Page 51 of Malice

“It worked. The house feels different and I do too. Like he released me or something.”

“It did work but he’ll come back. For now, we have to be vigilant, but at least we have a little reprieve.”

Hudson nods. “Thank you for being here.”

“You’re welcome. I’ll do everything I can to get rid of him.”

I just hope I can, and soon.

Chapter 19

Hudson

“You’re not hurt and pretending to be okay, right?”

“Right.” Aster brushes his hands over his shirt and jeans. “Not even a bruise.”

“How though? He tossed you like a rag doll.”

“My job comes with some protections.”

“I’m really curious about this job. How do you apply for it?”

His face screws up as he settles into the armchair across from me. “You don’t apply for it exactly. You’re chosen.”

“Based on what? Could I be chosen? Can anyone?”

“No.” He shifts in his seat, his gaze moving off into the distance before he drags it back to me. “There has to be a triggering event.”

“Like?”

Deep ripples form in Aster’s brow and I realize I’m prying too much, so I offer an out.

“Sorry. I’m a writer. Naturally curious, I suppose. If you have to keep it a secret, that’s fine.”

He shakes his head, dragging a hand through his thick hair. “It’s not that. It’s…” He blows out a breath, shifting forward to rest his elbows on his knees. “Maybe it’s a lot to take in.”

“More than being haunted by my dead ex-stalker? I think I can probably handle it.”

He huffs a laugh, nodding. “Fair point.”

I wait in silence while Otto circles the spot on the couch next to me to get comfy before plopping down, resting his cute little chin on my thigh.

“You have to die first,” Aster says, shocking me.

I open my mouth to say something but end up gaping like a fish out of water.

“I was on my way to work when there was a freak accident. A car hit me and took me out. One second I was on the sidewalk heading for coffee and the next I was in the underworld.”

“Holy Hemingway.”

“That’s when I learned I met the criteria for this role. I died prematurely through no fault of my own, I lived my life as a decent person, and I had Otto.”

“Having a dog mattered?”

“Apparently. Being a pet owner or lover is part of it. Animals play a big role in the spirit world, and I think it has something to do with your character.”

I nod, still absorbing this. “But you’re not somehow dead now, right? You’re real and living?”

---