Page 54 of Origins
Well, more power to him. But I had no idea either. So I couldn’t help him try to clarify the situation.
I wasn’t being difficult or evasive in any way—I was just beingme. Besides, it was my fault they were here anyway. So if they got harmed, then it would be on my conscience. “I’m sorry I can’t be more helpful. When I asked for help I didn’t expect you to be in danger.”
Titus’ chest jerked as he scoffed, and I wondered why he reacted that way. His next statement answered my question. “I don’t think it’susthat’s in danger.”
I tilted my head back into his chest and looked at him. While I understood that gangsters such as these were a fearless and tough, the spirits in this house had been other-worldly scary. A spectre of this magnitude could easily target any one of them…and that…well, that would be terrible. “You can’t let it get you. You’re vulnerable—you can’t see them. I can help. If any of them come near, I’ll warn you and you can run away. And we all need to stay in groups at all times.”
Titus’ raised his left eyebrow higher with every word coming out of my mouth. By the end of my instructions, he had the most befuddled expression on his face—and I wasn’t sure why. But it was Miles’ sudden laughter that broke through the pregnant pause that followed
I glared at his shaking form. What in the world was he laughing about? This was dangerous business.
“Oh my god, she’s freaking hilarious,” Miles exclaimed, as he tried to regain his composure. I could feel Titus’ chest heaving beneath me as he, too, found humor at my expense. “Asking her to join our group was the best decision we’ve ever made.” Miles wiped at his eyes.
“I’m serious!” I narrowed my eyes at him.
Julian and Damen joined the two in uproarious laughter, and my blood pressure skyrocketed.
“Stop laughing!” I crossed my arms under the blanket as I pouted. I was only looking out for them, and they werelaughingat me. See if I ever try to protect them from harm again.
Damen nudged Julian aside and knelt down in front of me. I tried to ignore him, but when he stroked my hair, I couldn’t pretend anymore. He waited until our eyes met before he spoke. “It’s alright, baby girl. If we’re going to stay here, then we’llallfollow your rules—including you. No one—and that includes you—is to be alone in this house at any point until we’ve solved this case. But I think us guys will all be safe. I have a feeling this spirit is targeting only women. But even so, your concern about our welfare is touching.”
Well, the fact that it was after women was a nice, sobering thought. But if it was sotouchingthat I cared, then why laugh at me?
“Thank you,” an emotion—almost like appreciation—flashed through his expression. It happened so quickly, that I almost missed it. Damen’s mouth turned up slightly as he continued. “It’s not every day that someone actually cares if we can handle something or not—or worries about our welfare. It’s unexpected, but nice.”
At his words, the amusement fled from the others as everyone exchanged some secret look that I couldn’t decipher. But, after a moment, Julian stated that he was done treating my leg, and the exchange was soon forgotten.
Chapter Eighteen
Understanding
“Isn’t it my job to help you with some of these? I thought that we were working on some kind of payment plan?” I asked, gesturing towards the large pile of electronics in the middle of the room. I was sitting at the bottom of the rickety basement stairs, watching Titus as he circled about the musty, dimly-lit space.
Julian and Titus had led me to the guest room so I could get dressed. My leg was sore, but I could have walked—painfully—if necessary. The only reason why I had collapsed earlier was because I was caught off-guard and was surprised. But they were taking no chances, and Julian insisted that I rest my leg for the night.
With classes beginning tomorrow—and Monday being my busiest day of the week—it made sense. It was hard for me to argue with logic. But dressing with two boys standing just outside of the door was uncomfortable—so I hurriedly threw on the first tank and pajama bottoms I could find.
After that though, I had refused to leave any of them alone in the house. Begrudgingly, they accepted my earnest pleas.
And, now, Damen—who had hisshikigamito help if necessary—was setting up equipment in the upper level. Miles had taken Julian to visit Dr. Stephens and then pick up dinner. Meanwhile, I was assigned to ‘man the base’. The job was only meant to distract me until the equipment had been distributed and set up— thebaseonly consisted of a folded card table and a couple of monitors.
Titus had been tasked with handling the worst location—the basement.
Considering how much he had helped me, I felt obligated to see him through this dastardly deed. If the spirits overlooked his hulking, male frame and imposing muscles, it was possible that—with his long hair—a desperate ghost might mistake him for a woman.
Initially, he rolled his eyes and tried to leave me behind when I offered to help. But he clearly did not expect me to limp after him.
At least I won that small battle.
I still didn’t feel that I was being very helpful, though. But Titus told me that keeping a watch out for rats and ghosts was plenty useful. So, I would do whatever I could.
“Your job is to sit on your beautiful behind and tell me if you see something,” Titus gave me the directive as he occupied himself with assessing the situation. He was still circling the area, flashing a light into the dark corners of the room where the overhead light did not reach. “Besides, you wouldn’t want to risk dropping our expensive camera equipment. Not when you can hardly walk. Youshouldhave stayed upstairs, but you are such a stubborn little thing.”
“I can help,” I protested. “I can hold stuff, or hand you things. I wouldn’t drop the camera.” I grabbed onto the railing and began to pull myself up.
“Would you be willing to bet three thousand on that?” he asked mildly. “I don’t think your nerves could take it.”
I almost lost my grip and fell forward, but caught myself just in time. “What?” My eyes were glued to the pile Titus brought down earlier. “Did you go out and spend threethousandjust on this?”
