The Ghost Hunter, a Paranormal Romance (The Hunter Series)

by Lori Brighton

  “Are you sure you’re all right?” Devon asked.

  She nodded, her attention still focused on the door where Rose had disappeared. What did she know that she wasn’t telling them? She was so damn sick of people keeping secrets from her. Ashley took her bottom lip between her teeth. Unless…could Rose possibly know about the demon? No. She would have told them.

  “Coome inside when yer ready,” Rose called out. “I ‘ave some medicine for yer wound.”

  Camile frowned, her gaze flickering to the door, then back to Ashley as if she too realized something was off. “That’s it, right? No more portal, no more craziness?”

  Ashley sighed. She was going to have to tell them eventually. “It would be, if that had been the only problem.”

  Camile stiffened. “What do you mean?”

  Ashley started toward the door. “Come on. We’ll discuss it inside.” Without waiting to see if they followed, she made her way into the small cottage.

  Rose was in the kitchen, busy grinding herbs in a stone bowl and to all intents and purposes, ignoring them. Ashley sat at the table while Camile settled on the couch and Devon leaned against the wall. A golden lock of hair had fallen across his forehead, softening his stern look. He folded his arms over his chest, her guardian angel keeping watch. His hovering was starting to annoy her.

  “So, what the hell’s going on?” Camile demanded.

  “Whatever it is can wait until she’s bandaged.” Rose shuffled toward the table, her stone bowl and white, linen bandages in hand. She settled heavily in the chair next to Ashley’s. “Let’s see it.”

  Ashley laid her arm out on the table. Rose pulled down the blood-soaked makeshift bandage. An angry, red line slashed across her palm, the rest of the skin paler than normal.

  “Bastard,” Devon said softly.

  “Now,” Rose warned, using a damp cloth to clean the wound.

  The numbness gave way to sharp pain as the wound ripped anew. Ashley gritted her teeth to keep from crying out.

  “He needed her blood tae close the portal.”

  As much as she tried not to, Ashley grimaced each time the cloth touched the cut, the wound stinging something fierce. At least she still had feeling. That had to be a good sign.

  “Why her blood?” Devon demanded.

  “Because she opened the portal.” Rose grabbed a handful of sticky glob from her bowl and smeared it across the wound.

  The sharp sting gave way to blessed numbness. Ashley sank back into the chair, her shoulders relaxing. Finally she could concentrate on their conversation.

  Devon moved forward, settling in the chair across from hers. “Camile opened the portal as well, yet he didn’t use her blood.”

  Rose paused for one telling moment, her gaze fixed to her wound. Did the others notice how she kept her gaze firmly averted? “Aye, well, ah needed Camile tae help bind the area.”

  She wrapped a long, white cloth around the injury, her thin lips pressed firmly together as if she refused to say more. Ashley slid Camile a glance. The woman looked as unsure as Ashley felt.

  “Why’d you need me, Aunt?” Camile stood, stepping closer. “Really the spell only needs one.”

  Rose pushed away from the table, her chair legs screeching across the floorboards. “What’s with all the bloody questions? Yer all experts at witchcraft now?” She shuffled toward the door, irritation evident in her quick, stiff strides. “Ah’m getting more herbs.” She slammed the door shut, leaving them in stunned silence.

  “Well,” Ashley said. “That was odd.”

  “Tell us,” Devon demanded, his gaze piercing. “What were you going to say outside?”

  Heat crawled up Ashley’s neck. She played with her bandage, pretending to tuck the ends away. She was sort of hoping they’d forget. “Just that…well…”

  God, how did she tell them their work wasn’t done? And, in fact, it was going to get much worse? They’d say screw you and dash for the nearest exit. She couldn’t do this alone. Then again, she could always return home to the States. Camile was going back to school anyway. Devon could…Devon could come with her. She didn’t need to stay here and fight some thing that lived in her basement, she sure as hell didn’t need to put her life in danger. Her gaze went to the window, as if she could find answers in the blue sky. But then there was Cristian… Gorgeous, infuriating Cristian. He was obviously intent on fighting that demon, the true reason why he’d wanted to her home. Had he been trying to protect her all along? Could she really leave him behind to fight the demon alone?

