Chapter 38
thirty-eight
. . .
For the next two weeks, we try different locations and different ingredients for the spell—and every time, it fails.
I have four separate cuts on my arms, and three severely pricked fingers—all now at different stages of healing.
Many of the injuries itch like a bitch, and I’ve been having to wear long sleeves to avoid questions.
We’re running low on amber blood and have no leads on how to find any more.
Maybe Matthias and his coven are not powerful enough. Maybe the spell is bullshit. Or perhaps…perhaps Kit’s soul is beyond repair.
Our last shot is to try closer to where he died. But flights to Sacramento are expensive and since both Matthias and I have to take off from the store, it might take a bit to coordinate that.
However, a tiny voice in my head is telling me to move on. I still have hope, but until we can do more, I don’t know what to do. I wish Kit were here, either to encourage me to keep trying or to firmly tell me to give up. I take a glance at the furry little ball of serotonin beside me on the couch.
“What do you think?” I ask Hazel.
She, obviously, does not respond.
I can’t keep up with all this guess work. I need to talk to Kit. I get up and march out my front door, making my way to the middle of the dark parking lot outside my apartment.
“Kit?” I say aloud, crossing my arms over myself and gazing outward toward nothing specific. “Kit, I don’t know if you’re watching me, but I need to talk to you.”
He doesn’t appear.
“Please, Kit. I need you to tell me to give up. Just tell me to give up.”
Still nothing.
“Or tell me to keep trying. Or, please, come help. I know I told you to stay away, but I’m taking that back. Please, Kit. I miss you. I need your help.”
He doesn’t come.
“Fine,” I say softly. “I won’t give up yet, but when we run out of amber blood, I’m out of options. I’ll have to move on. I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”
On Tuesday in the middle of my shift, I go to the backroom for a handful of Goldfish and to check my phone.
Joanne doesn’t like it when we keep them with us on the floor.
I have a missed call from a 212 number. That’s New York City.
I wonder if… No, it’s too soon. It’s probably spam, but they left a message. I hold the phone to my ear.
“Hi, I’m calling for Lacy Gordon. This is Nickie at Stephanie Tate’s office.
Stephanie has reviewed your submission for the…
” She pauses, and I hear a muted clicking in the background.
“…Paranormal Investigator Reality Show Pilot Contest and really enjoyed your video. She thinks you caught some pretty great stuff and have…” She trails off, and when she starts speaking again, it sounds like she is reading something verbatim.
“…a positive and likable on-screen presence. Stephanie would like to set up a meeting in person, if you are able. We see you live in Connecticut, so it should be possible? Please give me a call back and we can set that up.” She recites the number twice, then gives a quick goodbye and hangs up.
“Oh my god,” I whisper. Then I shout, “Oh my god!”
Joanne pokes her head out of her office, gray braided hair done up atop her head. “Are you okay?”
Before I can answer, Matthias pushes the door to the back open so fast he nearly knocks himself down with the momentum. “Is it Kit?” Matthias asks excitedly.
“Who’s Kit?” Joanne questions.
“No and no one,” I say, ignoring the stabbing in my chest at the mention of his name. I quickly explain about the contest entry. “They want to meet in person.”
Joanne smiles. “That’s great, hon. Well, if you need to move your shift around, let me know.” She retreats back into her office and closes the door.
Matthias stares at me. “Well? Are you going to call them back?”
“Oh!” I say, forgetting about that part. “Right.” I tap the number on the screen and ignore the increased rate of my heart as the phone rings, once, twice, thrice—
“Hello, Stephanie Tate’s office. This is Nickie speaking. How can I help you?”
“Hi, this is Lacy Gordon returning a call I missed from you. I need to schedule a meeting with Ms. Tate?”
“Right, of course. Give me one sec.” I hear quick clicking on a computer keyboard. “Are you available Wednesday?”
“This Wednesday? As in tomorrow?”
“Yes.”
I look at Matthias, and he nods vigorously. “Yes,” I say. “I have the best availability in the afternoon.” I could do whatever time, I just want it to sound like I have a life.
“Great. Let’s say three p.m., then. Now, is there anything else I can help you with?”
“Should I bring anything?”
“Like what?”
“…I don’t know?”
“Yourself, then. I have your email. I will send you the address and arrival instructions. Have a nice day.” She hangs up before I can respond.
I spin to Matthias and give a little shriek as I hug him. I actually have a chance at this. I make a mental note to call Meggie once I’m off work, then I go back to my day, distracted entirely by the question of what I’ll wear and how I will manage to operate like a normal human being.
I wish I could tell Kit about this.