Page 47 of Demon and the Raven

“I can’t really say, but normally you don’t have a ghost who can speak to you unless they’re tied to a place or a person. Which none of these are.”

“But you said there was something else in here, alive.”

I nodded. “Yes, but whatever it was, it’s gone now.”

“Really?”

Quiet for a moment, listening, waiting, I could hear the house settling and nothing else. “Yeah. It feels okay in here, and there’s lots of light.”

He glanced around. “I agree.”

“I would check the backyard now.”

“Oh? Why?”

“Something might have happened.”

“Okay, but you want me to stay out of this, right?” He gestured at the rushing wind.

“No, it’s fine. None of this can hurt you. But it’s kicking up dirt and dust that you maybe don’t want all over you.”

“But nothing that could push inside to my soul.”

I grinned at him. “No, love. Your soul is safe.”

Once he left, I stood alone for a bit until Lynette appeared under the archway of the sitting room. Her mouth was open as she stared at the smoke that was barely moving now in a gentle, wafting breeze.

“Xander!” she gasped. “You’re a witch.”

I smiled at her and then watched as the very last of the smoke curled and tumbled and finally rolled out the back door.

“You—how are you a witch?”

“My family,” I told her. “I’m very lucky.”

“I’m so sorry for…before.”

“You don’t need to be sorry, just vigilant,” I warned her. “And make sure you cleanse your space after every séance.”

She took a quick breath. “I don’t think I’m going to have any more of those.”

“But you could. Just perhaps not here,” I suggested. “Maybe have a back room at the store. Keep your house clear.”

Glancing around, she smiled. “No more shadows.”

I shook my head.

“I don’t remember this hallway ever being this bright.”

“It feels warm too.”

She nodded. “It certainly does.”

“Hey,” Lorne called out from the back door.

I waved.

“It’s done, right? I’m only asking because it doesn’t look or feel like anything’s moving anymore.”