Mistletoe & Hauntings Read online

  “Oh, sorry, I meant to hit Josie.”

  “MP Brodey is a hypocrite!” the girl in the trench coat screamed.

  In seconds, she had untied and yanked open her coat revealing a black leather cat suit. Simultaneously, she cracked a black leather whip in the air. Who knew Eve wasn’t the only one who liked to cause trouble in a cat suit? Her crowd cheered her on, stunning the other museum tourists who’d come outside the building.

  Sera realizing this may be the woman she saw last night, moved quickly and got between them, making her voice firm yet friendly as she said, “Anyone know what this is about?”

  Gretchen smirked. “Not everyone appreciates Daniel’s politics. Come on, we’d better get moving before some sort of camera crew shows up.”

  “I agree,” Sera said. She watched Josie’s face closely expecting a reaction of some kind, but she might as well have worn a mask.

  “Why are they protesting you here in Scotland when you’re an MP in London?”

  Daniel shrugged. “They follow me everywhere.”

  “Let’s head to lunch and hope we can lose them.”

  Hans nodded, “Once we get out onto the street, I think we should split up. Everyone meet at Deacons in half an hour.” He headed for the Lady Stairs Close that would lead to the Lawnmarket street. Everyone followed except for Gretchen and Daniel who were having a quiet conversation behind.

  “You coming?” Sera called back. Gretchen kissed Daniel on the cheek and then rushed to join Sera. “Come on. Daniel will catch up. He’s going to try to lose them.”

  “Okay.”

  They headed toward the pub, and when Sera glanced back again, she could see that he was arguing with the woman in the dark wig.

  “How long have you known Daniel?” Sera asked Gretchen as casually as she could.

  Gretchen paused. “I know you’re trying to be helpful Sera, but I really don’t feel like talking about it.”

  Sera grimaced, taken aback. “Oh, okay, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to be nosey.”

  “No, it’s fine, but actually, I think I’m going to go after him. I’ll meet you at the tavern.”

  Sera was trying to figure out what she’d said to upset Gretchen when she came upon some of the group members walking ahead of her. It was Josie, Kyla, and their hanger-on, Gordon. They hadn’t noticed her yet, so she slowed down to listen.

  “Is it true he got busted last weekend?” Gordon asked.

  “For what?” One of the girls, she wasn’t sure if it was Josie or Kyla, responded.

  “From what I heard; it was lewd activity. There was something else about him procuring drugs for young men too,” Gordon answered.

  “Wow. I never heard that,” Josie replied. “I swear that man is an enigma—like a real-life Jekyll and Hyde.”

  Sera followed the trio inside the busy tavern but split off when they found a table, wandering over to Hans instead who was standing by the bar discussing bagpipes with Jim. Lily looked bored as she dipped tortilla chips into cheese sauce.

  “Looks like the gangs all here, and they’ve got us a table,” Jim said, picking up his drink.

  Ten minutes later, after the waitress had been over, the conversation found its way back to the same topic.

  “Poor Gretchen. She looked worried, didn’t she?” Lily said.

  Jim nodded. “I can’t imagine why though. I mean, Daniel’s an MP and a grown man. Surely the poor bugger can fend for himself.”

  Sera craned her neck to watch the door. There was still no sign of them.

  Next to her, Rhiannon sipped her vegetable Scotch broth.

  “From what I’ve read online, trouble does seem to find him,” Selene said, reaching for one of her boyfriend’s crispy squid. “But I’m sure he’ll be alright.”

  “What sort of trouble?” Lily demanded.

  Jim turned. “Oh, never you mind, Lily. The man’s scandalous. That’s all you need to know.”

  “Oh, and what makes you the expert?”

  Sera listened to the Beanstalkes argue in between their bites of crofter’s pie. Her stomach rumbled; just as she noticed her own dish coming out of the kitchen. Thank goodness.

  “All the craziness going on around us.” Selene lowered her voice and leaned across the table. “I don’t know. I just have a bad feeling. Has anyone talked to Nelle . . .?”

  “No, why would we need to call Nelle?” Hans asked.

