Page 10 of Tall, Dark and Haunted

I glance from Topher to Davy. They look like they might start fighting over me. I’m not too worried about it, considering female bears can handle five grizzlies in one go. What’s one bunny and one deer? They may be big strong men, but my bear can handle them in either form.

“I think that’s why your ghost was drawn here,” Red tells me, trying to diffuse the situation. “You were drawn to Davy and Topher, and your mating bond brought you here.”

I start to nod when my eyes meet his. He has the most beautifully intense black eyes, which are wide with shock as he stares at me.

“Three.” I grin. It’s almost like a victory cheer.

Okay, showing off your number of mates is obviously in poor form, but I almost died today. Scratch that. I did die. And came back to life. Maybe. I’m still not quite sure what just happened, but I’m definitely allowed to brag about having three fated mates.

Red starts to reach for me, then topples sideways and his head thumps against the floor. “Not used to having a body,” he grumbles.

He tries to rub his head, but misses entirely and hits himself in the face.

“Not how I would go about impressing my mate,” Topher snorts.

I smile, because he thinks I’m worth impressing.

“That girl is buck naked!” an elderly woman’s voice rings shrilly through the castle’s foyer.

I look around before I realize that girl is me. How on earth did I forget?

At least this time I have a means of escape, so I shift into my bear.

All the seniors start to scream.

“Shift back,” Topher snaps.

“Here, take my coat.” Red tries to struggle out of his sleeves, but has absolutely no luck.

“Take mine,” Davy says, but he can’t seem to figure out the garment, either.

“Where’s my gun?” Arthur cries. That, more than anything, forces me to shift back. I’ve already died once today; I have no intention of making it a repeat performance.

“Back home in Silver Springs, dear,” Maggie says. “But don’t you think you’re overreacting? You can’t shoot a girl for being naked.”

I try to cover myself with my hands. Topher tries to cover me with his body, but ends up falling over.

I grab two discarded hats instead and cover myself, the smaller one over my breasts and the larger between my legs. I look around, searching for a place to hide, when Davy finally struggles out of his coat. He tries to hand it to me, but it plops onto the floor between us.

I have a split second decision to make. Coat or hats. Coat or hats. Coat, hats, or bear.

I debate shifting to protect my modesty. Then change my mind and lunge for the coat instead.

My fingers graze the fabric just as the castle doors fly open and people rush inside.