The Haunted (6 page)

Peter flashed a cocky smile.
“Told you.”

At lunch, Peter sat at my table—literally on the table—his legs kicking back and forth. I was reminded of the days when Ian was around, how I had to pretend he didn’t exist when I was with other people. It was tough to ignore him.

When Cait showed up wearing a red baby doll dress with white polka dots, and black leggings, Peter grinned, his gaze slowly shifting over her long, thin legs. Cait received a few whistles as she made her way toward our table, and in true Cait fashion, she ignored them.

“
Hey, you want to come over and work on our science assignment tonight?” Cait asked.

I won’t lie—I was excited and yet nervous at the prospect of being in the castle again. “Sure.”

I could feel Megan watching us, and when I glanced at her, she smiled softly. I think she was the only one who realized how much I liked Kade. Maybe Cassandra and Cait did, too, but I told myself it wasn’t because of Kade that I was excited about going to the castle. And yet, when Kade walked into the cafeteria a few minutes later wearing a black T-shirt and dark jeans, I called myself a liar. He was gorgeous and I had a tough time concentrating on anyone else. Even the eleven-year-old ghost who was snickering at me.

“
How about four o’clock?” Cait said.

I knew for a fact that Shane had football practice until five, so chances that I would actually run into Kade were pretty good. It just depended on if he was coming home right after practice.

Kade looked in my direction. I could feel his gaze from across the cafeteria and I forced myself to not look at him. I had been so obvious up to now, and I just wanted to play it as cool as I could. So when he sat down at a table with his friends, I was disappointed. I’d hoped he would sit by me again.

“
You are not foolin’ anyone, Riley.”

I glanced at Peter, who shook his head.
“That one over there is sweet on you as well.”

He motioned toward the table to my right. Aaron sat with a small group of boys and girls. His friend nudged him and he glanced over my way. He waved, and I waved back. Cait followed my gaze. “I wouldn’t do that if I were you. You’re going to give the boy hope.”

“
He’s a friend,” I said in defense, dropping my gaze to my plate. I definitely didn’t want to be sending out any mixed signals. Been there, done that with Johan.

Peter snorted and took a seat beside Cait. She didn’t show any sign that she noticed his presence.

“
Oh hey, Megan…I forgot to tell you that Sheila said Milo’s band sounds like shit.”

Megan’s face dropped. “What the hell does she know what Milo’s band sounds like?”

Cassandra shrugged and took a bite of salad. “That’s exactly what I asked her. She said she heard he sucked.”

“
Bitch,” Megan said. “He’s bloody brilliant. You just wait and see.”

“
I’ve heard him. I know how good he is,” Cassandra said, cracking open a diet soda.

“
He is good,” Cait added. “Damn good.”

Megan immediately relaxed. “Thanks guys.”

“
I’m excited to hear him play,” I said, meaning it. I couldn’t wait for Milo’s party.

Chapter
8

I was tense as I knocked on the front door of Braemar castle. Despite the fact Kade was at practice, which was a relief in itself, I had to be sure not to say anything or let on that this wasn’t my first visit to their home. It’s not like I’d blurt out, “Hey, I’m the one who broke into your home while you were on holiday to perform a ritual to free your ancestor Ian from a curse put on him by a dead, but very evil witch.” Yeah, that’d go over
so
well.

I glanced over my shoulder and Peter waved at me from where he sat on the stone wall—the same stone wall I had originally seen Laria. He hadn’t wanted to come closer to the castle, and, in a way, I was relieved. I definitely didn’t need him distracting me.

The door opened and a petite, cute woman with soft brown eyes and auburn hair cut in a bob smiled back at me. She wore yoga pants, a Nike T-shirt and blinding white tennies. “You must be Riley Williams,” she said, extending a hand. “It’s so lovely to meet you. I am Karen, Cait’s mum.”

Honestly, I didn’t see any resemblance between Cait, Kade, and their mom. I suppose I was expecting someone who looked like Maggie, Ian’s mum, with dark hair and large blue eyes to open the door. I shook her hand, and her grip was surprisingly strong.

