Page 64 of Ghost
“Nothing is going to happen,” Damen replied smoothly, getting to his feet. He glanced at Miles. “We can meet with him in the morning.”
“I’ve put Bianca’s schedule into the planner,” Julian told the others, then turned toward me. “Ours are in there too. If you feel uncomfortable, or for any reason, you can message any of us. But if you’re on campus it might make you feel better to know that Damen or Miles are nearby.”
If I feltuncomfortable…
I wasn’t certain he knew what he was saying. Being uncomfortable was my constant. The only times I was remotely relaxed was when I was with them. I couldn’t message them every time I felt panic.
“Okay…” I said, opening my phone. It wasn’t that I didn’t believe Miles, but it was nice to make sure.
Tomorrow was Tuesday. Damen had two classes to teach in the morning and had a meeting at the precinct at one. Julian was scheduled to work in the hospital in the evening. Titus was going out of town. And Miles had two classes in the afternoon, as well as practice.
I wondered what practice was for.
“I’ll be in the library all morning,” Miles said, noticing my actions. “The hospital is only fifteen minutes away, and the police is twenty. If you need something right away, it’ll be best to reach out to me. Even if I’m in a lecture, just send me a message. I’ll leave class.”
I put my phone away and studied him. He couldn’t leave class, I wouldn’t allow it. He would risk failing, and that was unacceptable. It was his destiny to rescue animals and save wildlife with Greenpeace.
Besides, didn’t he have to prepare?
“Miles…” This timing was terrible, he had so many other responsibilities. “Tomorrow is the full moon.”
What were we going to do? Could we hunt a ghost without him?
Actually, probably yes. Especially considering the way he was frightened of them. But that was beside the point.
Miles opened his mouth to say something, but my focus had already moved on. I glanced at Titus, somewhat disappointed. “Titus, you’re going out of town?”
“No, I’m not.” Titus was typing into his phone. “I’m cancelling it right now.”
This was bad—now we were down two. Titus’ presence in this house helped my fear tremendously, but I couldn’t expect him to cancel his plans. I shuddered to think of the Mafia-shifter business he missed over the last few days.
I wondered if he ever killed anyone.
Even if he had, there was probably a reason. Bad blood, stolen money, vigilantism. I couldn’t expect him to reschedule his life. “You—”
My statement was cut off as Titus’ phone chimed again.
Titus frowned at his screen. “Apparently I’mnotcancelling my plans. But I will make sure that business is concluded within one day. Maria says she’ll come here in my place.”
Miles leaned forward, a wicked grin on his face. “Did she yell at you again? You shouldn’t be afraid of her. You own the business, you can do what you want.”
“I’m not afraid of her!” Titus’ face turned red.
“Maria is coming over?” I asked. Perhaps this wouldn’t be so bad after all.
Titus’ expression morphed into curiosity as he studied me. “Wait, youlikeher?”
Was that so odd?
“She’s nice…” I replied, noting the disbelieving looks. “Why?”
“She’s…nice?” Horror was rife on Miles’ face. “In what universe?”
“We bonded this afternoon. She’s even invited me out for a girl’s weekend,” I replied. At least, I thought we had bonded. But perhaps she didn’t feel the same?
My phone vibrated again, and I froze. Everyone who might message me was in this room. But Finn… if anyone could track down a number, it would be him. Immediately the atmosphere shifted into something darker. I pulled out the device with shaking hands.
“Bianca,” Damen’s voice sounded so far away. “Give me the phone.”
