My eyes are burning. I stand again at the window, this time looking out over the sea. Jacob isn't on this side much anymore. I can see the fence and the telescope and the roof of the boat shed and most of the expanse of Daniel and Schuyler's backyard and my vegetable garden if I lean over and peer close left.
God, the view.
Oops, that part was said out loud and it wasn't by me. I turn with my coffee, elbows in tight to cover myself, underwear on but I wanted that coffee and didn't bother with anything else yet and then he took his back to bed and I said no. I can't drink coffee in bed. I'm neither coordinated enough nor large enough not to roll directly into the heaviest object on a bed, which is never me.
The Devil wants a mirror day, wanted a full-moon night, wanted to lie in bed with his coffee and watch me look outside, well and content in knowing the ghost is not looking back but most likely knows where I am.
There's no Lochlan either, as while Lochlan can finally sleep if there is someone safe with us, as he can stop having one eye open to worry for me, he doesn't sleep much with the Devil around.
I do, but it isn't a quality sleep, he'll say with a sad wink.
I knit my brows at Caleb briefly for the pun of a compliment and turn back toward the ocean. Jacob is sitting by the telescope now, joke's on Caleb. He waves with an irritated frown and I turn away for good.
That's my girl. Come back to bed.
I shake my head.
Your annoyed expression is adorable but unwarranted. It's a warning, kindly deployed as an arrow with the tip dipped in wax.
I can't drink coffee lying down-
Not what I meant.
My blood runs cool through my limbs.
Do elaborate, then. I am still annoyed but definitely trying to match my blood and his tone.
If I compliment you what do you do?
Thank you for your generous observation.
Good girl. Now tell me what's wrong?
I shake my head.
Refusal is not an option.
Wow, you're really going for monster-mode today aren't you? I yell it into his face suddenly, frustrated at the sudden fear and his turn back from tender to frightening. I hate these shifts. I hate his need to match every fucking moment, like he might not get his share, like I might fall in love with someone else and leave him in the cold. Well, boy, do I have news for him.
Bridget, what's wrong?
It's amazing to me that the only person you couldn't charm around was Jacob.
He wasn't strong enough, I guess.
But he was, that's the thing.
If he was he would still be here. Don't you think? He takes a sip of his coffee and looks smugly at me.
He is here. He's outside.
Caleb pales and checks his expression just long enough for me to see both.
You need rest. Seeing ghosts all the time. Come back. We'll set an alarm and we can just doze for an hour or so more and then I'll send you back.
Ghosts don't age.
Sure they do. His tone is jovial and appropriately respectful. His voice is scared. Don't tell me I'm reading this into it. I'll make him crack first. That much I promise you.