Page 4 of Haunting Salem

Kael rolled his eyes.He’s flirting with you.His words floated through my mind.

Awe. Don’t be jealous. No one can ever take the place of my Kaely-Waely. Laughter filled me.

Kael grunted and shook his head.You’re impossible. It’s why I love you so much.

Bet you didn't know a ghost could love, did you? Kael had been with me for years. At first, I never saw him. Then progressively he started to show himself. He wasn't the typical guide, I didn't think, anyway. Kael was all sinew, lean but strong. His black hair was slicked back, exposing the sides of his shaved head and the tattoos on his neck. He pulled a pack of cigarettes from his pocket while narrowing his brilliant blue eyes at me—a signature move whenever he showed up. He placed the tip of his smoke at his full, lush lips and cracked a crooked smile. He was devastatingly handsome. His strong jaw frame hollow cheeks and a straight aquiline nose. Kael wore Dickies and Doc Martins along with button-down shirts. The sleeves were always rolled up, exposing the brilliantly colored tattoos on his forearms. He reminded me of the lead singer from the band I liked,BVB, and I wondered if maybe he showed himself that way, because it was familiar.

“Why do I smell cigarette smoke,” Lucy mumbled staring back at where Owen and I sat.

I cut my gaze to Kael who let loose a silent chuckle before disappearing completely. “Not sure. But, I don’t smoke. Do you Owen?”

He held up his hands. “Nope. Never.”

"It's probably your imagination," Jack muttered then glanced at me from the rearview mirror.

“Maybe,” she agreed. “So weird though. It only happens every so often. When we’re all together.”

I kept my head down.

“It’s probably Phantosmia,” Nolan said. “An olfactory hallucination.”

Kael laughed even harder in my mind. He was such an asshole, but as much as he loved me, I loved him. He understood me. Protected me. He kept me on my toes more often than not and opened up more of the spiritual realm than I probably was supposed to see. Come to think of it, it’s probably how I got on Gaspar’s radar, besides the whole almost dying twice thing as a kid.

“I am not hallucinating.” Lucy crossed her arms over her chest with a pout. “My dad smoked two packs a day before he died. I know cigarette smell when I smell it.”

Okay, so maybe poking the bear wasn’t such a good idea. “Might have been something on the side of the road. It’s a bit cooler here than the west coast.”

The lie rolled off of my tongue with practiced ease, still, I didn’t think she’d buy it until Jack glanced at me again and said, “Could be why you scented it and we didn’t.”

“Maybe.” Lucy still pouted. For being such a badass bitch, she could sulk with the best of them. “Anyway, we’re almost there. We should have two cars waiting for us at the hotel. One for us to take to the location while you, Jack, and Nolan go to the library for research.”

“Perfect,” I replied. “Then we can meet back up for dinner and a movie in the room.”

“Horror flick?” The eagerness in Owen’s tone reminded me of a little kid being able to stay up late for the first time.

“I vote forAnnabelle,” Nolan said. “That shit’s crazy.”

“The Covenant,” Lucy added.

“A little on the nose, don’t you think?” I laughed.

She shrugged. “A smidgen but this is Salem.”

“You’re up Jack, what do you want to see?”

He cackled from the driver seat. “Hocus Pocus.”

Ohmigod. I didn't know if I should've laughed or cried or both. But, the movie selection was too perfect and groan-worthy at the same time. It was one of my favorite movies as a little girl. However, I had another ace up my sleeve. "Practical Magic."

The interior of the RV went quiet. The air, still. I thought my suggestion would get vetoed automatically then Nolan clapped. “Bingo. Perfect movie.” He shifted in his seat to face me, the smirk on his face devastatingly handsome. “As long as we can make margaritas.”

I cocked a brow. “Guess we’ll have to stop by the store to get the lime and the coconut.”

Lucy fist pumped and her mood instantly improved. "Besides,The Craft,Practical Magicis my favorite movie.”

“So why did you pick,The Covenant?” Owen asked.

Lucy gave a cheeky grin. “Hello, have you seen Sebastian Stan? He’s the hottest guy in the movie.”

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