Betrayal by Lee Nichols Read Free Book Online Page B

walked through the front gates to the street. Ghosts and ghostkeepers alike watched as we strode through the ancient lane, back to civilization. Word must’ve gotten out about the attack; they scowled and whispered as we passed.
    â€œThey think it’s my fault,” I said to Bennett.
    â€œIgnore them,” he said. “They don’t know anything about you.”
    We took a cab to the hotel, and I fell asleep on the way, my face pressed against the sticky black vinyl. Must’ve been the aftermath of all that energy I’d exploded into Rachel. Or just the emotional exhaustion of the day.
    I blinked blearily when Bennett gently woke me and escorted me into the lobby of an intimate and chic hotel that my mother would’ve loved. I suddenly yearned for her. She’d never been the comforting sort, but she was at least good for a cuddle when things got this low.
    Which was more than I could say for Bennett—we couldn’t even hug. Still, when he sat me in a chair while he checked in, I couldn’t help wondering if he’d reserved one room or two. And though I knew we shouldn’t touch, when he came back with two keycards, my heart sank.
    We found my room first, and Bennett waited at the door.
    â€œWill you come in?” I asked. “I don’t want to be alone.”
    â€œOnly for a minute,” he said as we went inside. “You need to sleep.”
    I nodded, relieved that he wasn’t deserting me. “Do you mind if I jump in the shower? I need to get out of these clothes and … scrub the wraiths off my skin.”
    â€œYeah, I know what you mean. Go ahead.”
    The bathroom was large, considering the size of the room, with elegant fittings and warm beige tile. There were fluffy white towels and lush bath products, and the whole place felt about a thousand miles from the Knell.
    After the shower, I slipped into the gray silk robe I’d packed and applied a little lip gloss—and heard the door to the room close. Had Bennett grown tired of waiting for me? I poked my head out and found him sitting on the chair in a fresh navy T-shirt and jeans, his own hair wet.
    â€œI showered, too,” he said. “My room’s the next one over. I tried to be quick.”
    I crossed the floor and stood in front of him. “The first time we met, did you know who I was?”
    â€œYou were Max’s little sister.” He glanced away. “Don’t you have pajamas? Something high-necked and flannel?”
    â€œYou know what I mean, Bennett. Did you recognize me? Know that I looked like Thatcher’s Emma and the one in the tapestry?”
    â€œWhen I met you, you looked like a geeky little girl in braces.”
    â€œI didn’t wear braces!”
    â€œNo, but you looked like you did.”
    I narrowed my eyes. “You’re trying to change the subject.”
    He took a steadying breath. “Yes, I recognized you. The lady in the tapestry is legendary, Emma. And you not only share her ancestry, but her name.”
    I didn’t want to ask my next question, but I had to know. “Did the Knell tell you to pretend to be in love with me, so I’d do what they wanted? Is this all a lie?”
    â€œNo.” He took my hands. “Emma, ever since I met you, I knew I shouldn’t care for you. But I did—even then. I couldn’t help how I felt. The last thing the Knell wants is for us to be in love. They think I’ve betrayed them. But I’m sorry, there are powers stronger than ghostkeeping.”
    I felt my heart loosen as I stared at our interlocked hands. “I just want to touch you.”
    â€œMe, too,” he said, his voice rough.
    I was suddenly aware of my nakedness under my robe. “Couldn’t we … just once?”
    He brought my hands to his lips. “You don’t know what you’re asking.”
    â€œI want to be with you. I want to be who we really are, a girl and a boy who