Light the Shadows (A Grimm Novel) Read online

  A trickle of fear permeated her senses, and a fine sheen of sweat broke out on her forehead just above a rather large green and yellow contusion.

  What if she couldn’t pull it off? What if Roger and Nancy found out she was an imposter? They’d think their daughter had gone nuts while in the coma. She might be forced to go to therapy or worse, be institutionalized.

  Her lip curled ever so slightly as she made a gesture at her reflection. “I don’t know anything about her.”

  “Use the amnesia thing to your advantage. It’s not like they can prove otherwise.” The tiniest smirk lifted the corner of Anna’s mouth. “Because if the Reapers get the faintest hint that you’ve stolen that body, they’ll come looking for you.”

  “Yeah, but…” Another argument was on the tip of her tongue, but when she turned to confront Anna, she was gone.

  Had the teenager in the candy striped dress really been there? Maybe she had some weird psychosis due to the head trauma and had imagined her. She could be having a conversation with an imaginary person. Great.

  ****

  The hospital treated Micah to several more days of tests, x-rays, bad food, and all around boredom before they would release her. Doctor Egan was stumped on how she was unresponsive one moment then alive and well the next. He called it a miracle. Micah wasn’t so sure.

  Anna hadn’t come back since the day Micah awoke, but the fake family was there at nearly every waking moment. Roger, her new step-father, came bright and early this morning with a bag of clothing. All of which looked like it should belong to Nancy instead of the body she’d stolen.

  “These are my clothes?” She smoothed a hand down the gaudy floral print skirt. The pattern was an appalling swirl of red roses and splatters of fuchsia and lime green. What’s worse, it was nearly ankle length.

  “It was in your closet.” He watched the attendant help Micah into the awaiting wheelchair.

  “Talk about a wardrobe malfunction,” she murmured. "I hope we aren't stopped by the fashion police."

  The ride home was awkward. Micah didn’t know what to talk about. Roger was a stranger, after all. Her hands lay curled in her lap as she watched downtown Palm Springs rush past. “You said I was showing a house the night I died. Am I a real estate agent?”

  “That’s the spirit.” Anna’s chipper voice sounded near Micah’s ear. The teenager sat forward to rest her chin on the seat and grinned.

  Micah swallowed the scream that worked its way up her throat. Her heartbeat was all out of sync, and she'd broken out in a cold sweat. Damn ghost, sneaking up on her like that!

  Roger smiled. He didn’t seem to notice Anna in the backseat, and Micah wasn’t going to mention her.

  “Yes. You have a real estate license.” His laugh was a bit uncomfortable. “You really don’t remember any of this?”

  “Sorry, no.”

  They rode in increasingly awkward silence until they reached the outskirts of town. Finally, Micah twisted in the seat to stare at him. “Why were you meeting me at a house I was showing that night? I gather it was important?”

  “You’re doing great,” Anna whispered in her ear. Her breath chilled Micah's skin like a cool breeze.

  Micah opened her mouth to retort, but forced it closed again. To argue with an invisible person wasn’t a good idea.

  Roger sighed. “I thought it was at the time. Let’s just put it on the backburner for now, okay?”

  He parked on a cul-de-sac in front of a small Spanish style house tucked amongst palm trees. Nancy stood on the front porch waving.

  Micah stared up at the house, disbelief and awe on her face. “This is my house? I own it?”

  Anna giggled then trotted up the stone walkway. She paused on the covered patio and made bunny ears behind Nancy’s head.

  Roger nodded. “Your mom and I helped you get this place right after college.”

  “Holy shit, that’s awesome!” She ran her fingers over the gate as they passed. She stopped to admire the stucco walls and the arch of each window. The roof was made of rustic tiles, and she loved the terra cotta color.

  Nancy watched her a moment then said, “Come inside and we’ll get you settled in.”

  The interior of the house far exceeded her expectations. This dowdy woman who obviously couldn’t pick out clothes was a freaking genius when it came to being the Martha Stewart type. The colors and fabrics were a delicious mix of red, gold, and chocolaty browns. Furniture, some of which looked vintage, complemented the interior beautifully. “I can’t believe this is mine. Wow. Just … wow.”

