Demonically Tempted (Frostbite 2)

Chapter Seven

Within minutes, we were signed out of the prison and on our way toward Zach’s truck. At the hood, he stopped and glanced over his shoulder. “Y’all might as well head home for the rest of the day. I’ll go to the station and get Max to start working through another case. Once we’ve settled on one that appears workable, I’ll call you in.”

My mood lifted. “A day off?” Maybe two if I was lucky. The Lizbeth Knapp case took a couple days for Max and Zach to pick through, which meant I could stay at home and relax until they called me back in. Yes, I had a cushy job now and didn’t mind it one bit.

“Don’t look so happy, sexy,” Kipp sa

id, thoroughly amused. “You have another matter to deal with.”

“What matter?” At Kipp’s arched eyebrow, I remembered. “The ghosts?”

“What ghosts?” Dane interjected.

“Last night I had ghosts come into my bedroom—I might add—and they said that there’s a spirit here in Memphis scaring them.”

Zach laughed. “You’re kidding me?”

“I wish I was.”

Dane’s features darkened before his eyes lowered, thoughtful, and he finally said, “What have they said to you about this ghost?”

I shrugged, not quite sure what annoyed him so much, but focused on the matter at hand. “They didn’t say much of anything. Just that there’s a ghost making them unsettled.”

I raised my hand at Zach’s grin. “And spare me the laughter. I know how messed up that sounds, but they want me to get rid of it.”

Zach obliged me by not laughing, but his gaze sure twinkled in delight. “And just how did they know about you to ask such a thing?”

“Um…you see…they’re…err…talking to each other.”

Zach’s control faltered and he burst out laughing. “That’s priceless.”

“It’s not funny. It’s terrible. Soon I’m going to have ghosts lined up at my house asking for help.”

“Did they seem honestly concerned?” Dane asked, ignoring my problems.

Although, I noted that cryptic note in his gaze again, and suspected he had thoughts rummaging through that mind of his that I should care about, but didn’t. “Maybe a little.”

“Don’t lie,” Kipp chastised.

“Fine.” I huffed. “They were worried.” Or downright scared shitless, but I wasn’t about to give Zach anything more to laugh at. Hell, it seemed absurd even to me. A ghost, scared? The universe had never been so backward.

“I’ll come with you on this.” Concern touched Dane’s features. “Anything that scares ghosts can’t be good and you’re not capable of dealing with this alone.”

“Hey,” I snapped.

Kipp stepped forward, as if he were prepping for a fight. “Watch what you say to her, medium.”

Dane groaned low, undoubtedly affected by the strength of Kipp’s wrath. “Back off, ghost. I’m saying it to protect her. She’s not knowledgeable enough to deal with anything that isn’t friendly.” His fists clenched at his side. “In fact, she could get herself into a world of trouble if she entered something like this alone.”

I restrained my smile. What was Kipp going to do? Touch Dane and freeze him to death? Still, though, what Dane suggested unnerved me. “What do you mean I’d be in danger?”

“Your gifts make you vulnerable.”

I glanced at Zach, who appeared befuddled, and even Kipp seemed speechless. I finally looked at Dane who remained expressionless. “You’ve totally lost me.”

“You have an open connection with Netherworld,” he said, concisely. “Meaning, the fact that you can see ghosts and talk to them, says on some level your soul is touching that place.”

“What. The. Fuck?” was all I managed to say to that complete nonsense.