fade away slowly.
Olivia jumped to her feet. “Jack, no! Your leaving may not help. If it’s power he wants, he’ll hang around here. I may need your help to get rid of him.”
He appeared once more in the room and saw everyone looking his way.
“How can y’all see and hear me now?”
He asked, confused.
Lisa spoke up, “I have two theories. Either it’s because we all carry some form of magic or the pond boost his essence.”
“It can’t be the pond. We just got here, and I heard him speak at Charlie’s,” Devlin said.
“No, I’d already been here. That pond is powerful and calls to you.”
He nodded to Olivia.
“Those dudes at the bar? They hang out there and visit the pond for rejuvenation.”
Rafe growled. “Dudes? What dudes? I haven’t heard of any new men hanging around the bar, and for damn sure they haven’t been to the pond. The pond is guarded day and night by my pack.”
“They’re ghost, like me. I got to know them a little bit earlier today. They come and go at different times, but they like to gather at Charlie’s and play poker. Usually after it closes, but they’ve been hanging around to watch over the place. They felt that bad vibe too and are doing their version of patrolling. You won’t see them unless they want you to. They’re not out to spook people, they consider themselves to be protectors. As I said, they’re just visitin’.”
Devlin spoke up. “Wait, how long ago did they feel this vibe? Did the evil presence follow you or was it already here?”
“I didn’t ask. Hold on, I’ll be right back.”
Devlin sat back down beside Olivia and took her hand, squeezing gently. “I want you to stay here tonight. If this guy has the power to toss Niall on his ass, I can’t imagine what he would do to you. He’s a sicko who likes to attack women, and I don’t want you in his sights.”
Lisa sat on her other side and spoke softly. “We have plenty of room, and we’d all feel much better if you stayed here.”
“I could make us both feel better if you stayed in my room,” Devlin muttered.
Olivia ignored him and glared at Niall and Rafe when they both snorted in laughter. “Thank you, Lisa, I appreciate it. I do need to go back tonight and get some of my things though. ”
“I’ll get them, you stay here where it’s safe,” Devlin announced.
She was already shaking her head no. “I’m going,” she stated flatly. Olivia did not want him packing up her toiletries as some things were too personal, and he was still a stranger to her.
Devlin started to argue when Jack appeared before them. He had a grim look on his face.
“They noticed him here about a week ago. That’s why they’ve been showing up. I think that’s why I’ve been pulled here too. I’ll need the extra power the water provides to take him on.”
“Relax lad, we’ve got your back.” Niall turned to Devlin. “You need to do your magic with computers and see if you can dig up anything on Jack while I take Olivia to get her things.”
“Oh, hell no. I’m taking her. I’m not letting her out of my sight,” Devlin snarled.
Rafe laid a hand on Devlin’s shoulder. “Go. You can start your search as soon as you get back.”
* * *
Devlin found a spot across the street from the bar and whipped into the space, parallel parking. Niall climbed out and surveyed the area before nodding to Devlin to allow Olivia out. He wrapped his hand around her waist and hurried her across the street and into the bar.
“What’s the rush?” She asked, yawning. She was ready to fall into bed, wanting to sleep and let go of all the worries of the day.
“I want to get you back to the castle in case he shows up again.” Devlin barely acknowledged Hank as he bolted up the stairs and pulled her along behind him.
She was breathless when he reached her room. “I’ll hurry.” Since she hadn’t even unpacked her clothes, she hurried to the bathroom and shoved her toiletries back into their bag and was
Chris Kyle, William Doyle