Shadow Heir

There were no easy answers, certainly none that would present themselves today. We arrived at the plantation shortly thereafter, and it was as magnificent as Evan had said it was. The main building was constructed in Greek revivalist style, sprawling and grand with a veranda that even had pillars. Evan pulled up into a gravel parking lot and then led us toward one of the adjacent buildings, which had obviously been converted into a visitor’s center. As we walked toward it, I came to a stop and glanced up in surprise.

“It’s finally going to rain,” I said.

Evan stopped beside me and glanced up as well. “I didn’t hear anything about it. Look—there isn’t even a cloud in the sky.”

It was true. There was nothing but open blue above us, paired with a merciless sun. Yet, I knew there would be a storm before the day was out. I could feel it with every part of my being. The air hummed with it. Remembering Ohio, I had a brief moment of panic that this unexpected storm might be magically induced. I took a deep breath and felt out its true nature. No, this was the real deal. A natural shift in weather that was much needed.

“Just wait,” I promised Evan as we continued walking. “You’ll see.”

He gave me an indulgent smile but made no secret of the fact that he didn’t buy it.

A sign at the visitor’s center said the plantation was closed today, making me think our trip had been in vain. Evan continued, undaunted, and knocked on the door.

“Wanda?” he called. “You around?”

A few moments later, the door opened, and a tiny gray-haired woman appeared. “Why, Evan. I wondered if you’d make it.”

“I told you I would,” he said, giving her a quick hug. “Wanda, this is Eugenie. She’s staying with Aunt Candy and Uncle Chuck right now. Eugenie, Wanda.”

Wanda pushed her silver-rimmed glasses up the bridge of her nose and beamed at me. “You are very welcome here, darling. The house is open if you want to go look around. I know you remember the way, Evan.”

“Sure do,” he said. “Thanks for letting us come by. I promise not to mess anything up.”

“You better not,” she teased.

I gave him a look of wonder as we made our way to the house. “Do you know everyone around here?” I’d noticed similar receptions in my time with him, but being given full access to a site like this was pretty remarkable.

He chuckled and opened the front door for me. “It’s one of the perks of settling in one place so long. You don’t just get to know people—you practically become family.”

We spent almost two hours going through the house. It was a huge place, with room after room that had been restored and furnished with period items. Most everything was labeled with small placards too, overloading my brain with more history than I could handle. The plantation’s more sinister side and history of slavery continued to bother me, but I could see that Evan was right about the importance of learning about the past.

After finally seeing all there was to see, we returned to one of the grand sitting rooms. I rested on a small bench and admired the setting. Taking in the rich details and lush fabrics, I couldn’t help but think this room would’ve fit seamlessly into some gentry palace. Evan eyed me with concern.

“You up for seeing some of the outside buildings? We can head out if you’re tired.”

The truth was, I was tired. I firmly told myself it was simply from knowledge overload and depressing history—and not because pregnancy was wearing me down. “Let’s at least take a quick look,” I said, refusing to show any weakness. “It’d be a shame not to after coming all the way out here.”

“Okay,” he agreed. He held out a hand to help me up, and I accepted. As we walked toward the door, a wave of cold hit me—and it wasn’t from the plantation’s cooling system, either. In fact, it was exactly the kind of cold spot I’d been trying to explain to that guy on the phone the other day.

“Did you feel that?” I asked, coming to a stop.

Evan gave me a curious look. “No. What was it?”

“A cold spot.” Yet, even as I said it, the spot moved, and I was back in the room’s previous temperature. I studied the room, looking for some sign of the source. Evan followed my gaze. Even with basic training, he understood the significance of a cold spot.

“There,” he murmured, pointing to a corner.

I’d almost overlooked it. In a roped-off alcove filled with furniture, a ghost stood between a clock and a sofa. He was so still and so translucent from the sunlight that he was difficult to spot. He had a forked beard and wore an old-fashioned suit with a bow tie. He watched us warily but made no movements.

“That’s an old ghost,” I said. “Judging from the clothes. Probably been around since this place was built. Of course, if that’s the case, he probably doesn’t bother many people—or else someone would’ve called Candace long before this.”

Evan shifted uncomfortably, a small frown wrinkling his forehead. “True. But it doesn’t matter. She’d still say he should have been banished a long time ago. It isn’t right for him to be tied to this world.”