She smiled, unblinking. “You sure?”
“I’m sure.” I backed away, trying to return her smile, but my mouth didn’t cooperate under duress. “Thank you…for the offer.”
She waved at me with two fingers. “Have a lovely sleep.”
I’m exhausted and overworked, I reminded myself as I went back to my car.Not everything or everyone poses a potential threat.
As I tried to catch my breath, I clicked the lock on mytruck door more than once. I kept a firm eye out for any movement, especially from the lobby building, until an RV blocked one of my viewpoints.
“I’m going to check us in,” the woman who looked like Rae was saying when I got out of my truck.
Rae nodded and then turned to the guys who’d hopped out of the RV behind her.
“What’s this?” the large, tattooed one asked, on guard the instant he laid eyes on me.
“Our new client.” Rae motioned me closer. “This is Octavia Daniel. She owns a ranch in Colorado.”
The guys studied me as if they’d be able to figure out my entire story by simply taking in my choice of clothing and style of hair.
“Octavia, this is Nico Byeon.” Rae gestured to the big guy. “He’s our main researcher and tech guy. Has a decade of experience in the field. Specializes in spirits.”
Nico was about an inch or two taller than Rae. His pair of red glasses balanced on his nose this time, almost softening the intimidating glare of his dark eyes. Nico’s large muscles had a soft edge to them, making them appear less gym-grown, more born from daily use.
“His family’s one of the founding families of our guild,” Rae continued. “So, you’re basically in the presence of royalty.”
“It’s tradition to bow,” Nico said deadpan. “Deep at the waist.”
I blinked at the pause in the conversation. They couldn’t be serious.
“Okay…um…” I fumbled, trying to move the bag hanging on my shoulder to accommodate a proper bow.
“He’s teasing you.” Rae held up a hand, stopping me. “The Guild’s not a monarchy. We vote for our leaders. Blood rarely factors into the decision.”
“Which is why we’re here, unfortunately,” Nico said sarcastically.
Rae ignored him in favor of introducing the younger guy. “This is Jonah Rivera. Our hunter-in-training. This’ll be his second job in the field. But he’s probably the smartest of all of us.”
Jonah’s rounded cheeks and wide eyes hinted at barely being old enough to drive, let alone ghost hunt.
“Sorry.” I studied them. “How old are you guys?”
After turning thirty, everyone seemed like fetuses. I had nothing against prodigies, but I’d rather have adults helping dispel “evil spirits” and being listed on my business taxes.
The team exchanged looks. Rae smiled, while the guys favored frowns.
“We’re old enough to vote, drive, and host seances,” Rae said. “Would you like to see IDs?”
“That would be great.” I nodded and took out my phone. “I’m sure you don’t mind if I take photos and send them back to my assistant to run checks?”
“Not at all.” Rae offered her license and motioned for the guys to do the same.
I snapped the photos quickly, noting Rae was the oldest at twenty-eight. Nico was a year younger. And baby-faced Jonah was twenty-three. She’d been telling the truth. They were indeed old enough to vote, drive, and host seances.
“My cousin December’s checking us in,” Rae added. “She’ll get her license, too, but I can vouch that she’s twenty-five going on sixty-five.”
I handed the IDs back to them. “I’m sure it’ll all check out.”
“Yourturn,” Nico said gruffly as he waved his license back and forth.
