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electrical current between us. You can’t deny it’s there. It’s part of the curse. It’s part of the story that’s been passed down. You have to know this.”
    I didn’t. I didn’t remember anything about the other Keeper except that he or she was a descendant of Manteo. “There is no curse.”
    Exasperation flooded his eyes. “Why are you denying it? This is what you were born to do. Four hundred years of waiting, and it comes down to you and me.”
    “That damn curse can wait another four hundred years because I don’t want any part of it.” I tried to turn around again, but he grabbed my arm andpushed me back against the door, his body pressing against mine. The current between us intensified, and it gave me smug pleasure to see his eyes dilate and widen in surprise. He felt it too. And it wasn’t just an electrical current.
    But the intention of his invasion of my personal space was far from amorous. His voice lowered. “You can’t ignore this. Whether you like it or not, you’re part of what’s happening. The spirits have already been set loose—they’ll flee at a slow trickle to start, but they’re loose all the same. Have you felt them?”
    I didn’t answer. He really believed this.
    “You have, haven’t you? A feeling that you’re being watched? Like something is lurking in the corner, in the dark?”
    I refused to confirm that I had. “You’re right. I
have
sensed something lurking in the darkness. You.”
    He tensed, his anger pouring off of him in hot waves. “We have a week to take care of the gate. Don’t waste time denying it’s real.”
    I splayed my hands on his chest and shoved him away, my own anger exploding. “You
do not
get to tell me what I can or cannot do.
I don’t even fucking know you
. You show up outside my front door, lurking in the shadows. If I have anything to be worried about, it’s
you
. There is no curse. It’s all a bunch of made-up crap that caused my family nothing but trouble. It’s probably someone’s idea of a sick practical joke. Well, guess what? I’m not listening to another word of this. Now get the hell off my porch before I call the police.”
    He took a step back, shaking his head in disgust. “Manteo’s line held onto our belief. We’ve taken our role seriously, waiting to fulfill our duty. Why am I not surprised the Dare line would be full of cowards and slackers?”
    He was disparaging a four-hundred-plus-year-old man who may or may not have been my ancestor, and yet I felt insulted. I had been wrong. This night
could
get worse.
    His stepped close to me and lowered his face to mine. If I didn’t know any better, I would have guessed he was about to kiss me. But his body language said that was the furthest thing from his mind. “Humanity is at stake, and you call it a sick practical joke.” Contempt filled his words. “The joke’sgoing to be on you when all hell breaks loose. Hopefully, you’ll be more willing to play your part then.” He turned toward the steps.
    “Who
are
you?”
    He stopped and looked over his shoulder. “Collin. Collin Dailey. Manteo’s Keeper.”
    I stayed in front of the door for several seconds, watching him disappear down the stairs. When anyone else used the staircase, I always heard the thuds of their footsteps, even in my apartment. But Collin’s were silent.
    That was a great stalker skill.
    I fumbled with the doorknob and practically fell inside, slamming the door behind me. Collin Fucking Dailey was insane. That was the only reasonable and rational explanation.
    So how does he know about the curse?
    I grabbed the wine bottle and took a chug. How
did
he know? There was only one way he could: There really was a Manteo line of Curse Keepers. And if there was a Manteo line of Curse Keepers, that meant I was currently the Keeper in the Ananias Dare line.
    Shit.
    I grabbed my cell phone and called Claire.
    “Well?” she asked when she answered. “Did you ever find it?”
    “No,” I waved, even if