When they're magical folk, the results can be unpleasant." She shook her head.
"Well, when I confronted him..." She looked down at herself ruefully.
"He killed me.
I haunted him, followed him from home all the way to here-- which wasn't the smartest idea I've ever had.
When he took that other man, the one who was like you--well, then he saw me.
And found he still had use for this old woman." I had no idea why she was telling me so much--unless she was lonely.
I almost felt sorry for her.
Then she licked her lips, and said, "I could help you." Vampires are evil.
It was almost as if the Marrok himself were whispering in my ear.
I raised an eyebrow.
"If you feed me, I'll tell you what to do." She smiled, her fangs carefully concealed.
"Just a drop or two, love.
I'm only a ghost--it wouldn't take much."
12
"I COULD JUST TAKE IT FROM YOU WHILE YOU SLEEP dear," the ghost said.
"I was only trying to make it a gift.
If you give it as a gift, I can help you." She looked like the sort of woman you'd hire to watch your children, I thought.
Sweet and loving, a little complacent.
"You won't," I growled.
And I felt a little pop of something.
Something I'd done.
Her eyes widened and she backtracked.
"Of course not, dearie.
Of course not--if you don't want me to." She'd tried to cover it up.
But I'd done something.
I'd felt it once before, in the bathroom at Amber's house when I'd told the ghost to leave Chad alone.
Magic.
It wasn't the magic the fae used, or the witches, but it was magic.
I could smell it.
"Tell me," I said, trying to put some push behind it, imitating the authority that Adam wore closer than any of his well-tailored shirts.