shoes off into the hedges. “I’ll be back for those later.” Then grabs my throat and devours my lips with his mouth. The kiss is quick, but rough; hard and passionate. Like all the air is being sucked out of me. His strong hand squeezes a bit tighter before releasing me and stepping back.