  She continued to roam the house, shocked expletives falling from her lips while they waited in the kitchen for her to finish the tour. Finally, she found herself on the back patio and fell in love all over again.

  The covered patio shaded natural stone tiles. Pretty potted impatiens decorated the side of the house, and Micah suspected Nancy had planted them that morning. There was a wrought iron patio set that consisted of a table and chairs with plush cushions, all of which looked fairly new.

  A chaise lounge, the only seat that looked like it had been used, rested against the most shaded part of the patio. Several paperback books lay strewn around and under it. She moved one with the toe of her shoe. Romance? Didn’t the old Micah know that real life was never like that? There was hardly ever a happily ever after and definitely no Prince Charming.

  Micah’s gaze swept out across the nearly flat backyard. There weren’t any trees or flowers. It was dried up and sandy, but had a breathtaking view of the San Jacinto Mountains. “That’s the perfect place for a pool.”

  A sharp gasp alerted her to Nancy’s presence. “After what happened?”

  She turned on her heel and went back inside. “I love to swim.”

  Roger frowned. “Since when? I’ve known you since you were eleven, and you’ve never liked it. You wouldn’t even swim at your sweet sixteen, and it was a pool party.”

  “Careful!” Anna said. She perched cross-legged on the breakfast bar, eyes wide with alarm.

  “I meant I’d like to learn.” Damn it, this was hard! Pretending to be someone you're not took a lot of work and wasn’t as easy as one would think. “Since the accident I’ve been thinking I should make some changes in my life. I can’t remember who I was, so I might as well start over, right?”

  Nancy and Roger looked at each other for several strained seconds. Roger broke the silence by saying, “That’s the spirit, sweetheart.”

  “We love you, sweetie.” Nancy grabbed Micah’s hand and squeezed it tight. Her eyes were huge and watery. “We’re here for you no matter what. Always remember that.”

  “Okay…” Jeez this was so uncomfortable. Not only was she a thief and a liar, but these people believed she was their daughter. It made her insides squirm with how wrong it was to continue the charade, but what choice did she have? If she told the truth, she’d be locked in a padded room. There was probably a special kind of hell for people like her.

  She couldn’t wait for them to leave. Sure they were pleasant, but she wanted to poke around the house and learn all she could about this new life. Plus, while she was in the bedroom earlier, she’d made the mistake of peeking into the closet. A shopping trip was needed, and fast! Micah owned nothing she’d willingly be caught dead in.

  Things took a turn for the worse after dinner. Nancy demanded (in a gentle way) to be called mom or even mother. Then she brought up Micah’s heterochromia iridium, or different colored eyes. “I’ve made an appointment for next week. If they can’t cure it, maybe they can give you colored contacts.”

  “Cancel it. I’m not going.” That brown eye was the only reminder of who she once was, and she wouldn’t hide it.

  “But it’s so unnatural, honey.” Nancy’s gaze slid to the floor, and there was a hitch in her voice. “I can barely look you in the eyes.”

  “I’m not changing it.” Micah’s fingers gripped the couch cushions, and she struggled to tamp down her temper. “You’re going to ha
ve to accept that I’m different now. I may never be the Micah you remember.”

  When Nancy saw that she was upset, she quickly changed her tune. She even reached over to tuck a strand of hair behind Micah’s ear. “I’m sorry. You’re right. I’m just so thankful you’re okay.”

  “We both are,” Roger said with a heartfelt smile.

  Finally, they headed out the door. Roger ushered Nancy toward the car, and once she was out of earshot, he said, “Our anniversary is coming up. Nancy doesn’t want anything fancy, but we’d love it if you’d come to dinner.”

  “Yeah, of course.” More awkwardness and it didn’t help that Anna was sniggering at her again. “You may have to give me the date and address though. I kinda forgot it.”

  When they were gone, Micah pilfered through her belongings. There weren’t many pictures out, only one of the family together at a Christmas gathering. The smiles on their faces looked strained. Nancy’s arm was around Roger’s waist, and they were looking at the camera. Micah’s gaze was on something else, her head turned slightly. Roger’s hand was on her shoulder as if he was holding her in place, afraid she’d bolt away.

