Shadows of the Past: A Supernatural Suspense Mystery (Shadow Slayers Stories Book 1) Nellie Steele (tools of titans ebook txt) 📖

“Check this out. It’s a picture of Gray.”

“Oh, yeah. There’s no date or anything but that’s definitely him.”

Damien turned the page. “Look!” he exclaimed, pointing to another picture. “Josie!” On the page was a picture of Gray and Josie. His arm was around her, both smiling.

“There’s another one on this page, too,” Michael said, pointing to the next page. Damien looked, seeing another picture of Josie standing with the man they had met yesterday, Alexander.

“So, Josie has been here, some time. Or at least someone who looks a hell of a lot like her,” Damien said.

“Let’s work off of the premise that someone who looks like her was here, perhaps her mom? I mean, this picture…” He referenced the painting of Wilhelmina. “Is a dead ringer for Josie but we are certain this can’t be Josie, right? This woman lived two hundred years ago. It’s got to be some kind of family resemblance.”

“So, you think her biological mother was from this family. That makes sense, but why call her Celine and why say she’s married to Gray?”

“I’m at a loss, the more evidence that we find, the less this all makes sense. Just when we close one loop, two more spring open, I can’t…” Michael was interrupted by a shout in the hall. “What was that?” he asked.

Both of them hurried to the hall. They found Max standing in the middle. “Hello, my good sirs, I hope you can help me,” he said.

“Oh, hey, Max,” Michael said, “did you just shout?”

“Shout? I don’t recall shouting. Now, I say, are you able to help me or not?”

“Help you with what, buddy?” Damien asked.

“Could you point me in the direction of the brandy? My nerves are on edge, I feel as though I need one.”

“Brandy? I don’t think so, buddy, you’re kind of young.” Michael laughed.

“How dare you laugh at me! Never mind, I’ll find it myself.”

“Hey, you okay, buddy?” Michael said, grabbing Max by the shoulder. “Whoa, you’re burning up. We should get someone, he’s really warm.”

“I’ll try to find someone,” Damien said, turning and heading down the hall. As he left, Max almost collapsed, mumbling and moaning as Michael caught him. He carried the boy to the sitting room, laying him on the couch. Millie raced in with Damien moments later.

“How is he? Is he conscious?” she asked.

Michael moved out of the way, “I think so, but it seems like he’s delirious. He was talking weird before, asking for brandy, then he collapsed.”

Millie checked his pulse, placed her palm on his forehead, looked at his pupils. Gray entered the room as she looked at him. “What’s going on?”

“I’m not sure, he seems very ill. Get Celine, she may have a better idea. Would one of you carry him to his room, please?” she asked Michael and Damien.

“Sure, I can,” Michael said, lifting the boy into his arms. Michael carried him upstairs and to his room, laying him on his bed. Damien followed them. A few minutes later, Josie and Gray entered the room.

“What happened to him?” Josie asked, feeling his forehead and looking to Millie for answers.

“Michael says he was acting strange then collapsed. Now he seems feverish and delirious,” Millie answered.

“Acting strange? How?” Josie asked Michael.

“Ah, he was talking weird. Asking for brandy,” Michael said.

“Yeah, he was talking funny,” Damien added, “calling us good sirs and stuff.”

Josie turned back to Max, taking his hand in hers. Damien noticed the ring on Josie’s finger. “Max? Max, honey, can you hear me?”

Max moaned, as though in pain. “What is it, Celine? Do you know?” Gray asked. Avery burst through the door before Josie answered.

“MAX!” she screamed, racing to his side. Josie stepped aside to give her room. She put her hand on Avery’s shoulder.

“Millie, can you give him something to keep him quiet for now.” Josie turned to Gray. “Let’s talk outside.”

The two exited the room, Michael and Damien followed. Josie was sure she couldn’t get away to speak to Gray alone, so she chose her words with care. “It’s not good. It’s what happened to Avery as a child.”

“You’re sure?” Gray asked.

“Yeah, I’m sure.”

“Can you help him?”

Josie shook her head, “I doubt it. There are a few things I can try but I’m doubtful they’ll help.”

“What about Celeste? Can she help?” Gray pressed.

“No.”

Gray closed his eyes. “I’m not giving up, Gray,” Josie said, taking his hand. “I’m going to check on Maddy.”

Josie proceeded down the hall and disappeared into another room. Michael and Damien weren’t sure what to do but decided they would return to their rooms. Before they disbanded, Gray said, “Could I have a word with the two of you? In private?”

“Sure,” a confused Michael said.

Gray glanced down the hall where Josie had disappeared to. “Let’s head downstairs to the office.” Michael and Damien followed him downstairs and to the office. He closed the door behind them, locking it.

“I have a favor to ask of you.”

“A favor?” a still confused Michael said, glancing to Damien.

“Yes. Celine, uh, Josie asked you to leave tomorrow morning. I don’t know what your intentions are regarding her request but I’m asking you not to go.”

“Wait, let me get this straight. Josie wants us to leave and you’re asking us not to leave?”

“That’s right. Can I count on you?”

Both Michael and Damien furrowed their brows, glancing at each other. Was this some kind of reverse psychology? Did Gray ask them to stay with the hopes they hated him enough to do the opposite of whatever he asked and leave? Michael answered for them both, “We have no intention of leaving Josie here, so unless she’s going, we’re not going anywhere.”

“Good, I’m glad that’s settled,” Gray said, turning to leave.

“Wait a minute,” Damien said. “You can’t just ask us for a favor and continue to keep us in the dark, we need some answers here.”

“I can’t give you any, I’m sorry. I can only ask you to stay. Ah, we’ll say there are no trains on account of a washout on