The Book of Lost Souls (10 page)

Her mother had regained composure and managed a weak smile. “I’m just glad you’re okay, sweetie. This is just so
horrible
. Apparently, whoever killed poor Mr. Nash did it in front of his wife and his sister-in-law. There weren’t any other witnesses.”

“Yeah, I heard. Did Nick’s Uncle say anything else?” Ivy asked, as she scratched under Devlin’s chin. He leaned into her hand, eyes closed in delight.
 

Her mother sighed. “He said it might have been a Kindred dressed in costume, and that the Council is calling for a town hall meeting.”

Ivy swallowed and tried to remain calm. “Well, maybe since Halloween is so close, the killer figured no one would pay too much attention if he wore a costume. There’s always a lot of Halloween parties going on. So, maybe it
could
be a Regular,” Ivy suggested. The longer everyone searched in the wrong direction, the better.

“You sure you’re okay, sweetie? You look a bit rattled.”

Ivy shrugged, prepared for another hug. “Who wouldn’t be?”
 

“Oh,
Ivy
!” her mother said, pointing to Ivy’s book bag instead. “Tell me you didn’t bring your homework to Saludo’s. Soon, we need to talk about dating.”

Ivy stopped petting Devlin and glanced at the book bag. She didn’t want her mother to look inside it. If her mother found the book, she’d freak. Maybe she’d reconsider what her daughter had inherited. The Council would surely think Ivy had become a dark witch. She’d changed Spike, and if Ivy surrendered the book now, they’d think she’d used it to kill Mr. Nash. After all, Ivy could be placed directly at the scene of two incidents, and she was carrying a book on the use of black magic.
 

If she turned out like... like
him
, it would destroy her mother.

“Aaaarrrr!”
Devlin whined in his other-worldly Beezlepup voice, demanding more attention. He rolled on his back and wriggled himself along the carpet.

“Sure, Mom. Later, okay?” She kissed her on the cheek and picked up the book bag. “It’s been a long, upsetting day and I’m really tired. Come on, Devlin.”

Her mother nodded, and before she could say anything more, Ivy scrambled up the stairs with Devlin on her heels.
 

Ivy did feel tired, at least physically. Sleep eluded her though, and all she thought of that night was Vlad the Impaler, the mysterious woman with him, the books, and despite her best efforts, Nick.
 

CHAPTER 12

If Devlin hadn’t been so incessant about his Sunday morning walk, Ivy would have preferred to stay in bed. It was three in the morning before she’d finally fallen asleep. Now, as she and Devlin stepped outside into the brisk sunshine, Nick and the books were back on her mind. It wouldn’t be much longer before the Council figured out that someone had found Skinner’s missing books. Although there was no real proof, the Council had always suspected that her dad had been the one to burn down Skinner’s house and take the books. Since everyone drew so many comparisons to her and her father, they’d probably suspect he’d left them for his unusually talented daughter. Besides, she’d already proven she wasn’t above using forbidden magic.

There was only one way to clear herself—find out who had
The Book of Lost Souls
. Fast. Which meant that she needed not only the help of her friends, but Nick’s as well. He had the advantage of knowing more about the books and their history than anyone else at this point. At least, anyone she could ask.

Ivy and Devlin caught up with Shayde, who was waiting at the end of the sidewalk. Ivy liked that Shayde lived next door. She didn’t think she could stand it if she had to drive across town to talk privately with her best friend.
 

“So, how was Nick?” Shayde asked, trying to engage in normal conversation as they walked past their houses.

Neighbor children who’d ventured out to play in a few leaf piles were bundled in heavy jackets. What Ivy wouldn’t give to have a carefree morning like them.

“He’s okay. I suppose you heard about Mr. Nash?”

Shayde shook her head. “Who hasn’t? Someone in a costume. A Kindred, or so everyone thinks. Someone strong enough to lift Mr. Nash up and do and, well, you know—impale him like that. It’s gotta be spells or superhuman strength. So, the Regulars aren’t likely to be among the suspects. You seem really shook up. Did you see it happen?”

“No. No one saw the murder except the sisters,” Ivy said, and before Shayde could ask, she added, “I am kinda freaked. Look, there’s something else. Something I need to talk to you about. And you can’t tell anyone, okay?”

Shayde’s expression grew tense. “Sure. You’ve got my word, you know that.”

