Page 121 of Castings & Curses

Miles leaned forward, forearms braced on the table, his fingers inches from hers. “You said Levi found peace and moved on. Moved on to where?”

“I don’t know where.” Priya shrugged. “Some call it the beyond. The veil. The next realm. I don’t know what it is or where it is, but I do know the majority of people move on shortly after their death. The spirits I’ve worked with usually need to finish something here. Find something. Tell someone something.” Another shrug. “If I can help them, they … move on.”

“No bright light?” He seemed disappointed.

“None that I see. Doesn’t mean they don’t see it though.”

His long fingers restlessly grazed the table’s surface. “Have you ever run across a vampire’s ghost?”

“I don’t think so.”

Miles’s jaw tightened. Sadness shadowed his cognac-brown eyes.

Priya hurried on. “Not all ghosts speak, so I suppose it’s possible one of the nonverbals I’ve met was a vampire.” She knew none of them had a ring of gold around their pupil. Would the ring go away after their death? Or was it technically their second death? More questions crowded into her mind. The temptation to grill him for information thrummed through her. Would he think her questions rude? Probably. “I’ve never been hired by a vampire to communicate with a ghost.”

“What were you thinking? Just now? There was a spark in your eyes—” He didn’t finish his sentence.

Embarrassed, she dipped her head. “Nothing. Really.”

“I’d like to know.” His cool fingers brushed across hers.

The gentle caress made her stomach swoop again. Like a pleased cat, her fingers curled reflexively. She yearned for him to repeat the fleeting gesture.

“I … wondered about.” She cleared the lump in her throat. “The … ring of gold.”

A soft chuckle brought her head up.

“Yes, the hungrier we are the thicker the ring gets. It’s a commonly asked question.”

“I didn’t mean to be rude.”

Miles grinned. “You aren’t. It’s human nature to be inquisitive. For example, I’d like to know if you’re seeing anyone?” He tapped her ring finger. “I don’t see a ring so that gives me hope.”

Her nerves danced, delighted by his touch.

“No. I’m not dating anyone or in a relationship. You?” Priya tilted her head, returning his beguiling smile.

“Unattached. Although, I’d very much like the chance to date you.”

Shouting out “yes” wouldn’t be dignified. Barely able to contain her excitement, she swept her gaze around the room to calm herself before focusing on Miles. “We could call this a date,” she ventured.

“Ah, then we need to ask get-to-know-you questions if this is an actual date. Otherwise, we’re just hanging out, killing a bit of time.”

The seductive tease in his voice made her toes curl. “All right.” She hooked her feet on the bar stool’s lowest rung to keep herself from leaping off and doing something as ridiculous as a happy dance. “I’ll start. Did you grow up in Kingston?”

“Minneapolis. Let me save a little time. I’m twenty-six.”

“Really twenty-six or perpetually twenty-six? Sorry!” Priya winced. “I didn’t mean to interrupt.”

“No problem. It’s my actual age. I’ve only been a vampire for two years. My parents are divorced. Dad’s in Phoenix now and Mom’s in Tampa. No siblings.” Miles theatrically swept his hand toward Priya. “Your turn.”

“I’m twenty-three. Grew up in Battle Creek, Michigan. My parents never married and my birth dad cut out on us when I was two or so. Mom married David when I was eight. I have two spoiled” —she wrinkled her nose— “rotten little brothers who missed me terribly when I moved to Kingston for college. I started working at a little spell shop called Besoins my sophomore year and I’m still there.”

“I’ve heard of that shop. Several members of our crew are faithful customers.”

“Your crew?”

He dropped his gaze to the table like a scolded puppy. “The humans who supply blood to Rafi and the senior members of his staff. They’re a good group.” He looked up, locking his gaze on Priya. “They tell me it’s the only spell shop in the state that sells to non-magics.”

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