The Deepest Cut Read Online Free

took a deep breath. “Well… when I cut the skin, and feel the pain…and see the blood—it’s like I’m letting out this loud scream.”
    I felt Ian’s cool fingertips on my hand, the slightest touch, but oddly, it felt wonderful and comforting in a way that surprised me. It had been a long time since I’d had a friend to talk to. Our gazes caught and held, and I saw no judgment in those blue eyes, or even sympathy…but understanding. Honestly, I never thought I’d find solace in a ghost’s touch, and my throat grew tight as he continued to watch me.
    “Have you always been able to see spirits?”
    I shook my head. “No. A year ago—when I woke from the wreck, that’s when I saw my first ghost. Oh, and by the way, I saw you earlier at the inn,” I admitted, wanting to return to a less depressing topic.
    He grinned, exposing deep dimples I hadn’t noticed before. How sad he had died so young. What a waste. “You did not let on that you could see me.”
    I wiggled my brows. “That was my intention. Then again, I didn’t expect you to follow me to the castle either.”
    His lips quirked slightly. “I was curious about you and your family. The inn has been empty for years now.”
    “I can see why,” I said before I could stop myself.
    He laughed—a deep, rumbling sound that sent a spike of pleasure through me. “Despite your lack of enthusiasm, I am glad you are here, Riley.”
    And oddly, in that moment, I was glad I had come to Braemar too.
    “Riley!”
    I looked over my shoulder and saw my brother standing nearby, watching me like I’d grown another head. I knew he had heard me talking to Ian, or rather, to myself. Knowing how bad it looked, I felt my face turn hot, and I came slowly to my feet, brushing at my
    butt, trying to think of what to say to explain myself.
    “I shall see you soon, Riley,” Ian said, fading faster by the second.
    Shane’s gaze scanned the vicinity. “Miss Akin sent me to find you. She has dinner ready.”
    “Dinner?” I said absently.
    “You’ve been gone for almost two hours.”
    Two hours? It hadn’t felt like two hours.
    The time had flown by.
    All right, I’m coming.” I refrained from looking over my shoulder one more time to see if Ian was still there.

Chapter 4
    I awoke at eight-thirty to the sound of Miss Akin humming.
    “It’s about time you are up, love. You need to get ready to register for school.”
    I sat up in bed. School? “But school doesn’t start for weeks.” The very thought of starting a new school made me sick to my stomach, especially since my grades had taken a serious dive in the past year.
    “Yes, but you register for your classes today.”
    Could my life suck more? I wasn’t ready to face my peers, who undoubtedly would completely pick me apart.
    “Is my dad here?” I asked, even though I already knew the answer. Work was his life.
    Always had been, always would be. Moving to Scotland wouldn’t change that.
    “No, he left about seven. Said he’d see you tonight.” She set a pile of folded laundry
    on my dresser and clapped her hands together. “You had best get moving. I know how young women are when it comes to primping.”
    She so didn’t know me. I wasn’t a primper. I needed thirty minutes to get ready, from the time I entered the shower, to the time I walked out the door. I was hungry though, and my stomach chose that moment to growl.
    Miss Akin smiled. “I tell you what—you get in the shower and I’ll set to work on making you breakfast. How does eggs and haggis sound?”
    “Haggis?” I’d heard horror stories about the Scottish version of sausage, made of sheep heart and other parts. “No thanks, but I wouldn’t mind some eggs and toast.”
    Miss Akin looked a little disappointed I wasn’t taking her up on the haggis, but I couldn’t eat anything that got my sensitive gag reflex going. “Is Shane up?”
    “Yes, and already gone.”
    Now that surprised me. Shane usually slept until noon.
    “He said