Midnight Moon (Vampire for Hire #13)(19)

"I have no idea."

"I kinda need to know what's going to happen."

"I kinda need to know, too."

"Sam, there's something else."

"The ghost," I said, without needing to read her mind, even if I could.

"Yes, Sam. Of course, I haven't seen the ghost personally, but I saw her there in your memory, and she's..."

"Queen Autumn," I said.

"Yes," said Allison. "I think she is."

"You do understand how crazy we sound."

"Said the vampire to the witch."

"Everything we do and say from here until eternity will sound crazy," I said, nodding. I kept my phone in my lap, with Allison on speaker. As in most states, California prohibits drivers from using handheld wireless phones. I often wondered where balancing a cell phone on your knee fell into that category. Either way, I could probably telepathically convince a cop to not give me a ticket, but who likes getting pulled over in the first place? Better to keep the phone on speaker and out of eyesight, and hope to someday afford a newer van.

Of course, I heard a distant voice speaking as if from a deep well, reminding me that I didn't have to wait for anything, that I could take what I wanted, and compel others to give me what I wanted. I told that voice to go to hell.

"Did you just tell me to go to hell?" asked Allison.

"No, sorry."

"Elizabeth?"

"Yes," I said. "And if you can hear my thoughts, then you must be close by."

"Look to your right."

I did, and there was Allison in the lane next to me, hunched over her steering wheel like a sea captain in a nor'easter.

"I heard that," she said. "I'm what you call a close driver."

"Did you just make that up?" I asked.

"I did," she said, her voice reaching me through the phone a fraction after her lips had moved. The miracles of science. She shot me a quick, furtive glance. Allison was also what you called a nervous driver. I noted the Bluetooth in her ear. "So, what are we going to do about Autumn?" she asked.

"We figure out what she wants."

"But she's from the realm of Dur and speaks Durian," said Allison.

"We need help," I said. "Serious help."

"Maybe Charlie knows how-"

"Not that kind of help," I snapped, and clicked off.

After all, we had arrived.





Chapter Thirteen



The three of us were in Charlie's study. So far, there was no sign of the ghost. Or Autumn. Or whoever or whatever she was. Then again, it was only 11:30 p.m.



       
         
       
        

"And you're telling me the woman in my story-a book I have yet to finish or publish, and have barely let out of my sight-is our ghost?"

"We think so, yes."

"And you've read the book, too?" he said to Allison.

"I did, yes. It's very good. I can't wait to see how it all turns-"

He whipped his head around to me. "And how did you get the book?"

"You emailed it to me."

"I don't remember doing that. I've been so closely guarding it. I mean, I remember letting you read it here, but..."

I telepathically eased his mind, told him this was a non-issue and that he was okay with it, because Allison and I were super-special, awesome girls, and he was more than okay sharing his book with us.

"Boy, I'm relieved you like it! You know, you're the only two people to even read it."

"I feel honored," said Allison.

"And I can breathe easier. You just never know if these things are any good."

"Is this your first book?" asked Allison.

"It is."

"How old are you, if you don't mind me asking?"

"Forty-four."

"Why did you wait so long to write your first book?"

Allison and I were sitting on the sofa. Charlie had pulled around his desk chair. Allison sat maybe a little closer than I was comfortable with. She harrumphed at that, and moved over.

"Rude," she whispered.

"What can I say?" I whispered back. "I'm not a close sitter."

"Excuse me?" said Charlie.

"Sorry," said Allison. "My friend here is a prima donna."

Charlie smiled and sat back and nodded as if he cared, but he didn't. Minor as it was, he and I now had a mindlink, and I could sense him turning her question over and over in his mind. Finally, he said, "I wasn't ready, I guess. I didn't feel like I knew the characters enough. I... and this is going to sound strange... I wanted to, well..."

We waited. Charlie shifted uncomfortably.