Demonically Tempted (Frostbite 2)

Dane’s kissing me was a low blow, but why couldn’t he see how crazy this was? That I loved only him. He just needed time to cool off, then he’d realize he was being silly, and would see past his rage.

I headed onto the main road racking my mind to think of any other place he could be. But time was wasting and I was tired. Nearing two thirty in the morning now, I needed to find the quickest way to find him.

That, I did have at my disposal.

Pushing my foot against the accelerator, I

sped down the dark streets.

Within a half an hour, I pulled into the Veterans Plaza. It was a last resort, but if anyone could find a ghost, it’d be another ghost.

Once in the parking lot, I cut the ignition and got out in a hurry. I jogged toward the group of ghosts I saw across the field, and even spotted the soldiers who had now returned. Some appeared surprised. Others looked relieved. Too bad I didn’t have good news for them yet.

Holly floated over, her feet hardly touching the ground, and her eyes wide with excitement. “Is it gone?”

“No,” I replied, cringing at the dismay that crossed her features. I quickly added, “But I promise it will be soon.”

“When?”

“Tomorrow night I have to do this weird ritual thing.” At her parted lips, I raised my hand. “Don’t ask. It’ll take too long to explain. But the next morning I can do what I have to do get rid of it. From what I’ve learned it doesn’t seem difficult, so I’m sure it’ll all go well.” I hope. “And by the way did you all know it’s a demon?”

“A demon?” Holly gasped.

“Yes, totally insane, but true.” I scanned the ghosts faces. “And I’m taking it from all your shocked expressions that you didn’t know.” After a round of nods, I continued, “Next time when you see an energy like it, that’s what it is, so you might want to mention that.”

“Okay,” she said slowly, considering me. “What’s the ritual?”

I sighed, understanding her questions, but wanting to get to my own. “It’s just added protection for me. But listen— “

The elderly gentleman asked, “You’ll be able to get rid of it, though?”

“I will, but I have something to ask— “

One of the soldier’s drifted over, his eyes soft and wondering, as he smiled at me. “You’ve come to help us.”

Irritation rose up. I didn’t have time for this. “I’ll come another night to help you, I swear by it. But I have something of my own going on and I can’t help you now.”

His gaze swam with sadness. “But we’ve waited—”

“Enough,” I shouted, unleashing all the frustration burning inside. “I can’t help you right now. I have my own problems, and for this one time, I’m being selfish.” I waved a dismissing hand. “So, all you soldiers back off and get away from me.”

In a blink, each one vanished. Even my own shock couldn’t be contained as I spotted Holly’s mouth drop open. I gulped, finally understanding that I had a power in me I hadn’t realized before. Had it really been that easy?

I eyed the worry on the faces around me. I needed to rectify that. “I’m sorry I had to go about it that way and I’m not going to do that to you, but I have more important matters. And it can’t wait. I need your help.”

Holly tilted her head. “You need our help?”

“I know how unbelievably strange that sounds,” I replied, exasperated. “But I’m at a loss right now and am running out of time. Have you seen the ghost I was with before?”

“No, I haven’t seen him.” She glanced over her shoulder to the others, who all shook their heads before she studied me with an inquisitive expression. “Why are you asking? Is he missing?”

I wished they had seen him, but nonetheless stayed determined. “I’ve spent hours trying to find him and he’s gone.” I stared intently at each ghost. “I need you to go and look for him. I take it you can do the same thing Kipp can and move around quickly?”

At Holly’s nod, I continued. “Okay, use that, please. All of you. Search Memphis for me and try to find him. If you do, tell him I need to talk to him immediately. And if he refuses, force him.”

Holly scanned the others again, they shared a tense look, then she zeroed in on me. “It shouldn’t be too hard to find him.”

“Really?” I blinked. “Not that I’m not glad to hear you say that.” Maybe even a little pissed at myself for not coming here sooner. I’d wasted so much time. “But I wasn’t expecting you to say it’d be easy.”