Tuesday Tales: Writing Ghost

HAPPY    HALLOWEEN 

Welcome to Tuesday Tales, a weekly blog featuring diverse authors who post excerpts from their works in progress based on word and picture prompts. We’re a book hungry troop that enjoys reading as much as you do. Today our word prompt is ghost. My excerpt is from a paranormal romance. Please visit the talented authors at Tuesday Tales.

 

On the back edge of the graveyard, Finn shifted into park and cut the lights and motor. The black SUV blended well with the night. His voice, though held to a whisper, cut into the silence. “Well, here we are, as you wanted. What the devil are we waiting for?”

Tessa flinched at the clack of the keys as he dropped them into the cup holder. She pulled the handle and stepped out, and then reached behind the seat for her witch’s bag. Her whisper sounded more like a snarl. “If you keep it up with this quirky mood of yours, you might as well forget about my waking him. It interferes with the energy.” She flicked on a tiny penlight.

She quivered as he came up close beside her and brushed a finger under her jawline. “Sorry, I’m unaccustomed to traipsing around trying to dredge up a ghost.”

She let out the breath she’d been holding. “I told you not to come.”

“I didn’t want you out here alone. Besides, I wouldn’t miss this show for a casket of the finest Irish whiskey. How do you know where the grave is anyway? It’s dark as soot.” He looked up. “Nothing but a million glittering stars.”

“Dark of the Moon is the best time to summon a spirit. To answer your question, I studied the layout online.”

“I’m glad I took up with a computer savvy witch.”

Ignoring his comment, she led the way toward their destination. “This should be it.” The light bobbled on a headstone, and her pulse quickened. “Yes, here it is.” She pointed to a spot several feet away from the grave. “Finn, stand over there. You’ll be inside the circle for safety. Don’t move and for God’s sake don’t interfere.”

He drew out a flask, uncapped it, and tipped it to his lips. “Care for a nip to ward off the chill?”

“Are you nuts? Put that away. It can interfere with the spell.”

“How so?”

“What if he’s a sot? Here, suck on this.” She handed him a mint.

His eye roll created shock waves, but he took it.

Using the penlight as a delimiter, she walked a circle in clockwise fashion, Finn’s spot being in the south quadrant. The grave, of course, faced east. She stowed the penlight and  positioned herself in the middle of the circle heading north. She drew in a deep breath to center herself.  After several more cleansing breaths and energy maneuvers that led her into an alpha state, she began the summoning ritual. Reaching deep into the carnation scented womb of Mother Earth and then high into the stars, she opened herself to the power at hand. Having no intention of allowing Finn access to her spell casting, she performed it in silence and low murmurs. The names of the deities and guides involved were sacred and hers alone to know.

Nearing completion, she perceived an energy spike from Finn. He must have started to wonder if there was really something to all this. She flashed out a golden swirl to tamp down his concern. Soothing the tiger. She usually did this sort of thing alone. Too late now. She turned back to the task at hand.

As her consciousness entered the realm between worlds, the moment between moments, Padric Malloy stirred. She held forth her hands, palms outward. For the first time tonight she used a clear, firm tone. “Rise, Padric Malloy.”

Like morning fog, his spirit lifted, hovered for a moment, and turned toward her, a glowing apparition in the night.

Behind her, Finn cursed.

Padric Malloy’s voice came out like rusty iron. “I slumbered peacefully in my tomb. Why did you wake me?”

 

I hope you enjoyed the snippet based on the word prompt ghost. Thanks for stopping by. Return to Tuesday Tales. 

 

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Cheers & Happy Reading!

Flossie Benton Rogers, Conjuring the Magic in Romance