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I shake my head, having no fucking clue what she’s talking about. I mean, I would know if there were more like me. Right?

Grammy appears in front of me, her warm hand cupping my cheek. “Oh, Gabe, you didn’t know, did you?”

“I thought-” My throat feels thick and my clothes feel too tight, too hot. “I thought I was the only one.” I end on a whisper. Why didn’t anyone tell me? Why didn't Mama Celene tell me?

“No, sweetheart.” Grammy leads me to sit. “Have any of the souls told you what happens when our bodies give up?” I don’t answer, just shake my head like I’m trying to clear my thoughts. “There’s light. Pure light and you’re wrapped up in what feels like love. It felt just like the first time I held Brenna. It felt like home.”

“It sounds wonderful,” I croak out.

“It was. And then you wake up with what feels like the hangover from hell, and then you’re kinda pulled toward people who can see you. In my case it was a bubbly young girl named Harper. Then it was an older man, who was actually kinda grumpy and didn’t appreciate my humour. His name was Gerald so that kinda tracks. And then there was Barbara who goes by Harmony who reads palms and then there was you. It was you I was looking for and I found you. We found you.”

I smile at Grammy thankful for her words but still fucking shaken to my core that there are others like me. I’m not sure if I should try to find them or leave them be.

“OK, I’m ready!” Brenna announces as she steps into the room wearing cute coveralls with tiny mushrooms all over it.

I stare, unable to snap from one thought to the next. Which is not good. I mean, there's an active threat out there and I feel like I’ve had my whole world rocked.

“Um, what are you ready for?”

Brenna snorts and giggles as if I’ve told an amazing joke. “Ah, I have to work, Gabe. And seeing as you’re on security duty, looks like you’re coming with me.”

I look at Grammy who gives me a salute and puffs her chest up. “Reporting for duty, sir!”

Rolling my eyes I let out a sigh. “Alright smartasses, let's go.”

Chapter 13

Brenna

Who knew that Gabe and Grammy would be such a distraction while I worked? Actually, that’s a terrible question. Everyone would know that they’re a distraction. Gabe because he’s so damned hot and yummy and all the things that make my belly all swirly and my heart all full, and Grammy because, well. She’s Grammy.

“So, is he like, going to sit there all day?” Starla asks from her position atop the shop ladder where she’s hanging plastic pumpkins.

We’ve dotted Halloween decor around the shop, not that you can tell. It was very Black Parade beforehand.

“Ah, yeah. Is that going to be a problem?”

Starla looks down on me as if I’m mental. She blinks her heavily lined eyes twice before they dart to Gabe. “You do realize how hot that man is, right? And how few hotties we get in here? He can stay all day everyday for all I care. I just like having something pretty to look at.”

I try to hide my grin knowing that will creep Starla out. “Duly noted. I’ll make sure he stays all day.”

“Thanks, Bren!” Starla replies perkily.

She makes me laugh a little with her white foundation, black makeup and goth clothes. Underneath that all she’s sweet and funny and a whole bunch of things she doesn't believe. But she will one day. She’s getting there. Baby steps.

The bell over the door has me spinning to look and then freezing in place. Percy. The man who wants Frank’s soul. Or so we think. It seems pretty plausible I guess. I plaster a smile on my face, refusing to look in Gabe's direction. I don’t need to see him. I already feel his gaze boring into me from across the room.

“Oh hey, welcome back. What can I get you?” I ask, positioning myself behind the counter.

Putting a barrier between us makes me feel less frantic and distracted. We want him relaxed. To think he’s calling the shots. That’s when he’s more likely to make mistakes.

Nice thinking, Bren.

“Why thank you. It’s all the true crime.” I mutter under my breath.

“Say hi to Frank for me,” Percy says, leaning over the counter, invading my space.

His dark eyes bore into mine and the pit of my stomach aches like when you eat something too cold and your teeth freak out.