  Camile rested her hand atop of Ashley’s, drawing her back into the moment. “What is it?”

  Ashley sighed, knowing she had to tell them the truth. “It’s Cristian.”

  Devon’s scowl darkened. “I knew it.”

  She threw the man an exasperated glance.

  “Okay, go on,” Camile said, settling in the chair her aunt had recently vacated.

  Ashley dropped her attention to her bandage. She couldn’t look them in the eyes when she told them the truth; the truth was too ridiculous. Then again, she was talking to a witch and the formally dead, how much more ridiculous could you get? “You see, he mentioned there’s something buried in the basement of my pub.”

  The room fell silent and the heat in her neck shot to her cheeks. It sounded insane. Ashley realized that as soon as the words slipped from her lips. Something buried in her basement? It was like a bad horror movie. Hell, her life had become a bad horror movie.

  “Something… what something?” Camile asked.

  Ashley closed her eyes and covered her face with her hands. “He might have said something about a demon.” When there was no response, she peeked between her fingers. Camile’s mouth was hanging open. Devon was merely frowning as before.

  “Balls,” Camile finally got out. “A….a demon?”

  Ashley sighed and placed her hands in her lap. “That’s not all.”

  She sank back into her chair and dared a look at Devon. His face was blank, and oddly she could read nothing in his eyes. No shock, not even anger. “You see, when I first arrived there was…activity. The house trembling. I’ve had horrible dreams about my father calling to me.”

  “It’s the demon?” Camile asked. “Was it the demon trying to get out?”

  Ashley shrugged. “I don’t know.” She looked to Devon for answers.

  “I’m sorry, I can’t help you. I remember nothing more.” The words were said calmly, too calmly, as if read from a novel. His face was blank again, making her wonder if she’d imagined the confusion she’d seen moments before.

  Frowning, Ashley tried to find the truth in his eyes. He looked away, avoiding eye contact. Why did she have the sudden feeling he wasn’t telling her everything he knew?

  Camile jumped from her seat and raced to a stack of books by the wall. “When’s it coming? We’ll research. Figure out how to stop it, kill it.”

  Kill it? Ashley blanched. She wasn’t sure if she was ready to kill anything. They could have demon’s rights for all she knew and she’d end up on death row for murder. Besides, how did they know they could trust Cristian? “I don’t know that either. Cristian claims it’ll be soon.”

  Camile looked over her shoulder at Ashley. “Soon? That’s all we got?”

  Ashley could see the frustration in her green eyes, no doubt mirrored in her own. She didn’t know what to say, so she didn’t say anything.

  Camile sighed and turned back to the books. “You need to work with him. Find out as much as you—”

  “No,” Devon snapped out, standing so fast his chair slammed to the floor with a thud that rattled the window panes.

  Surprised, Camile and Ashley both jumped.

  His hands were curled at his sides, his breathing harsh as if he was trying to contain himself. He wasn’t doing a very good job. “You won’t work with him.”

  Ashley’s irritation flared. He was acting like a jealous boyfriend, and she’d never been one to put up with possessiveness. “I
know you’re worried, Devon—”

  He slammed his fist on the tabletop, Rose’s bowl rattling. “You are not to talk to him.”

  Slowly, Camile stood, her gaze sliding to Ashley and she could read the silent message there. She was wondering if she should get help. Ashley was starting to wonder the same thing. What the hell was wrong with him?

  “What’s your problem?” she demanded.

  “My problem?” He seethed, red crawling up his neck and into his cheeks. He’d gone from looking like a man, to looking like an overworked school boy. “My problem is that I’m tired of worrying about you and your ridiculous friend who thinks she’s a witch.”

  Shocked, Ashley was speechless. Camile just stood there with her mouth hanging open, a look Ashley was growing quite accustomed to seeing on her new friend.

  With a growl, Devon pushed away from the table and stomped to the door. “You two will get yourself killed but I won’t be there to watch it.” With those words, he left, not even bothering to shut the door.

