Me too.
Rule 6 - Delaney
Get to know the rest of the cast.
Atall, slim, good-looking man who had obviously gotten cheek implants, stood, holding a placard that said, VINCENT HOTEL. His hair reminded me of every boy band member in the 90s; dark, full, and parted right down the middle. His clothes told me he had money, and he used it to nip and tuck.
Priest and I, after gathering our luggage, made our way to him.
"And you are?" he asked. His English had a hint of a Russian accent.
"I'm Delaney Duvall. Summer Gwinn couldn't come, so I brought another person to bunk with."
The man nodded. "I am waiting for a Juniper and Annie."
Eventually, a stunning woman with a sharp black bob and bright red lips strutted toward us. She wore skin-tight pants and a peacoat. It was giving Snow White fashionista.
"Annie Fernwood."
A beautiful black girl dressed in all black with black lipstick joined us soon. She had a high ponytail that cascadedtight curls down the left side of her face and boots with six-inch heels. "Juniper Park."
The man nodded and together, we followed him to a shuttle van.
"I am Arden Salovei. My family owns the Vincent. Gloriana, my sister, and I maintain it. Is everyone ready?" he asked before taking off. We got onto the snowy road and started toward the hotel.
"So, how do you know Tristan?" Annie leaned over her seat in the back and asked us all.Juniper didn't smile but replied first.
"We've known each other since childhood. I'm the reason he got into paranormal investigations. I come every year."
"What are you?" Annie snickered. "A psychic?"
"Actually, I am. Tristan respects my findings and values what I have to say. Each year, we get more and more readings from the trapped souls of the Vincent, and I publish my findings. Why were you invited?"
"My father helped save his job after that last incident. You know the one, with that girl?" Annie smirked. "He owed us one, and I've been wanting to be invited since he started this."
"I don’t believe you.” Juniper said.
“You don’t have to.” Annie replied cooly.
“What do you write? Romance?" Juniper asked, a note of condescension in her voice.
"Better romance than to catch ghosts," Annie retorted. "And no, actually. I have a publishing contract for a four-book psychological thriller series."
"Ooh, a contract? Who did you get on your knees for to get that? Or was it your Daddy?"
Priest and I exchanged a look and let the two very polarizing women go at each other. Eventually, Annie fell back into her seat and kicked my back.
"What about you two? Since when does Tristan invite couples?"
Priest and I shared another look, but before I could reply, he answered her, "He didn't. The girl who was supposed to come bailed because of the storm. I'm just here to enjoy the vacation."
"Does he know this?" Annie raised an eyebrow. "That you brought a date?"
"I'm not her date,” Priest said. "I heard there was a pool and she needed a suitemate, so here I am."
"Suite? So you're not sharing a bed." Annie grinned, no longer talking to me, but focusing on Priest. "That's good to know."
Irritation swelled inside me. Why was she so quick to hit on him?
