I straighten my shoulders, determined to get the rest ofmyquestions answered. There will be time later for me to enlighten Billy on how Nina and Richard are friends with the Garet family.
“You said another spirit was here asking for my permission? That’s a thing?”
She smiles, showcasing brilliant white teeth that glow in the candlelit room. “Of course. Spirits have the ability to soft communicate.”
My head shakes and my hand lifts to halt her words. “You lost me back at permission.”
She blinks persistently, taking in a lungful of air and expelling it forcefully. This woman clearly has no patience where I’m concerned.
“Soft communication is when the spirit gives subtle hints they’re there, giving you the ability to invite them to commune with you.” She grins. “It’s a term I created.”
“Very inventive.” I turn toward Billy. “Where was your soft communication?”
“Absent. Kinda like your youth.”
Natalia chokes on her laughter. “Billy... play nice,” she manages to say between chortles.
I close my eyes and count to ten. It’s impossible to murder someone who is already dead. I’ll just sit here and picture the scenario in my head.
“How is he able to follow me everywhere? Aren’t ghosts supposed to be stuck?”
“To you. He’s not attached to an item or place. He’s stuck with you.”
“You’re telling me thateverywhereI go, he follows?”
My mind races, thinking of all the places he could’ve been and what he saw.
“Yuck, lady. If you think I’m following you to the bathroom, you’re out of your damn mind. You might be the last woman in the world that I’d take a peek at, and it has everything to do with your personality.”
My face heats and my teeth clench. Screw it. I’m going to attempt to harm the ghost. I stand, but Nina’s hand darts out.
“Sit down. We came here for a reason, and I have school tomorrow,” she snaps.
I count to ten, working to calm my racing heart and block thoughts of Billy the Bastard from my mind.
“The other spirit would like to speak with you now, if that’s allright,” Natalia says, breaking up the movie I have on replay in my mind of me getting revenge on Billy. He appears behind Natalia, arms crossed, looking smug and annoying as ever.
“Sure,” I say. “I’m happy to communicate with a ghost that’s not an ass.” Billy rolls his eyes. “I’m ready. Connect us.”
She nods briskly. “Jackson, meet Alyssa. Alyssa, this is—”
“Jackson Moore?” Billy interrupts.
A tall, burly man, wearing riding leathers and a red bandana on his head, blinks into existence. His arms are covered in tattoos, and he has a small hoop earring in his right ear.
“You can see him?” I say to Billy.
He wasn’t able to see or communicate with Ollie. Why this guy?
“You two know each other?” I ask both the men.
“This dipshit stole my money before he knocked off,” Jackson says.
I like this guy already. Seems we both have a disdain for Billy.
“Interesting,” Natalia muses. “These spirits are tied together just as you two are.”
“Meaning?” I drawl.