“The books. Why would Nick want them?”

Shayde eyed her curiously. “The gardening book? Because... because he’s into gardening for Satan?” Shayde said, in a dry attempt at humor. “What’s this got to do—”

“I’m serious, here. The
other
two books.
The Rise of the Dark Curse
and the one that’s missing.”

They turned left at the stop sign. “Who says he wants them? Maybe he’s just curious. You were. Or, maybe they startled him a little, Ivy. After you changed Spike and he saw the books on the table, he probably started to wonder if you were getting into black magic.”
 

“But he said he
knew
about the missing book. That’s what we talked about over pizza. Nick said there were some witch and demon families who want the books.”

“But why would anyone want something so awful?” Shayde asked. “There has to be consequences for the spell caster who uses them, right?”

“I guess. Good question.”

Shayde laughed. “What would Nick even do with those books? I really don’t have him pegged as being into black magic. He’s mischievous, sure. But, black magic? I don’t think so.”

“He said loads of Kindred families want the books for the power they represent. He said his dad wanted the books. Maybe he wants to give them to him.”

“You know what bugs me? If you were into collecting rare books, why leave one and take the other?” Shayde asked.

Ivy shrugged. “I don’t know. Didn’t think of that.”

“If Nick or his dad knew the other book was in the cemetery, why not go there instead of the funeral home?” Shayde asked. “Why even leave the first one behind to start with? I’m telling you, it’s not Nick. It’s not his dad, either. If it were, Nick wouldn’t be talking to you about this.”
 

Ivy thought about the shadow that vanished behind the tree, how the burlap sack was in plain view, yet it hadn’t been there a few minutes before. It was as if someone put the sack there for them to find. “Did you see anyone else out there that day in the cemetery? Besides us an Spike?”

Shayde shook her head. “No. Why?”

“I thought I saw someone else out there. But, it was like they were there and then they weren’t. I only caught a glimpse.”

Shayde frowned. “I didn’t see anyone.”

“I was serious when I said more than one person is involved here. Someone buried the books, someone else found them. And, maybe there’s a third, someone who wanted us to find the books left behind. The books were lying neatly on top of the burlap sack. Which meant that they were put there on purpose,” Ivy said.

“But who knew we’d be there? Raven said that very few people visit that section of the cemetery. But, okay, let’s go with your theory.
If
someone was there, they’d have seen us. So why not just hand them over? Why leave them for us to find?”

Ivy shook her head. She’d asked herself the same question.

“And what would they expect us to do with them? You’re the only one who can cast spells,” Shayde said. “If they wanted us to give them to someone else then why didn’t they leave a note? If found please return to
whoever
.”

“So it was someone who followed us there. Someone who was watching,” Ivy said.

Shayde shook her head. “I don’t know Ivy. Sounds weird. What does your mom say about all this?” She glanced at Ivy. “You didn’t give her the books, did you? Oh, geez!”

“No. How could I? Everyone will think it’s me, Shayde. It’ll tear Mom apart. I’ve got to figure out who really has the book. Nick knows more than he’s saying. He’s offered to help, although I’m not sure if it’s some trick to get me to give him the other book or not. But, it’s all I’ve got. I’ll have to play along.”

“Okay. Your funeral.” Shayde let out a long sigh. “But,
about
Nick. Does this mean you two are going out again?”
 

They crossed the street, Shayde grinning widely. “Everyone will forget about you and Spike in no time if you’re dating Nick!”

“I’m
not
dating Nick. We went out once. I wanted information from him,” Ivy said.
 

“I believe him. I still don’t think he’s after just the book. He might really be trying to help you because he likes you. Ever hear of that? You know, a
crush
?”

Devlin tugged on his leash as they entered the park. It was empty, just like most early Sunday mornings when the weather turned cold. A few Pigeon doves took flight from their spot on a nearby bench, finally settling back down atop the swing set.

“Maybe he’s just
saying
he knows about the books. You turned him down.
Twice
.”

“He knows I like Dean.”
 

Shayde let out a small laugh. “A
lot
of people know you have a thing for Dean. So, maybe Nick figures if he pretends to know about these books you’re so interested in, you’ll go out with him. He’s probably hoping that by the time you realize he’s been faking it, you’ll like him instead. Nick’s got that demon determination thing down cold.”

