1 Chapter 1

1

Avery Wagner mentally reviewed his checklist as he searched through his suitcase, even though he was certain he had packed everything he needed. With a heavy sigh, he zipped the large case shut and lifted it to the floor. Then he sat on the edge of the bed and rubbed his forehead. He didn’t want to do this.

That wasn’t entirely true. Avery didn’t mind giving lectures for Requiem Inc. whenever they asked. As long as he didn’t have to actively ghostwalk, he was fine talking about it. Dying and coming back to life had become nearly impossible since he lost his anchor—his bonded. Four years had passed since Luke died, and Avery still felt the loss. Perhaps not as keenly as he once did, but it was still an aching, painful hole in his chest.

The doorbell rang, and Avery stood and shook off his thoughts with the action. He pulled up on the handle on his large suitcase and wheeled it down the hall and into the entranceway. It joined a garment bag and his messenger bag, waiting to be packed into the car.

“Hi, Mr. Wagner,” Logan said brightly as Avery pulled open the door. The kid lived next door, and he was one of the good ones. He was smart, conscientious, and responsible, and Avery had no worry about leaving his house to the teen’s care while he was gone.

“Come on in.” Avery stepped back so Logan could enter, and he watched for a moment as Logan took in the surroundings. The place hadn’t changed since Luke died, because Avery couldn’t bring himself to do it. Avery needed his home to stay the same.

He crossed to the edge of the kitchen and picked up a set of house keys he’d left on the counter. When he turned back, Logan was watching him, so he tossed the keys, and Logan caught them easily and grinned.

“Those are yours. The big one unlocks the deadbolt. The smaller is for the handle.” Avery waited until Logan nodded and pocketed the keys. Then he continued. “Toss the mail in the basket there on the sideboard, if you would. I’ll go through it when I get back.”

“Sure thing, Mr. Wagner.”

Avery motioned for Logan to follow. Then he pushed open the French doors that led off the corner of the living room and onto the sunporch. It was his favorite place in the house—his sanctuary. He’d chosen each piece of furniture with care and filled it with all manner of plants. Dieffenbachia stood in tall pots on the floor, pothos and spider plants hung in baskets at every window. He had a Ficus in the corner, and a paradise palm by the door. Avery took a breath of the warm, humid air, and turned to Logan.

“They’ll need to be watered every day.” He opened the cupboard, showed Logan the supplies, and made quick mention of how to mix the plant food. “Preferably in the evening, after the sun starts setting. That way the heat and sun won’t dry up the water before the plants have a chance to absorb it.”

Logan took out his phone and made a note about the plant food. He shoved it back in his pocket and graced Avery with a wide grin.

“I’m on it. You don’t have to worry, Mr. Wagner.”

“I know I don’t.” Avery smiled in return. “I’ll be gone two weeks this time, as it’s the start of the training session. And then on and off for a few days at a time for a couple of months.”

“My dad and I will watch the place. And I’ll take good care of your plants.”

Avery’s smile widened, even as nerves coalesced in his stomach. Logan had the rundown, and it was time to hit the road. He glanced at his watch and saw he was already fifteen minutes behind schedule. It was a four-and-a-half-hour drive to Duncan Moor from his home in New Jersey, and Avery needed to get on the road.

Requiem had offered to fly him in and pay for a rental car, but Avery thought that was ridiculous. He’d spend longer waiting at the airport than actually in the air, and he’d arrive quicker if he drove. He also turned down the company’s offer to rent him a room at a B and B in town. He was nervous enough about leaving his home and participating in training. He wanted the comfort of friends, and when Blake and Derek offered him a room in their home, he gratefully accepted. At least his downtime would be comfortable.

Avery saw Logan out, turned down the young man’s offer to help him load the car, and took care of the task himself. Then he did one more walk-through of his home to make sure the doors and windows were locked and the air-conditioning set low. Finally he could find no more excuses to linger. He grabbed a bottle of water, locked his front door, and got into his car.