A smirk played over his lips, and I had never seen anything sexier in my life, dead or not dead.
“Do you want me that much?”
“Yes,” I said shamelessly.
Hadrian glanced at me. Just one swift glance, lasting no longer than a second, but the smoldering heat in it…mm, well, let’s just say it was hotter than Hell, enough to make me clear my throat and start fanning my face. Phew.
“You’re looking a little red,” Hadrian murmured.
“Am I? It’s getting a little hot. Must be your air-conditioning,” I quipped.
“Or I’m just too hot.”
I couldn’t help laughing even though we both knew it was true. “That should’ve made you sound like a butthole,” I said with a sigh, “but it didn’t.” I tugged his sleeve again, asking hopefully, “Are you really sure you can’t spare even just five minutes?”
“Unfortunately, no…since we’re already here.” Hadrian switched his engine off as he spoke, and I realized with a start that he had already backed his car into a parking slot. I got out of the car and looked around me, unnerved by the thickness of the fog around us.
Hadrian frowned when he saw me already out of the car. “You should’ve waited for me to open the door for you,” he admonished gently.
“You can’t open a door for a ghost,” I teased.
But he only shrugged this off, saying, “Just wait for me to open it next time.”
“Is that something you do for all women or just me?”
“Just you.”
“Ha!”
But Hadrian didn’t even answer, busy as he was taking my hand to snap a plain gold band around my wrist.
“Uh. What’s this?” And was it normal for him to carry around women’s bracelets with him all the time, like a serial killer always needing to have something to lure college co-eds…
Hadrian rolled his eyes. “Whatever it is you’re thinking, I promise it’s not that.” He ran his fingers over the bracelet, and I gasped in surprise when I saw brightly glowing symbols materialize on his surface.
“Is this battery-operated or solar powered?”
“Neither,” Hadrian answered with a smile.
“Neither?”
“Because it’s magical.”
“Uh huh.” He had to be kidding.
“And the place we’re about to enter is spell-protected.”
“I see.”
“Without this bracelet, you won’t be able to enter the place.”
“Even if I’m a ghost?”
“Even if you’re a ghost.”
Hadrian took my hand, and the fog began to thin as we started walking. I had no idea how Hadrian could see where we’re going, but we eventually arrived at the front steps of…
Shit.
Silver Mist Hospital, the panel signage read, and that was not a good thing. Ghosts loved hanging out at hospitals, which of course made it one of my top places to avoid.
Actions Taken:
1. Sentries immediately attempted rescue and retrieval but were only able to retrieve several pieces of human bones.
2. Alarm was sounded off at 0420H.
3. Remains were sent to NSA for autopsy.
4. Additional evidence collected from areas of interest revealed use of a swapping spell.