Page 44 of Malice

I’m curious about what he learned when he left. I hope it’s how to put a swift end to this nightmare, but something tells me that won’t be the case. If it was simple, he would have woken me up to deal with Chester.

He’s so… masculine. And damn, he’s hot. His appearance is at odds with his demeanor though. He looks tough, intimidating even, but he handles me gently. He seems to care, and even if it’s just because it’s his job, I’ll take it.

I only wish we could’ve met under different circumstances. Like years ago before Chester damaged my ability to trust and try again. The man I used to be was confident when it came to dating. If I’d seen a guy who looked like Aster at a club—or hell, even the grocery store—I would’ve had no problem asking for his number and inviting him back to my place.

Not for the first time, I envision what he looks like naked. Is all that rippled, tan, tattooed skin smooth or rough? Would hetouch me like a man who knows what he wants or let me take the lead? Is he the top of my dreams who would rearrange my insides? I’ll never find out, but fuck do I wish I could. Even if he wasn’t here to save me from my psycho stalker, I’m hardly dating material. I’m not sure I could casually hook up even if I wanted to. I sure could use the company of a warm body after so many cold nights, but I’m too skittish to even try.

Otto lifts his head, blinking at me as his tail thumps slowly on his owner’s thighs. That’s another cute thing about Aster. He looks like a guy who would have a big dog, like a pittie or a Doberman, but he’s got this little fluff of a dog. It’s adorable.

I reach out to scratch Otto’s head, but find myself dragging my hand over Aster’s broad chest. Oh god, now I’m a creeper. I pull my hand away and sit back on the couch, out of reach of the gorgeous man inches away, but as I do, I get the distinct feeling of being watched.

I blow out a breath, gasping softly when it comes out in a visible cloud, and a shiver runs down my back.

“Aster?”

He doesn’t move, but Otto growls in my direction, his eyes focused past me.

“Um, guide ghost?” What was his name? “C-crash? Aster? Someone?”

I try to get off the couch, but I’m unable to move, as if I’m paralyzed. Otto growls and barks loudly, startling Aster awake.

“What’s going on?” he asks, scrubbing his hand over his face. He focuses on me and as his eyes grow wide, a spike of fear spreads through me. “Get away from him,” Aster says, his voice stern. “Let him go.”

Otto jumps off Aster’s lap, barking wildly, until his mouth snaps shut and he yelps, jumping behind the armchair.

“Aster? I can’t move.”

Aster stands up, bracing himself against whatever he sees that I can’t. “Listen to me, Horror, you’re fucking with the wrong guy. Let him go and deal with me like a man.”

My body is pressed tighter against the back of the couch before I’m lifted into the air and slammed against the ceiling. I yelp in shock as pain seers through my chest, powerless against this unseen force.

“So you’re a coward,” Aster taunts. “You know I can see you so you don’t want to fuck with me.” Aster nods, folding his arms across his chest. “But that checks out. Guys like you are always cowards. You prey on people you perceive as weak, but you’re the weak one. You’re thedeadone.”

Aster ducks just in time to avoid a barrage of books flying off my shelves straight for him.

“That’s it, huh?” Aster says, standing again. “You can throw things but you won’t face me. Fight me.”

“Aster, no.”

A loud thumping noise comes from the staircase, and as I turn my head, I see the outline of what looks like a man.

Aster looks relieved. “Where the hell have you been, Crash?”

“Trapped in the attic with the other spirits, but I got free.”

My eyes go wide when I hear the disembodied voice.

“The Horror figured out how to confine us.”

Aster turns his attention ahead again. “You think you’re clever, huh? I’m smarter than you, and I’m going to drag you back where you belong. It’s my entire purpose. So you can throw all the tantrums you want, but I’m not leaving.”

The front door flies open, slamming against the wall, and the room fills with a whirlpool wind sucking things toward the entrance. Aster grabs the stair banister and his dog, digging in his heels.

“I’m not leaving.” He manages to kick the door shut with his foot, and he, along with various items, falls to the floor. “You’renot strong enough yet,” he pants. “You better hope you get to full strength before I banish you.”

The doors and windows rattle as a strange noise fills my head, spreading through me like a virus. I couldn’t tell you if I’m imagining it or if it’s even real, but it hurts my ears.

“What’s your name, Horror?” Aster’s voice replaces the ear-shattering sound plaguing me, and as I open my eyes, my breath hitches. Aster is standing on my couch, reaching up and seemingly grabbing onto something or someone I can’t see. “Tell me your name.”

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