Chapter 341: _It Could’ve Been An Email
Kaelos’ POV
*****
I knew summoning a ghost would be bad news.
Deep down, I did.
And when I saw Althea, the literal witch high priestess, agree as well, I felt like pulling Odessa back from the crazy idea. And seizing Regina by the throat while at it.
It was almost as if the days of me trying to move us forward from our grief after so many losses were going up in flames.
But when I saw THAT glint in Odessa’s eyes?
The hope burning brighter than I’ve ever seen since I met her? I knew I might have no choice but to let her go ahead with it.
And that led us here... To the aftermath of said summoning.
"Caroline?" Odessa croaked, gawking at the ghost standing in front of her.
Caroline’s ginger curls blew around her, her skin glistening with a bright silver shine. But she didn’t seem to notice Odessa or anyone else at all.
Oh no.
Her hazel eyes were instead locked on Regina who stood behind Odessa. The rage burning in Caroline’s eyes was unmistakable.
"You!" She snarled before I could even make a reaction, lunging forward with her arms outstretched.
My eyes widened when she swooshed past Odessa, aiming for Regina.
However, the latter didn’t even flinch, blinking with a wry smile.
The next second, Caroline reached her—but then her hands phased right through her, followed by her entire body.
Caroline gasped as she stumbled forward, almost falling.
"Caroline!" Odessa yelled out, whipping her head backwards and stepping closer to reach her.
But before she did, I could already see where this was going.
And I didn’t like it one bit.
"She’s a ghost now, Odessa," I spoke calmly, my tone solemn.
All eyes turned to me, including that wretched Regina.
I should’ve snapped her neck when I had the chance.
"He’s right," Regina muttered, adding insult to injury. "There might be ways to give her spirit form tangibility of sorts in the future. But she’s still a ghost. Dead."
Regina turned around to face Caroline who was panting heavily, staring at her own arms with disbelief, confusion... And anger.
"No." Caroline’s voice cracked as she raised her head. Her eyes were fixed on Odessa this time, a hint of softness flashing through them.
Odessa places her right hand in front of her, her back facing me as she inched slowly toward Caroline.
"Car... I know you’re disoriented. Confused." Odessa began in a soft voice, seeming hesitant. "I don’t even know what... What you faced on the other side. But I—"
"How could you–of all people–do this to me, Odessa?" Caroline asked with a trembling voice, shaking her head with a bitter smile. "You summoned me back here. Back to see... To see her!"
Caroline pointed her finger at Regina, her eyes flashing with complex emotions.
"That’s the thing, Caroline." Odessa tried to sound reasonable. "You never told me about what you and Regina had going on. I... I thought we were friends but you were going behind my back frolicking with—"
"Frolicking?" Caroline’s voice cut like glass, the air in the dark room stilling as ghostly echoes began spreading around the walls.
I flicked my eyes to Althea, who despite being silent, looked like she was getting ready for whatever troubles an angry ghost could bring.
"Odessa, Regina was a bane in my life for months. Months!" Caroline sneered, her voice dripping venom. "I hid her visits from you to protect you."
Regina chuckled darkly just then.
’I must commend you for not ripping out her spine by now.’ Damon snorted in my mind. ’That should be a new record.’
But for how long?
"Were you hiding me from her to protect her?" Regina queried, tilting her head. "Or were you trying to gatekeep me until you could understand your feelings?"
Dear goddess... Have mercy.
I rubbed the bridge of my nose, stepping away from the wall and walking over to Odessa.
I grabbed her arm before she could speak, forcing her to bring her eyes to me.
"They clearly need space," I whispered to her, nodding reassuringly as I pulled her back with me, squinting at the argument between Regina and ghost Caroline.
"What the heck do you mean I was gatekeeping you?" Caroline snapped at Regina, her eyes twitching with frustration. "You inflicted a curse on my wrist that let you keep track of me. For four bloody months! I had no choice when it came to tolerating your existence."
Ouch.
I arched an eyebrow at Regina who scoffed. "Listen, I know you hate me. I know I’m the last face you want to see after everything—"
"Good for you! Then why the heck am I here?!" Caroline’s voice cracked the air like a whip, the silver light on her body brightening. "Because I can easily tell whose idea it was for Odessa to summon me."
Regina was silent for a long time and so was everyone else.
’Did I... Did I make a mistake summoning her?’ Odessa reached out to me through our mind link, leaning closer to my body as she did. ’She doesn’t seem happy at all to see me.’
I glanced down at her, wrapping my right arm around her body and brushing my fingers on her arm.
’You were grieving her. And I can guess you wanted to feel a semblance of control after all we’ve lost.’ I said softly, trying to be careful with my words. ’But as you can see... You weren’t the only one grieving.’
I pressed my lips into a thin line, my gaze on Regina who finally let out a defeated sigh.
"I asked Odessa to summon you because... Because I wanted to know if that kiss meant something." Regina lowered her head, her voice shaking. "And to tell you I’ve left Lord Ryker."
Caroline’s nostrils visibly flared—which was surprising considering her ghost status.
But she eventually let out an exasperated breath. "It could’ve been a fucking email, Regina. Do you know what you just did? What you all just did?"
Caroline scanned her eyes over everyone present, making sure we all saw that disappointment on her face.
"You just ripped out my only chance at peace for the first time in a long time." Caroline completed with a heavy voice, shaking her head. "I can’t stand this."
Without another word, she turned to the closest wall, waltzing toward it.
"Caroline, please!" Odessa called out but she didn’t listen, phasing through the wall and leaving us in an awkward silence.
’Well... That happened.’ Damon chimed in my mind.