“Hey, how’s everything going? The writing classes still on?” I greeted them cheerfully.
Tristan scowled. “Not really. After your childish behavior about the nude modeling, I lost all inspiration to write. I've been focusing on other things."
"Such as?" I sat down at the small circle table and ordered the pink drink from the bartender when he came over.
"Well, no one has seen Moth," Juniper said. My stomach twisted as a flash of his body, frozen with his head bashed in, went through my mind. "Have you heard from him?"
I couldn't tell her the truth. Instead, I reached for the drink handed to me and shook my head.
"You don't think he tried to leave, do you?" Annie asked Tristan.
"He'd be stupid too." Tristan scoffed. "We're still snowed in. There's no way anyone is getting down that hill. I asked Gloriana this afternoon. She thinks it might end up being another week, especially if we get another storm like predicted."
"Another week?" I squeaked. I couldn't stay another week here! It was filled with spiders and ghosts and things that wanted to hurt us.
Tristan looked over. "Is that a problem? I thought you didn't work."The trio looked over at me, all mirroring the same look of irritation.
"No, I don't have a job right now, but I only had the money for one week. I can't stay another. Especially not in the suite." I rattled off lame excuses, and Tristan waved them away.
"There is an act of god clause in our contract, you're fine. As long as we're stuck here, once your agreed-upon stay is over, we're covered. I double-checked today as well. Besides, I thought you brought Priest along to help you with the cost."
"I did, but still.” I paused, trying to come up with another reason to get out of here. "He’s ready to leave too."
"Well, good luck getting down the hill." Annie smirked. "Maybe Arden has some sleds you can use. Or those innertube things. The big, black, rubber ones?" She nudged Juniper playfully.
"This has nothing to do with money," Juniper responded to me. "You're wanting to leave because you've seen something."
"What? No!" I knew as soon as it escaped my lips that it was too forced. They knew I was lying. All three of them leaned forward in interest.
"What did you see?" Annie asked.
"Who did you see?" Tristan asked.
"When did you see it?" Juniper asked.
Just then, Moth walked into the bar. The air chilled, and my gaze flickered over to the others. Could they tell he was a spirit?
"Moth! Thank god, I was so worried!" Annie leapt up. "I was sure you’d been attacked or something." She looped her arm in his and pulled him to our table.
Moth chuckled. "Why would you think that?"
The table grew quiet, and I could hear the unspoken word between us.
Ghosts.
"It's late. I should go,"I finished my drink and stood.
"Wait." Moth grabbed my wrist and squeezed. "Stay a while. Tell us about the ghosts you've been seeing. Anything interesting?"
I shook my head furiously. " I should really go. Priest is?—"
"Priest is working. I was just up there a little bit ago. Let him be." He squeezed me tighter. I was starting to second-guess myself. Had I really seen Moth's dead, frozen body outside?
Yes.
"Come on, Delaney," Juniper whined. "The otherworldly is the sole reason I'm here. Tell me everything."
"Yeah, come on, Delaney, tell us." Moth let me go and leaned forward. "Did you see a ghost?"
