Page 40 of Tall, Dark and Haunted

Chapter Seventeen

Rhiannon

Howisitthat just when I think everything might actually work out, this happens?

My bad luck is seriously no joke. In less than twenty-four hours I’ve… well, there’s no point rehashing all the terrible luck I’ve had. And will apparently continue to have.

I’ve always known I was unlucky. I mean, I was named after a haunted castle. But this really takes the biscuit.

I’ve finally found my mates, three perfect mates—take that, Cousin Layla, who only has two—but we all had to die just so we could meet each other. I couldn’t meet them in a normal way. Like on a blind date or in a coffee shop. Or at art school. No. I had to die to meet my mates.

If that isn’t bad enough, we can’t even have a future together.

Not a real one, at least. Just a half-life. A weak imitation of life. No touching. No kissing. None of the toe curling things we did together last night. Nothing.

I tighten my fingers around the stone that would keep us all human. We could still use it. We could choose to stay alive—even if it means a lot of people might end up dead.

I don’t think I’m a particularly selfish person. But right now, that’s exactly what I want to be. I want to use the stone, run away with my mates, and not look back. I don’t want to worry about this Henry Jones or what he might do to the shifters in Silver Springs. It’s not like he’s my responsibility. I didn’t bring him here.

I don’t think I could live with myself knowing that others died when I could have stopped it. But I don’t want to die, either.

“Oh! Doris, look! I think it’s time for us to go back home,” John, the elderly man from the library, says when he spots us by the castle doors.

“That’s a relief. I’ve not enjoyed this ghost tour,” Doris complains. “I’ve not seen a single ghost.”

“Certainly not worth the money we paid!” John agrees.

“How much did it cost again?” she asks.

“Can’t recall,” John says. I don’t hear the rest of their conversation as they walk past.

It’s hard to believe that there are humans going through the biggest, most bizarre experience of their lives and they’re one hundred percent oblivious. They don’t know that their lives have been magically altered by the ward, even if only temporarily, or that my mates and I are going to have to die. Again.

Topher steps towards me, pulling me against his hard chest. It’s only then that I realize that I’m crying. Mourning the loss of a future I didn’t even know was possible until yesterday.

“It looks like we have a decision to make,” he murmurs into my hair. His voice is more gentle than I’ve ever heard it, but his tone says it all.

I don’t even have to look at him to know that his mind is already made up. I could probably change it if I tried, but I won’t.

Fate is obviously not my friend. Dangling my mates in front of me, like a carrot in front of a donkey—or a honey pot, me being a bear and all. It’s downright cruel.

I cling to Topher, my tears staining the expensive shirt that Enzo gave him. Davy and Red join us, and for a second, I feel safe. Surrounded by the three men who love me: my mates. Their bodies are warm against mine and desire pulses through me. I don’t think I’ll ever stop wanting them. Goddess! This is going to be torture!

“It won’t be so bad,” Red whispers. “At least we’ll be together.”

Forever.We’ll be together forever. An eternity of desire, a need that can never be sated. I can think of nothing worse than an eternal lust that can’t be quenched, but I can’t tell him that. He’s trying so hard to be positive. Trying so hard to be strong for me. And I don’t want to disappoint him.

“You’ll have clothes this time.” Davy lets out a humorless chuckle.

Topher lifts my chin so he can look into my bloodshot eyes. Great. This is probably how I’ll look for all eternity. Red, puffy eyes and tear-stained cheeks. Although, I guess it beats naked.

“Personally, I’m a little disappointed,” Topher says.

My heart sinks.

“I like you naked,” he adds.

This time, my cheeks flush.