“Then this would be a great opportunity for you,” Mary said. “Do you have any candles?”
“I … um…”
“Oh look. Here are some on top of the fireplace mantel. It’s like fate placed them there for us. To do this right, we need a fourth person,” Mary said. “Another man would be great.”
“What’s going on?” Ronan demanded as he joined them in the living room.
“We’re preparing to do a séance,” Mary said.
“Who the hell are you?” Ronan said.
Sierra put a hand on Ronan’s arm, to prevent him from doing what, she wasn’t sure. Flashing his fangs at them or something. “Mary is the photographer who came with Bob the reporter doing a story on me.”
“And you are?” Bob asked in his best reporter’s voice.
“Ronan is a friend of mine,” Sierra said. Turning to face Ronan, she added, “Mary is Bob’s wife and photographer. She says she’s a descendant of Hal who lived here during the Capone years and that she’s done séances before.” Staring into his eyes, she tried to add the visual message Don’t do anything you’ll regret. Ronan could read her mind supposedly. So why wasn’t her message getting through? Unless he was deliberately ignoring her.
She could tell that he was not responding to her look, no compelling talent on her part obviously, so she whispered, “They may be able to help you reach your sister.”
“Or they could be fakes.” His voice was so soft she wasn’t sure if he actually spoke or if she somehow read his mind. She tried really hard to hear what else he was thinking but nothing came across.
“I’ve never been to a séance before.” Ruby was excited. “Maybe they’ll all be able to see me.” She fluffed her hair. “How do I look?” She frowned down at her corset. “I wish I was wearing more than this. You know, I did own some of the most divine gowns straight from Paris. There was this one pleated silk Fortuny dress that was the palest peach color. I adored that dress.”
“Normally I’d use the dining table but it’s too large for us to sit around and hold hands,” Mary said. “I think if we move the four chairs into a circle in front of the fireplace, that should be fine.”
Sierra didn’t know how fine it was going to be. She had a scowling vampire and a fashionista Great Gatsby ghost to deal with before things even got started.
“Sierra, you sit here. Ronan, you can sit beside her and I’ll sit beside you and then Bob fills the fourth chair. But before we take our seats, let’s move this small end table into the center. Okay, now we’ll put the candles on it. Light them.” She pulled a lighter from her bag. “Turn off the lamp. There.” The flickering candlelight provided a mellow yellow old-time illumination. “Great. Now, we take our seats.” She reached for her camera.
Ronan reached for her.
Sierra reached for Ronan.
Bob and Ruby were the only ones standing still.
Ronan turned Mary to face him. Looking deep into her eyes, he said, “No photographs,”
Sierra recognized that he was using his compelling voice.
“No photographs,” Mary repeated in a monotone before setting her expensive camera back down.
“Continue the séance,” Ronan said.
“I will continue the séance,” Mary said.
“Right,” Bob said. “Let’s get this party started.”
Sierra sat down and grabbed hold of Ronan’s hand. She squeezed it hard as a warning to behave. He responded by rubbing his thumb over the sensitive web of skin between her thumb and index finger.
OMG that felt good! His movement instantly brought back the memory of her sliding her fingers through his hair. Now as then, she licked her lips but she really wanted to lick his—his lips, his skin, his everything.
Damn this vampire-bond shit. She was getting hot and damp again.
Mary took hold of Ronan’s other hand, filling Sierra with jealousy. Okay, this was getting out of hand. As in his hands should only be touching hers. Whoa. Stop right there, she silently ordered herself. Behave.
Bob took hold of Sierra’s other hand, bringing her back to reality and the task at hand. Damn, there was that word again. Hand.
Right. Focus!
“Spirits, are you with us?” Mary said. “Make your presence known.”
The fireplace suddenly came to life with a whoosh of flames.
“I sense you here, spirit,” Mary said.
Ruby moved closer to Mary.
“You’re an old soul,” Mary murmured.
“Hey, I’m not that old,” Ruby said, clearly offended.
“The spirit is that of a man,” Mary said.