Page 31 of Tall, Dark and Haunted

“Hi, Arach,” Castalia says, completely unperturbed. If anything, she sounds like she’s enjoying herself. Strange child. “I need your help.”

“My help?” His temper seems to dampen just a little as he takes in the sight of so many people standing in his doorway. Either that or he’s resigned himself to going along with whatever Castalia wants. I get the impression that Castalia always gets her way.

“My new friends need makeovers.”

“And what do you want me to do about it?” He looks bewildered as he lets out a heavy yawn.

“I was hoping you’d give them a shave,” Castalia explains. “You’re probably as old as they are.”

“You cheeky—” he begins before taking in our outfits. “Actually, I think they might be older than me.”

“Really?” Castalia isn’t convinced.

With a shrug, he allows Castalia to drag him from his room and down the corridor to another room that Enzo unlocks for us.

“I’ll give them a shave,” he says, giving in. “But I can’t guarantee that I won’t slit their throats.”

I practically balk and run from the room, but Castalia just grins at us. “Don’t worry. He’s joking. I hope.”

Topher, Red, and I exchange glances. None of us are willing to be the first to experience Arach’s services with a razor. But Castalia is no longer paying us any attention. She’s now staring at Rhi, who’s been chatting happily with Lupine and not paying much attention to the interaction between Castalia and Arach.

“You are not allowed to change your hair, Rhiannon,” Castalia tells her. “I love it so much.”

“Thank you,” Rhi replies happily.

“It is quite brilliant,” I say, twisting a lock of her hair in my fingers. “I think I shall like to have hair in a bright color. Colors are so muted when you’re dead, and I do like to stay on top of fashion.”

“Oh, you’d look amazing with colored hair!” Castalia replies.

Rhiannon looks me over, her gaze sending heat coursing through me. “What color are you thinking?”