Mistletoe & Hauntings Read online

  “Ms. Popescu?” A man's voice made her turn around, and she wondered how he could have gotten downstairs so fast, but then she recognized Gordon Spiro. He was a gym teacher, the sort of balding former athlete who was starting to put on more than a few extra pounds, but still thought he was the charming quarterback.

  “Gordon. Hello.”

  “I was looking for you. Can I get you a drink?” He toyed with his mustache as if he were Agatha Christie’s Poirot. “The Bloody Marys are bloody fantastic.” Gordon motioned for her to try his.

  “I'm good, but thank you. Hans just bought me a beer,” she told him. “Are you having a good time?”

  “Oh, definitely,” he said. “Been dancing it up with these two-party animals.” He pointed to Josie and Kyla who didn’t seem nearly as interested in him.

  “Hey Girls. Having a good time?”

  Josie nodded. “We are but we’re taking it easy. We’re looking forward to seeing the Writers’ Museum tomorrow.”

  “I’m more excited about the Mackenzie Poltergeist,” Kyla added.

  They were headed to the museum tomorrow and then it was on to the South Bridge Vaults and the Greyfriars Kirkyard to enjoy the ghost stories. The tour company they’d booked with promised a spooky good time. Apparently, there was one small tomb in Edinburgh’s Greyfriars Cemetery that had become famous for its malevolent paranormal entity. The ‘Black Mausoleum’ was located behind the high walls and locked gates of an area known as the Covenanter’s Prison.

  “You’re not a Robert Louis Stevenson fan?” Sera asked.

  Kyla rolled her eyes. “Sure, but not as much as everyone else.”

  Sera knew what she meant. There were some major Jekyll & Hyde fans in the gang.

  Hans appeared beside her, touched her arm, and leaned close to her to say, “Trouble, Sera! It's that Brodey fella, I think he’s about to get kicked out!”

  Native Londoner Daniel Brodey was one of the book club’s newer members, he was a friend of Gretchen’s. Sera turned to look at Hans and shrugged. “I was ready to go anyway. Where is he?” she asked.

  “Holding up the brick wall over there. My sister’s watching him,” Hans said with a chuckle. “Or she was. Where’d they go now?”

  Sera looked up and pointed to the third-floor mezzanine where funky red booths lined the railing in a circular pattern. Almost exactly in the spot she’d seen the mysterious hot man earlier, she now saw Daniel Brodey, leaning dangerously over the wall. “Let's go before he tumbles to his death.”

  Even with Hans shouldering his way along, it took them a couple of minutes to make their way across the crowded room and up the stairs. When they got there, Daniel was thankfully sitting on the red leather seat, but the trouble wasn't over. He had a nasty looking cut above his eye and blood was dripping down his face.

  One of the bouncers, a burly, young man with red hair and a beard had moved in front of Daniel, poking him in the chest while yelling.

  Sera stepped forward quickly, “My apologies.” The bouncer who was now reaching for Daniel stopped. He turned and looked her up and down and then in a heavily accented voice asked, “And who are you?”

  “My name's Sera Popescu,” she told him. “Mr. Brodey here is one of our book club members. May we take him, please?”

  The bouncer narrowed his eyes and said, “Aye, the clumsy lout needs to go.”

  “I think Daniel need stitches,” Sera said, turning to face Hansen’s sister Gretchen Dressler. As usual, Gretchen was the portrait of youth. Though she was German-born, she was, stereotypically, a Swedish looking blond with a penchant for braids, cherry-cola-colored lipstick and eccentric corset-styled outfits. She lived in London and had only begun traveling with the group recently after spending the holidays with her brother in Bohemian Lake. Sera pulled a tissue out of her purse, dabbing at the cut. “Do you have anything back at the flat to sew him up with?”

  Gretchen reached out a hand to touch the cut, but Hans pulled her away and interjected. “Gretchen’s squeamish. I’ll do it.”

  Sera felt her brows furrow. Gretchen didn’t seem squeamish and wasn’t she a doctor? Didn’t they have to train in all areas before they chose their expertise?

  Gretchen elbowed her brother back and linked arms with Daniel. “Come on, Danny honey?” she suggested. “Let’s go downstairs. See if we can find a kebab or two.”

