Darkest Journey (Krewe of Hunters #20)(52)

“I’m so glad you brought Charlie by, Ethan. You know, Charlie, you’re not even a stone’s throw from me in the Quarter. Now that you know where I am, you’ve got to come by more often.”

“I will,” Charlie said.

“Ethan, get the tea, please, and bring it into the parlor, will you?” Terese asked, then took Charlie’s arm. “Come on, let’s sit.”

As soon as they were settled on the couch, Terese leaned toward Charlie, her amber eyes concerned. “You doing okay, Charlie?”

“Yes, yes, fine.”

“I know you’ve got it, child, got it rich, the sight. Ever since you were a girl. But it can be a hard road, helping the dead. Hard to hear what they have to say sometimes. I see it around you now, you know. It’s a shadow. They need you now, Charlie, but you have to take care, you hear?”

“You know, Tante,” Ethan said, coming in with the silver tea tray, “I am here to help.”

“And a good strong man you’ve become, too, but there’s something about Charlie right now. They’ll be seeking you out, dear,” she said to Charlie. “Has Mr. Corley shown himself to you, or Mr. Hickory?”

Charlie shook her head.

“Well, I can feel it. Someone is going to be talking to you.”

Ethan smiled at her, setting the tray down and pouring the tea. “Maybe, Tante, if you’ve got an in with anyone, you could ask them to speak to me.”

“We all see Anson McKee, Tante Terese,” Charlie told her. “Just as we did years ago.”

Terese nodded and sipped her tea. “Yes, he’s strong. He watches over the area. He was there the day the war stopped, and he was there when they turned the Journey over to the Union with all their sick and wounded aboard. I believe he tries to watch over the two of you.”

“He does,” Ethan said. “Did you ever see him, Tante?”

Terese smiled and nodded, leaning back comfortably. “I never did live in St. Francisville. New Orleans has always been my home. Except, of course, after the hurricane, when they made me head out to California for a month or so. Went with your folks, Ethan, and it was a nice vacation, but this—this is my home. But years ago I was up in St. Francisville visiting, and I saw him there, in the graveyard. He walked right over to me, put his hand on my cheek and smiled, and I felt...peaceful. There was something so kind and good in his smile. You heed him. When he talks to you or tries to show you the way, you heed his directions, you hear?”

They both nodded.

Then Terese sighed and looked at Ethan. “I forgot one of those fool pills the doctor says I have to take for my heart. They’re on the kitchen counter, Ethan. Would you mind?”

“Not at all,” Ethan said, and rose, leaving them alone together again.

Terese leaned forward and spoke softly to Charlie. “Don’t you worry none, Charlie. I know your papa, and he didn’t do any of this. I know you’re scared, but you have to tell the truth about everything you see, everything you hear. The truth at every turn is what is going to help bring this to an end. Do you understand?”

She spoke quickly and was already leaning back against the pillows again before Ethan returned.

She thanked him and took the container, then shook out a pill. “That snarly old Doc Berlin. He says I have to take these pills and not depend on any of my old cures. Well, I take his pills, but when he gives me a hard time, I say, ‘Hey, Doc, what are you worried about? That I’m going to die young?’ Ah, well. Never hurts, the man did study hard.” She grinned at Charlie. “It’s tough sometimes when you knew your doctor when he was in knee britches.”

Charlie laughed softly. Terese turned the conversation to family, and they stayed a while longer. It wasn’t until they were leaving that Terese spoke to her pointedly again, this time including Ethan.

“Charlie, remember, there’s truth—and then there’s what people perceive. You take care, extreme care. I’ve a feeling in these old bones. People might think you know what you don’t. Never trust in what you see, always look below and realize what others see is never the same, you hear? And, Ethan, you watch out for her—watch out good. You both understand me?”

Charlie was surprised by the chill that went through her. Terese wasn’t trying to scare her, but as the old woman gripped her hand, she felt a cold seep into her blood. “I’ll be careful, Tante Terese, I promise,” she said.

Terese wagged a finger at Ethan. “And you watch over her, watch over her with every second of your life now, son.”

“I swear,” Ethan promised. “Now, go back inside and—”

“Oh, hush, I’ll watch you into the car. I’m fine right here. This has been my house, my place in the world, forever. You’re staying at your folks’ place, right?”

“Yes, ma’am,” Ethan said.

“Good, good.” Terese smiled. “It’s so good to finally see the two of you together.”

Charlie felt a flush rise to her cheeks. “Oh, we’re not...”

“We’re just working on...”

“No, no, I wanted Ethan to... A dead man spoke to me, and...”

“We’re going on the Journey as part of my investigation,” Ethan finished, sounding almost apologetic.