  Tension crackled in the small cottage. Camile and Ashley were silent for a few moments, waiting to see if Devon would return. He didn’t and frankly, Ashley was relieved. Was he angry because he cared, or was there something else rooted in his ire? Either way, he’d totally overreacted.

  “What in God’s name was that about?” Camile finally whispered.

  Ashley frowned. “The pressure got to him, I guess.” She couldn’t deny that she was hurt by Devon’s response. He’d been irate and irrational, like a person on drugs. And she’d seen plenty of people on drugs while in that loony bin.

  “Tell me about these tremors.” Camile handed her a book on demons and they settled at the table once more. Ashley knew her friend was trying to get her mind off Devon and she appreciated her concern. It was odd, having someone care about her.

  She took in a deep breath and flipped open the book. “It’s like an earthquake, that’s the best way to describe them.”

  Camile frowned. “You sure it’s not something natural? Like…an earthquake?”

  “Pretty sure. Besides, that’s not the only thing.” Ashley plucked at a loose thread on the hem of her fitted red t-shirt, anything to avoid eye contact. “Since I’ve arrived…I’ve been having nightmares.”

  “Explain them.”

  Ashley swallowed hard, not exactly wanting to relive the dreams and certainly not wanting to share the fact that they’d scared the hell out of her. “I’m in a stone tunnel, and I’m pretty sure the tunnel runs under the pub. My dad is calling to me, begging for help.” She was shaking. Embarrassed, she placed her hands in her lap, hiding them under the table.

  “Are you positive they’re dreams?”

  Ashley frowned, not really sure where Camile was going with this line of conversation. “Well, yeah. I wake up and I’m still in my bed.”

  Camile was spinning that bracelet around her wrist once more, deep in thought. Ashley pulled a red leather-bound reference book forward merely for something to do. The Definition of Demons. A variety of leering monsters stared back at her.

  “Lovely,” she whispered. Just what she wanted to do on a Saturday, read about all the wonderful ways demons tortured people.

  “What if they’re real? Your dreams.”

  Ashley’s gaze snapped to Camile. “Then we’re in serious trouble. This thing…whatever it is…” Ashley shook her head, unable to get the words out. Giving into fear, she closed her eyes for the briefest of moments. The voice, the fire, the pain. Her stomach clenched. Why hadn’t she just left for the United States the moment she’d seen the pub?

  Camile didn’t say anything more, merely started flipping pages in a book, but Ashley couldn’t focus on demons. The door opened and Rose shuffled into the kitchen, freshly cut herbs in hand.

  She glanced at the books, then them. “Demoons now is it?”

  Fed up with secrets, Ashley blurted out, “Cristian did mention there might be a demon in my basement.”

  Rose’s eyes narrowed ever so slightly. “He did, did he now?”

  It wasn’t exactly the type of reaction Ashley had been expecting. A little anticlimactic. Suspicion flared, making her heart race. She kept a calm façade as she watched Rose, but inside her body was in turmoil. “You don’t seem surprised.”

  Rose moved into the kitchen. “Not mooch surprises me anymore.”

  Camile stood, shaking her head. There was anger in the stiff stance of her thin body. “You’ve known all along, haven’t you? It’s why you wouldn’t let me check on Ashley.”

  The room fell silent, the tension thick. Ashley’s gaze jumped from Camile to Rose. Surely if Rose had known, she would have mentioned it, wouldn’t she?

  Camile moved around the table, her footsteps hurried. “You’ve known all along the demon was there. She probably even knows what kind it is.” Camile’s eyes flashed and Ashley found herself on the verge of becoming just as irate.

  Slowly, her gaze returned to Rose. The old woman narrowed her eyes, her sagging jaw clenched with stubbornness.

  “Is it true? Have you known all along?” Ashley demanded.

  She tilted her chin high, stubborn to the end. “Aye, ah’ve known. It’s why ah went tae Edinburgh, tae find help and information.”

  Anger fought with confusion. Ashley leaned back against the table, her legs too weak to hold her. She’d been betrayed again. Could she trust anyone? “How could you? How could you not tell me?”

  Rose tossed her herbs into the sink, then dusted her hands on her dress. “Because ye weren’t ready. Yer still not ready, but we donae have a choice.”

