“An astute question.” Lady Azure pauses, sipping her own tea. “I hope, in return, you might allow me to spend some time with Carson’s final deck. Conducting a reading and perhaps taking some pictures for my collection. It was Carson himself who declared me Coupled and fostered my clairvoyant talents. Any tools that might sharpen these skills and connect me deeper to Carson is all I am truly after.”

Looking at Lady Azure, I’m not sure I believe a devotee like her would really settle for only that. Still, this answer seems fair enough.

“But truly, I am helping you because it was the express instruction Carson left us. I dare not dishonor him, for Carson’s eyes are always upon the Isle of Baxter.”

“You mean in the form of Coupled Cottage?” Anwar asks, still looking at the place like it’s a carnival funhouse. I really hope his enthusiasm isn’t misplaced.

“In a metaphoric manner, yes,” Lady Azure says. “But also literally. Carson’s spirit still resides here, because Coupled Cottage is where he drew his final breath.”

My blood chills in my veins, slowing and sloshing.

I don’t believe in ghosts or hauntings, even if Perilli did pass away here. Lady Azure needs to know that.

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I do believe in spirits of the deceased leaving traces here in our world, so I think what Lady Azure suggests is entirely possible—especially if Perilli actually died in Coupled Cottage.

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I understand the appeal of believing in ghosts, just like I understand the appeal of believing in a higher power or fate. But honestly, I think if anyone is being haunted, it’s because they’re just doing the haunting themselves. The human mind is a vastly powerful thing.

“Well, then, it’s a good thing we don’t believe in ghosts,” I say, looking to Cleo.

“We most certainly do not,” Cleo affirms.

I turn to Anwar next and am surprised to see him hesitate. I know we both love horror movies, but does he actually believe some of that stuff could be true?

“Then I suppose you’re in for quite the awakening,” Lady Azure says, letting Anwar off the hook. “At any rate, the time has come to tell you why we’re awaiting the arrival of Lily, my eldest. Carson himself divined Lily’s talent as a medium when she was just a child, so their connection from beyond the veil is particularly strong.”

My eyes find Cleo’s again. Of course this family would claim to have a medium. I admit, I’ve always found the idea of mediums to be compelling. I never believed they actually talk to ghosts, but I can’t argue that they do seem to have some ability to perceive exactly what a person needs to hear from a deceased loved one, somehow.

“That is so cool,” Anwar says. “I’ve always wanted to meet a medium.”