The Haunted by J. A. Templeton Read Free Book Online

Cait. She didn’t show any sign that she noticed his presence.
    “ Oh hey, Megan…I forgot to tell you that Sheila said Milo’s band sounds like shit.”
    Megan’s face dropped. “What the hell does she know what Milo’s band sounds like?”
    Cassandra shrugged and took a bite of salad. “That’s exactly what I asked her. She said she heard he sucked.”
    “ Bitch,” Megan said. “He’s bloody brilliant. You just wait and see.”
    “ I’ve heard him. I know how good he is,” Cassandra said, cracking open a diet soda.
    “ He is good,” Cait added. “Damn good.”
    Megan immediately relaxed. “Thanks guys.”
    “ I’m excited to hear him play,” I said, meaning it. I couldn’t wait for Milo’s party.

Chapter 8
     
    I was tense as I knocked on the front door of Braemar castle. Despite the fact Kade was at practice, which was a relief in itself, I had to be sure not to say anything or let on that this wasn’t my first visit to their home. It’s not like I’d blurt out, “Hey, I’m the one who broke into your home while you were on holiday to perform a ritual to free your ancestor Ian from a curse put on him by a dead, but very evil witch.” Yeah, that’d go over so well.
    I glanced over my shoulder and Peter waved at me from where he sat on the stone wall—the same stone wall I had originally seen Laria. He hadn’t wanted to come closer to the castle, and, in a way, I was relieved. I definitely didn’t need him distracting me.
    The door opened and a petite, cute woman with soft brown eyes and auburn hair cut in a bob smiled back at me. She wore yoga pants, a Nike T-shirt and blinding white tennies. “You must be Riley Williams,” she said, extending a hand. “It’s so lovely to meet you. I am Karen, Cait’s mum.”
    Honestly, I didn’t see any resemblance between Cait, Kade, and their mom. I suppose I was expecting someone who looked like Maggie, Ian’s mum, with dark hair and large blue eyes to open the door. I shook her hand, and her grip was surprisingly strong.
    “ It’s nice to meet you, too.”
    Her grin widened. “I like your accent.”
    I had grown used to hearing those words, especially since school had started. Funny, but I had never thought of myself as having an accent.
    “ Hey,” Cait said, coming around the bend in the stairs.
    “ Hey.”
    “ Would you like anything to drink, Riley?” Karen asked. “A cup of tea, perhaps?”
    “ No, I’m fine, thanks.”
    Cait rolled her eyes and took me by the hand. “Come on. Mum, we’ll be in my room.”
    “ Dinner is at six. Would you like to stay, Riley?”
    Staying for dinner meant I’d see Kade. “Sure, that would be great,” I said before I could talk myself out of it.
    “ Great. Would you like me to call your parents?”
    “ No, I’ll let Miss Akin know.”
    Her brow furrowed slightly, but she nodded. “Very well.”
    Cait motioned for me to follow her.
    I had to admit, I felt guilty for having broken into their home as we rounded the turret steps. We passed by a few doors, and then stepped into a room that was a glaring scarlet red. The curtains were black and there were crosses and angels everywhere…but I liked it. “Nice,” I said, tossing my backpack on her bed. There was a little cubbyhole room, and she had her laptop setting on a desk in the small space.
    “ My mum freaked when I picked out the color, but she’s warming to it…or so she says. She told me she’s glad she doesn’t have to sleep in here.”
    That sounded like something my mom would have said. I saw a board with pictures of friends. Cait had used safety pins to hang the pictures. I smiled seeing Megan in a lot of the photos, and I recognized the glen in more than one shot. My pulse skittered seeing Kade, sans shirt, playing football. He had an incredible body—nice wide chest, perfect pecs, a solid six-pack and the deep V that disappeared beneath the waistband of his pants. The same deep V that made girls get stupid, myself