Exactly as before, the orb danced around in the night sky before it lowered to the grass, forming a shape until, once again, Alexander stood before me in his odd ghostly form. He smiled at me and then sat down on the grass, so I spun slightly to sit in front of him.
“Hi,” I said.
He inclined his head, telling me we still had the exact same problem as before, and I was seriously in no mood for a game of charades. But one thing I realized more than anything, from what Wayde told me and from my earlier conversation with Alexander, was this man knew all about what I needed to know. “Did you want to meet me because of Nettie?”
Alexander nodded.
“Because you knew I could do what she could?”
He tapped his nose, indicating right answer.
While that was interesting in itself and I wished I could ask him why, I knew he’d never be able to answer. A thousan
d questions ran through my mind. Some demanding answers. Others building frustration, knowing I’d never get them. “Did you want to teach me about her?” At his nod, I pondered, then went on, “Because you wanted me to know more of what I could do?”
He shook his head and even in his see-through form, his eyes looked troubled. Which brought forth a thought I couldn’t push away, especially since Kipp had implied the same thing. “To warn me of something?”
Gretchen scooted along the grass to settle in next to me. “Warn you?”
Alexander nodded.
“Warn me of what, is the question,” I grumbled. “But dammit, he can’t answer.” I rubbed my face, considering all this, which got me nowhere, so I lowered my hands. “We need to find another way to talk to you. Not only do I need answers for what you’re talking about now, but how am I going to help you if you can’t answer?”
His eyes became sad, his lips pursing.
Gretchen’s arm brushed mine, and when I looked at her, her brows were furrowed. She drew in a long breath, and then said to Alexander—or to the spot he sat, even if she couldn’t see him, “I found a strengthening spell last night, but I’m not sure how long it would last. It could be mere minutes, which wouldn’t get us any further than we are now.”
Alexander’s head cocked, as he regarded me, and then his eyes widened. He pointed to himself before his finger aimed at me.
“Not this again,” I muttered, then to Gretchen I said, “He’s pointing at himself and then to me.”
Her eyes searched mine before she looked at Alexander. “Are you trying to tell us a way to fix your current state?”
At his nod, I said, “Yes.”
Again, he pointed at himself, dragging his finger from his head all the way to his stomach, and then at me.
Once I explained the action to Gretchen, her eyebrows drew together and she nibbled her lip. “I had come across a solution last night and I have a feeling this might be what he’s suggesting.” Her expression twisted. “I think he might be asking to come into your body.”
My mouth dropped open. “Come again?”
“Yes, I know, not ideal.” Gretchen gave a nervous laugh. “But if Alexander possesses a body, then he will feed off the energy of that soul. I’d imagine it will give him enough strength to stay with us for a long period of time.”
I swallowed, not liking this one bit, and hesitantly turned to Alexander. “You want to possess me?”
He shrugged.
“Though,” Gretchen interjected, “it wouldn’t be wise for it to be you.”
I snorted. “That’s good, because for a moment there, I was thinking you were honestly suggesting I allow a ghost to enter my body.” Gretchen’s brows rose knowingly and I rolled my eyes. “That is so not funny. But exactly, the only ghost coming into my body is Kipp.”
She smiled softly. “What I mean to say, is when a possession happens, whoever belongs to the body will have no control. As in, they’ll be asleep. We need you here and awake.”
“Oh, okay that makes sense.” I pondered for a moment, glancing out at the swamp to the bullfrog who kept on singing, sure-as-shit liking the fact it wouldn’t be me. Sure, I’d do anything for Kipp, but the thought of a ghost entering my body and taking over…I shuddered, not even wanting to consider it. “Well, I need you with me, so it can’t be you either.”
She agreed with a nod. “Which means we need to find someone else who is willing.”
I hesitated. “Why willing?” A similar situation engulfed my mind, reminding me of a memory I’d rather forget. “The demon in Memphis possessed the man without permission.”