  On the bookshelf by the window, a small faded photo of a man and child sat tucked in the corner. The other frames sitting on shelves still had the advertisement family the company had slid beneath the glass. How sad.

  She went through all the paperwork she could find, but didn’t glean much from it. What she did learn was that Micah Munroe was twenty-four, dressed like someone’s crazy cat lady auntie, and she liked to read romance novels. What she couldn’t figure out was why. The only address book she’d found was full of business contacts, and there was no indication that she had anything remotely close to a friend. Why did this woman shut herself off from everyone?

  The second time Micah turned and passed through Anna, she said, “Don’t you have some unfortunate souls to guide?”

  Anna stuck out her tongue. “Why? Anxious to see where I’ll take you this time?”

  Touché. Micah placed a hand on her hip and stared at the girl. “You know if I’d crossed into heaven or wherever right away, maybe I wouldn’t have been so eager to come back. You guys should really be more prepared before dragging people through doorways.”

  Anna’s eyes narrowed, and her lips pursed just slightly. “First of all, no one dragged you through. You came on your own. Secondly, you weren’t meant to die that day, so there was no way we could be prepared.”

  “Ah ha! I knew it. I wasn’t supposed to die.”

  The ghost’s eyes widened, and if it was possible, her color paled. “It happens, sometimes. It was your own stupidity.”

  There was no use in arguing it. What was done was done. “So what are you hanging around for?”

  Anna plopped down on the couch and patted the cushion next to her. It was then Micah noticed she was no longer dressed in the candy striped getup. She now wore jeans and a simple blue t-shirt that was more stylish than her own clothing.

  Anna grinned up at her. “Glad you asked. I’ve been on a fact-finding mission.”

  “Big deal.”

  She rolled her eyes, much like any teenage girl would. “Do you want to know what I found out or not?”

  Micah collapsed on the other side of the couch then stretched her legs out. “Okay. What did you find out about the world’s most boring woman?”

  Anna’s eyes took on an excited gleam. “Your folks are loaded. When your dad died, he left a good chunk of money for you and Nancy. Then she married Roger, who was a movie producer or composer or something like that. He’s retired now, but he’s got a pretty nice nest egg saved back.”

  “So all of this,” Micah swept her arm up and around to include the entire house. “Was given to me by Roger and Nancy?”

  “Most of it. The car in the garage is something you bought on your own though.”

  “It’s probably a hand-me-down minivan.”

  Anna's brows quirked. "It’s not a kid hauler."

  Micah closed her eyes then let her head fall back onto the cushions. “This chick dresses like someone’s weird aunt. I’m almost afraid to see what she’s got in the garage.”

  Anna leaned closer and grinned. Her ghostly fingers tapped at Micah's knee, though all she felt was a goosepimply chill. “Actually, it’s a Mini Cooper.”

  “No shit?” Micah jumped up and ran to the garage with Anna hot on her heels. Sure enough, the car sat nestled amongst boxes and plastic storage tubs. Running her fingers over the spoiler, she said, “Let’s go for a ride.”

  Within fifteen minutes, they were headed toward the outlet mall. “What about friends? Brothers, sisters?”

  Anna leaned back to gaze at the star blotted sky as it blurred past. “Nope. No siblings. You’re Nancy’s only child. Roger has an estranged kid, but he lives on the east coast somewhere. He has nothing to do with them or you.”

  “Boyfriend?” Oh boy, that could troublesome if some dude showed up. On the other hand, if he was a hunk—gah, who was she kidding? Micah was about as exciting as dried oatmeal. Any guy interested in her would have to be equally so. She envisioned a fat, pimply, mouth breather who still lived in his parent’s basement and laughed.

  “Nope. As far as I can tell, you’re unattached." Anna frowned, seemingly confused by her laughter.

  The rest of the evening was spent walking through stores and maxing out the plastic. Surprisingly, they had fun. It proved a bit difficult talking to Anna without looking like a complete lunatic, but somehow she made it work. Sometime between stowing the packages in the car and getting her hair cut and dyed, Anna dropped a bomb in Micah’s lap.

