Read Echoes Through the Mist: A Paranormal Mystery (The Echoes Quartet Book 1) for Free Online

me like that?”
    The professor had stopped and was rooted to a spot in the center of the concourse. “What? No! Good God. Not you too. Please, please, Blessing, tell me you aren’t one of them. You were my last hope, but now I find you are a mountebank! I tell you this is entirely too much.” Julian laughed and pulled the professor along. They exited the terminal together and at the curb sat Bridget behind the wheel of the Bragoniers’ automobile.
    The car rattled through the countryside, deep into Dublin’s central neighborhoods. They parked in front of a handsome Georgian townhouse across from St. Stephen’s Green. Moss and ivy encased the brick façade, softened the hard edges and framed the large white painted sash windows.
    White marble columns flanked a large entryway with a stained glass transom above the heavy black front door where an elaborate brass doorknocker occupied center stage.
    Once inside, Julian found a light, open front room with an upholstered couch and comfortable club chairs bordering a large painted brick fireplace. As he was led through the house on a tour conducted by the professor, Julian found each room to be inviting and bright without being contrived or fussy.
    Busy Kildare Street hummed on the other side of the front door, but the street noise was imperceptible inside. The feel of the home was one of a tranquil sanctuary removed from time and space. It was a world of its own.
    “Breakfast, gentlemen, is this way,” Bridget said and led Julian and her husband into the dining room. Breakfast was simple, filling and Julian savored it with the easy conversation and the frequent laughter of his friends. He felt if he never left this house, he would count himself lucky beyond measure. This was the first time he could remember feeling deeply, truly happy.
    ***
    Dinner was as relaxed as breakfast had been. The conversation centered on the professor and his duties at Trinity College. Bridget looked on and her face glowed with pleasure.
    Julian sat captivated by the professor’s descriptions of his studies, his students, the investigation of ancient history and the stories of college life.
    Bridget was enormously proud of her husband but not nearly as proud of him as she was in love with him. After more than thirty years together, there were no stories she had not heard.
    She knew every pause, every gesture, every inflection. She heard the music in his voice when he was excited about a discovery or found a willing audience for his stories. His eyes would light up when he knew he had his listeners on the edge of their seats. He was good at what he did and she was good at loving him for it.
    ***
    With the table cleared and the dishes washed and put away, Bridget and Julian walked into the garden while the professor went to his study to concoct another grueling test for his students.
    Bridget put her arm through Julian’s and they walked around the garden at a leisurely pace.
    “Julian, you are a gifted man and there are others like me who will understand you and help you understand your talents. You see, when someone like you comes along, it is our responsibility to help. In time, you will want to do the same.”
    “Bridget, I don’t get any of this. Gifts, talents, tasks – are you seriously saying this is magic or the supernatural or paranormal or… or… or whatever. I don’t believe it. I can’t believe it. And that ‘being one of us,’ business, although sweet in another context, it’s kind of creepy if you don’t mind my saying so.
    “Listen, I like you a great deal, but you must know this.” Julian became vehement. “I have not heard any clarion calls. I am not going on any sort of silly-assed quest. I do not have a destiny to fulfill.
    “There are not going to be any witches, wizards or dragons in my future. There is no ultimate good or absolute evil waiting for me around the corner. Forget the God damned magical animals and talking trees too. Not interested.”
    His mouth