Page 46 of Wolfsbane Hall
“Yes.” Celestine gritted her teeth.
“That includes Margot, your character for the night, and you, too, littleactress.” She said the title as if it were a weed infecting her garden.
Ah, so she was speaking to both.
“Right,” Celestine said disrespectfully.
“You are a pathetic actress in a tiny little town. You’re beautiful, but that’s the only thing you’ve got going for you.” Lorraine truly enjoyed her insults, and she dispensed them as if they were candy. “You will never amount to anything.” She clutched Celestine’s chin. “Useful to use and play with, useful to fuck, but you’ll never be worthy of one of them. Do you understand?”
Celestine didn’t give her the respect of an answer. Lorraine might push her husband around, but perhaps, for once in her life, she would not give in. She wouldn’t let this horrible woman affect her.
“Heed my warning, girl, or you’ll end up just like her.”
Her? Margot? Did Lorraine know what would happen to the ghost? Was she going to be the victim?
Fuck.Celestine hated playing the victim just as much as thevillain. And she wouldn’t put it past Lorraine to murder anyone.
She does like to murder.Margot scratched at the lobes of Celestine’s brain.
A rotten feeling snaked over Celestine’s skin.
Typically, the humans were Specter’s little playthings. They came to get lost in their fantasies and an escapist story, to be in an Agatha Christie novel for one night of fun. But tonight, Celestine couldn’t help but feel likeshewas the entertainment. The cast members were the puppets on strings. She felt like an object, a toy for these rich and powerful people.
But perhaps Celestine had always been a toy. Was she always the Specter’s toy, and she just hadn’t realized it?
“Ah, there’s my little angel.” James appeared behind them and wrapped his hands around Celestine, caressing the curve of her waist and pulling her into his solid body. “I’ve been looking all over for you.” His lips grazed her ear, and he whispered, “You look like you need saving.”
Celestine shuddered, and a shiver coursed down her spine.
Lorraine let out a disgusted scoff.
“Auntie, it looks like your target has finally decided to appear.” James nodded his chin at a stumbling Everett, who had a half-empty bottle of bourbon in his hand.
He had left Margot and immediately sought out alcohol.
“Yes,” Lorraine said, rolling her shoulders back. She sent a look of pure disgust at James before she prowled toward her son.
Celestine swallowed. She did not envy the Thrill-Seeking Casanova one bit. It was one of the murder mystery nicknames she gave him, because when he wasn’t the detective, he was simply reckless.
But she didn’t get a chance to ponder or witness his interaction with his mother, because James drew her into an alcoveof the ballroom and pulled the scarlet curtains closed behind them seconds before his lips were on hers. Celestine’s back hit the wall as James devoured her. He was a starving man, and she was his salvation. A feast he would savor all night if he could. His fingers cupped her ass as he pressed deeper.
Oh, he was… “James, we’re in the middle of the show.”
“And?” His lips left hers for only a moment before his tongue invaded her senses.
Shit. Celestine wanted this. She wanted his type of distraction. But they shouldn’t. She’d almost just fucked his cousin in nearly the same way. And his mother and uncle had just done this.
“No.” She pulled away, placing a hand on his chest. “This isn’t appropriate.”
“You need a distraction.” He bit her lip. “You need this, Celestine. Don’t lie to me and say you don’t. I know your body is desperately in need of release after Dean just interrupted you and Everett.”
“You’re not mad about that?”
“No. Why would I be?” He sucked her lip into his mouth. “You’re mine.”
Fuck. His hands stroked up her legs, and he deepened their kiss, and Celestine couldn’t lie to herself. She did need this. He was the best distraction from everything that occurred during the night. She didn’t have to think about poison, mystery shows, or murder when she was with him.
It was just the two of them with an unstoppable passion.
