demon slayer 07.5 - demon slayer Read Free Page A

in those days, but it was a true love match and Hiram was very close to her father. They were happy for many years until she died after falling down the grand staircase. It was so sad. He died the next night—in bed of a heart attack. Although most people say it was a broken heart."
    Yikes. Maybe it had been despair I'd felt in the house instead of darkness. "Are they buried in the cemetery outside?"
    "Yes. That's how they did it in those days." Marjorie held the water pitcher in front of her like a shield. "When my husband and I bought this estate, we thought the Peele's story might bring in the tourists." Her pale skin flushed at the neck. "But," she shook her head, "it's ended up being a bit much. Right after we opened, a newly wed couple took a tumble down the staircase. Both of them died," she said, her voice catching.
    "What a terrible accident," Dimitri said, taken back.
    Color rose in Marjorie's cheeks. "Then it happened again. About six months later."
    "Did they? Not make it either?" I asked, not wanting to pry, but wow. Twice?
    Marjorie shook her head 'no.' "The coroner ruled all four of the deaths…accidental." She made a subtle sign of the cross, but I noticed it. "We don't even like to go up to those rooms anymore. I know they said it was a fluke, but my husband and I just couldn't handle it if something else happened."
    "I don't blame you one bit," I told her.
    She nodded, accepting my sympathy. "It's a shame." She glanced at the dining room behind us. "As you might imagine, we could use the business."
    I was about to tell her that it seemed like the other guests were enjoying their meals as much as we did. Only now that I looked at them, the couple dining at a corner table wore 1940's-era clothes. And had a pearly sheen. The gentleman eating alone had vanished.
    After Marjorie left, Dimitri deposited a considerable sum in the bill holder. I was glad he could afford to be so generous. Then again, he was also eyeing me like he had an idea.
    "What?" I asked, finishing the last of my wine.
    His eyes flicked to mine. "She has private, quiet guest rooms upstairs."
    A tingle of awareness warmed me. "Those are closed."
    "Exactly." He placed a large, solid hand over mine. "We'd be all alone."
    At last.
    If we had the guts.
    "No biker witches, no camping out," I said, warming to the idea. Even with a ghost or two it was worth it. Heck, I had demon slayer powers. I could handle myself. "A real bed."
    Dimitri shrugged his wide shoulders. He was reeling me in. I knew it. He knew it.
    "It could be an anniversary to remember," he said, tempting me more than he knew.
    I ran my fingers along the edge of my wine glass. "I do still have to give you your present," I mused. "Although you'll have to undress me to get it."
    He stood a little too quickly as he reached into his wallet again and peeled off an additional wad of twenties. "We'll add it to her tip, enough to cover a room."
    It would be a shame not to contribute to the upkeep of such a wonderful old home.
    I stood faster than I'd intended, wobbling my wine glass. "Okay. But just a quickie."
    He grinned. "Anything for you."
    Oh my God, I couldn't believe we were doing this.
    "Come on," I said, standing, taking his hand. "We need to get upstairs and naked." Soon. Before I lost my nerve.

 
     
    Chapter Two
     
    We waited until our hostess retreated into the back, then we raced up the stairs like we were on fire.
    Oh my God. I fought back a giggle and Dimitri smothered me to his chest at the top of the landing. He might be as stealthy as a shape shifter, but I felt like an ox going up those stairs. 
    I covered my mouth, but still, my face hurt from grinning as he took my hand and pulled me down the hall. The air hung heavy and stale. The narrow, dark corridor offered the perfect place to hide.
    Dimitri pushed open a door at the end and yanked me inside. Shadows clung to the corners of the room. A layer of dust coated the antique furniture. No one had ventured up here for a