Page 60 of Court of Evil

“You are a ghost,” she snaps at the ghost man. “Ask him what he wants.”

“Fuck that, you ask him,” the ghost retorts.

“Can you help me?” the kid asks, making us all look at him. “I heard you talking. You helped this man, and you help people. Can you help my sister?”

“Yeah . . . we don’t do that. We aren’t ghostbusters,” the other ghost jokes, still hiding behind the woman and making a sign of the cross.

“She’s not a ghost. She’s alive,” he begs, his eyes wide as he looks at us. “At least for now, but she won’t be much longer. Please. Please help us.”

“Well, shit.” The woman sighs as she puts her sword away and looks at us. “Any ideas?”

“Holy water and an exorcist,” the other ghost replies.

CHAPTER 27

“Remind me again why we are helping?” the fae drawls.

“I became a hunter to help people. I cannot ignore this,” I retort as I add more weapons to my body, ignoring all the unsure gazes in the room, including the warlock’s on the bed who seems to be evaluating me. Ronan is still hiding from the other ghost who wants to cling to him, much to his horror.

“What about your revenge?” the fae asks casually, seemingly not bothered by what we do as long as he gets to feed and kill.

“It will still be there, but my soul might not be if I ignore this,” I answer as I drop my booted foot from the rickety chair and slide my last blade into place.

The fae shrugs. “Souls are overrated.”

“You are really going to help this boy?” the warlock asks.

“Why wouldn’t I?” I snap, growing annoyed.

“Hunters do not help. They kill,” he murmurs as he slides to the end of the bed, eyeing me. As I watch, he waves his hand. For a moment his eyes turn red, a glowing red mark appearing on his cheek before he fades back to normal. A red ribbon appears however and slides up into his hair, tying it back from his face,onlyexposing more of his stunning looks. I hate that Ronan is right. He really is pretty—unnaturally so.

“Not this hunter,” I say. “The room is paid for tonight. Feel free to stay and figure out what you wish to do.” I didn’t forget the haunted look in his eyes when he admitted he had nowhere to go, but it’s not my problem. I did my duty by saving him, and I’m not collecting more broken toys, as Ronan said.

“If you’re really helping him, then I will too.” He stands, and I narrow my eyes.

“Why would you?”

“I have nothing better to do. Besides, I’ve only used my magic for death recently, and magic is about balance, so it needs some life,” he says as he eyes me. “If you are not like the other hunters like you say, then I need to see that too.” He smiles, and it’s like the sun breaking through the clouds, blinding and slightly shocking. “I’m Jarek,” he shares.

“Oh god, not names! That means we are keeping him.” Ronan groans before he yelps and flies up to the ceiling as the ghost moves closer to him. “Be gone, demon.”

Sighing, I meet Jarek’s eyes. “Tate,” I reply, introducing myself. If we are hunting together, then he deserves to know. “The scaredy ghost is Ronan, and this is Tem, Addeus, and, well, the fae . . . I never got his name.”

“You got his cock though,” Ronan yells with a laugh before screaming when the ghost boy appears at his side.

“You shouldn’t say that. My sister says it’s a bad word,” the boy says. “She also said anyone with a cock who isn’t me should be castrated.” He stumbles over the word.

“Well, your sister is stupid.” Ronan sticks his tongue out. “I happen to have a very nice cock?—”

“You’re stupid!” The kid sticks his tongue out, and they argue.

“Ronan, stop arguing with a six-year-old,” I demand as I glance at the boy. “Your sister sounds smart.” I soften my tone, seeing him nod as tears form in his eyes. Whatever happened to him must be recent. He’s too . . . bright to be an old ghost. It makes me worry about what his sister is going through. “Can you take us to her?”

He nods, wringing his hands together. “You’ll save her?”

Crouching before him as he floats, I smile softly. “I promise I will save your sister if I can.” I cross my heart then lower my voice. “She’s right about the men thing. They are more of a hassle than anything.”

He grins and nods as I lean back and hold out my hand. “Show us.”

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