Starfire (Grim Gate 2)

Aunt Estelle was in the basement with four other people, gathered around someone tied to a chair. They were thrashing, talking in a different language, and their eyes were black.

“Holy shit.” I bring my hand back, closing my eyes. Everything plays out before me again, but then it goes black. “I think Aunt Estelle had a demon in the basement.” I look down at Hunter. “Ugh! It’s right here.” I tap my forehead and then let out another sigh. Holding the memory fresh in my head, I replay it over and over as I climb down the ladder.

Aunt Estelle’s back was to me, with her long auburn hair hanging over her shoulders. There was a woman next to her…someone I’d seen before. My feet hit the barn floor and it comes back to me: the pretty woman with dark hair.

The one who told Aunt Estelle I should attend some sort of academy so I can learn how to use my powers. I can’t really place her age, but she was younger than Aunt Estelle in my memories. She could be in her fifties or sixties now, and still very much alive.

“I have to figure out who she is,” I tell Hunter. “Because if I do, I can get my memories back.”

CHAPTER 3

This definitely seemed like a better idea in my head.

I rake my fingers through my thick, messy hair, needing to put it up before tackling another section of the attic. Ethan and I stopped going through the junk when it got cold since this part of the attic isn’t heated. It wouldn’t take much to get this space finished, and it’s big enough it could be divided into several rooms if we wanted to.

This is another space I’m positive I would have loved as a kid. The third-story stairs take you to the turret, which is set up like a little sitting room, leading to a balcony. I know Harrison and I both would have been forbidden to go onto it, but we would have anyway. There are doors on each side of the living room, leading into all this unfinished space that’s now full of junk. It’s not as freezing as it has been up here, but it’s still cold, making me glad I kept my boots and coat on.

“Okay.” I look at Hunter, who’s lounging on the love seat in the sitting room. “I thought we’d made more progress than this.”

Hunter gives me a look that’s equivalent to a human rolling their eyes. “Fine. We didn’t get rid of anything, we just shuffled things around. Which is what I plan to do now.” Leaving the door open behind me, I go in and get started. I’m not looking for anything in particular; instead, I’m hoping to find something—anything—that could give me some sort of insight on how to find the black-haired lady and Grim Gate Academy.

Climbing over a dresser, I move vacuum-sealed bags of blankets to the side and find a bookshelf. Well, part of it. A coffee table is on its side, blocking half the shelves. I do my best to shove it to the side and am able to get a cardboard box off the bookshelf. I pull it off and tear it open. There are a few random Christmas decorations in here, along with a wooden cigar box. Something is inside but the latch won’t open.

Thinking it’s rusted shut, I attempt to pry it open once more. My finger slips and the metal slices into my skin.

“Son of a bitch,” I grumble, putting my bleeding finger in my mouth.

“You okay?” Ethan’s voice comes from the doorway. He’s still wearing his workout clothes, having just gotten home.

“Yeah,” I say, turning and smiling as soon as I see his handsome face. “I was trying to open this weird little box and cut my finger.”

“Good thing you’re up to date on your tetanus shot.” He grins and makes his way to me, hands landing on my waist.

“It’s freezing up here.”

“I know, though with a coat it’s not too bad.” I lean back, tipping my head up so he can kiss me. “Feel free to help.”

He chuckles. “I have to shower from the gym, but I think you should join me and warm yourself up.”

I spin in his arms. “I do like the sound of that. But I want to open the stupid box first.”

“This one?” Ethan slides his hand up the curve of my waist and then reaches forward, picking up the box I’d set back on the worn bookshelf. With ease, he flips up the lock.

“I must have loosened it.” I take the box from him and slowly open the hinged lid. “Because that thing wasn’t—is this what I think it is?” I show Ethan the contents of the box.

“If you’re thinking it looks like human ashes, then yeah, I think you’d be right.”