Read Online Bones and Ashes by Gemma Holden - Free Book Online Page A

neck tie and top hat jammed down on his fair hair. He had blue eyes like his mother, Sylvia. Raiden smiled up at him. She was so happy to see him. After her mother had died, Sylvia had taken care of her and Aren had become like a brother. There were only three years between them. Then Sylvia had given birth to Elissa and everything had changed. Aren had been sent away to school, while Raiden was left alone in Northumberland with only the ghosts for company. 
    “Your mother’s inside,” she said.  
    “I know. I saw her go in. That’s why I waited for you out here.” He took her arm. “We can talk in your carriage. I don’t want you to be seen speaking to me.”
    He hurried her to where Tobin waited. “She hasn’t forgiven you then?” she asked.
    “No.”
    Raiden didn’t quite know what had happened between Aren and Sylvia. Only that he had been disinherited and as a result she was to have no more contact with him. She had Peters take letters to Aren in secret.  
    Raiden squeezed his arm. “She will forgive you eventually.”
    He shook his head. “No, she won’t.” His expression was grim.
    He was thinner than when she had seen him last; his cheekbones were hollow and there were shadows under his eyes. The strain of being cut off by his family and having to support himself had taken its toll. 
    They reached her carriage. Aren opened the door and helped her inside. “I got your note this morning,” he said, after he had settled himself in the seat across from her. “Why did you want to see me?”
    Aren worked for Smallpeace, Dawes and Pumprey as an evoker. He dealt with the ghosts for them. “A man died in a fire last week. His name was James Matherson. In the newspaper it said your firm were handling his case. The only reason your firm would be handling the case is if he’s not completely dead.”
    “He’s a ghost,” Aren said. “He didn’t cross over. My firm is in charge of settling his affairs and laying him to rest if necessary.” Aren frowned. “Why do you want to know about James Matherson?”
    “He died in a fire. The door was locked from inside the room.” She met Aren’s gaze. “It was how my mother died.”
    “Surely you don’t think there’s a connection?”
    “I don’t know, but you could speak to him. You could ask him what happened.”
    “He’s newly dead Raiden. He’s likely still confused. He could be violent. He might not have even realised he’s dead.”
    “He’s already been here a week. He only has five more weeks before he has to move on.”
    Because of the overcrowding of ghosts, the government had passed a law some years before stating that any new ghosts had six weeks to see to any unfinished business before they had to move on. It didn’t apply to the old ghosts. She didn’t think anyone would be able to make them move on. They had been here too long and their tie to this world was too strong. 
    “Let me speak to him,” she begged. “Please.”
    “So you can ask him if he was murdered.” Aren shook his head. “He’s probably confused. They’re vulnerable when they’re first dead. They can’t remember clearly. And if Her Grace discovered I took you to see him...” He stopped and reached across to take her hand in his. He went on more quietly. “You have to let her go, Raiden. She’s dead and there’s nothing you can do about it. Sometimes people die and there are no answers. They’re just dead.”
    She knew it was foolish. She had given up thinking she could do something, but when she had seen that Aren’s firm were dealing with the case; she had hoped finally she might be able to find out something.
    Raiden pulled her hand away. “I just want to know what happened that night. I have to know.”
    Aren leaned back and sighed. “I went to see Matherson yesterday. He never spoke. He just stood there, staring out the window.”
    “He might not have worked out how to speak yet. He’s only been dead a week.”
    “I’m not taking you to