Page 35 of Ghosted

My eyes widen before the crunch of tires on gravel has us looking over at the main entrance, a row of cars coming in now.

“We apologize, we’re going now,” Jayce promises. Grabbing my hand and leading me out before I can say something to get us in more trouble. Plus…it’s a tiny cemetery, we can’t exactly blame them for wanting a bit of quiet to mourn their loss.

He glares at us the entire time we wind our way back to the front, frustrated and ready to scream. Every time we take a few steps forward, it’s like someone kicks us twelve steps back.

The moment we’re outside the gates again, I toss the flowers in the trash and stomp toward the coffee shop. I need a double shot of espresso to deal with the bullshit that keeps piling up.

Jayce and Eli rush up to me and I feel someone grab my wrist, spinning me around. “Hey, stop. This is just a setback,” Eli argues gently.

“Another one,” I seethe. Not realizing we stopped in the middle of the sidewalk, I flinch as someone slams into us.

“I’m so sorry,” she mutters as Eli helps steady the poor lady before she falls.

“That was our fault,” I say. She nods and rushes off but Eli seems frozen now. “Eli?”

“Eli?” Jayce hisses, yanking both of us out of the way of foot traffic. “What’s wrong?”

“Holy shit,” Eli finally breathes out. “She must have come from that funeral or was going to it. The death had to have just happened, I watched as a man held her hands, dancing in their living room one last time.” His voice cracks and I wrap him in a hug. “It was a beautiful moment, but he died that night. It’s her last real memory of him. Fuck, this power sucks so damn much sometimes.”

Now Eli is the one pacing up and down the sidewalk like a cornered animal.

“Look. I’m going to grab us a coffee, then we’re getting out of this part of town. We can come back tonight. Sure, a bit less prepared but also not getting kicked out. I noticed a side entrance and the gate is broken. We can get in there,” Jayce says as he takes control of the chaos.

“Thanks,” I say but I don’t take my eyes off of Eli as he nearly knocks a lady over. As he passes back by I grab him and yank him toward me. He almost falls but catches himself against the brick wall I’m leaning against and I take the moment to press my lips to his. It’s a kiss of desperation and he returns it, focusing his energy on me instead. His hands lock onto my hips as he holds us together.

We don’t come up for air until the bell above the coffee shop door chimes again and he pulls back reluctantly, resting his forehead on mine.

“Damn, that’s a nice distraction,” he breathes out, his usual humor coming back a bit.

“There you are,” I smile up at him. “We, apparently, swapped moods.”

“I think we’re all hangry,” Jayce says, like we weren’t just making out on the sidewalk. “Coffee.” We each take ours and the hungry look he gives me as he hands mine over has me blushing and biting my lip.

“So, we grab lunch, head back and prepare, then come back?” I summarize.

“Yes,” Jayce says.

“Damn, it’s kind of hot when you get all bossy,” I tease, kissing him quickly before walking down the street where we parked our car. “My vote is we grab Mexican food on the way home.” They both groan.

“Not that awful food truck one, right?” Eli protests. I turn around and grin at them, because we all know that’s where we’re going. Alejandro makes the best tacos, even if he gets a bit… creative sometimes.

“Shut up, you know his tacos are fantastic, just don’t get mac and cheese on it next time,” I tell him.

“True,” Jayce grumbles. “It was an awful choice. He shouldn't have the combinations he does. The nerd in me can’t help but try all the new ones.”

“Oh, I’m checking the menu already,” Eli chimes in, flipping his phone over to show his business page. “He’s got a new special. Buffalo chicken and chicken parmesan tacos.”

“Dammit,” Jayce curses and I laugh, knowing damn well he’s going to order both which means we get to watch him make faces. It’s definitely the right choice for a stressful afternoon. Despite how crazy our lives keep getting, at least we have each other. These guys make me laugh, turn me on, and make me feel safe.

Yet…why can’t I get Lucien out of my head?

Eli

The cemetery at eleven at night is a whole different world. Between the breeze rushing through the trees and the chime of the clocktower echoing in the night, I’m ready to tuck tail and run. I glance over at Jayce to see how he’s holding up.

In the dim light of the lantern he’s carrying, I can see him gulp. He’s scared, too. Only Raven is holding onto her determination at this point. I’m terrified another vision will hit me, and I don’t want to see any more death today.

Maybe once Stella is sent back to Hell, these gifts we were given will disappear, too. I’m not too keen on the thought of falling into the memories of the dead for the rest of my life. I’m not sure if Rav or Jayce have an aversion to theirs but I, for one, hate not being able to control when they happen or where…it’s a pain in the ass.

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