CHAPTER EIGHT
Conor and Sean listened intently, not the least bit skeptical of what the men were telling them. Fitz bore the bloodied bandage on the side of his head from his incident, while the others appeared pale and exhausted.
“We knew there was something strange happening,” said Conor, “but to think it’s an evil spirit causing all of this seems fantastical. How could a spirit drag a human body?”
“It’s been known to happen before,” said Julia. “Spirits, particularly evil spirits, have a lot of energy to send outward. They’re capable of moving objects, people, almost everything. The woman, Aurora, I was able to speak to her spirit before she was taken.
“She thanked all of us for finding her and getting her home. She said she remembered being in the car with her tour guide and then there was flash of light in the road and he veered off. She thinks she hit her head because the next thing she remembered was being in that well.
“I wrote down exactly what she said. She felt around in the darkness, the cold, wet stones beneath her hands seemed unfamiliar. Trying to stand, she stumbled at first then reached out, hoping to find a light switch or something that would give her a clue as to where she was.
“She called out ‘Hello!’ but she couldn’t hear her own voice. She called out again – ‘Hello’!”
“Then a male voice spoke to her. It’s no use. No one can hear you. No one can hear any of us.”
“Wh-who are you? Where am I?” she asked
“You’re with all of us. We’re in the well at Castle O’Shan.”
“Castle O’Shan? Yes. Yes, I was supposed to be touring the castle but I don’t remember the well,” she said. “Why are we in the well and who else is here?”
“All of us,” said the man again.
She took a few steps forward, hoping that being nearer to the voice would make the face appear to her. She saw an outline of a man, then another, and another. Suddenly, the clouds above parted and sun filtered into the well for just a moment.
Terrified, she backed up, tripping over the uneven stones. She fell to her bottom and cried out in pain, again her voice seemingly confined to her head.
“It’s no use, lass. It’s a well, but a large one at the bottom. We’ve all been tossed down here for the master’s pleasure.”
“Who are you? I’ve done nothing wrong. I’m just an American on vacation in Ireland.” There was subtle male laughter and then another man spoke up.
“Well, that’s your first sin.”
“Wait, she thought she was touring the castle when it happened?” asked Joseph.
“She said she remembered touring it but thought they drove away. I think she had her facts and timelines confused.”
“What did they mean that being an American was her first sin?” asked Rory.
“She didn’t know. She just said there were dozens of other ghosts still trapped down there. I assured her that we would get them out. She did say that they were all injured in some way, at least the older ones.”
“What do you mean, ‘the older ones’?” asked Conor.
“There were some dressed in modern dress. They weren’t injured like you would think. They’d been hit on the head or dropped in the well and died. The others, those dressed in period dress, appeared to have been brutally beaten or tortured.”
“But why?” asked Rory
“I might be able to answer that,” smiled an beautifully attractive older woman. All the men rose, nodding at the newcomer.
“Rose,” blushed Conor. “I’m so glad you decided to join us.”
“Thank you for inviting me,” she smiled. “Sean told me that your guests went to Castle O’Shan today. Why? Why would you go to that evil place?”
“We were looking for a missing American woman,” said Julia recognizing in the woman, those skills that she herself possessed. “We found her. And dozens, possibly hundreds more.”
The woman had silvery white hair cut into a fashionable bob at her chin. Her piercing blue eyes stared at Julia, stepping closer, slowly one step at a time. She was much shorter than Julia, but her perfume was lovely, carrying with it a scent of elegance and status.
“You’re like me,” she whispered.
“Yes. I am,” said Julia.
“Wait. You see ghosts?” asked Conor. The woman lowered her head and nodded.
“I’ll leave now, Conor Laughlin. I still thank you for the invitation.” She turned to leave and Conor grabbed her hand.
“No. Wait. Why would you leave? I asked you here and I wish you to stay.” Sean smiled at the older woman giving a nod.
“You don’t mind. I mean, about me?” she asked.
“Why would I mind that? It’s an amazing gift and I’ve been fortunate to be around others who have the gift as well.” She let out a long slow breath and nodded.
“At times it doesn’t feel as though it’s a gift. Especially on an island with thousands of years of violence and death,” she frowned.
“I live on a property hundreds of years old with new ghosts peeking out all the time,” smiled Julia. “Believe me, you’re welcome here.” Rose turned to Conor.
“Saoirse says to tell you thank you. Finnegan and she are quite happy now.” Julia laughed, smiling at Conor.
“Aye,” nodded Conor. “I brought the ghosty home so he could be with his true love.”
“Conor Laughlin, you’ve surprised me twice today,” she grinned. “I like that.”
“How about we eat?” smiled Sean. “I feel as though you might have some information that could help us, Rose.” She nodded at the younger man.
“Or kill you.”