Page 59 of Ghost

“It doesn’t matter. I’ll do it anyway!” Darn Miles and his logic. “And when you least expect it.”

“Damen,” Miles whined. “Titus is threatening me.”

Damen gazed between the two of us with a bored expression. “What do you want me to do about it? Besides, you were teasing him.”

“That’s no good.” Miles pouted, crossing his arms as he leaned against the railing. “Where’s Kasai? He’ll set Titus straight.”

I bristled slightly, annoyed at the implication. “I’m not scared of that stupid bird.”

“No…” Miles drew out the word. “It’s not the bird that frightens you, is it?”

“You had better hope that Bianca’s ghost doesn’t like American men who think they are French,” I retorted. Vindication coiled through me as Miles paled. “You’re brave to be here. It hasn’t noticed you yet, but maybe you’ll be next.”

“I’ve already sent Kasai back for a while.” Damen’s mouth twitched. “You might need to suck up to Titus for the time being.”

“I call truce.” Miles sounded horrified, and he stepped closer to me. “Titus, can you be my sleeping buddy tonight?”

Oh my God.

“I waskidding. It’s not going to get you.” I inched away slightly. “It appears to be only interested in women. Besides, you’re wearing your crucifix. And you’ve probably got at least ten bottles of water with you. You’ve even put up wards around the living room!”

Miles shivered, clutching said crucifix through his shirt. “I don’t care.”

Damen met my eyes, and the two of us exchanged a grin.

Miles used his wit as a way to nurture—to distract people from their worries. In this lifetime, he avoided getting close to many people. But those he did allow in, he remained dedicated. For the most part, he teased to break tension and to show he cared.

But he was also easily flustered. And it was amusing to see him not be able to take what he dished out.

“It’s alright.” I pet his head. “You can get in line with Bianca. I’ll protect you too.”

“Speaking of,” Damen cleared his throat, all humor leaving his face. “Weneedto talk about this. Preferably now, while Bianca is busy.”

Yes, I had heard. Busy taking a bath with Julian in the room.

“There it is—that expression right now.” Damen inclined his head in my direction. “She isn’t ours.”

I didn’t want to look at him anymore. The distant treeline was suddenly very interesting. A terrible sense of foreboding swelled within me. My hands gripped the railing as I fought to contain the unfamiliar emotion.

“She is our friend,” I told Damen. I wasn’t sure what game he was playing.

“Titus.” Damen’s eyes gleamed with that annoying look he adopted when he was certain he was right. “You cannot have her.”

Background noise faded into the distance, and I stared at Damen in surprise. My guts twisted painfully as his words echoed in my ears.

Why was he telling me this? Why was it suddenly hard to breathe?

It seemed as though time itself had stopped. But finally, after what felt like an eternity, my vision, which was focused on the vulnerable swell of Damen’s neck, began to clear.

“I. Know. That.” My voice sounded grainy and animalistic. “Do you think I’m completely stupid? Besides, you’re the one who has been flirting with her.”

“I know, I know.” Damen hung his head. He knew better than to preach something he wasn’t practicing. “I’m really trying. I’m only concerned because ifyouget attached—”

“I’m not attached,” I grumbled, annoyed at the reminder. “I’m aware of the rules. I’ll be more than happy to keep to myself ifyoudo.”

Miles made a movement in the corner of my vision, and I shot a look in his direction as well. “You too. Don’t think we haven’t noticed.”

Miles groaned, but didn’t bother to deny it. “This would have been so much easier if we were monks.”