  “Well, I mean given what happened last time we all ventured out on a trip? Isn’t anyone else worried? Like, why didn’t she join us?”

  “Right,” Gordon agreed. “I’ve got a bad feeling about this trip . . .” His voice trailed off.

  “Well, let’s not panic just yet,” Sera said, looking to Hans for back-up. Without Nelle here it was up to her and Hans to keep everything under control. Unfortunately, Hans also looked worried.

  Three

  A fter eating so much, it felt good to walk. They strolled up and down the Royal Mile, eyes peeled for the missing duo, taking in the castle, the street magic, and the shops. They were standing outside the Witchery when at last Gretchen came up to them with a slightly worried look on her face.

  “Has anyone seen Daniel?” she asked. “I can't find him. I tried calling him, but he's not answering his cell phone.”

  Sera and Hans both shook their heads. “Sorry. Haven't seen him since we left the Writers’ Museum. He’s really been missing all this time.”

  Sera envisioned different scenarios of how they’d find him. Back at the flat, maybe he needed a nap after his wild evening or maybe his phone had died, and he’d gone back to charge it.

  There had to be a logical solution.

  “Should we call the police?” Selene asked.

  Sera shook her head. “They won’t do anything yet, and besides, I’m sure it’s nothing.”

  Gretchen nodded.

  Sera picked up her phone and clicked his newly added name in her contacts, but when she got his voice mail, she left him a brief message. “Daniel, it’s Sera. Call me at this number when you get this message.” She disconnected and looked at Hans.

  “I'll go look for him,” Hans offered.

  “We’ll help too,” Josie said, pointing to Kyla.

  “No!” Lily cried out, throwing out her hands.

  Jim grabbed at her. “Lily! What is it?”

  “I see death around one of you,” she replied.

  “You see death? What the heck does that mean?” Josie asked, clutching for her chest like she was protecting her heart.

  “It means be careful,” Jim announced. “My wife can see death.”

  “Well, what does she see? Which one of us is in danger?”

  “I don’t know?” Lily sounded defeated. “I never know for sure. I see the Grim Reaper, and he’s hovering, but I don’t know who he’s here to collect.”

  Adrenaline shot through Sera. The Grim Reaper, this was a new turn of events. “We don’t know anything for sure yet. Let’s just calm down and think.”

  Gretchen started to cry. “What if it’s Daniel? What if the Grim Reaper is here to collect Daniel?”

  “Well, what do you want us to do?” Sera said.

  “I want everyone to look for him,” she said.

  “But what if something happens to one of us,” Selene said. “I mean if what Lily says is true, the Grim Reaper is following us. Not Daniel.”

  Gretchen’s panic was beginning to rub off on Sera, but she was determined to keep it together.

  Hans must have noticed. He flashed her a look. “Everyone split off into smaller groups. Check in with Sera in twenty minutes,” he said.

  While Sera paced the streets, she attempted to reach Daniel by phone again.

  “It’s not unusual for him not to answer,” Josie said when Sera let a curse of frustration slip. “His ringer is always on silent.”

  Gretchen grunted, and Josie’s face went red. “Well, he always answers the phone when I call,” she snarled back.

  An hour later, the sidewa
lks were even more crowded. They’d reached St. Giles Cathedral where they’d been instructed to meet a man named Mac for the City of the Dead Tour. Despite the tour’s name, the guide was quite lively. He was dressed in costume and threw his voice, making jokes ranging from silly to inappropriate. Or maybe it just felt inappropriate because Daniel was still missing.

  They’d eventually split off into pairs, but most everyone had returned to the agreed upon meeting spot. Night was falling, and it was beginning to get dark. Not only that but it looked as though there was a storm brewing.

  Sera shot off a text to both Daniel and Hans—neither of who responded.

  Rhiannon leaned in, “How long is this thing, anyway? Is that hunky ghost hunter guy from the other night joining us? And will there be libations?”

  “About an hour and a half, I believe. Not that I know of, and I think it ends down at the cemetery, so we could grab dinner or drinks in the Grassmarket area.”