“
It’s nice to meet you, too.”

Her grin widened. “I like your accent.”

I had grown used to hearing those words, especially since school had started. Funny, but I had never thought of myself as having an accent.

“
Hey,” Cait said, coming around the bend in the stairs.

“
Hey.”

“
Would you like anything to drink, Riley?” Karen asked. “A cup of tea, perhaps?”

“
No, I’m fine, thanks.”

Cait rolled her eyes and took me by the hand. “Come on. Mum, we’ll be in my room.”

“
Dinner is at six. Would you like to stay, Riley?”

Staying for dinner meant I’d see Kade. “Sure, that would be great,” I said before I could talk myself out of it.

“
Great. Would you like me to call your parents?”

“
No, I’ll let Miss Akin know.”

Her brow furrowed slightly, but she nodded. “Very well.”

Cait motioned for me to follow her.

I had to admit, I felt guilty for having broken into their home as we rounded the turret steps. We passed by a few doors, and then stepped into a room that was a glaring scarlet red. The curtains were black and there were crosses and angels everywhere…but I liked it. “Nice,” I said, tossing my backpack on her bed. There was a little cubbyhole room, and she had her laptop setting on a desk in the small space.

“
My mum freaked when I picked out the color, but she’s warming to it…or so she says. She told me she’s glad she doesn’t have to sleep in here.”

That sounded like something my mom would have said. I saw a board with pictures of friends. Cait had used safety pins to hang the pictures. I smiled seeing Megan in a lot of the photos, and I recognized the glen in more than one shot. My pulse skittered seeing Kade, sans shirt, playing football. He had an incredible body—nice wide chest, perfect pecs, a solid six-pack and the deep V that disappeared beneath the waistband of his pants. The same deep V that made girls get stupid, myself included.

It took effort, but I pulled my gaze away from the photo and dialed Miss Akin before I forgot. She told me to have a good time and to please get a ride home so I didn’t walk home in the dark. I agreed with her. No way would I be walking home with Laria on the loose.

“
We should probably get our homework done,” I said, dumping my books out on the black comforter.

Cait sighed and opened her textbook. Although she spent a lot of time talking in class, I could tell she’d paid attention to at least some of what our teacher had said. We flew through the homework and talked for a while. We actually liked a lot of the same bands and movies. I asked her about boys and she didn’t seem too interested in any one guy, except for maybe Shane.

I heard the front door open and close, and footsteps coming up the stairs. My heart pounded in time with the steps…that stopped shy of Cait’s bedroom.

Excitement raced up my spine. Kade was home.

Fifteen minutes later Cait’s mom knocked on the door. “Girls, dinner is ready.”

“
We’ll be right there,” Cait replied. “My mum is downright anal when it comes to hand washing. Go ahead,” she said, nodding toward the bathroom.

The bathroom was a strange shape, not surprising given the fact it was in a castle tower. I wish I’d brought my backpack in with me. I’d just have to slip some lip gloss on when Cait washed her hands. I finger-combed my hair, and leaned forward to make sure I had no eye boogers. My breath caught in my lungs. In the mirror’s reflection I saw a tall, massive man with long red hair, a scruffy beard and dirt on his cheeks. I opened my mouth to yell for Cait when the man disappeared.

“
You coming?” Cait called from the other side of the door.

“
Jesus,” I said under my breath, placing a hand over my pounding heart. I needed to calm down.

Cait and I walked into the dining room and I smiled seeing the picture of Maggie, Ian’s mom, hanging above the fireplace. Maggie had been the reason I had found Laria’s journal in the first place, not to mention she’d given me comfort when I’d been locked in the mausoleum while Laria had been tormenting me. Seeing her brought those memories back.

“
Ah, this must be Miss Williams who I have heard so much about. It’s lovely to have you in our community,” said a man who sat at the end of the long table reading a newspaper. He had the MacKinnon look about him—dark hair, which had gone gray at the temples, and the same brilliant blue eyes as Kade and Cait’s.

