A Ghostly Guardian: A Paranormal Women's Midlife Fiction Mystery (Midlife Mysteries Book 1)

A GHOSTLY GUARDIAN Midlife Mysteries #1 by H.P. MALLORY Other Books by H.P. Mallory PARANORMAL WOMEN’S FICTION: Midlife Mysteries Haven Hollow Misty Hollow Gwen’s Ghosts Midlife Spirits Trailer Park Vampire PARANORMAL & FANTASY ROMANCE: Witch, Warlock & Vampire Ever Dark Academy Gates of the Underworld Lily Harper Dulcie O’Neil PARANORMAL REVERSE HAREM: My Five Kings Happily Never After CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE: Age Gap Romance SCI-FI ROMANCE: The Alaskan Detective TRILOGIES: Dragon’s Birthright Crown of Lies The Dark Circus Midlife Mermaid Chasing Demons Dungeon Raider Here to There Arctic Wolves Wolves of ValhallaLucy Westenra A GHOSTLY GUARDIAN Copyright © 2023 by H.P. Mallory All rights reserved. Ebook Edition, License Notes This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author. A Ghostly Guardian PROLOGUE Dr. Archibald Russe, a renowned archaeologist, known the world over (well, to those interested in archaeology, anyway) embarked on an expedition to Mongolia in the year 1850. Accompanying him was his curious and spirited eight-year-old daughter, Philippa. Even though it was quite rare (and some might argue unfashionable and irresponsible), Dr. Russe insisted his daughter accompany him, as he did on all his travels. He did not view Philippa as a girl with a brain feebler than any boy’s. Instead, he saw her as a child with a blank slate of a mind—one that was primed for learning and experiencing the world in a way that other children would never know. After Philippa’s mother passed while giving birth to her, Dr. Russe became all the more determined to keep her by his side where he could ensure she would always be safe. The two, along with their team, ventured deep into the unexplored lands of the vast Mongolian plains, in search of an ancient archaeological site rumored to hold invaluable treasures from a forgotten era. The site was known as Khara Khorum, the location of the once-great Mongol capital, established by Genghis Khan himself in the thirteenth century. It held immense historical and cultural significance, and served as the political, economic, and cultural center of the Mongol Empire during its peak. The archaeological expedition led by Dr. Russe aimed to uncover the remnants of this ancient city, hoping to shed light on the empire’s rich history and offer insights into the lives of its inhabitants. The site was believed to hold invaluable artifacts, including remnants of the palace, temples, and defensive structures that had once stood proud within the city walls. The team of archaeologists, accompanied by their local guides and laborers, painstakingly excavated the area, carefully unearthing fragments of pottery, tools, and writings that painted a vivid picture of Khara Khorum’s glorious past. Dr. Russe and his team meticulously recorded their findings, striving to piece together the puzzle of Khara Khorum’s rise and fall. One night, as Dr. Russe and his team were enjoying conversation around the fire, their trusted interpreter, Bayar, came to sit beside Dr. Russe, begging his ear. A man of Mongolian descent, Bayar possessed a deep understanding of the local culture and traditions. He had an air of wisdom about him, evident in his eyes, having witnessed the passing of many years. Bayar leaned in and shared a solemn revelation with Dr. Russe. “The shaman, the revered medicine man of our village, has bestowed a message upon me,” Bayar spoke, his voice tinged with a hint of apprehension. “He believes your daughter possesses a rare gift.” “A gift?” Dr. Russe repeated, frowning because he did not understand what sort of gift Bayar might mean. The interpreter nodded. “A gift from the heavens—but one that involves the dead. One that will only come to fruition with the loss of someone dear to her.” Dr. Russe’s brow furrowed, a mixture of intrigue and concern etching his face. He glanced at Philippa, her cherubic countenance radiant under the flickering light of the fire. His love for his daughter was immeasurable, and the thought of her being burdened with such a fate weighed heavily on his heart, even if he didn’t fully accept Bayar’s words. Certainly, they were just the beliefs of a very superstitious people and Dr. Russe didn’t clutter his mind with superstition as he was a man of science and learning. “I don’t quite understand, Bayar,” Dr. Russe said, his voice laced with a mixture of curiosity and trepidation. Bayar sighed, his gaze distant, as if peering into a realm unseen by mortal eyes. “The shaman believes that your daughter’s abilities are intertwined with the ethereal fabric of life and death. Someone near her must face their mortal journey’s end for her true gift to awaken.” ### Days turned into weeks, and the excavation of Khara Khorum progressed steadily. Dr. Russe and his team delved deeper into the mysteries buried beneath the hard ground, unearthing relics that spoke of an ancient civilization long forgotten. Yet, a lingering unease followed him and plagued his mind, owing to the prediction of the shaman. No matter how many times Dr. Russe told himself he didn’t believe in such prophecies, the feeling remained. While the archaeological wonders unfolded before their eyes, the forecast of the future weighed heavily on his mind, and he grappled with the prophecy concerning his daughter. With each day, the expedition inched closer to unraveling the secrets of Khara Khorum, all the while honoring the legacy of the Mongolian Empire. Philippa, unaware of the burden that rested upon her small shoulders, reveled in the adventures of their journey. She ran through the open plains, her laughter echoing in the wind, as she explored the vast Mongolian landscape. To her, it was a playground of endless possibilities, a world ripe with magic waiting to be discovered and one so different to the bustling city life of Boston, her home. As time passed, Dr. Russe found himself caught between two worlds—that of academia and that of a loving, concerned father. He battled his own beliefs, unsure of whether the shaman’s words