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“What’s that? What’s that?” he demanded. “I didn’t hear that earlier.”
Ryder smiled. “The protective metal window shades are rolling into place. It’s less than an hour until sunrise.”
“Oh,” Gideon mumbled into his back and released his hold on Ryder’s waist. “You must think I’m an idiot.”
“I don’t. You said you heard a rattle and a knocking noise. That wasn’t the shades.” Not to mention, the lights were all on.
He managed two steps forward this time before he reached the edge of the kitchen and stopped. A breakfast bar separated the kitchen from the small dining room. Gideon had purchased four stools with colorful seats. Currently, the four stools were on their seats with their legs in the air, arranged in a diamond pattern. He almost didn’t want to ask.
Ryder motioned toward the chairs on the floor. “I’m guessing you didn’t do that.”
Gideon peered past Ryder, his hands tightly gripping his hips. “What the fuck? No, I didn’t do that! What the hell is going on? Is this some sort of practical joke?”
Their answer was a high-pitched giggle that swirled around them, then into the living room. Gideon shrieked and attempted to climb Ryder from behind. Goose bumps swept up Ryder’s arms. Every hair on his body stood on end.
Holy shit! Gideon’s place was haunted!
Oh, he knew ghosts were real. He’d heard the stories of Winter Varik walking in the dead world and talking to the ghosts, but this was the first time he’d actually heard a ghost or even seen evidence of a haunting. This was seriously creepy shit.
But he was a vampire, dammit! Hewasfucking scary when he needed to be. And no one could terrify Gideon. Not even a ghost.
“Is—” He had to stop and clear his throat. His voice wavered, and he could not appear unnerved in front of Gideon. “Is this the first time you’ve noticed anything weird happening?” Ryder asked.
“Hell, yes!”
“Not even little things? Creaks? Lights flickering? Odd smells?” Because that rose scent was definitely coming from the ghost.
“No, nothing! This is the first time.”
The giggle rose from the living room and there were a couple of soft knocks, followed by a sharp slam. But not just any slam. It sounded as if someone had lifted the lid of the trunk and allowed it to fall shut.
Fuck.A ghost was haunting Gideon’s treasured trunk.
“I think we brought the ghost home with us in the trunk,” Ryder said.
“What?” Gideon gasped. “Are you insane?”
“The haunting didn’t begin until we brought the trunk up.” As if to agree with him, the ghost made that creepy, childlike giggle and knocked on the trunk, as if trying to lure them closer.
“No! But…no!” Gideon whined.
Ryder crossed to the living room and Gideon whimpered as he followed. Steeling himself, Ryder gripped the top of the trunk and pulled, but nothing happened. It wouldn’t open. Sighing, he checked to make sure it wasn’t locked or buckled. He tried again. Still the same. He pulled a third time, and the lid flew open. As he stumbled, a rose-scented pillow jumped out and hit him square in the face.
That…could have been worse.
“What the fuck is going on?” Gideon shouted, sounding as if he were inching closer to hysteria.
Ryder stifled his chuckle and wrapped Gideon up. He looked so fragile in Ryder’s shirt as it tried to swallow up his thin frame.
Lowering his head, Ryder nuzzled the top of his head. “I don’t think she means any harm. She wants to play.”
Gideon shook his head against his chest. “No. No. No. I can’t have ghosts here. I won’t be able to sleep.”
“I think she’s attached to the trunk. We can get rid of it. I can move the trunk outside and—” Ryder stopped talking because Gideon was staring at him as though he’d suggested killing his firstborn child. Apparently, getting rid of the trunk was not an option. “Or we can go to my place and call Winter. See if he’s got any ideas.”
“Okay. I like that idea,” Gideon said, nodding several times.
With the vampire cuddled into him, Ryder ushered Gideon out of the condo, flipping off the lights as he went. When they reached his place, Ryder hesitated. His sofa wouldn’t be delivered for a couple of days. The only place Gideon would be comfortable was in his bed, but that didn’t feel right.
