The Ravaging in Between (The Reanimation Files Book 3) by A. J. Locke Page B

sure you’re OK?”
    “I don’t know,” I said. “That ghost came after me, tried to kill me.”
    “What the hell for?” Micah looked up and around as though he expected the ghost to return.
    “No clue. I’ve never seen him before.”
    “Are you sure you’re all right? I should have stayed with you, damn it.” He gave me a scrutinizing look.
    “No, you should have made sure those three got out of here safely, which you did. And I am fine. More so physically than mentally. That ghost just…absorbed Leora.”
    “How is that even possible?”
    “Your guess is as good as mine. But what it boils down to is that Leora is gone.” I looked around. “Where’s Taj?” Before Micah could answer, I spotted him struggling to his feet next to the stage. We ran over and helped him up. He was a bit bruised but wasn’t bleeding. He’d apparently taken cover under the stage, which was a smart move. He was trembling and looked scared.
    “Taj, hey, it’s OK,” I said as we helped him up. “It’s Selene and Micah.”
    “What…what happened? What was that? Where’s my aunt?”
    I couldn’t imagine how nightmarish this must have seemed to him. It was horrific, but being able to only hear the horror had to have been even more terrifying. Micah and I exchanged a look. I did not want to attempt to explain what had happened to his aunt’s ghost.
    “Selene?”
    “Taj, uh…your aunt’s ghost…”
    “Can I be of any assistance?”
    I turned to see Jacob coming up to us. He looked a little roughed up, but it seemed as though he’d gotten himself out of harm’s way early enough. I swallowed hard and exchanged another look with Micah. Jacob’s words were friendly, but the vibe he brought with him was anything but. I felt instantly uncomfortable.
    “Ms. Vanream, Mr. Stone,” Jacob said. “I have to say I did not imagine an event to honor my brother and the other victims of your uncle would have turned out this way.”
    The way he’d said “your uncle” practically dripped with contempt. Jacob shook his head and laid a hand on Taj’s shoulder, who flinched at the stranger’s touch.
    “I can escort this young man to receive some assistance,” Jacob offered.
    “No, that’s OK, we can—”
    “I insist,” Jacob said. “I’ve already helped several people to the ambulances. I want to do my part to help. This should have been a peaceful day to remember those we lost. Instead, it almost turned into a blood-bath. You have a special touch, don’t you, Selene?”
    He said that last part very softly and my discomfort grew. I fought the urge to squirm under his gaze.
    “My aunt,” Taj said. “Where is she?”
    “I will explain everything,” Jacob said. “You look like you can use some patching up; please allow me to escort you to the paramedics.”
    Taj nodded. I could have insisted we escort him instead, but I wasn’t Taj’s keeper. Taj wasn’t doing so well standing on his own, and I had the feeling he might slip into shock. Especially once he found out what happened to his aunt.
    Jacob started to lead Taj away, then stopped and turned back to me.
    “Ms. Vanream, I’ll admit I envisioned our first encounter going quite differently, but in any case, I wondered if you would not mind stopping by the office within the next day or so. I wish to chat with you further. And give you the opportunity to clear out your desk. Before your belongings are discarded.”
    “Uh…” He wanted to chat further? I wanted anything but. But what I did want were certain things left in my desk. I knew I had at least two good pairs of shoes stashed there, along with a bag or two of my personal runes. Those things weren’t cheap and I wasn’t about to let them get trashed.
    “Sure…I’ll stop by.”
    Jacob nodded again, and Micah and I watched him take Taj to the paramedics. On the one hand I felt relieved that I didn’t have to explain to Taj what happened to Leora, but I also felt guilty. That ghost, for whatever