Come As You Are
“Where’s Franco?”
    “Not sure,” Dev said, taking a drink of his beer. “He called me earlier and said he had to take care of something and he’d be here in time for dinner.”
    The server set a mint julep in front of Tempest and she smiled to herself. Someone had trained the staff well.
    “We’ve got gumbo cooking up,” the server said. “Plus Franco ordered different types of po’boys. They’ll be up here in a bit.”
    When she was gone, Quinn put her arm around Tempest’s shoulder. “How are you holding up?”
    “Fine, thanks.” She wanted to add that she’d had a nice, human-produced orgasm this afternoon that had sent her off to la-la land in a sweet haze of bliss. And when she’d woken up, she’d felt more refreshed than she had in weeks, maybe months. Or more to the point, years.
    The memory of Franco’s tongue on her clit made that part of her body tighten with need. They needed to finish with dinner so the two of them could go back upstairs and play some more. Hopefully this time he would let her participate.
    “Do we have any new information?” She glanced at Dev, and then at Martin. They both seemed to be the self-appointed leaders of the group.
    “I’ve spent the afternoon in your house, talking to your ghost,” Martin said. “Her name is Candice Seaton. She died in 1956 when she was twenty-seven years old.”
    Tempest felt a surge of sympathy for the woman who had died so young, and who had stayed around the house for the past fifty-three years. “What did she die of?”
    “She fell down the stairs,” Martin’s voice was matter of fact. “I’m sure she threw herself down them because of the stress of dealing with the incubus named Arland.”
    “Good lord above.” Tempest felt her hands shake and she clasped them together so that, hopefully, the others wouldn’t notice. “That poor woman. Can you help her?”
    “Yes, I can cross her over, once I gain her trust,” Martin replied. “He used her horribly last night, and I tried to soothe her today. She’s a very fragile soul.”
    “That could be me,” Tempest said, her hands shaking even more. Where was Franco? He calmed her down and she needed him now.
    “No, I don’t think so.” It was as if he’d heard her ask for him. He stepped up behind her and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her back against his chest. “Did you rest well?”
    “I feel one hundred perfect refreshed,” she said, hoping the others didn’t know it was because the two of them had made love. She glanced around the table and from the looks of suppressed merriment on their faces, she would say they knew exactly what had perked her up.
    “I brought a guest,” he said, turning her just a little. “You know your neighbor, Mrs. Baker?”
    Tempest turned a surprised gaze on the small woman as she moved into view. “Of course I do. Hello.”
    “Hello, Ms. Gandy.” She nodded at Tempest, then included everyone else in her greeting. “Your charming friend came to see me this afternoon. He was asking questions about the house and I realized that the time had finally come, the right people were in place.”
    “In place for what?” Tempest looked at Franco, who was staring down at her. Right now, she wished she could read his mind so she could find out exactly what was happening.
    “Mrs. Baker has lived in the neighborhood since 1946,” Franco said.
    “My sister lived in your house after she was married,” Mrs. Baker said. “She died in there and, if I’m to understand things right, is still there. I want to help with whatever you’re doing to get rid of that fiend and, hopefully, help Candice find some peace.”

Chapter Ten
     
 
     
    I should be angry, but I just can’t find the power
    She’s drained me of it, the little tramp
    Things are so bad that I can’t even put Candice in her place
    Sleep, I need sleep
    When she’s back, she’ll give me what I need
    I can get back on top again
    Soon, very soon
      * * * *
    “Candice

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