  The guide had led them to the Old Fishmarket Close—oddly enough back to where they were staying. They came to a stop midway, and Hans and Gretchen joined them breathing heavily from running.

  “Any luck?” Selene asked.

  “Nope. We even checked his flat, but he’s not there.”

  “Where’s Josie?” Kyla asked.

  “What do you mean?” Hans said. “I thought she was back with you.”

  Kyla shook her head. “I’ll text her. Knowing her, she probably stopped at the bar for a drink.”

  Gretchen’s eyes teared up, and Sera pulled her in for a hug. “It’ll be okay. Just try to enjoy yourself. You’ll see him soon enough, and you can let him have it for making us all worry.”

  Gretchen nodded and blew her nose.

  The tour guide began to speak about how Edinburgh was built to keep enemies out. Sera was only half listening as she once again was texting the missing member chastising him for taking off. It struck Sera as odd that Josie had now disappeared too. As they continued down the alley headed for the street that would take them to the South Bridge Vaults, the guide detailed how the people threw the contents of their chamber pots out the window sometimes splattering the people below. Sera’s neck prickled spontaneously with nerves.

  “You okay?” Rhiannon whispered in Sera’s ear.

  Sera nodded. “Yeah, I heard we’re due for an electrical storm tonight. I think I’m just uneasy about that on top of Daniel’s vanishing routine.” She remembered Daemon’s name in her phone and decided it couldn’t hurt to text him as well and best before they go underground. Nana had put them into contact for a reason. She tucked her phone back into her little purse and tuned back into the guide’s speech which had turned dark, warning them of the South Bridge entity they were about to encounter. Lightning lit up the sky, and a cold breeze buffeted her face, chilling and fortifying her at the same time.

  “Why is it so cold out here?” Selene whined. “My hands are so numb; I can barely hold my phone.”

  The tour guide turned and gave her an icy stare. “You did hear me say, there’s no videoing allowed on the tour, right?”

  Selene huffed. “I thought you were kidding. Do you not want a good review online, or what?”

  “Or what.” The man answered.

  Sera felt a smile crack through. She studied Selene, who’d foolishly chosen to wear a skirt today. Her lips were a little blue in tinge. “You maybe should have considered a warmer wardrobe.”

  Selene stiffened. “Whatever. Who knew January in Scotland was so chilly?”

  Rhiannon clapped her hands together. “Umm, virtually everyone else. I included the weather forecast in the outline email.”

  Selene bristled. “Whatever, let’s just go inside already, please, before I freeze to death.”

  The guide laughed. “Ach, okay. I’m no’ sure you’ll fare any better in there. Now everyone, step right up. I have flashlights and EMF readers for those who want to chase the wee ghosties. Stop when you see the pile of bones.”

  “Won’t the storm mess with the readings?” Lily asked from the back.

  As if in answer, Mother Nature let loose with a large rumble followed by a flash of light.

  Rhiannon and Gordon jumped excitedly, examining their devices. “Look at that! It’s lighting up already.” Gordon said as he stepped inside.

  “See. I told you,” Lily said, but Gordon was already off chasing the little beeps coming from his instrument.

  Through the door, down a steep set of stairs, and into a cave-like room they all went.

  Something scurried across the metal stairs to the right. Dark, cramped, and ancient, these vaults were certainly living up to the spooky hype.

  Next to Sera, Kyla sprang up. “What was that?”

  “Probably a mouse,” Gordon said.

  “Ewww!” Kyla said, shuddering. “Please tell me you’re joking.”

  On the other side of Sera, Gordon chuckled.

  “It’s going to be okay,” Sera said and patted her hand, half wishing she’d hung back and skipped this part of the tour, but at least she was no longer obsessing over their missing tour members.

  “What in the hell is this place?” Selene mumbled.

  “Definitely not Hell. Hell would be much warmer.” Gordon joked.

  The cave-like room projected a feeling of doom and gloom that screamed “horror film,” and given the silly antics of the guide, perhaps they were only one half-naked girl away from a cheesy B movie rating.

  “All right!” the guide said, barely able to keep the excitement out of his voice. “Let’s talk about the people who lived down here and what life might have looked like for them.”

