Haunted

Chapter Twelve

I wheeze as the portal spits us out, Kole's arm slipping supportively around my waist. I give it a moment, making sure I'm not going to throw up before I straighten.

"I hate that," I mutter, pressing my good hand against my lips.

"Most mortals do. Your bodies are not made for quick travel." Kole says absently, letting go of me. He glances around the entrance hall of the House; it looks exactly the same, high ceilings, fancy furniture, but it looks even more polished now than before. 

"Katia!" Kole calls, and after a moment I see the woman from before, scurrying from one of the upstairs room. She grabs her navy skirts in hand as she hastily descends the stairs, coming to a stop in front of us. She bows her head to Kole, releasing her skirts.

"Everything is in order," she says, not looking up. I glance down, able to see our reflection in the floor. "Mr. Conway will be here soon."

"Good, we made it before him." Kole sounds relieved. "I'm taking Miss Hale to my office, I'm going to fill her in about tonights events. Alert me when he arrives."

"I will, sir."

"Follow me, Miss Hale."

So bossy.

I follow Kole as he starts forward, heading up the staircase. I glance at Katia curiously, seeing her silver hair drawn back into pretty plaits, and I'm a little jealous that I'm not that good with styling my own hair. She's plain again, no makeup, just that old fashioned dress; at least it's a different one this time, lots of lace.

I let my hand trail up the banister, taking my time going up the stairs so I don't fall down them instead. Kole is already at the top when I'm halfway, and he doesn't wait for me, just strides towards his office. I kind of remember the way there from before, so I'm not too worried I'll get lost.

"Why does this guy have to ok me working with you?" I ask as we walk down the hallway. It's full of old paintings, mostly of castles and manors.

"You're not working with us, you're working for us," Kole corrects me, for once looking a little nervous. "Don't make that mistake. You know absolutely nothing about our kind, all you know is that I have recruited you because of your talents, and because I am willing to pay off your student loans."

"But ---."

"No buts. That's what's happening."

Oh, I get it. I'm not supposed to know they're demons or something, right?

"So, you're not an asshole demon, then?"

"No, I'm just an asshole."

I grin, glancing up at him before I can stop myself; okay, he'd got me a little there. He chuckles a little as he steps to his office, opening the door and holding it for me to pass through.

"I didn't intend for my superior to know about you, but word travels fast among my kind. We have Houses stationed in each state, and there's very few that have humans with your ability. To find one of you is very news worthy."

"So it seems." I sit down in the chair opposite his desk, slumping a little. "So do I just need to sit here and stare at my feet?"

"Basically. Don't speak unless spoken too, don't look him in the eye --- perhaps don't even look at him. And do not make any mention of the fact you're aware of us. I am just a man hiring you, offering to pay your college loans if you see the ghosts for me. You can be honest, you can say that your friend haunted you, and I solved the problem, which is how we were introduced. However, no mention of portals, no mention of anything out of the ordinary for a human."