“That’s not it,” Ivy said, bending down to unleash Devlin. “
Behave
,” she warned.
 

Devlin took off across the park, scouting for squirrels. Ivy watched as Devlin watered several bushes and circled a tree that a squirrel scurried up. “He said that the third book brings back people, Shayde. It has curses that bring back really bad, dead people.”

“Yeah, right. And Bane’s entering the Westminster dog show. See? He’s playing you. You can’t bring back the dead. Well, there’s vampires and the whole zombie thing, but, well, you know what I mean.”

Ivy ignored the comment. “The missing book is called
The Book of Lost Souls
. It brings back
famous
dead people. Like Vlad the Impaler and some woman Vlad called Elizabeth. Maybe some Countess.”

Shayde stared in disbelief. “He couldn’t possibly know that.”

“He would if his dad told him all about it,” Ivy said.
 

“Vlad the Impaler? Nick told you who attacked Mr. Nash? How would he know that?”

“He didn’t. I’m the one who told
him
it was probably Vlad based on the description Gloria Albert gave the police.”

Shayde sighed. “Wait. You’re the one who identified the attacker? Wow. I see your point. If anyone knows you have that book, you’re suspect number one. You knew who the conjured soul was.”

“Yeah. That’s why I need everyone’s help,” Ivy said.

Devlin barked loudly.
 

“Devlin!” Ivy shouted. “Leave Mrs. Quincy’s cat alone!” Devlin had Midnight trapped up a small oak and clinging to a branch. The slight breeze didn’t account for the violently shaking tree limb Midnight clung to. Of course, the culprit for the tree’s behavior stood directly underneath, grinning, tongue hanging out between canine teeth.
 

“Why does he always do that? Why her cat?” Shayde asked.

“He did it once with the neighbor’s guinea pig that got loose. Swallowed the thing whole. Hacked it up on the living room carpet and totally freaked us out. It was all wet and slimy, so we didn’t know what it was at first.”

“Ewww,” Shayde said.

 
“Yeah. It was really gross. It squealed and ran across the room and Mom smacked it with the broom mistaking it for some strange Beezlepup thing like a possessed hair ball or something. Wasn’t a pretty sight.”

“Yeech!” Shayde said.

Midnight let out a high-pitched
me-owww
. The tree limb shook harder as though trying to dislodge him. Devlin stood underneath, barking excitedly.

“Devlin!” Ivy called out in warning. “Midnight is
not
a squeaky toy!” She broke out into a run across the park. “
Devlin!”

He shot her a fleeting look. Why did anything and everyone belonging to the demon species have to be so difficult?
 

“Stop that right
now
Devlin!” Ivy demanded. She picked up a fallen leaf and held it in front of her. It swirled and shifted, changing into a replica of a fuzzy grey squirrel. Ivy squeezed it, and the toy squeaked. Instantly, Devlin whirled around, running at her full tilt, Midnight completely forgotten.

“Midnight makes the same noise as a squeaky toy when Devlin catches him,” Ivy explained. “Ever since the guinea pig incident he’s had a thing for stuff that squeaks.”

Shayde watched Midnight hurry down the tree and take refuge under a bush. “Can’t say I haven’t been tempted to chase Midnight a few times myself. And the squeaky toy from a leaf thing? Cute. Nice to see you’re back to doing normal witchcraft. Anyway, what are you going to do? If Nick really is telling the truth...”

“The only thing I can do. Go on another date with him,” Ivy said with a sigh.
 

Shayde raised an eyebrow. “And if Nick’s on the level, why do you sound so gloomy about it? He’s really hot. Sorry, bad demon pun.”

“Because he’s not who I want,” Ivy replied, recalling Nick’s words from last night. “But right now, until I get some answers, he might be exactly who I need.”
 

The only problem was that Ivy wasn’t sure which question she wanted the answer to first—who had the third book, or why it bothered her that she kept thinking about Nick, and if he
really
liked her or just wanted the book.
 

CHAPTER 13

By the time Ivy returned to Forever View, it was just after eleven and she was in a dour mood. Since Bane hadn’t actually been part of the conspiracy to turn Spike into a human, he didn’t have to show up for the cemetery work, and since Gareth had lost the most—his pet—he didn’t have to, either. This left just the girls to work off another day of punishment.