  “I forgot to tell you something, and it’s kind of important. Don’t be mad, okay?” Anna bit her lower lip as her image flickered, threatening to disappear altogether. “One of the Reapers suspects someone came back.”

  “What does that mean?” How could she forget to mention something that sounded so ominous? Instead of filling her head with insubstantial bits of information like whether or not Micah had a significant other or a loaded step-father, Anna could have told her the Reapers were hunting her like a rabid dog. “I didn’t mean to take this body! Can’t you talk to them, explain that it was an accident?”

  “No way! Reapers scare the crap out of me.” Anna glanced over her shoulder like one might be sneaking up on them at that very moment.

  Micah did the same, even though she had no idea what she was looking for. “What can I do?”

  “Fit in. Own this body like you were born in it. If they even suspect for a minute…”

  She envisioned a wraith-like specter covered in moldy rags and shuddered. “What do they look like? How will I know if I see one?

  “They have a scythe.” Anna flickered then disappeared completely.

  Chapter Three

  The next morning, Micah followed the address on a business card with her name on it. It led her to a swank office close to the downtown area. A sign above the door read: Harmon Real Estate.

  When she entered the office, the secretary didn’t even look up. Instead, she pushed hair that was a funky hue of orange-red off her forehead and glowered. She dropped a pen into a drawer then slammed it shut. Her nameplate, boasting Karla in block font, fell over. “Can I help you?”

  “I work here?” It hadn’t come off sounding as confident as she’d hoped.

  “Oh my God, Micah … you’re back.” She tottered closer on too-high heels. Her pencil thin black eyebrows rose to her hairline. “And you look so different.”

  Micah ran a hand down the thigh of her skinny jeans then offered a nervous smile. Not knowing what she was in for, she’d chosen the dark jeans, black flats, and lace top with camisole beneath it. This body was curvaceous in all the right places, maybe a little too much in some. It had been kind of fun playing up those new features earlier. Now she was faced with uncertainty when faced with the slender, boobalicious secretary.

  Karla, who appeared to be in her mid-thirties, was dressed like s
he shopped in the junior’s streetwalker section of the clothing stores. Her too-short mini skirt had sparkles up the sides, and her low cut shirt kept flashing the tops of her freckled breasts.

  Karla actually winced when she looked Micah in the eyes. “Very different.”

  Micah bit back a snarl. She didn’t need this.

  The crinkles around Karla’s eyes deepened with the plastic smile she offered. Her tone was accusatory. “Is it true? You have amnesia?”

  Wow, someone had called ahead. Thanks, Nancy. “I’m afraid so.”

  “So you don’t remember what happened to you?” Karla raised a thin eyebrow, but relaxed a bit when Micah shook her head.

  They stared at each other, neither seeming to know what to say to the other. Finally, Micah asked, “So … do I have an office?"

  Karla ushered her down the hallway toward the back of the building. As cute as her house was, Micah was less than thrilled with the office space. Everything was so sterile, from the white walls to the grey carpeting. Only one low bookcase sat in the corner, holding tomes of real estate knowledge. There wasn't a single picture, flower, or even trinkets to make it feel homey or like it belonged to anyone in particular. She’d have to fix that.

  “What’s wrong?” Karla asked.

  Micah opened a couple desk drawers and peered inside at the contents. “Nothing. It’s not what I expected.”

  Karla’s expression clouded with confusion. “What did you expect?”

  “I don’t know. Some pictures or decorations? Something to make it lived-in, not so barren, you know?”

  “Don’t take this wrong.” Karla rolled her eyes, indicating that she didn’t care how it was taken. “But you aren’t exactly the friendly, open up, and share type. You kept to yourself and weren’t exactly a team player.”

  Micah sank into the leather desk chair and stared at the redhead. “Where is everyone else?”

  Karla perched herself on the edge of the desk. “Ben is on the golf course, as usual. Diane is showing a house, but who cares really, as long as she isn’t here. Am I right?"