those women in the bars with his…attention.”
“It’s not the same and you know it. Everyone has needs, Linden, some more than others. If you knew his history, you’d be more sympathetic. Besides, he has not made anyone since Dominic and has vowed to never do it again.”
“Dominic?”
“You might not remember him, but he waved to you while you lay at the bottom of the stairs.”
I groaned. “How many of you did he make and why did he stop?”
“Because of the consequences. None of the men’s souls can transcend this realm, or be born again. They have been locked in stasis. Of course, Cyril didn’t come by this knowledge until after he already created six of us. The only way to release the soul is to destroy us.” He paused to clear his throat, “I’ve thought many times about destroying myself to rid him of his guilt, but his curse makes things difficult enough, and I’m afraid my demise might break him.”
My mind in knots, I concentrated on the passing landscape. This was so much to digest, but after a few minutes I had to ask. “How is he cursed?”
Overton’s tone brightened. “Oh, here we are. I don’t think he is cursed, but he does. Let’s get you inside.”
Chapter Six
Figurines
Overton climbed out of the car, opened my door, and offered me his hand before I registered his actions. He had inherited Cyril’s speed.
“Really this isn’t necessary. I can see myself in.”
He smiled. “Nonsense. I don’t want to appear ungentlemanly. Besides, I’d like to make sure everything checks out. After the incident in the garden we can never be too careful. I’ll just make sure everything is in order and leave you to your own devices.”
Not wanting to fight with him, I climbed the stairs and unlocked the door.
Overton’s hands rested on my shoulders and moved me aside. “Let me go first, in case someone is inside.”
“Whatever.” I rolled my eyes.
He pushed the door open. I followed behind him, flipping on the light switch. My standard ritual ensued. After placing the keys in the bowl, I removed my shoes and coat. I didn’t offer to take Overton’s. He wasn’t staying. So caught up in his story, I forgot to turn on my cell phone while in the car. I pressed the button and waited for the cell phone company’s logo to disappear while Overton checked the bathroom. Fifty-two new messages! Every one from Clarence. Overton emerged from the bathroom and froze in front of my bookcase.
“Linden! Bloody hell! What are you doing? This is going to crush him.” The mixture of mortification and disgust on Overton’s face unsettled me.
Trying to figure out what he meant, I moved closer, but saw nothing. “What?”
He drew out his cell phone, pressed one button, paused a moment, and said, “You need to get over here now. I can’t even explain it. You’ve got to see this.” He pushed another button and placed the phone in his pocket.
“What?” I growled. “What on earth was going on? Please tell me you didn’t call Cyril?” I stalked toward him, invading his personal space.
“Where did you get those?” He pointed to the bookshelf.
“The bookstore?” Irritation laced my words.
“Not the books, Linden. Where did you get the animals?”
“Oh, those. I got them from…” What if I hadn’t imagined Michael? Was the dead man in the garden really him? “Michael.”
“Linden, are you telling me Michael Green, your late husband, gave these to you?”
Heat flooded my cheeks as irritation surfaced. “Why, yes, Mr. Overton, that’s exactly what I’m saying, but I don’t see what the big deal is.”
“Do you know what they are made of?” he snapped.
“Some kind of crystal or glass or something. I don’t know.” I tried to remove my condescending tone before uttering the last word. I failed.
He stared me down. “It most certainly is not.” He strode to the window and pulled back the curtains as if looking for something or someone.
My shoe clicked
“It’s not the same and you know it. Everyone has needs, Linden, some more than others. If you knew his history, you’d be more sympathetic. Besides, he has not made anyone since Dominic and has vowed to never do it again.”
“Dominic?”
“You might not remember him, but he waved to you while you lay at the bottom of the stairs.”
I groaned. “How many of you did he make and why did he stop?”
“Because of the consequences. None of the men’s souls can transcend this realm, or be born again. They have been locked in stasis. Of course, Cyril didn’t come by this knowledge until after he already created six of us. The only way to release the soul is to destroy us.” He paused to clear his throat, “I’ve thought many times about destroying myself to rid him of his guilt, but his curse makes things difficult enough, and I’m afraid my demise might break him.”
My mind in knots, I concentrated on the passing landscape. This was so much to digest, but after a few minutes I had to ask. “How is he cursed?”
Overton’s tone brightened. “Oh, here we are. I don’t think he is cursed, but he does. Let’s get you inside.”
Chapter Six
Figurines
Overton climbed out of the car, opened my door, and offered me his hand before I registered his actions. He had inherited Cyril’s speed.
“Really this isn’t necessary. I can see myself in.”
He smiled. “Nonsense. I don’t want to appear ungentlemanly. Besides, I’d like to make sure everything checks out. After the incident in the garden we can never be too careful. I’ll just make sure everything is in order and leave you to your own devices.”
Not wanting to fight with him, I climbed the stairs and unlocked the door.
Overton’s hands rested on my shoulders and moved me aside. “Let me go first, in case someone is inside.”
“Whatever.” I rolled my eyes.
He pushed the door open. I followed behind him, flipping on the light switch. My standard ritual ensued. After placing the keys in the bowl, I removed my shoes and coat. I didn’t offer to take Overton’s. He wasn’t staying. So caught up in his story, I forgot to turn on my cell phone while in the car. I pressed the button and waited for the cell phone company’s logo to disappear while Overton checked the bathroom. Fifty-two new messages! Every one from Clarence. Overton emerged from the bathroom and froze in front of my bookcase.
“Linden! Bloody hell! What are you doing? This is going to crush him.” The mixture of mortification and disgust on Overton’s face unsettled me.
Trying to figure out what he meant, I moved closer, but saw nothing. “What?”
He drew out his cell phone, pressed one button, paused a moment, and said, “You need to get over here now. I can’t even explain it. You’ve got to see this.” He pushed another button and placed the phone in his pocket.
“What?” I growled. “What on earth was going on? Please tell me you didn’t call Cyril?” I stalked toward him, invading his personal space.
“Where did you get those?” He pointed to the bookshelf.
“The bookstore?” Irritation laced my words.
“Not the books, Linden. Where did you get the animals?”
“Oh, those. I got them from…” What if I hadn’t imagined Michael? Was the dead man in the garden really him? “Michael.”
“Linden, are you telling me Michael Green, your late husband, gave these to you?”
Heat flooded my cheeks as irritation surfaced. “Why, yes, Mr. Overton, that’s exactly what I’m saying, but I don’t see what the big deal is.”
“Do you know what they are made of?” he snapped.
“Some kind of crystal or glass or something. I don’t know.” I tried to remove my condescending tone before uttering the last word. I failed.
He stared me down. “It most certainly is not.” He strode to the window and pulled back the curtains as if looking for something or someone.
My shoe clicked
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