  “Whatever you say,” he told her. He put his arm around her shoulders and kissed her on the side of the head. “Whatever my girl wants.”

  Hans grabbed his other arm and they finagled him down the narrow staircase. He almost fell over a few times and since Gretchen wasn’t all that steady, Sera took over her position.

  As they stepped past the giant stone monster and out the front door onto the George IV Bridge, they found several members of their group waiting. The Beanstalke’s—Jim and Lily, a portly old man with a mustache and his tall, thin wife who was busily munching away on her kebab and chips was chatting to Nelle’s niece Rhiannon Raven.

  There were also two of their younger members there. Selene Morgan—a curvy Instagram blogger with a penchant for rainbow colored hair, dark lipstick and tight jeans had her phone held above her head, moving in circles and contorting her body while making duck lips so Sera assumed she was taking more selfies. The narcissism ran deep with that one.

  Her devilishly handsome boyfriend, wannabe writer Ricky Mann was leaning against the wall smoking. Well, not really smoking. It was one of those fake cigarettes that gave people popcorn lung. Apparently, Ricky hadn’t heard.

  Sera had a feeling the pair didn’t pay much attention to the news unless the headline involved a Kardashian or a rapper.

  “Ricky Mann! Oh my God! I’m such a fan.” a young woman shouted, running up and cornering him. “You bring all of those scenes to life—”

  “Thank you!” Ricky said, cutting her off. He looked like a deer caught in the headlights. Sera didn’t know he’d actually published any books. She knew he had a blog. She made a mental note to go online and buy his book.

  “That scene in the laboratory was brilliant,” the girl pawed at his hand like she might walk away with it. “Can I get your autograph?”

  “What am I, chopped liver?” Selene said under her breath.

  Ricky blushed. “Oh, this is my girlfriend, Selene.” In typical Selene fashion, she rolled her eyes and pulled out an eggplant-colored lip gloss, applying it liberally like she was bored. “You probably know her too. She’s got an awesome You Tube channel.”

  The fan’s smile grew wide and she stuck out a hand. “You know, you do look familiar and you’re so pretty. Can I get a picture with you?”

  “Hey! My fellow young people with strong backs. Would one of you mind taking over for a minute while I figure out which way we have to go.” Sera said, then turned to the others.

  Ricky pushed a hand through his shoulder length, shaggy, dark hair and rolled his eyes. “Oh, let me. I love walking old drunk men home! Maybe he’ll give me another lecture on millennials.”

  Sera laughed to herself. Ricky had a point. The Boomers had been riding the younger generation pretty hard on the trip over.

  “Selene!” Sera shouted to the girl who’d wandered away with Ricky’s fan to snap more photos, “are you coming with us or what?”

  “Maybe once she’s done shooting her MTV video,” Lily Beanstalke snarled.

  “What’s an MTV video?” Selene asked, catching up.

  Sera shook her head. How were they almost the same age?

  Kyla Carew and Josie Jones showed up a minute later with Gordon in tow and that was everyone.

  When they reached the St. Giles Cathedral, Sera looked back and was struck once again by how pretty the city of Edinburgh was. The lights bouncing off the cobblestone and the castle off in the distance looming in the fog. Sera was glad Nelle had found them a flat here off the Royal Mile. The location couldn’t have been more perfect and the atmosphere more charming. The only tricky part would be helping the ineb
riated Mr. Brodey down the steep hill of the Old Fishmarket Close where their flat was located about halfway above the wine bar. There were actually four flats rented in the building for them since there hadn’t been one big enough for all of them. The nice part was that the owner had offered to provide breakfast for them downstairs in the wine bar below. Selene and Ricky, and the Beanstalkes as well as Daniel and Gretchen had their own apartments while the rest of them shared the fourth. The fresh air appeared to have sobered up Daniel, at least a little. He seemed steadier on his feet, anyway.

  Unfortunately, rain made the cobblestones slick and Sera had just felt a large raindrop hit her in the face. When she looked up storm clouds rumbled by, opening into a light drizzle.

  Selene must have felt the mist, too, and folded her arms across her chest. “We better hurry,” she said.

  The light drizzle was quickly turning into a shower. Gretchen covered her head and flashed Daniel a wicked smile. “Race you.”

