Read Online Fangtabulous by Lucienne Diver - Free Book Online Page B

doesn’t go with the costume. Kari would probably have my head.”
    Definitely interesting.
    “We’re not on a tour right now,” I argued.
    We were already outside, heading toward the Old Jail. It was just the two of us, but still, it was a no-go. In fact, she put a hand over her chest—over the pendant—as if I might see it right through her shirt.
    Curiouser and curiouser.
    “Come on,” I wheedled. “What’s the big secret? This town was founded on the idea of religious freedom, right?”
    “If you mean the right to practice one particular religion, then yes. Anyway, I’m sorry, but how is my belief any of your business?” she asked.
    Fair point. It wasn’t … technically . Not unless she was some kind of witch and could actually work magic. Even then, I guess it wasn’t my business unless she’d used that magic to create the kind of supernatural incident that would bring the Ghouligans to town so that she could act out a little drama and get herself discovered. But even as I thought it, I knew it was more jealousy than logic speaking. If Rebecca wanted to find fame and fortune, there were far more direct paths on which no one had to die.
    “It isn’t,” I admitted with a shrug.
    She relaxed, her hand slipping away from her pendant. “Anyway, I’m supposed to be playing you , so I need to get into your head, not the other way around. Tell me all about yourself.”
    My favorite topic.
    Of course, I skipped right over my death and resurrection and started with going to work for Haunts. I took her through my near-death-due-to-strangulation, the feel of the chill hands on my neck, my collar twisted tight across my throat like a gallows rope …
    When we hit the approximate spot where the attack had happened, I acted it out for her six or eight times, then watched her go through it herself, critiquing her performance, suggesting improvements. I had to admit that she was good, totally better than I’d be at taking direction. But giving it—that was a whole ’nother matter. Maybe my dreams of stardom hadn’t completely gone up in smoke with my death … maybe I just had to wrap my mind around working on the other end of the camera. Directing —now that was something I could sink my teeth into.
    By the time we were done, I was almost having fun. Rebecca’s eyes were shining, and I was just glad Bobby couldn’t see her like that, because as knock-out as she was standing still, animated she was powerful. She made a better me than me.
    “Nailed it,” I told her, and she came in for a high-five. I met her part way.
    “You must have been terrified,” she said, not for the first time. “I almost wish I felt something here. It’s so hard to imagine that kind of thing … ghostly hands around your neck.” She shuddered.
    Strangely, I was no longer compelled to throttle her myself so she could get the experience first-hand.
    “Just be glad you only have to imagine. Remember, the last girl was killed. I only escaped by the skin of my teeth.”
    The light in Rebecca’s eyes dimmed. “Sorry, I wasn’t thinking.”
    I shrugged. “That happens to me all the time. Or so Bobby would tell you.”
    “I bet he wouldn’t.”
    It was sweet of her to say, but I suspected she wasn’t the kind to go around offering praise without an ulterior motive.
    “So, is he The One?” she added casually.
    “The one what?”
    “ You know .”
    “You mean, like, forever, until death do us part?” Or …
not, in our case.
    It was a terrifying thought. I loved Bobby, but eternity was a lot longer for us than for most people. I didn’t exactly have commitment issues, but I’d thumbed through the fashion spreads before placing the magazine back in the rack.
    “Whoa, sorry, it wasn’t meant to be a tough question. You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
    I smiled feebly at that and suggested we head back. Rebecca touched her chest again, as if to be sure the pendant was still locked and loaded before leaving, but I