Protecting His Windflower (A Spirit Hunters Series Novel Book 1) by Temperance Dawn (best black authors .txt) 📕

Emily echoed, saying a silent prayer that she wasn’t turning beet red from the blush creeping up her face.

“I’m glad to see someone finally living here. It will be nice to have a neighbor again.”

Curious at Liam’s statement, Emily asked, “How long was the place empty?”

“About six months. Phil just can’t seem to find reliable tenants. I know he was worried about dropping the rent price, afraid he’d only get shoddy people inquiring.”

“Oh. I can assure you I’m not shoddy. I’m a quiet person, there won’t be any loud parties or any commotion coming from my place. Plus, I don’t know anyone here in the city yet, so I won’t be having company anytime soon.” Emily stared down at her keys, embarrassed that she’d already shared so much information with a perfect stranger. Albeit, her incredibly attractive new neighbor, but a stranger nonetheless. Willing the moment to pass quickly, she fumbled for her key, clutching it between her thumb and finger.

“Oh, no. Please don’t take that the wrong way.” Liam took a small step toward her. “Phil sounded very happy when he told me you would be moving in. Don’t worry. You might hear a couple of my friends from time to time. We work together, so we occasionally meet up here to talk business, but we’re not party animals. You said you don’t know anyone around here. May I ask, where did you move from?”

Emily pulled in a breath. “Seattle,” she admitted.

Liam’s eyes lit up as he smiled down at her. They were the color of crystal clear waters with light and dark tones dancing together, creating a kaleidoscope effect as she gazed into them. “Seattle? Really? I’ve been up there a few times. Great city.”

“Yes. It’s a great place to live.” Seattle had been the only home Emily had known until a couple of weeks ago. She was more than ready to restart her life in a new city and forget about all of the heartache from her past. Though the darkness still lingered near her, an element she wasn’t sure she would ever be able to escape.

“Actually, I’m glad we ran into each other. I was just thinking of heading upstairs to introduce myself to you.”

“Oh yeah? I came by to do the same a bit earlier, but you weren’t home. Do you always keep your window open when you’re gone?” Liam’s ocean eyes brightened. His mouth tipped into a sexy grin.

“Umm…My front window seems to be swinging open a lot. I know I close it and latch it. I even triple checked before I left this morning,” Emily giggled at the absurdity of it. She was nervous. She knew the presence around her was growing stronger—could feel the weight of it pressing down on her as each day passed. And that evening, as she entered the building, it felt the heaviest. Emily had grown accustomed to it, had perfected her ability to ignore it. But since arriving in San Francisco, she found it more difficult to brush off the ominous spirit. She only hoped it stayed hidden from Liam. The thought of it latching onto and tormenting anyone around her was unbearable. She hoped it would lighten its grip on her soon. It was a cycle all too familiar to her. During any significant life change, the spirit made itself known by overshadowing her, as if to prove who was truly in charge.

Only this time, the presence felt more powerful than in the past. Consuming her thoughts and her dreams. “But it’s open now. I saw it swinging open from outside.”

“Would you like me to take a look?”

“You don’t mind?” Emily asked.

“Of course not. It’s part of my job description here,” Liam said casually. He gestured with his hand toward Emily’s door, “After you,” and she led him inside.

Emily held her door open, inviting Liam into her flat. She hung her sweater and purse on the hook in the entry, and Liam waited in the middle of her living room. When she turned to face him, he asked, “So, how do you like the place?”

“I love it. The neighborhood is great. And it’s quiet.” A breeze blew through, causing Emily to shiver.

Liam turned to the window. “So this window here?”

“Yes. I have no idea why it keeps opening.”

Liam pulled the window in, closing off the outside elements, and swung the latch to lock it before giving it a good push. “A breeze shouldn’t be able to open it. It fits tight against the frame with the latch in place. It should be impossible for wind to catch it and swing it open. You said it’s been happening a lot?”

Emily shivered once more. Instinct told her it wasn’t a breeze causing the window to open, and her concern grew at the realization. The haunting had never manipulated her space before. Only making itself known by its presence and in her dreams. “Yes. Almost daily.”

Liam bobbed his head as she spoke, still observing the window. “That is strange. I’ll tell you what. I’ll go grab a couple more latches and install them for you. That should keep it closed.”

Emily stood staring at the window while Liam spoke. An eerie feeling washed over her, setting her on edge. Her skin pebbled as her hairs stood on end. Attempting again to ignore her reality of being haunted, she told herself it was just from the fog that had rolled in. It easily weaved itself into any void, bringing with it a drizzle that covered everything and could chill anyone to the bone.

“Everything okay?”

Emily jumped. She’d been unaware that she’d drifted off in her thoughts. “Huh? I’m sorry, what?”

“Is everything okay?”

“Oh, yes. I just got cold all of a sudden. Must be a draft from the open window. I’ll just turn on the heat.” She crossed to the opposite wall and switched on the thermostat, but nothing happened. No clicking or humming sounds from the vent, indicating that the furnace was working. “That’s weird.”

“What is?” Liam remained staring at the window.

“I