  “Oh, no you don’t,” Sera said, grabbing Daniel tight. “We don’t need any accidents.” Sera pressed a new tissue to his head. “Hold this.”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  The door to the building was locked when they got there but the area was covered and there was a keypad outside the door that led in.

  “Evening,” a man said as he opened the doors for them. Sera felt a slight tingle of recognition, but she couldn’t place him. He was wearing a pair of faded jeans and a leather jacket and had long hair worthy of a Pantene commercial. For some reason she was reminded of her earlier encounter with the gargantuan Frankenstein statue. Mind you, this beast of a man was a whole lot more handsome than Frankenstein’s monster. Actually, between the stature and the cascade of shiny voluminous hair, she was reminded of that actor who played Aquaman. “Sera Popescu?” His voice was deep and raspy but gentle.

  “Yes,” she said as he held the door so they could all come inside. “And you are?” This man’s face was hidden.

  “Oh, my apologies.” He stepped out into the light. “It’s me. Daemon Wraith.”

  “Mallory Vianu’s ex?” The words slipped out before she could recall them. That’s why he looked so familiar. She’d seen a picture of him on Mallory’s social media account. My God. He looked even better in person. Not that Mallory’s new boyfriend, Detective Kaden Bones wasn’t handsome and burly and efficient but good lord, there was no amount of crackers in bed she would have kicked this guy out for.

  Daemon let loose a nervous laugh and Sera suddenly felt herself blush again. Oh shoot, could he read minds? She remembered Mallory mentioning he was gifted somehow.

  “Did I say something funny?” Sera questioned.

  “Yes, well no, it’s just I guess I am Mal’s ex although that’s not my preferred handle.”

  “Oh, I’m sorry,” Sera apologized. She just loved the way this guy quirked his eyebrows. He had this permanently mischievous look to him. “Too much fun juice tonight, I think.”

  Daemon nodded. “I know how that goes. Anyway, Nana Vianu sent me.”

  “She did?” Sera questioned, wondering why Mallory’s grandmother had sent her granddaughter’s ex to join a book club tour halfway around the world. “You enjoy classic tales, do you?”

  Daemon smirked. “I do. Don’t let the long hair and bulging muscles fool you. I have a voracious reading appetite.”

  Sera felt herself salivate at the use of big words. “Bulging muscles, huh? Well, at least your self-esteem is healthy.”

  He smiled. “I guess it is. But the book club isn’t why she sent me, and I was already working here in Edinburgh.”

  “You were watching me at the club?”

  He nodded. “Can we go upstairs and chat?”

  Sera nodded. “Yes, of course.” Most of the rest of the crew had already dispersed. Only Hans had hung back, glaring. Sera couldn’t be sure, but she seemed to note a hint of jealousy going on. “Oh, where are my manners? This is Hansen Dressler. He also works for Nelle.”

  “Wraith.” Hans said with a nod.

  “Dressler.” Daemon tipped his chin in return.

  Sera looked from one to the other as they entered a silent glaring contest. Men. She cleared her throat. “If your testosterone flexing battle is finished, it’s getting chilly out here.” She arched her brow at Daemon. He was still holding the door open.

  “Forgive me, Sera.” Daemon took her by the hand and drew her inside, letting go of the door.

  She looked back in time to see Hans reaching for the door before it shut in his face.

  “Oh, I’m so sorry about that,” Daemon said, quickly reaching back to haul the door open. Hans marched through.

  “No problem,” he said through gritted teeth. “Our flat is on the second floor, right this way.”

  “Actually Sera, would you come to my flat instead, please?” Daemon asked with a sweet smile. “It won’t take long.”

  Hans snorted.

  Sera frowned at him. What was his deal? “Sure, no problem, Daemon.” She turned and gave Hans a look to settle down. “Can you please stitch up Daniel and look after your sister?”

  Daemon guided Sera up the stairs with a hand on her lower back as they passed Hans on the landing. “I’m on the top floor.”

  Sera stepped back while he unlocked his door.

  “Would you like something to drink? I have a bottle of excellent whisky here.”

  “No, thank you. I’ve had enough. Water would be great, though.”

  Daemon handed her a chilled bottle from the minifridge causing a shiver. “So, I don’t want to interrupt your literary tour but I’m following orders. Have a seat.” He motioned to the plaid sofa near the window.

  “Nana’s?”

