December 2012 Bewitching Book Tour Magazine

Excerpt Haunted by Dana Michelle Burnett As Christmas approached, Alastor swirled around me as I watched the snow fall. The winter break had just begun and Jonah was on his way home. I tried not to worry about him on the icy roads, but the snow continued to fall.

“You don’t have to hide it,” Alastor whispered as he came near me. “I know that you fear for his safety.”

I’m sorry…

“Do not apologize,” he said in his secret voice that only I could hear. “You care for him and you worry.”

I was too ashamed to answer him. I stared out the window at the spinning flakes, the unshed tears blurring them together.

"Do not worry," Alastor said in a tight voice. "Jonah will return unharmed to your side."

He said it with such certainty and conviction that I didn't question him. I just breathed a sigh of relief.

Thank you, Alastor.

It was late that night when Jonah messaged me to let me know that he was okay. I was already asleep, but Alastor woke me.

Home safe. See you tomorrow.

I breathed a sigh of relief and fell back asleep, but just before I did, I felt Alastor brush his hand over my hair.

"Good night, my love," he whispered.

Good night, Alastor.

That Christmas somehow felt more real than the holiday seasons of the past. There wasn't the forced gaiety of those years right after Mom died and I wasn't trying to seem normal so Dad wouldn't worry. We laughed and joked while we decorated the tree and even spent one night driving around looking at all of the Christmas lights in Corydon and downtown on the square.

Still, it did feel strange to have Jonah there at the house on Christmas Eve. It was as if it were an abomination to have Jonah here, in his house, walking through the rooms where I lived as Alastor’s wife.

As soon as Jonah entered the house, something shifted. I could still feel Alastor, invisible, but there none the less, yet it was as if Jonah’s presence pushed him further away.

I excused myself at the first available moment and retreated to the bathroom.

“Alastor?” I whispered, too softly for anyone but him to hear. “Are you okay?”

“Of course,” he answered from somewhere above my head.

“Do you want me to ask him to leave?”

Alastor’s laughter rumbled soft and low, “No, my love, now go and enjoy your Christmas.”

I felt him drift down over me then, like an encompassing embrace from every direction. I held my breath as he moved around me, then he was gone.

Merry Christmas, Alastor…

I went back out and joined Dad and Jonah, forcing a smile on my face. I tried to do what Alastor wanted and I did my best to enjoy my Christmas.