  The place was basically a cave. Sera shivered. The floors were dirt and stone, and there were obviously rats. How did they sleep?

  “Can you imagine living in the dark like this?” Selene asked. Sera had to agree. This place was depressing.

  “You probably can’t imagine anywhere with bad lighting. How would you ever film your life,” Rhiannon teased.

  Ricky let a laugh slip, and Selene jabbed his chest. “Hey! You couldn’t live down here either. How could you read your precious script?”

  Script? So, that was what he wrote. Sera thought to herself.

  “Children lived down here too?” It was too dark to see faces, but it sounded like Lily was flabbergasted.

  “Oh yes, who do you think haunts it? Some were born and died, never having even left.”

  “How sad.”

  Selene snapped a picture—completely tone deaf to the topic. The flash blinding everyone.

  “Cholera, tuberculosis, smallpox, and typhus ran rampant in these terrible conditions.” The guide continued.

  “Hey! There are orbs in this picture. Gretchen, they really seem to like you.” Selene shouted and interrupted once again.

  Gretchen glanced quickly from left to right, and Sera saw Hans take her hand and whisper in her ear. He really was a sweet man. Sera thought to herself.

  “Come on, let’s keep going. Mind the stairs, now please.” They’d just come down a stairwell, and now they were going up. But these stairs were metal, and they were leading inside the wall of the cave. They paused at the top where there were two chambers and some sort of torture device. Sera snapped a couple of pics of it while the guide told more stories of Edinburgh’s sad history of poverty and neglect. She noticed the orbs really did seem to attach themselves to Gretchen.

  Then they continued on. The stone floor sloped unevenly in places, and stalactites hung from the ceiling. Icy water droplets pitter-pattered on Sera’s coat and occasionally landed on the top of her head. She pulled the hood up and ignored the bristling at her neck, instead turning her attention to the slick lichen coating the stone walls.

  “What’s that smell?” Selene whispered a moment later. Sera noticed; she was gripping her boyfriend’s hand for all it was worth.

  Sera wrinkled her nose. “Mildew.”

  “Oh, yes and some,” the guide agreed. “Don’t touch the walls. Durin
g the construction of South Bridge, the builders failed to seal the bridge hence the reason why the shops were driven out.”

  From one of the chambers there was a loud echoing ghostly scream. The hair on the back of Sera’s neck stood on end as they all scrambled toward the noise.

  “What’s going on?” Sera demanded as she saw Lily on the ground. Her husband and Gretchen leaning over her.

  “It’s Lily,” Gretchen said. “She’s insisting Daniel’s down here with us.

  Mac, the paranormal tour guide, pulled out his EMF reader, and the thing zipped and beeped.

  “Shut that thing off,” Hansen said. “This isn’t a joke,” he whispered. “She really believes.”

  “Aye. It’s no’ a joke to me either,” he answered. “I believe her.”

  Gretchen started to cry, and Hansen wrapped his arm around her. “I think it’s time we headed back to the surface.”

  The guide sighed. “Fine.” After a moment, he said, “This way.”

  As Sera followed, her flashlight flickered, and she had to resist the urge to run. Her electrical powers were on guard and crackling at her fingertips. It was all she could do to control it.

  She focused on the stone walls as she waited for her turn to walk through a doorway and screamed bloody murder when the guide who was hiding behind the door popped out to scare her.

  She swallowed down the electrical pulses while the man laughed hysterically. He’d never know how close he’d just come to being electrocuted. As he locked the vault door from the outside, Sera made sure to tap him on the shoulder before walking away. There was nothing like a little zap to wipe the smile from his face.

  Want to keep reading: Hyde & Seek on Amazon

  Also available on B&N, Apple & Kobo

  Or start from the beginning of the Series with Scandal & Gretel.

  Mistletoe Cocktail

  Need a festive new cocktail to serve at your hopping holiday parties. Look no further!

  Ingredients:

  1 1/2 ounce vodka

  1/2 ounce elderflower liqueur

  1 1/2 ounce cranberry juice

  1/2 ounce simple syrup

  Cranberries