Chapter 76

None of the five Holiday offspring had believed their father when he'd told them that their family was descended from the ancient Celtic spirits of the seasons. It was a coincidence, they'd all figured, that each of them had been born on a holiday - whether a modern one, like Valentine, the middle brother, or an ancient one, like Summer, the older of the two girls who was born on midsummer's day. Sam had gotten both - Halloween, the modern holiday, and Samhain, the ancient festival. He still blessed his parents for calling him just Sam, even though they'd meant to name him Samhain.
Still, even given the coincidence of their births, they'd never bought into their father's stories until the magic started happening to them. Two Christmases ago, Noel and Shelby had been zapped into an enchanted Christmas village where they'd had time to get to know one another and had fallen in love. Then at the spring equinox that year, Star, short for Ostara, had turned into a rabbit every time she stepped outside the family cabin. Theo had stayed with her to make sure she was okay while she was stuck in there, and by the time she could come out, the two had been engaged. This year had been Val's and Summer's turns, each right around their birthday. "Three in one year would be a bit much to expect," he pointed out. "The so-called magic seems kind of hit or miss, if you ask me."
"I think it might depend on proximity of the right mate," Theo said slowly.
Sam spun to stare at him. Theo was all about the science, always had been.
"Look, I was there - I saw her turn into a rabbit. Hell, at one point it even happened to me. I don't know how or why, but I know it happened. What I'm saying is maybe it wouldn't have occurred this particular year if I hadn't been nearby. I think it's a combination of birthday magic and the right person."
"So, if Noel had touched that Christmas Village with anyone but Shelby, it might not have worked?" Star tipped her head at her husband. "And if you hadn't been coming to check on me at the cabin, I might not have turned into a were-rabbit for a weekend?"
"Exactly. And that's why there's no specific age when it happens. Noel met Shelby at thirty-five, but we had our moment on your thirtieth. Summer and Matt have been dream-speaking since they were kids, but were only able to meet in person once they were in the same town."
Sam shrugged. "Makes as much sense as anything else does about this. If the spirits, or whatever, are listening though, I'll take a living, breathing mate when I do decide to settle down, if you don't mind."
They all laughed and the subject was dropped. Later, though, as he went upstairs, the thought did trouble him. Was this his turn? And had the magic blown it by giving him a woman he couldn't hold on to? He shook off the doubts and started his preparations for later.
Evie saw him there, waiting in the hallway, long before she materialized. Tonight, there were two chairs. Sam had a notepad in his hand, which didn't surprise her. She'd seen him writing on it last night after he'd called her into the bedroom. He had questions, but she knew he'd decided to fulfill her wish. He was going to have sex with her. And after more than ninety years as a ghost, she'd finally be moving on.
When she started to take shape, he stood. His mobile lips curved as he gazed at her, watching her solidify. Tonight there was no trace of beard stubble on his chin. He'd shaved - for her.
"Good evening, Sam." As soon as she had a voice, she greeted him and held out her hands. "How are you tonight?"
"Better, now that you're here." He took her hands. "You're solid - that's a good start."
"The first two days, I'm not here long enough to completely solidify." She let him hand her into a chair before seating himself. It felt good to be treated like a person again. "Today I have over eleven minutes - enough to be solid, not enough to be warm. By tomorrow, when I have twenty two and a half minutes, I'll be fully human."
"I thought that might be the case. So by Halloween..."
"I'll be here for the full day - midnight on October 31 to midnight of November first."
"I'll be sure to set that whole day aside for you then." His gray eyes twinkled. "I thought perhaps tonight we could just talk - and maybe sneak in a kiss or two - just to make sure you want to take things any further."
"I like the way you think, Samuel Holiday." Not that she had any doubts. Lying with him was going to be everything she'd ever dreamed of.
"Just Sam. My parents were kind enough not to name me Samhain, but that's what it's short for."
She must have shown her confusion because he added, "It's the Celtic forerunner to Halloween."
"Ah." Though there was no clock ticking, she was still more than aware of time slipping away. "You said you have questions?"
"Yes." He licked his lips and gazed at her. "Were you watching me after you left last night?"
Her face flamed. "Yes. It was...most educational."
"Then you can see and hear when you're not visible. Can you talk to me?" His lids lowered and he expelled a long breath as if the idea aroused him.
"I can't make any sound."
"But I can hear and see ghosts that others can't. Tonight, I want you to try projecting your thoughts to me - speaking to me in my mind. That way, even if we can only touch for part of the day, we can talk throughout it. Does that work for you?"
"Yes." The very idea of having someone she could converse with was exciting all on its own. It had been so very long.
"When you're in physical form, can you be hurt?" He lifted her hand and kissed the back of it, though she knew her room-temperature flesh had to feel odd.
She nodded. "If I cut myself, it will remain until my ten days are up. Once my new year's cycle begins, I'll be restored to exactly the way I was before. Only if I am killed when I'm solid..."
"Then what?" he asked.
She grimaced. "Then I disappear, as if I'd never existed. No moving on to the afterlife. I would be simply gone. Forever."