First Thirst (Craving 1)

I watched them walk across the courtyard. Davis got into an old SUV and Mrs. Davis got into a blue sedan. I stood at the door and waved when Mrs. Tunny turned to stare at me. She didn’t wave back.

Something had been in those woods. Something that had smelled of blood. It wasn’t human, my Shama told me that, but I hadn’t stayed long enough to know just what it was.

What kind of a world had I stepped into? And once again, I heard Auntie Elle telling me to stay out of the dark.

I went back inside, and bolted the front door. I had a vague notion of where the kitchen might be and found it. I was surprised by the length, breadth, and its modern design. Everything had been updated.

I went to the huge fridge and opened it to stare.

Mrs. Tunny had made me a tray with my name on it. Oh, I liked her!

I poured myself some wine, heated up and then gobbled my sausage and mashed potatoes and headed for my room. Jet lag was catching up to me.

As I entered, I heard the same strong male voice I had heard before and he said, “Aye, then…”

I stopped dead in my tracks.

What the hell? Was there really a ghost at MacLeod? If so, then, bring it.

~ Six ~

DEVIN

I COULDNA HELP M’SELF. The words were out before I could stop them. I knew she could hear me. She had heard me now twice before…here in the castle and then outside on the grounds.

I suspected a vampire was making his way through the woods. They have an affinity for MacLeod Village because of Brently Manor. Allora lets them take refuge at her place in exchange for…favors.

I cannae express the relief I felt when she was safely back inside, away from whatever vampire had been passing through. Aye, then, simply slipped out.

She spun around and demanded, “Okay…where are you, and what do you want with me?”

I couldna ignore her any longer. I had to answer her and I did with a question, for I found it hard to believe that she was able to break through Jeremy’s shield.

“So, ye can really hear everything I say?” I asked.

She put a hand to her chest as though calming the beat of her heart, took a step backwards and said, “I think so.”

“Good,” I told her. “We need to talk.”

She said nothing more for a long moment, but it seemed as though she forced herself as she moved towards the sound of m’voice and added, “Wow, okay, I’m having a conversation with a ghost. This is a first for me. Aunt Elle said it would happen one day if I just opened my mind to it. She has conversations with ghosts, but I never have and…”

“Hush, lass, and listen to me,” I told her, thinking she was babbling because she was nervous.

“Okay, cool,” she said, and put her hands on her perfect hips. “Just tell me how I can help you move on?”

“Move on? What do ye mean?”

“Well, you are haunting here because you have unfinished business and need to…”

“I’m nae haunting anything,” I told her. “I’m nae a ghost.” She couldna see me, so it was nae wonder she would think I was a ghost.

She moved in closer and strained to see a body to match m’voice. Ah, bloody hell, but the lass moved me in ways I dinnae understand. I cleared m’voice and tried to ignore the hard-on throbbing in m’pants. “Listen, lass, I dinnae think ye should stay here at night. I think ye should stay in town, like Davis and Mrs. Tunny suggested.”

“Wait, what do you mean you aren’t a ghost? Of course you are, though you probably don’t realize it. And why shouldn’t I stay here?”

“For too many reasons for me to list,” I told her, hoping to scare her enough to agree to live elsewhere.

“Look, I’m not getting this. I need those reasons spelled out. I signed a contract to live and work here, and I came all the way to Scotland to do just that. My job is here. You are not going to scare me off. I know, or at least I have read, that ghosts do like to scare people off, but I…”