Read Online Love's Eternal Embrace by Karen Michelle Nutt - Free Book Online Page A

the people who sat in the chair in
the last few decades and didn’t walk away unscathed. You can
confirm what I say is true. Since their experience in the cemetery,
their lives have not been the same. Two were institutionalized. One
had nightmares for the rest of his life and the other refused to
talk about it—ever. She just clammed up and never spoke again.”
    Clarity’s brows drew together in a frown.
This was news to her, but the locals tended to have the best
information. “Thanks.” She slipped the paper into her pants pocket.
“So Samael tries to suck the life out of people and the angel
statue…or Michael, what does he do?”
    Hester sighed. “No one knows for sure what
his purpose is. Some claim he comes alive and chases them and
others claim he’s trying to save them from the evil lurking on the
grounds. I tend to believe the latter.”
    “Why’s that?”
    “It’s my theory that Michael was the better
man, the man Mary truly loved. She stepped in front of him to save
him.”
    Clarity pursed her lips together. “Then Mary
should have said so. Maybe then Samael wouldn’t have called Michael
out. He would have known he lost.”
    “Yes, it would seem it should be that simple.
As we both know, life isn’t always so.”
    “Um, yes.” Clarity tapped the key card on the
counter top and stood up straight. “Thank you for sharing the
legend. It does put a different spin on what I’ve read about it.”
She leaned down and picked up her suitcase and camera cases.
    Hester came around the counter to face her,
worried lines creasing her brow. “If you plan on taking a stroll in
the cemetery, remember to leave before the sun sets. Today’s
Halloween.” As if that explained her warning.
    She wasn’t careless and hadn’t planned on
roaming the cemetery in the dead of night. The place was nestled in
a wooded area with no lights. She had no desire to be lost out
there in the dark. She gave the receptionist a smile, grateful for
her concern. “I’m not after ghosts, but if I was, I’d have no
interest in them chasing me around the cemetery.”
    Satisfied with her answer, Hester gave her a
nod and returned to her position behind the counter.
    Clarity headed for the stairs. It was
carpeted with a paisley design of red and gold. Since there was no
one to help her to her room, she made due, juggling her cameras and
camcorder on one shoulder and gripped the suitcase with her free
hand.
    Her room stood halfway down the corridor with
only seven doors on each side. Her key card slid down easily. The
little red light turned to green and she pushed the door open. The
room was decorated in blue and brown. The wallpaper had thin
stripes with the same colors to match. There was one queen size
bed, centered on the far wall with a blue bedspread adorning it. On
the opposite side of the room, there stood a nightstand and a
dresser with a large mirror hanging on the wall behind it. The
bathroom was to the right as she entered the room and a small
closet was on the other side of the entryway.
    She threw her things down on the bed and
glanced at her watch. “Two o’clock.” She had a couple of hours
before the sun would set to take some daytime pictures of the
graveyard. She opened her suitcase, pulled out her windbreaker, and
slipped it on over her sweater. She already had her walking boots
on and her well-worn jeans would be fine for her afternoon
hike.
    With her digital camera in hand, she headed
down the stairs again. As she neared the bottom she slowed her
pace, noticing an old man standing there, staring up at her. His
eyes were dark and his mouth sunk in as if he forgot to put in his
dentures this morning.
    “Miss Shaw?” he asked, looking directly at
her.
    Her right brow shot up and goose bumps rose
on her forearm. She didn’t understand the reaction. The man seemed
harmless enough. There wasn’t any reason for her to fear him and
yet, a ping of caution erupted in her chest. “Yes?” She reached the
bottom