Haunted Love Read Online Free Page A

again?”
    She glances at the front doors. “Not today.”
    It’s then that I hear Sonia whisper “murderer” in my ear again.
    “No!” I exclaim. At Ginny’s expression, I add, “Not you.” I run a hand through my hair, frustrated. “I’m sorry, but you’re going to have to leave. We’re not opening tonight. There’s . . . Someone’s here. This is going to sound crazy, but she’s a —”
    “Ghost?” Ginny raises her scratched arm. “Yeah, I already figured out that much. And personally, I say we exorcise the bitch.”
    Wow. That was the last reaction I would’ve expected. I can’t help admiring Ginny’s bravery, though. Maybe we could have a future after all, if we’re willing to fight for it.
    I glance at my mom’s Bible, wrapped in a kitchen towel, on the concession counter. I don’t know whether I’ll burst into flames if I touch it. I don’t know what I’m doing at all. Even though Sonia lashed out at Ginny, I can’t help having mixed feelings about taking her on. After all, I’m no innocent, and by all accounts, she used to be.
    “Seriously, let’s do it now.” Ginny takes a step in my direction, only to be violently shoved back by a whirlwind, a fierce wall of air, separating us.
    Candy and cups fly off the counter, splattering Coke. A bloody slash appears on Ginny’s forehead. The crystal chandelier shakes and sways.
    “Sonia!” I shout, trying to reach Ginny. “Sonia, please! Listen to me! You’re making a mistake! Don’t you see? You’re hurting her!”
    “Murderer!” returns Sonia’s voice, this time louder than mine. “Murderer!”
    “I —” Do I have to admit it? Is
that
what it’ll take? “I’m . . .”
    Ginny is knocked onto her back. She struggles like she’s being choked by invisible hands. She kicks with both legs. Then she’s lifted, spun, and dropped again.
    I reach back for the Bible, letting go as pain flashes across my fingertips.
    I don’t understand. Sonia knows that
I’m
the monster. Why target Ginny, not me?
    For a split second, I wonder if Sonia is jealous, if the girls are fighting over me. But then Sonia wails, “murderer, murderer!” again.
    “You’re right! Sonia, you’re right!” I never intended to kill my uncle, even though sooner or later, he probably would’ve killed me. I just wanted to become stronger, strong enough to protect myself. I didn’t know that the blood lust would come with that strength. I hadn’t gained control of it yet. “Sonia, stop! Please! Punish me!”
    I’m resigned to face her judgment when Ben tears into the lobby from the service hallway. He has a battle-axe in one hand and — dear God — the decapitated heads of Ginny’s parents, by the hair, in the other.
    Ben tosses them to the red carpet. “Howdy, Ginny!”
    Has Sonia possessed him? Has he lost his mind?
    Ginny is on her knees, her head bent, her hands covering her face.
    She’s an easy target.
    “Murderer, murderer, murderer!” Sonia charges again.
    Ben hesitates, his gaze searching for the speaker.
    “Sonia!” I duck a box of Milk Duds that whizzes by. I want to help. I need to, but the supernatural wind is holding me back. “Let her go! He’ll
kill
her!”
    Ginny looks so small, huddled on the red carpet. We’ve known each other only a couple of days, but she’s brought sunshine into my life and made me feel like I belong in the glow. It’s not love. It’s the hope of love. But it’s the closest I’ve come to it since I was ten years old. If Ginny wants me, how can I be a monster?
    I reach for the Bible again and hold it over my head, ignoring the pain. “In the name of . . .” I raise my voice, start again. “In the name of the Father, the Son —”
    With a roar, Ginny raises her face. Her mask of innocence melts away, and I see her for what she is. Undead. Demonic. Like me, a vampire.
    I drop the Bible, clenching my blistered hands. “Ginny?”
    Ben looks from her to me, like he’s trying to figure out whose side I’m