  Her words confused Ashley even more. We? She felt sick as realization dawned. “You and Cristian are working together, aren’t you?”

  She sighed, as if Ashley was an annoying little gnat she couldn’t be bothered with. “We aren’t friendly, if that’s whoot ye mean. When he arrived, ah showed him the hame.”

  “And when did he arrive?”

  “After yer aunt died.”

  “A year ago? He was here a year ago, snooping around my house and no one thought to mention it to me?” She sank onto the chair. “Oh God, the cottage in the back, it’s where he stayed, isn’t it? In my cottage, on my land.”

  Rose stabbed her gnarled finger toward Ashley. “That house isnae yers. It belongs tae them.”

  Her anger surprised and annoyed Ashley. If the old woman wanted to argue, she’d give her hell. If they thought they could push her around, they would be sadly disappointed. “Who the fuck is them?”

  Rose didn’t even flinch. “That demoon ye’ve got. Until he’s gone, ye’ll never be free and that place will never belong tae anyone.”

  She turned her back to them and began to snap her herbs in half. Neither Camile nor Ashley spoke. She couldn’t seem to think, couldn’t seem to believe what she was hearing. She felt as if everyone knew what was happening but her. And Cristian, dear God, how much more did he know that he wasn’t telling her?

  “Is Cristian one of Rafael’s Warriors?” Ashley demanded.

  Rose paused, silent for one telling moment. “That, ye’ll have to discuss with him. Tis noone of mah business tae tell ye.”

  She didn’t need to tell her the truth. Her stubborn silence only confirmed what Ashley knew. But apparently Camile was still trying to process.

  “Do you know what that demon is?” Camile demanded, stomping toward her aunt.

  Rose turned, scowling at them. “Aye, ah know. And that too ye’ll have to ask Cristian.”

  Ashley was so angry, so stunned, she started shaking. How could she? How could she keep them in the dark? How could she put her own niece in danger?

  “And if he doesn’t respond?” It was a very real possibility and surely she knew that.

  Rose sighed, her shoulders sinking. “Then ah’ll tell ye. It’s the least ah can do, but ye’ll have tae talk tae him first.”

  Ashley raked her hands through her hair, shaking her head in disbelief. “And so I’m supposed to fight
this…thing, whatever it is, all alone? I see ghosts, I’m not a freaking Ninja Warrior.”

  Rose laughed, irritating her already frayed nerves. “Donnae be daft. Ye cannae fight it alone.”

  Ashley held her arms wide, her shock turning to annoyance. “Then who’s supposed to help me? Your niece? You’ll put your own niece in danger?”

  Rose frowned again. “Of course nae.” She raised a chopping knife high and whacked a bunch of rosemary in half. “The whole bloody town has yer back.”

  Chapter 23

  She hadn’t a fucking clue he was following her. Not once did she glance over her shoulder, she didn’t even pause. Bloody hell the woman was clueless. Where the hell was Devon to protect her now? She pushed open the door to the tea room. The bell above tinkled her arrival. The low rumble of conversation paused and visitors turned to see who had entered their domain. Her nerves obviously getting the better of her, Ashley took a step back, directly into Cristian. She spun around. Those wide eyes full of surprise, quickly narrowed into disdain. It bothered him, he could admit that to himself. Perhaps it was his fault for keeping her in the dark as her father had done.

  “What are you doing here?” she snapped.

  Protecting yer arse. “I was going to ask the same of ye.” He moved around her, needing distance. He couldn’t think with her warm scent tempting him so. And damn it all, he wasn’t sure what to think. He’d never been so confused. Rationally he knew she needed to protect herself, she needed to know the truth. He’d never had a problem telling his other Seers the truth. So why had he felt his odd need to protect Ashley?

  Bloody hell, because he’d fallen for her even before he’d met her. The many stories her father had told… the man had probably done it on purpose.

  “I have something to do and I don’t want you interfering.”

  He held up his hands, resisting the urge to laugh. She was so like a child wanting to prove she was an adult. “By all means, carry on. I promise not to interfere.”