Page 13 of Haunting Salem

“Shouldn’t the activity be around the clock?” Lucy quirked a brow.

I chuckled. “Sometimes it’s whatyoucan’t see that’s scarier.” I popped another fry in my mouth even though I didn’t need it.

"True," she whispered. "Okay, so we've been given access to a couple of extra rooms for our live show." Her cheerful demeanor returned. "There is a bedroom, the garden, and the basement we have been allowed to investigate with the live crew."

Speaking of which. "Have we heard anything yet about our host for the evening?" I know I was being obsessive, but I hoped Adventure Channel would send someone who was well versed in the paranormal. Of course, I had a list of my top ten favorite people, but I also knew I had to take what we were given. My team—our team were the newbies on the block, so we had to earn our way to the top.

"Chase Jenkins III, host of Monster Builds, the number four show on the network," Lucy replied. "I got the email about two hours ago. I was trying to gather some information about him. I've never seen the show, to be honest."

I had. I wasn't impressed. The guy was a douche bag. He had frosted tips, waxed brows, and the obligatory sleeves of tattoos, like they gave him street cred or something. The guy talked down to women and always tried to low-ball all of the contractors and companies he used. I was less than thrilled about Chase being our host, to say the least. "I have. You're not missing anything. Before he arrives, I give you a little sneak peek at what we'll be dealing with."

“Doesn’t sound ominous,” Owen muttered.

“He’s scummy,” I said, “with a capital S.”

“Anyway,” Lucy said. “From the notes I received late this afternoon, hence why I came to your room, he’ll arrive sometime tomorrow night while we’re setting up and getting a better feel for all the sites we’ll be visiting Halloween night. Then he’ll meet us once we’re ready to go Halloween night.”

“Great.” I rolled my eyes.

“You’re not happy,” Jack stated, his grey eyes bore into mine. “You wanted someone else.”

Well, duh. It could have been those assholes who ran from every house they investigated like loons, and I would have been happy. Chase... I had a horrible feeling about letting him anywhere near our crew. “I had my hopes up? For the first time.” I made the last statement under my breath.

Nolan chuckled. “When don’t you? You’re already visualizing us shooting into the stratosphere of famedom and we’re barely taking baby steps.”

True. I wanted us to be ranked among the best paranormal hunters out there. Couldn’t do that if we half-assed everything. “You’re right. I set my expectations high. Maybe it’ll be fun. I mean Chase does build haunted houses after all.”

“Yeah, out of old murder homes.” Lucy shivered. “Who the fuck likes that?”

“He has a niche in the market,” Jack said. “So, obviously people enjoy it.”

“Gross,” Lucy muttered.

“I heard his Halloween special that airs during the afternoon run of shows is supposed to be the remodeling of Sharon Tate’s house.” Jack flipped his tablet closed. “From what I understand, the house isn’t selling and even when people move in, they quickly and quietly, I might add, leave.”

"Do you blame them?" I quirked a brow. "I can't even imagine the residual energy in that place let alone the active, activity. It's a gold mine and a hellhole all under one roof. The realty company would be better off tearing down the house and burning the ground then cleansing the plot." Fun fact—the house had been torn down in 1994 by some studio producer, only to have him build a house on the site. The guy should have just left it, in my humble opinion. And, yes, I read articles about how some people had been there and never experienced anything, but they were oblivious. Even Trent Reznor experienced something in the house.

“Please tell me he isn’t going to do anything to desecrate Sharon Tate’s legacy or her unborn child’s,” Owen whispered. Surprise, surprise, the youngest among us, knew about the murder too.

"Not sure," Lucy said. "It's supposed to be top secret. What I could get from the production manager for the project was that they put up tarps all over the place to keep the media and lookie-loos away while they worked. Also, they had a hard time getting supplies in due to the fact people didn't want anything to do with 10050 Cielo Lane."

Didn’t blame them. “So, that’s what we have to work with?”

Lucy sighed. “Yeah. Are you ready?”

No. I was never ready for anything like this. What I didn’t tell my team, was that I occasionally had flashbacks to Turnbull Canyon, so I had to be on my toes. If something triggered one Halloween night, our little adventure—no pun intended—would be over. “As I’ll ever be.”

I don’t like it.There out of the corner of my eye, I caught Kael leaning against the bar.There’s more activity than what you know, Simone.He glanced at the bartender who appeared to be staring right at him. When the man turned his head to look at me, that silvery shadow also seemed to be trying to figure me out.See what I mean. He knows I’m here. He knows all of us are here. Why he’s acting like it’s no big deal is beyond me.

I had no doubt Kael was right. However, I made it this far, and I couldn’t back out now. I glanced over my shoulder at Kael. Tension radiated from him. His shoulders were bunched. His brow furrowed. Even the laugh lines around his mouth were tight.Is it a trap?

He shook his head.Nope. Vengeance. The witches are angry still. Can’t even fuck the hate out of them. They’re too old and too pure. Besides, whoever these people are, around here, they might rip our heads off if we try something improper.

I snorted mentally.Not the visual I needed.Nor wanted.

Yeah, well, now you know my pain.He shrugged.Anyway, I know you can’t say no to this. I’d hate it though, if we spent more time kicking ghost ass than actually telling spirits stories.

That was the one thing I could always count on with Kael. He had my back, even when he wasn’t comfortable in a situation, he never let me get hurt.Then I know I am safe in your hands. Don’t worry, about the only thing that will happen tomorrow night is me making a dork of myself. Trust me.

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