Page 64 of Leafpoint Lighthouse

Avery and William both appeared. William eyed Thea suspiciously, but he strode forward, materialising and wrapping me in his arms. “I watched over your shoulder. I could tear them apart,” he growled out.

Clinging to his jumper, tears welled up. “I’m okay.”

“You’re not. If either of them ever shows up here…” William let the threat hang.

“Well, this is all kinds of interesting and disturbing,” Thea said, grabbing a beanbag.

“Who are you?” Avery demanded, floating near her.

“I guess if Lyra’s your mum, then I’m your aunt.”

Avery turned to me with wide eyes.

“Avery, this is my cousin, Thea. You can call her Aunt Thea.”

“Someone really needs to explain,” Thea stated, amused.

“Mum, am I allowed to watch another movie?” Avery asked.

“Yes. Let me put the second choice on,” I said, taking the remote he handed me.

“The man has this suit made of metal, and it’s red, and he is capable of flying. And he is a superhero,” Avery told Thea.

“He’s one of my favourites, too. We’ll have to do a film weekend and watch them all,” Thea stated.

“Can we?” Avery went wide-eyed, and I laughed from where I stood in William’s embrace. He didn’t seem inclined to let me go, and I had no desire to move either.

“We can do what we want. Come on, kid, let’s get you set up.” Thea turned to me. “The office or the kitchen?”

“Kitchen. Avery isn’t allowed down there so won't listen in.”

Thea raised an eyebrow but didn’t say a word. Once we had settled Avery, we headed down to the kitchen.

“Start talking,” Thea ordered.

“Seems you’re keeping secrets too,” I challenged.

“Yup. Guess I am. Tell me yours, and I’ll share mine.” Thea winked.

William held me tighter. “It’s your decision.”

I studied Thea. I barely knew her, but we were family. My gut screamed that I could trust her.

“This is William Trelawny. He was the last keeper of Leafpoint and was one of the murdered keepers Mrs Penrose told us about.”

Chapter Fourteen.

William

The wind blew around the lighthouse, harsh and cold. March on the coast was never a pleasant season, although one I was long accustomed to. The Jasper women were constantly taking me by surprise. First Lyra, and now Thea. They didn’t treat me as undesirable or a pest. Neither was perturbed by my or Avery’s presence. And Thea’s bombshell had rocked me. Perran was alive. I thought back to the gruff, bearded man who’d become a friend.

My fellow lighthouse keepers had died—murdered like me. Those rumours had reached here. But being isolated as I was, I’d heard nothing of Leafpoint’s sister lighthouses being haunted. Was it only Perran and I? Had Guy and Gilbert returned too? Did we all imprison something? Thea hadn’t elaborated on much, apart from the fact Perran was a pain in her backside.

The Perran I’d known hadn’t been a difficult man, but he enjoyed being alone and preferred his own company to that of most people. His circle was small, and he was loyal to friends. Sometimes Perran would wander down to the local tavern, but a few beers later he’d head home. Like me, he was unbribable. And because Perran was so big, most folk avoided starting trouble with him.

“You’re thinking loudly,” Lyra said from behind, startling me. I’d not heard her coming, which was unusual.

“There are many unanswered questions. I’d not even considered Perran might still… well, I can’t say alive, can I?” I snorted, unamused.