“Your reputation precedes you,” he said. “It just took me a moment to make all the connections. Girls, this is Eve Levine. Aspicio half-demon and spell-caster extraordinaire.”
One of the nymphs from the couch crossed her arms and thumped back into the cushions. “That’s not funny, Luther. We aren’t stupid, you know. Half-demons can’t cast spells.”
“True,” I said. “But even half-demons have two parents.”
The nymph frowned as she struggled to digest this.
“You girls go on upstairs,” Ross said. “Ms. Levine and I have business to discuss.”
It took more coaxing than that, but he finally cleared the room. Then he took a seat in the chair across from mine.
“So, lessons…” His gaze traveled up my bare legs. “I believe that could be arranged.”
“There’s some other business I need to discuss first.”
“Ah.” A twitch of disappointment as he eased back into the chair.
“Have you ever heard of something called a Nix?”
He paused, eyes rolling back as if peering into his memory banks. “Demi-demon, isn’t it?” Another pause, lips pursing, then he shook his head. “That’s all I’m coming up with.”
I gave him a brief rundown. He listened, motionless, gaze on mine, never interrupting, never so much as blinking as he absorbed my words. When I finished, he stroked his beard.
“And do you know why she’d be looking for me?”
“No idea. Do you do anything besides poltergeist lessons?”
He shook his head. “My one and only claim to fame, I’m afraid.”
We talked for a few more minutes, but I could see no other reason why the Nix would come to Luther Ross. And why visit a poltergeist teacher when you can cohabit with the living?
When we finished, Ross thanked me for the warning. “So you expect she’ll show up here?”
“She was on her way.”
“In that case, perhaps you shouldn’t be in too much of a rush to leave. Why don’t you stay for a while? Pose as a student…if, indeed, you were serious about those lessons.”
“I was. And that might not be a bad idea. What would you take in exchange for lessons? Transportation codes, contact names—”
“I was thinking of something more”—his teeth flashed against his dark beard—“personal.”
“Oh, I’m sure you get enough of that from your nymph harem. No room on the mattress for me, I’ll bet.”
His smile broadened to a grin. “Some nights it can get a bit crowded. But for you, I’d clear it out. Even put on fresh sheets.” He caught my look and sighed. “Or I suppose I could settle for a few prime transportation codes.”
24
“PSST!” SOMEONE HISSED AS I STEPPED ONTO THE front porch.
I looked to see a girl with a heart-shaped face, long blond hair, and doelike brown eyes. Typical nymph. She looked as if she should be sprinting through the woods, clothed only in a few strategically placed leaves.
“Yes?” I said.
She motioned for me to follow, then scampered off to the woods, as silent and nimble as a deer. I looked around. Kris hailed me with a raised hand. I gestured toward the nymph. He nodded, and I took off after her.
When I got to the edge of the woods, I slowed. Last thing I needed was to get attacked by one of Luther Ross’s jealous students.
I found the girl hovering by a tree. She looked around nervously.
“He’s lying,” she whispered. When I frowned, she hurried on, “Mr. Ross. He’s lying about the Nix. She was here. I saw her. I heard them talking. Is she really—” She shivered. “Is she really as bad as you said? She kills people?”
“’Fraid so. Is she here now?”
“She left last night. I can’t believe I was in the same room as her. I talked to her! Do you think—do you think she might have done something to me? Made me evil, too?” A whimper. “I’ve never killed anyone. I did some bad stuff when I was alive, but it wasn’t my fault. I always picked the wrong kind of friends. Do you think she infected me? Turned me into a murderer?”
“She can’t turn anyone here into a murderer.”
The nymph turned her wide eyes up to mine. “Are you sure?”
“The only people in the ghost world are dead, hon. You can’t kill them.”
“Oh, right.” Her shoulders relaxed. “That is such a relief.”
“I’m sure it is. Now, you overheard Ross and the Nix talking…”
She nodded. “They were discussing a plan. Mr. Ross said—”
Something crackled in the undergrowth. The nymph jumped like she’d been shot. I scanned the jungle, but saw nothing.