“
Riley, this is my dad,” Cait said.

“
Thank you for having me, Mr. MacKinnon.”

“
Please, call me Duncan.”

Duncan. The same name as Ian’s brother. “Thank you, Duncan.”

“
My wife has made some traditional Scottish fare tonight, and I’ll be interested to see how it compares to your American cuisine.”

“
Her housekeeper is Scottish, Dad,” Cait said. “So it’s not like she hasn’t been eating traditional Scottish food. Isn’t that right, Riley?”

“
Well, we have the finest beef on the menu,” he said before I could respond to Cait. “You’re not one of those vegetarians, are you?”

“
Nope,” I replied. “I’m a meat and potatoes girl all the way.”

“
Thank goodness for that,” he said with a wink.

I smiled and took the seat beside Cait. A girl about twelve years old walked in and stopped when she saw me, eyes narrowing as she checked me out. She dressed like a mini Cait with ripped stockings under purple shorts, and suspenders over a black tank top. There any similarity ended. The girl was slightly chunky, had strawberry blonde hair, silver eyes, and wore a pair of wire frame glasses. Seeing me check her out, she lifted a brow.

“
This is Madison,” Duncan said.

“
Hey Madison,” I said, shifting under her intense stare. “I didn’t realize Cait had a little sister.”

Madison scowled. “Uh, maybe because I’m her cousin, dip-shit.”

“
Madison!” Duncan said, shaking his head. “Apologize to Riley right now.”

“
Sorry,” she said, taking a breath and sliding into the chair directly across from me.

Karen walked into the room and began filling everyone’s glasses with ice water. “Maddy has been living with us for a little over a year now, isn’t that right?”

“
I’ll spare you and my aunt any awkwardness by spilling my bio,” Madison said glumly. “My mum is a druggie and I have no idea who my dad is, so lucky Aunt Karen and Uncle Duncan get to take care of me until Mum gets her act together, which might be this decade, but it’s doubtful.”

The girl was to the point; I’d give her that. For all her ‘I-don’t-give-a-crap-attitude’, I sensed she was a little lost.

“
We love having you with us, Madison,” Karen said, a bit too quickly. “And I know that sister of mine will make it through rehab this time.”

Madison rolled her eyes and slumped in the chair.

Not that I was happy about Madison’s less than happy life, but it was nice to know that the MacKinnons had their own share of drama in their family. It made me feel a little less self-conscious about my dysfunctional home life.

Karen walked toward the door where she called out, “Kade, come to the table please.”

My heart pounded hard as I heard his footsteps draw nearer. I felt kind of stupid for being here, which was ridiculous, I told myself. After all, Cait had invited me over to study, and it was their mom who had asked me to dinner. I wasn’t stalking him or anything.

Kade walked in the room, wet hair curling at the collar of a soft grey T-shirt that formed to his perfect body. Well-worn jeans completed the outfit and he was actually barefoot. S-E-X-Y.

His gaze immediately shifted to me. “Riley,” he said, his voice mirroring the surprise on his face. “I didn’t know you were here.”

“
Homework with Cait,” I said, reaching for my glass. My hand was trembling, and from the corner of my eye I could see Madison watching me closely.

Kade’s soft smile immediately put me at ease, and he surprised me when he sat at the far end of the table, closest to me. He unfolded his napkin and laid it in his lap. “I’m glad you’re here.”

“
Oh my God, barf,” Madison said under her breath, and Kade completely ignored her. I had a tougher time ignoring her, especially since she sat directly across from me.

I returned Kade’s smile. “Thanks. I am, too.”

Madison coughed and said “sick” at the same time.

“
Knock it off, Maddy,” Cait said between clenched teeth.

Karen took the seat to her husband’s right, and I was glad the parents were at the opposite end of the table. I would rather be sitting across from a smart-ass twelve-year-old than Duncan and Karen.