Page 38 of Ghosted

“Hello?” I call out again.

Lucien doesn’t answer, so I sit at my desk and click on the lamp. I won’t lie to myself and say I’m not disappointed but I have work to do whether my ghostly companion visits or not.

The best thing about my jewelry making is that I don’t have to concentrate too hard to make beautiful pieces appear in my hands. It gives me enough time to try and sort through the mess of my thoughts.

"What are you humming?” Lucien asks from behind me. His voice startles me and I accidentally tip the small container of beads, sending them rolling over the floor. I scramble to clean them up before they get too far before answering.

“Shit, you can’t just sneak up on me like that.”

“You were so intent on your work I thought better of bugging you but you keep humming the same tune over and over again. It intrigued me.” Does that mean he was watching me? Is he noticing the same connection I am?

“It’s fine. I’m just grateful I wasn’t using my soldering iron,” I laugh to try and hide how flustered I am now. “The song is “Thriller.” It was a popular song in the 1980s.”

“I can tell why, it’s a catchy tune.” His smile is soft as he studies me and I swallow hard to fight the butterflies dancing in me.

“Did you come just to spy on me?” I tease, choosing to deflect to humor.

If a ghost could blush, I have no doubt that Lucien would be right now. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him stumble over his words.

“I…uh…was coming to see if you found Stella’s body.”Well, that puts a damper on the teasing.

“We’re still working on that. She’s not at the cemetery, so we thought of the college but can’t see it being there if she was the reason it burnt down. Our only guess is that she might be buried at the sanatorium. Jayce is researching it now.”

“And if she’s not there? What then?”

“Let’s take it one haunted place at a time.” He must notice the change in me and frowns.

“What aren’t you saying?” he challenges gently. I swallow hard, refusing to look at him.

“If she’s in an unmarked grave or not there, we don’t have any other options, Lucien. She’ll be free and there won’t be anything we can do to stop it.” When he crouches down so we’re eye level I’m forced to look at him. There’s worry reflecting back at me in his gaze, but determination.

“You’ve got two living men who worship you. They’ll keep you safe.” Is that jealousy in his tone? “And you have me on this side watching as well. I can’t promise the same safety, but I’ll do everything in my power to make sure I don’t fail you, too.”

“You didn’t fail her, Lucien,” I correct him. “In fact, you did everything you could to get to her. Stella’s actions are not your responsibility. She should have been committed long before she was, her father should have seen the signs. Not you.”

He lets out a sigh that holds the weight of the world. “I spoke to him and he always promised to handle it,” Lucien admits. “I should have pushed harder.”

“You deserved so much better,” I say, standing so he’s forced to stand as well. He’s a bit taller than me and I notice this time his features are clearer. I can make out the copper tone in his hair and beard, the dusting of freckles on his skin. I’m studying him so intently that I almost miss the way his eyes dart to my lips.

So, I’m not alone.

“I should go,” he mutters and the pain in his eyes is mirrored in my own chest. We both want something we obviously can’t have and it hurts.I really have to talk to the guys about this.

“Please don’t,” I beg as I sit back down to give him space. “It might be boring but I’m trying to make some jewelry and can’t stay out of my head.”

“What are you making?" Lucien asks, following my change of subject.

“All the fire in the visions and research has inspired my new line. I think I’ll call it Blaze. Just fire-like jewelry. What do you think?” I ask, holding up my masterpieces so he can get a better view before I stand to be on his level again. I move it in my hands so that the beads shift between the red and orange like a flame, catching the light.

“You are a magician, I can see fire in that,” Lucien comments, returning his eyes to mine. “I’m impressed.”

Were our faces this close before? I get the urge to touch him, but would he even want me to? As if he was reading my thoughts, he leans in close until his lips are so near mine I can almost feel them. My eyes flicker down to those pouty, red lips of his.

Without a second thought, I lean forward and place my lips on his. Somehow, I don’t fall through him, I’m stopped by his lips as he kisses me back and pulls me into his arms.

What? Pulls me into his arms?

I jump back in shock, my legs are shaky under me and I feel faint. But sure enough, there he is in solid form.

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