Free The Eternal Tomb by Kevin Emerson Page B

his parents were now, and it didn’t tell them why Désirée would want them alive.
    A police siren warbled in the distance.
    So now what? Dean asked.
    Oliver lowered toward the tree. He reached the ground, stepped past Tyrus and Yasmin, and slowly approached his parents’ still bodies, stopping at their feet. They were so silent, eyes open to the rainy sky. His father, Howard, with a sharp chin, deep-set brown eyes.His mother, Lindsey, with a circular face and dark hair, her eyes hazel.
    Emalie joined him. You look like them , she said. Your dad’s eyes, your mom’s face.
    Oliver nodded. Even their scent seemed familiar, like he knew it so well, even though he hadn’t been with them in sixty-four years. He stared at their still faces, a faint white light playing on their cheeks—
    Wait a minute. That light. Oliver turned toward the large Christmas tree.
    There, cowering behind the trunk, hidden by branches and festive colored lights, was something small and white, a glowing sphere not much bigger than a goblet. Its edges sparked with electric blue. It hovered, quivering, as if it was alive.
    Oliver … Emalie whispered.
    It’s my spirit, isn’t it? Oliver asked. He felt a strange longing inside, as if he was looking at something he’d been missing. It shivered, almost like it was cold, or frightened. And yet, it made Oliver feel calm, too. The feeling was familiar.
    It is , said Emalie.
    Dean joined them, having to bend to peer beneath the branches. That’s your spirit? So why can we see it? I mean, when Emalie runs into spirits in the surface world, we can’t see them.
    Because it’s not leaving, maybe , Emalie offered. Why isn’t it leaving?
    Oliver gazed at the tiny glowing form. It edged around the tree, and then slowly floated forward, past Oliver, Emalie, and Dean, and lowered over Oliver’s parents, lighting their still faces more brightly.
    Pretty, isn’t it? a woman’s voice asked.
    The light darted back into the branches, and the three looked up.
    Désirée stood before them. She was still dressed in the styles of the 1940s, but how could she be speaking to them when they weren’t even really there?
    Désirée smiled at Oliver’s thought, and there was something different about her face. It was still smooth and white, but her eyes had changed. Now they were glowing coins of gold, no pupils or irises, more like an insect. You should know by now, Oliver , she purred, that what I do and how I do it is my business. Just like in my shop.
    Oliver felt a sudden burst of anger. You slayed my brother! he shouted.
    Désirée shrugged her brow. Oh, yes, that. But I also saved your parents. Complicated, I know. I have to admit, I am surprised to see you here. Quite impressive, Emalie. She glanced into the tree, toward the spirit light. And now I think you’ve seen just about enough.
    Désirée thrust her hand out and a wave of energy rippled from it.
    Oliver, Emalie, and Dean were slammed backward and the past washed away.…
    Oliver wasn’t sure where they’d end up, but Emalie’s basement returned around them.
    â€œWhoa,” Dean gasped, “how did she do that?”
    â€œNo idea,” said Oliver.
    â€œDid you see her eyes?” Emalie asked, breathing hard. “What is she?”
    â€œSomething that even scares Half-Light,” Oliver said, anger still coursing through him.
    â€œSo Désirée is working with the Brotherhood,” said Dean, rubbing his head woozily.
    â€œOr was, anyway,” added Emalie. “They kept your parents alive and hid them. Why?”
    â€œDon’t know,” said Oliver. Strangely, his thoughts weren’t staying with his parents, or Désirée. “I wonder what happened to it.…” he thought aloud.
    â€œTo what?”
    â€œMy spirit,” Oliver said quietly. Suddenly, he felt lost in his head, like he was walking around the