Lucky Stars (Ghosts and Reincarnation #5)(169)

Joshua released them, got to his feet and whirled just as Caleb Caldwell hit the landing, his arms swinging out, both his hands wrapped around a thick, heavy candlestick and he struck.

* * * * *

Belle

“Sick of it,” the madwoman whispered as Belle pulled herself together and it occurred to her hazy brain she should get the heck out of there. “Sick of hearing it. Sick of feeling it. Sick of it!”

“I –” Belle started just as she started to edge along the wall to escape but suddenly of its own accord, her body locked.

Then she blinked.

And when she opened her eyes, she was no longer Belle.

She was Brenna.

And her children and Joshua were in danger.

So without hesitation, her mind clear, the pain in her scalp dulled, her legs moved to start racing toward the door.

She only got two steps before she was caught, shoved back and she hit the wall.

She stared at the shadowy woman who stood before her.

“Let me pass,” she demanded and for her words she felt the sharp sting of a slap on her cheek and her head jerked violently to the side as the woman struck her.

“You’ve spoken enough over the years, Belle Abbot, and you weren’t even there. Now, I get to do the talking,” the woman said to her.

Brenna ignored this lunacy, one thing on her mind and started again toward the door but did not get very far before the woman again was upon her. She shoved, she pushed, they grappled and kicked.

“Why are you doing this!” she cried as she struggled. “Let me pass! My husband and children need me.”

“I don’t care!” Came the demented shriek in response as Brenna was viciously shoved away.

She lost control of her limbs and reeled back but, with effort, she remained standing only to see the woman had grabbed hold of something and was coming her way swiftly, arm raised.

She was close, there wasn’t time to escape so Brenna cowered and lifted her arms to deflect the blow.

The woman didn’t make it because Joshua’s two Alsatians came barking and snarling into the room. Baron leaped through the air and landed on the woman, knocking her sideways. Then the dog kept at her as Gretl came darting to Brenna then retreating quickly to the door, darting back to Brenna and to the door again, whining.

“You know where they are,” Brenna whispered.

Gretl woofed softly.

“Take me,” Brenna urged, Gretl took off out the door with Brenna racing after her.

Racing to her husband and children.

* * * * *

Angus

With Jensen at his heels, Angus turned the corner to the stairwell of the eastern turret and he slammed full body into Jack Bennett.

He wheeled back two feet and stared at the shadowy figures.

No, not just Jack.

Jack holding Myrtle firm to his hip with one arm, his other hand engulfing in a strong grip the hand of Lewis.

Both the children were real. Not phantoms.

Real.

“Now this is one in all my years I’ve never seen,” he muttered, eyeing the apparently alive and breathing children.

“Holy f**k,” Jensen muttered behind him.

“Caldwell’s on the stairwell,” Jack informed them and Angus shook off his surprise as Jack strode forward, through and beyond the two men. “I need to get my children to safety and find my wife.”

“Your children?” Angus asked, following him and looking at him closely, or, more accurately, looking at his broad, soaking wet, dinner-suit-jacketed back.

“Your wife?” Jensen asked, following Angus.

Jack stopped and turned with the children.

“I need a safe place for the children so I can find my wife,” he clipped.

“Uh, right, lad,” Angus muttered.

Wife, children, they were not dealing with Jack.

They had Joshua.

Well, at least he’d seen this before.

Angus turned to Jensen. “Where’s Lila?”

“Drawing room,” Jenson answered.

Angus looked back to Jack or, he was guessing, Joshua. “Lila will keep them safe.”

“Drawing room,” Jack murmured, turned and strode swiftly through the house to the drawing room, taking the children with him.

He opened the doors and Angus had the chance to see the women had lit candles so there was dim light. He also had the chance to see the faces pale and hear the gasps.

But this was all he had the chance to see.

They all turned when they heard a dog woofing and saw Belle racing behind the dog on her high-heeled shoes, her hands in her skirt holding it up.

“My love,” Angus heard Jack murmur.

“My sweet!” Angus then heard Belle cry.

Then Angus and the rest watched Belle race directly into Jack, throwing her arms around him, Myrtle and catching Lewis up in her embrace.

Well, it seemed Belle was Brenna if the presence of living, breathing Myrtle and Lewis didn’t faze her.

This also didn’t faze Angus but it fazed Jensen.

“Holy f**k,” Jensen muttered.

Still holding on, Belle arched her upper body back and caught Jack’s eyes.

“Something’s amiss,” she declared at the same time Jack announced, “There is danger.”

“Am I seeing what I think I’m seeing?” Rachel whispered.