Chapter 71

I don’t know how long we stood there holding onto each other, but I didn’t care. Tears of joy and relief wash down my face.

“You’re both here,” I hiccup a cry. “I missed you so much.”

“Aye, we missed you too, lass,” Kiarr kisses the top of my head. “Ben and I had a long talk in the prism.”

“Oh?” I look between them.

“Yes, and we see that in this life, you need all of us like we need you.” Ben bows his head slightly. “Unless we are being presumptuous?”

“Not at all,” the words rush out.

Kiarr laughs. “Told Ben ye would feel the same, especially after we dream-visited ye.”

My whole face heats up. “So, the dream was real?”

“As real as could be with us trapped in the crystal.” Ben nods and his hands rub down my arms.

I lean into his touch and pull Kiarr in front of me closer. My body, my heart, my very soul craves them both as crazy as that sounds. I’ve grown to care about them deeper than any other boyfriend I’ve ever had. Even comparing them to Lance is silly. Like comparing a chocolate chip to a triple-layer chocolate cake.

Triple. Three. Jacques.

“As much as I want to continue our dream,” I say with the words pinching my throat, “I need your help on rescuing one more of my past life loves.” And a current one. Would they be okay with Jacques? Kiarr seems like he’s a free-spirit and good with anything as long as he can be with me. Benjamin has been more conservative and hesitant. But they had spent time alone in the prism to get to know each other and bond. Would they welcome Jacques?

“Another?” Ben stiffens slightly, his gaze shifting to Kiarr and back. “How many do you have?”

Is he going to say no? I need Ben’s help and knowledge to get Jacques back. “Just one more.” That I know of. Don’t see how I could handle more than three. Though months ago, I’d have thought anyone insane who told me I would have three gorgeous boyfriends at the same time.

“Who?” Ben asks, but his mouth presses in a thin line.

“Jacques. I knew him in France during the sixteenth century.”

Kiarr’s fingers clasp gently under my jaw and move my head to face him. “What’s bothering ye, lass? It’s more than this Jacques needs saving.”

My stomach tightens and I bite my lip. Why do I feel so afraid? I know Ben and Kiarr won’t hurt me, but Jacques is a vampire as well as a ghost. Would they see him as a threat more so than just another ghost lover? Lover. My body heats all over at the thought.

“Brene?” Ben asks behind me, his hands still on my shoulders.

I have to tell them. Lying won’t do any of us any good. “H-he’s a vampire.”

Ben’s fingers dig into my shoulders. “You said he was a ghost like us.”

“He is,” I hurry. “He’s both.”

“That’s not possible.” Ben’s usual elegant voice is woven with anger. “Vampires are soulless monsters.”

“That’s what I used to think. Before I came here, I feared witches, vampires, and werewolves. But then I met Jezza and Melanie who are my friends even when they don’t have to be. And Jacques and Angelic helped me, despite my blaming all vamps for my parents' deaths.”

“Who killed your parents?” Kiarr frowns.

“A wraith that was after our power.”

Kiarr draws his sword and Ben hisses in a breath. My Viking ghost looks like he wants to slay a dragon for me.

“It’s okay. The wraith is gone now.” I place a hand over Kiarr’s. “And even a werewolf gave me the chance to have time tonight to figure out how to get you two back. And how my human friends have shown their true colors.”

“What are ye trying to say, lass?” Kiarr sheaths his sword and his blond brow furrows in confusion. “Ye want us to wear matching colors?”

I laugh. Of course, he wouldn’t know clichés. “No, I mean actions are more than words. My human friends stopped being my friends when I came here. When they found out I was a witch. Those who stayed, despite everything, are my true friends.”

“Ach, a silver-tongued serpent is still deadly when they bite ye, no matter how pretty.”

“So, you’ll help me bring Jacques back?”

Kiarr nods. “Aye, lass, I will.”

“No.” Ben pulls his hands from my shoulders. “Ghosts are one thing, but this Jacques has tricked you. There is no such thing as a vampire ghost and especially not one who has your best interest. He has no heart, no soul.”

“You’re wrong.” I face him and take his hand in mine. “He put aside his own safety for mine.” I briefly tell them about Jacques and how he saved me from the other vampires. Then how the leyline was collapsing because of the magic I had to use to destroy my uncle, the wraith. And how Jacques had thrown me over the abyss to safety just before the leyline closed completely. “With your help, we can find a way to reopen the leyline and bring him over.”

“Ye need magic to do this?” Kiarr says in a voice like he wishes we had to fight with axes and swords.

“Yes.” I nod, but I don’t look away from Ben’s emerald eyes.

He combs a hand through his chestnut hair and his nose flares. “It’s too dangerous. Even if this Jacques were a regular ghost. My answer is no.”