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“Few are,” he acknowledged. Ryder dropped his hands, curiosity gleaming in his eyes. I thought I saw a flash of amber or red before that unnatural shimmer returned. “Ask away. I’ll tell you whatever you want to know.”
“What’s a ghoul? What kind of immortal?”
“I guess you could say we’re a special kind of supernatural creature. An oddity among immortals. Half living, half dead. Ghouls have the gift ofsoultouch. We’re one being with two distinct halves, always with one foot on each side of the veil.”
“Really?” How was that even possible? “I’ve always been told that you’re either immortal or human.”
“Yes, for the most part, that’s true. We’re the exception to the rule. Lycan have their werewolf and human forms. Vampires also transform to an extent with glamours that hide the real monstrosity beneath. But ghouls have two distinct bodies.”
“Two?”
“Yep. One is the man you see before you, but don’t be fooled. I’m not human. The other form is that of the ghoul, a living spirit that craves flesh. Think of that form like a wraith with skin, muscles, and bone, somewhat similar to a zombie but with intelligence and all body parts intact. And I meanall.” He winked as I gasped.
Eww, zombie dick?
Wait. Hold on. Did he just say what I thought he said?
“Craves flesh?” I asked, holding back the urge to retch.Please say no.
His laughter stretched across the leaves and yard, blowing in the subtle wind. “Oh, yes. I must survive. What else am I supposed to eat?”
“Not people,” I shuddered.
“Not living people,” he agreed.
Well, shit. “I’m seriously grossed out.”
My response humored him greatly. “I’d expect no less, but I wouldn’t eat in front of you unless necessary, and trust me, you don’t want to see it.”
I had no doubt that was true.
“Okay, wait. What did you mean when you said you have the gift ofsoul touch? What’s that?”
“I can briefly control the soul of another being before orafterdeath.”
My jaw popped open.
No way! “Wow,” was all I said aloud.
“You’re not going to ask me any questions about it?” His eyes crinkled in the corners with humor.
“I’m picturing The Walking Dead. Am I right? Walking zombies with jerky movements?”
“Pretty close. You worried about being eaten?” His leering grin confused me before I realized his joke was sexual.
Damn, immortal hottie #3 that wanted in my pants. If I told Gypsy, she’d squeal with delight and tell me to go for it. I hated to admit I’d been in a serious dry spell. My last relationship, if you could call it that, was a disaster. Sebastian Wildes was a jerk. Didn’t help he was one of the thirteen.
Blushing, I looked away. “Ryder, you’re something else.” What was the matter with me? I never blushed, but these immortal men had my libido skyrocket into freakylet’s get it onmode—even the weird ghoul.
I decided to change the subject.
“Why are you telling me all of this?”
He rubbed his closely-shaven jaw as if considering his words carefully. “You’re one of the thirteen witch families that protect the veil. Ghouls are also tasked with guardianship. We often work in tandem with witches. It’s a natural collaboration.”
I heard of these relationships. Willow knew a few ghouls. She spoke about it to Aunt Gwen before, but I wasn’t sure that the Howe family had ever had a partnership like this.
Our conversation was cut short when I felt the magic of another witch. A familiar one. Sebastian Wildes.Speak of the devil.
