How to Kill a Ghost Read Free Page B

You know when. I don’t—”
    “When, Liberty?”
    I had hoped to break him of the habit of using my full name, but with our relationship crumbling around my ears, I doubted it would happen. I didn’t speak, and he grabbed for my arms. I winked out and floated away from him. He followed my movements with an angry glare, proving it didn’t matter if I was visible or not, he saw me. That had always pleased and scared me. Being outside my body separated me in a sense from living people, but I had kept my sanity knowing it would never be the case with Ian. Now this.
    He shifted his shoulders, appearing to release tension. Anger in his visage faded, and he spoke in a soft, non-threatening tone. “Tell me when I kissed you… please .”
    “Earlier tonight. I needed to talk to you and was hoping you were back and didn’t tell me.”
    “I returned a few moments ago.”
    I opened my mouth but snapped my teeth together. Ian’s hair was styled the way he always wore it. He had dressed in blue jeans and a powder blue button down shirt. “Ian, I think—”
    He moved toward the door, a blur with his vampire’s speed. I was faster. I willed myself in front of him, and he braked before crashing into me. A frown wrinkled the skin between his eyebrows.
    “I want to know what’s going on,” I demanded.
    “It is not important for you to know.”
    “Are you trying to protect me or just push me away because you’ve changed your mind about us?”
    “Your focus should be on finding your body, Liberty.”
    “I am focused.”
    He reached for me, stopped, and reached out again. When he drew me close this time, I let him. I longed to feel warmth in his touch, but neither of us had that to give. A vampire had no warmth, although I had hugged him right after a feeding. While I couldn’t feel it, he had told me he generated warmth at that time for a short period. We were so unnatural. I sensed his worry. Ian had reasons of his own to push me away, and while it angered me that he couldn’t trust me with the truth, I trusted him enough not to write him off.
    He raised my chin, and I waited, expecting a kiss. His gaze locked with mine, and I forgot time for an instant. This wasn’t anything new, but it was different. For a few milliseconds, my disconnect wasn’t spent alone with Ian calling me back. He occupied this space and time with me, and I knew in that moment he felt the same thing I did. Pushing me away wasn’t what he wanted to do. He thought it best. I longed for the details.
    “Why did you come?” he asked.
    I recalled Jake finding out my secret, and I began to tell him.
    “Libby, are you here?” Monica called from the living room.
    I glanced toward the doorway, and that fast, Ian left me. Loneliness pressed down. I couldn’t get him to talk now, so I headed into the living room. “Yes, I’m here. You should get to bed. It’s late.”
    “What’s bugging you? I know when something’s wrong.”
    I gave my friend a weak smile. “Where do I begin?”

Chapter Three
     
    I didn’t know how much time passed until I came to myself. Alarmed, I found myself in the kitchen and rushed to Jake’s room. He sat on his bed playing video games, an empty bowl that looked like it had contained oatmeal at his elbow. I rushed to his side, blocking the TV screen in the process. He leaned around me and moaned.
    “Mom, you’re going to make me lose.”
    “I’m sorry, Jake. Are you okay?” I felt his forehead and then reached for the thermometer. Even before I did, I noticed his coloring was better. “Did Monica cook you the oatmeal?”
    “Yup, and she added honey and cinnamon. It was good. Can you do it that way next time?”
    Guilt assaulted me. “Sure, sweetie.” To be on the safe side, I took his temperature and found it normal. Breathing a sigh of relief, I walked to the door. “One more day of rest. I don’t want you to have a relapse.”
    “Mom,” he complained with a whine. I ignored him and left the room.
    In