AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I whistled. “Thirty-six? Who looks after them all while you’re slumming it in Fairhaven?”
“I’ve left trusted demons in charge.”
That gave me a good snort. “Trusted demons is an oxymoron if I ever heard one.”
“In your experience, I’m sure. I’m privy to your innermost thoughts,” he said, with a sly grin that quickly faded. “Wait. Why can’t I read yours?”
“I don’t know what to say. Must be an off day for you.”
Dan rubbed his temples. “No, I don’t have off days. Not only can I read thoughts, but I can alter them.” He closed his eyes and tried again, causing the vein in his neck to pop to the surface from the strain.
I patted his shoulder. “No need to be embarrassed. It happens.”
“Not to me,” he insisted. “Never to me.”
“Better luck next time then.”
“This is so thrilling,” Nana Pratt interrupted.
I caught sight of her on the porch. “Nana, you know the rules.”
“And I’m not breaking them. You’re inside, but he isn’t, and neither am I.” She shifted her focus to Dan. “Would you ask him if it’s hot or cold where he’s from? I’ve read differing accounts.”
I glared at her before returning my attention to Dan, who was still desperately trying and failing to read my thoughts. “Did Kane offer specific instructions? Are you supposed to sleep on my front porch with a shotgun for a pillow?”
Nana Pratt angled her head, scrutinizing him. “Why does he look like a handsome man if he’s a demon?”
“You said the same thing about Kane,” I told her.
Dan’s piercing blue eyes widened. “Oh, you’re speaking to a shade.”
“Why can’t he see me if he’s from hell? Shouldn’t he be able to talk to ghosts?”
My hands clenched into fists. “Nana Pratt, I am trying to conduct an important conversation.”
The elderly ghost lowered her head in submission. “I’m so sorry. It isn’t every day you meet a prince of hell.” She looked at me and whispered, “And he seems so polite.”
“He’s a duke, not a prince.”
Dan appeared affronted. “It’s ‘Great Duke,’ and was that distinction really necessary?”
“Just stating a fact. Come on, Dandelion. You can guard me while I unclog the kitchen sink. Risky business, that.”
“Dantalion,” he said, trailing behind me. “Like battalion, but with Dan.”
“You’re letting him in?” Ray asked, sounding wary. “He could be lying.”
I had no idea where the other ghost had been hiding during our conversation.
“He also could’ve killed me by now if he really wanted to,” I replied.
Ray shook his head. “You trust too easily.”
It was more that I possessed finely tuned instincts after a lifetime of hiding, but I didn’t feel like quibbling with the ghost.
“By the way, I fixed the sink,” Ray said. “You’re welcome.”
I stared at him in awe. “Really?”
