Page 120 of The Ghost and the Graveyard (Knight Games 1)
"What? Living among us?"
"You didn't think they were all behind the gate?"
I scowled. "Yes, actually I did." Now that I thought about it, Prudence had mentioned that Marcus had help from the outside, but the notion that there were supernatural beings living among us, outside the graveyard, hadn't registered until just now. There was so much I didn't understand.
Hands on his hips, Rick snorted, and shook his head. I didn't think he was being critical. More likely, he was frustrated at the turn of events. So was I.
"So how do we find him? Can you hunt him down?"
"We can do it together. If you can cast a spell to determine his general vicinity, I'll be able to track him once we're close."
"Damn, I don't feel good about him being out there."
Rick gave a sideways nod, like any husband in America might give his wife. "I am sorry, mi cielo, that I failed to kill Marcus. This is twice he has evaded me."
"It's my fault. I should have thought of a way to keep Michelle safe. Holy crow! Michelle!" I raced back to the room I'd disguised as her apartment, where I'd left her with Prudence. Prudence was gone, but Michelle sat on my replication of her Pottery Barn sofa, sipping ice water and looking extremely confused. I quickly closed the door to her pseudo-apartment behind me.
"What is going on?" Michelle asked, her head tilted.
"What do you mean?" I squeaked nervously.
"Well, unless I've had the worst nightmare of my life, your house is haunted, your boyfriend is a shape-shifter, and I just survived being possessed by a vampire."
"Worst nightmare of your life," I offered, nodding.
"Hmmm, I don't think so. I'm covered in something gooey that smells like turkey stuffing, and I'm sitting in a room that looks exactly like my apartment did six months ago."
Oh, crap. Michelle had decorated her apartment the same way since college, in neutral tones. But now I remembered that six months ago she'd broken down and redecorated. She'd kept the couch but thrown in some sari print pillows and a jute rug. She'd draped some gauzy stuff over the windows. I'd been to her home. I'd seen the changes. But in the stress of the situation, my brain simply reverted back to the apartment I'd spent most of my college years living in.
"How's this?" I closed my eyes, and the new items appeared in their places.
"Holy shit!" Michelle cried. Her mouth opened and closed several times. "It's really disturbing, like one of those 'find what's different' games. I know this isn't my apartment, but I can't tell you exactly what's different. Tell me what's going on while I try to get my head around what you just did."
I told her. I spilled my guts about everything-Rick, Logan, Prudence, my history and Monk's Cemetery. I told her because she was my best friend, and I trusted her more than anyone. Plus she already knew most of it and, for her own safety, needed to understand the rest. When I was done, she sighed deeply and took my hand in hers.
"So, Rick and Logan are the two guys you were talking about at Valentines?"
"Yes."
"Damn. You know, if I hadn't seen this with my own eyes I would have thought you were crazy."
"Uh-huh."
"I suppose that's why you weren't completely truthful?"
"Yep."
"I forgive you." She gave me a tight hug. "But no more lies, okay? I believe you now so there's no reason to keep this from me anymore."
"Absolutely. But Michelle, I think we should keep this between us. Don't tell Manny. It's too weird." Not telling her husband would be hard for Michelle, but I needed this to stay between us.
"Of course," she said. "Anyone else would either think we were insane or plot some way to use this to their financial advantage. And Manny doesn't need the stress. I love you, Grateful. I wouldn't do that to you."
"Good," I said.
Our conversation was interrupted when Prudence walked in. "Excuse me, but the sun is about to rise, and I was hoping you could name me before it breaks the horizon. I'm not excited about spending another day in this attic."
"What do I need to do?"
