Rachel Caine & Kristin Cast & Claudia Gray & Nancy Holder & Tanith Lee & Richelle Mead & Cynthia Leitich Smith & P. C. Cast Read Online Free

again. “You have to pay or leave.”
    â€œFine,” Ben replies. “But just know that I’m—”
    I grab his arm, and I can tell he’s surprised by the strength of my grip. I stare him in the eye, realizing I’m a couple of inches taller. According to the FAQ on my blood dealer’s site, some of us have the power to enthrall the traumatized or weak-willed. It’s worth a try. Keeping my voice steady, I say, “You’re going to take off now.”
    â€œI’m going to take off now,” Ben repeats and pivots on his boot heel to stroll out the front door.
    I’m surprised that it worked. Again, I don’t know Ben well, but I’d never tag him as weak, and as for trauma, anyone could tell he’s led a charmed life.
    â€œMy hero!” Ginny exclaims, and there’s real appreciation in her voice. Then she beams at the two ladies next in line. “May I help y’all?”

    After the last customer settles in, I get Phantom of the Opera running from up in the projector room. Then I hear Ginny call my name. She sounds shocked, terrified.
    I half fly downstairs and burst through the swinging door into the ladies’ room where she’s pointing at GET OUT , written on the mirror in plum-colored lipstick.
    It wasn’t there before we opened. I didn’t notice anyone walking into the room before the movie started. From the look on her face, I’m pretty sure Ginny didn’t do it, but the color of the lettering matches her lips. She grabs the tube from the counter.
    â€œIt’s mine,” she confirms. “It was in my purse.”
    I’d stashed the purse in my office for her when Ginny returned this evening.
    It must have been Sonia. I didn’t know she could do that, move objects. In any case, it’s starting to look like she wants to keep the place to herself. I don’t understand. We’re still getting to know each other, but it was going so well.
    â€œA dumb joke,” I say to reassure Ginny. “Let’s get it cleaned up.”
    Ginny opens the small storage cabinet to grab a spray bottle of glass cleaner and a roll of paper towels. “What did you do to Ben?” she asks in a measured voice, and I realize how sloppy I’ve been.
    If I want to stay above suspicion, I’m going to have to learn to deal with people—especially run-of-the-mill troublemakers—without using my powers. No more enthralling. For that matter, no more super speed.

    I answer the question with a question. “What’s going on between you and Ben?”
    Ginny begins spraying the glass. “Can I trust you?”
    It’s a bigger question than she realizes. I’m not sure I know the answer. “You can talk to me,” I say. “Ask anyone. I’m no gossip.” That’s true enough.
    She goes to peek out the bathroom door to ensure no one is listening. “Well—”
    â€œWait. Let’s go to my office. It has a lock on it. No one can just walk in.”
    â€œBut what about . . . ?” she gestures to the mirror.
    I shrug. “We’ll say it was the ghost.”
    â€œGhost?” Ginny asks.
    On our way, I fill her in on the history, characterizing the haunting as local folklore. From Ginny’s severe expression, I figure she either finds the idea of ghosts offensive or blasphemous or, at the moment, she’s invested in a more corporeal issue.
    I let us in, take the desk chair, and wait, trying not to let my impatience show. We can’t stay in here long with the door closed. She’s still a minor after all.
    There’s something about her, though, some strange connection between us. I’ve said more words to Ginny today than I probably have to anyone in the last year.
    Ginny crosses her arms. “I don’t know the people of Spirit that well yet, nowhere nearly as well as they know each other. I didn’t know about Ben.”
    I lean forward to