Page 120 of Castings & Curses

“So you followed a ghost to that building?” Miles asked. “What’s so important about it? What did the ghost tell you?”

His ready acceptance of spirits metaphorically swept Priya off her feet.

“She can’t talk, actually. She communicates through gestures. I’m making an educated guess but I believe she died in that basement.”

“Then who was the angry Santa?”

“I don’t have concrete proof, but I believe he’s her murderer.”

Miles's jaw dropped. “And you want to go back there? Have you lost your mind?” His grip on her elbow tightened painfully.

“Ouch!”

“Sorry.” He released his proprietary hold. “You should call the police.”

“Sure. No problem. How exactly do you think that conversation will go? Hi, I believe a dude that looks like Kris Kringle killed two children—”

“Two? He killed another little kid?”

Priya shrugged one shoulder. “I don’t have proof. I’m just going off what both ghosts told me. The police won’t take me seriously.”

“I thought the ghost couldn’t talk. Wait.” Shaking his head, Miles looked up to the starless sky, then down to Priya. “You can explain all of this over a cup of coffee. We can’t go back there yet. The killer will probably be lurking about. Let’s give him a little time to chill out.”

“I don’t want to go far.” Priya looked in the direction they’d come. “This will sound weird, but I don’t want to leave her alone for long.”

“Not weird at all. I understand. The amazing cinnamon rolls can wait. Come on. Let’s see what’s up this way.”

Not weird at all. I understand. If she hadn’t just met the man, Priya would have hugged him then and there.

Near the end of the next block, they found a small eatery wedged between a closed insurance office and an arts and crafts store. The scent of fried food dominated the narrow space. Nearly all of the tables had single occupants and most of the customers had their heads down, reading from tablets or scrolling on their phones. Priya removed her gloves and stocking cap and then smoothed down her flyaway hair. At the counter, Miles ordered a Dr. Pepper, and Priya asked for hot chocolate. Weaving their way through the close-packed tables, they found a high-top that hadn’t been claimed.

Despite the warm room, she kept her coat on, as did Miles. He remained quiet while she gave him the highlights of her appointment with Belinda, Levi’s appearance, Detective Bauer, and the yellow-haired ghost. Twice she stumbled, mentioning her use of magic. She watched Miles intently for a reaction, expecting him to pounce on the knowledge she was a witch. Granted not a strong witch, but still. His thoughtful expression didn’t waiver.

“The little girl confuses me though,” she said. “Every ghost I’ve encountered was anchored to their body, a significant person in their life, or the place of their death. I don’t understand how she covers the distance she does.”

“You said Levi’s ghost came through the wall at the funeral home.”

“He was bound to his body. I don’t know the exact radius, but after the shock of death wears off spirits have some mobility. Those bound to a place can move from room to room. Some can even wander around on the grounds of the building.”

“A ghost attached to a person can move around wherever that person goes?”

Priya fiddled with her empty mug. “In theory, I suppose. I don’t have much experience with those spirits.”

“But the little girl could be attached to the creepy Santa?”

“Maybe? I don’t know. It would mean he was close to the Science Center when I saw her in the back alley and he was somewhere nearby when she lead me to the basement window.” A shiver raced up her spine. “I didn’t see him until he came around the corner of the building. But then I didn’t see you either.”

“I can tell you no one was following you, except for me and I wasn’t doing it in a creepy stalker-y way. I swear.”

His earnest expression made her smile. Sitting here discussing ghosts with a vampire was surreal. Her best friend would call her insane. History proved time and again the folly of a witch falling for a vampire. In every case, it never ended well for the witch.

Miles hadn’t so much as twitched when she’d mentioned her magic earlier. Maybe he hadn’t caught her slip and he didn’t realize she was a witch. Her knowledge about vampires was based on rumor more than fact. She had no clue if a vampire could smell magic or if they could identify a witch through some other sense. From Miles's non-reaction, she thought she was probably safe. She doubted she had that much magic in her blood anyway.

She wouldn’t deny her attraction to him. Whether he went back with her to the sandstone building or they parted company, she sincerely hoped she’d see him again.

Oh yes, her friends would call her certifiable. How could she feel this way about a freaking vampire? Even though she was the equivalent of a gazelle and him a ravenous lion, Priya felt comfortable with Miles. And if he hadn’t shown up when he did … her belly convulsed with fear.

“Believe me. I’m glad you came to my rescue.”

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