  “Yes.”

  “Speaking of which, I’m so sorry for bringing up Mallory earlier. Was it a bad breakup?” Sera slapped her hand over her mouth. “Oh, god. I’m doing it again. Sorry. I swear I’m not usually this insensitive.”

  Daemon chuckled. “I find your openness refreshing. But no, to answer your question it wasn’t a bad breakup. We just weren’t a good match.”

  “Isn’t it weird that Nana still calls you?”

  “I don’t mind. You know Nana was the one who set us up, right?”

  “You’re kidding.”

  “Nope, she invited me to a murder mystery game at the manor. Just so happens someone stole my identity and went in my place. He then swiped an extremely valuable coin. The police tracked me down and escorted me to Caravan Manor to straighten things out and that’s where I met Mal. We tried to make it work, but I travel a great deal for work and she’s a homebody so we’re better off friends,” he shrugged. “I hope she and Kaden are happy.”

  “That’s very magnanimous of you,” Sera said.

  “It is what it is. Anyway, if you know Nana at all, you do as you’re told so here I am.”

  She rolled her eyes. “I haven’t lived in Bohemian Lake long but that does ring true.”

  “Sera, I have to admit, Nana’s comments made me nervous. You know she reads tarot?”

  “Yes.”

  “Then you can probably guess she read your cards as soon as she heard you were going on another tour.”

  “Probably because of what happened on the recent trip to Germany. I ran into some trouble.” Sera blew out a breath.

  Daemon narrowed his eyes. “What sort of trouble?”

  “Oh, the usual. Kidnapping, murder, witch hunters.”

  He frowned. “She said to beware long journeys.”

  Sera snort laughed and choked on a mouthful of water. “Oh, dear―cough―that was news I could have used yesterday.”

  Daemon shook his head as he pounded her back. “Actually, she specifically said beyond Edinburgh.”

  “Really? We are going to London Friday but that’s not that far.”

  “I don’t think that’s it. She also said beware the Janus.”

  “I don’t know anyone named Janice, but I’ll keep an eye out now.”

 
; “I don’t think that’s what she meant.”

  “Oh, you mean Janus. Like the god?”

  He shrugged. “That’s the only Janus I know of. I’m just the messenger.”

  “What do you do exactly, if I may ask?”

  “I’m a ghostbuster.”

  Sera’s chin dropped, her mouth a perfect O. Wait, maybe he didn’t read minds after all. What would his talent be? “Do you see dead people?” Shoot. Did she just ask that aloud? She could feel the heat in her cheeks. Again.

  “Actually yes, well, their spirits anyway.”

  “Are there spirits here now?” Sera asked looking around his flat as if she could see them too.

  “No, I ward my living spaces, temporary or not. Otherwise, I’d never rest.”

  “Speaking of rest,” Sera yawned. “Excuse me. I promise it’s not the company, I’m just knackered.”

  “Picking up the local slang?”

  She shrugged with a smile on her face.

  “All right. Good night and please be careful out there,” he said walking her to the door. He cocked his eyebrow. “Oh, and Sera.” She turned. “I read minds as well.”

  “Very funny,” she said as she closed the door. As she headed for the stairs that would take her to her flat below, she decided to knock on Gretchen and Daniel’s flat to make sure they were okay. No one answered. Huh? Maybe they were downstairs with Hans in the big flat. She took a couple of steps and paused. There were voices coming from the ground floor below.

  She peeked over the railing and could have sworn she saw Josie disappearing with a shadow. It was too dark to see with who. No way she was going all the way down to find out. Instead, she entered their shared flat which was also dark except for the bathroom. The paneled door was shut most of the way giving her only a shard of light to reach her bedroom door. Her hands crackled in vigilance.

  She flipped the light switch still pondering the warnings from Nana and hurried to the window just as voices echoed from the alley below. The old-fashioned black iron streetlight created a pool of yellow light and she could just make out Josie on the edge of it. She was too high up to see faces but her dark hair was shining, and she made out the shirt Josie wore this evening. She was clearly talking with someone, so she stood there, at the edge of her window. They shook hands or exchanged something. The mystery person turned in the shadows but had to walk through the light. Unfortunately, all Sera could see was her trench coat and spiked red heels. Shivering, she wondered if she was imagining things.