her. They helped her learn how to avoid a forced summoning. I would imagine it more than a little debilitating to be at the mercy of every single spirit who wishes to make contact with you.”
That was the understatement of the year.
“I don’t get out much socially, but I usually have more control over when I astral project. I’m not sure why it’s been more difficult to keep the summonings on my own terms since I got here.”
“It most likely has to do with the island itself. It is considered one of the most haunted areas in most of the United States.”
I raised my eyebrows in surprise. “Why is that?”
“There was a hurricane here in the year 1900. The devastation and destruction hit the entire island. Six thousand people were killed during the storm and several more went missing. With thousands of lives taken so abruptly, you can imagine why so many spirits might have unfinished business in this area.” Miguel checked his rear view mirror again and grimaced before continuing. “Galveston Island has a bit of a sordid and mysterious history, inhabited by pirates, smugglers and, it’s been rumored, Jack the Ripper. I’m surprised you aren’t being summoned more often to be perfectly honest with you.”
That did it. From now on, I would pay more attention to researching the areas I traveled to. Not that it would have done me any good. Turning down this assignment hadn’t been an option, but learning the island’s history could have prepared me for what I was getting myself into.
Of course, no amount of research would have sufficiently prepared me for Miguel Galvez.
We pulled into a public parking area where Miguel took another look behind us. At this point, I didn’t even care if we were still being followed. I wanted to know more about his mother.
“Did she always have her gift?”
Miguel forced his attention back to me and nodded.
“Born with it. She was an important member in our tiny community, and we all respected her and guarded her secret well. We understood the importance of spirit mediums and their abilities to travel to a different realm, setting unfinished business to rights. It is a heavy responsibility, but I have found that most spirit mediums, such as yourself, rise to the occasion.” He gave me an encouraging smile.
The guilt I felt for abusing my gift sliced at my own moral compass.
“There was a time I used my abilities in the way you have described, but I haven’t been that person for a long time.”
My revelation didn’t seem to surprise him. “What changed?”
“I honestly don’t want to talk about it.”
“Then I will pry no further until you are ready to discuss it with me. I would like to know how far along you are in your training.”
“My training?”
He narrowed his eye and considered me. “That’s right. You have had no one in your life to assist you in this process. How long does it take for you to assimilate in the spirit realm?”
I marveled again at his expansive knowledge of my gift.
“It usually takes me anywhere from three to five summonings to see and hear the ghost in question.”
He nodded. “That is why you are booked here for the entire week then?”
I nodded.
He let out a resigned sigh and started the car again. “Then I’m afraid our plans must change. Instead of a leisurely stroll along The Stride, we are going to have to go somewhere else entirely.”
I narrowed my eyes, puzzled. “Miguel what are you talking about?”
“Your skills, though powerful, are not yet sharpened. At your age, you should be able to see and hear a spirit within the first summoning. Something is blocking your progress, and we need to remove the block.”
I swallowed hard. “A block? Even if that were true, what would removing this blockage entail?”
Miguel placed a hand on mine and squeezed it gently as we continued down the highway. We soon came to an area that I recognized immediately, not because I had ever physically been there, but because
That was the understatement of the year.
“I don’t get out much socially, but I usually have more control over when I astral project. I’m not sure why it’s been more difficult to keep the summonings on my own terms since I got here.”
“It most likely has to do with the island itself. It is considered one of the most haunted areas in most of the United States.”
I raised my eyebrows in surprise. “Why is that?”
“There was a hurricane here in the year 1900. The devastation and destruction hit the entire island. Six thousand people were killed during the storm and several more went missing. With thousands of lives taken so abruptly, you can imagine why so many spirits might have unfinished business in this area.” Miguel checked his rear view mirror again and grimaced before continuing. “Galveston Island has a bit of a sordid and mysterious history, inhabited by pirates, smugglers and, it’s been rumored, Jack the Ripper. I’m surprised you aren’t being summoned more often to be perfectly honest with you.”
That did it. From now on, I would pay more attention to researching the areas I traveled to. Not that it would have done me any good. Turning down this assignment hadn’t been an option, but learning the island’s history could have prepared me for what I was getting myself into.
Of course, no amount of research would have sufficiently prepared me for Miguel Galvez.
We pulled into a public parking area where Miguel took another look behind us. At this point, I didn’t even care if we were still being followed. I wanted to know more about his mother.
“Did she always have her gift?”
Miguel forced his attention back to me and nodded.
“Born with it. She was an important member in our tiny community, and we all respected her and guarded her secret well. We understood the importance of spirit mediums and their abilities to travel to a different realm, setting unfinished business to rights. It is a heavy responsibility, but I have found that most spirit mediums, such as yourself, rise to the occasion.” He gave me an encouraging smile.
The guilt I felt for abusing my gift sliced at my own moral compass.
“There was a time I used my abilities in the way you have described, but I haven’t been that person for a long time.”
My revelation didn’t seem to surprise him. “What changed?”
“I honestly don’t want to talk about it.”
“Then I will pry no further until you are ready to discuss it with me. I would like to know how far along you are in your training.”
“My training?”
He narrowed his eye and considered me. “That’s right. You have had no one in your life to assist you in this process. How long does it take for you to assimilate in the spirit realm?”
I marveled again at his expansive knowledge of my gift.
“It usually takes me anywhere from three to five summonings to see and hear the ghost in question.”
He nodded. “That is why you are booked here for the entire week then?”
I nodded.
He let out a resigned sigh and started the car again. “Then I’m afraid our plans must change. Instead of a leisurely stroll along The Stride, we are going to have to go somewhere else entirely.”
I narrowed my eyes, puzzled. “Miguel what are you talking about?”
“Your skills, though powerful, are not yet sharpened. At your age, you should be able to see and hear a spirit within the first summoning. Something is blocking your progress, and we need to remove the block.”
I swallowed hard. “A block? Even if that were true, what would removing this blockage entail?”
Miguel placed a hand on mine and squeezed it gently as we continued down the highway. We soon came to an area that I recognized immediately, not because I had ever physically been there, but because
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