1 Broken Hearted Ghoul by Joyce Lavene; Jim Lavene Page A

We’ll decide if he’s a real sorcerer when we see him do magic.”
    “Okay. See you later.”
    We actually made it to school before Abe called me. I let it ring as I said goodbye to Kate, ignoring her curious gaze. Once she was out of the van, I pulled into the school parking lot to answer the call.
    “What’s going on, Abe?” I asked when he answered.
    “I have another assignment for you, Skye. It might be best to leave Debbie at home for this one.”
    “Is it another dead zombie?”
    “Yes. I’ll text you the address and then meet you there. Keep this quiet. Brandon will be with me, and he’ll bring the hearse for transport. No police or medical involvement. Are we clear on that?”
    “Sure.” It looked like I was still catching some flak for yesterday’s fiasco. I wondered why Abe was involving me at all since he and Brandon were going to be there. It seemed odd, but then I had an odd kind of job.
    He didn’t say goodbye. His number was just gone from my phone, like always.
    I sighed as I thought about the zombie killer who seemed to be moving aggressively forward. Abe seemed happy to keep it quiet. If I’d still been with the police department, there would be a task force set up to catch whoever was responsible.
    That’s why Abe was lucky to have me and Martin on his side.
    I called Martin before I left the parking lot. I was going to tell him that there might be another zombie death like Mr. Welk’s. Maybe he could meet us there—accidentally. It was doubtful he’d had any time to check on those other deaths, or Mary Gable.
    There was no answer. I shrugged, and re-started the van. It was early. He was probably battling a hangover this morning after his bender last night.
    What would happen if too many of Abe’s people discovered they might not get their full twenty years? I wasn’t sure how many were pledged to him, but it could be an uprising in the ranks. How would he handle that?
    I checked out Abe’s text with the address. It was right outside Nashville. It wouldn’t be a long drive.
    But before I could leave the parking lot, the passenger side door opened, and Lucas got into the van.
    “I was hoping you would still be about.” He frowned, and closed the door behind him. “It was only a short distance from the inn to join you here.”
    “What are you doing here?”
    “I thought it might be prudent to take me with you today.”
    “No. I don’t do ride-a-longs. But thanks for offering.”
    He didn’t open the door to get out. “My magic is cursedly lacking, Skye. But I can feel something closing in on you. There is most certainly a dark presence stalking you. I might be of service.”
    “Something like what? What kind of dark presence?”
    He shrugged. “I wish I could say with more certainty. I ascertain that you have been marked by something malevolent. It has its eye on you.”
    “When did you ascertain this?” It seemed a little trumped up to me.
    “This morn when I gazed at you, lady. I could see it around your fair face as a halo.”
    “Why didn’t you say something at breakfast?”
    “I admit to being—uncertain about this time—and your circumstance. After considering it, I decided I should regale you.”
    “Thanks for telling me. Really.” I brought out my Beretta, the stun gun, and the tranquilizer gun. “But I’ll be fine, Lucas. I can handle myself.”
     “Even though you are stubborn, you should not be alone.”
    “I won’t be. I’m meeting my boss, and another worker.”
    “I’m not sure your zombie master, and another puppet, can make that kind of difference to this malevolence I sense.”
    “But you can? Lucas, you aren’t even sure who or what you are.”
    “I never said that.”
    “You didn’t have to.” I didn’t want to be cruel, but I also didn’t want to introduce him to Abe. I just had a feeling it would be a bad thing.
     His stiff chin came up, and he looked away. “I do not pretend to understand why I am unable to use my magic for