Chapter 42

“What the…”

It might have been a playful cry of one person scaring another, but Io realized something was amiss by the way the group backed away from the front door. Much to his dismay, Io watched as Ellis Blackstone floated into the room with a handful of other ghosts behind him. Though the music continued to play, the dancing had stopped, everyone fixated on the arrival of the specters. As the host, and terrified that not only would Cinder be upset but Gerard as well, Io pushed his way through the throng until he reached Ellis.

“What are you doing here?”

“Evening, my boy. I thought we might liven up your little get together with some actual spooks, unlike the poor fellas you’ve got sitting out in the yard.”

“Are you trying to get me in trouble?” Io hissed, hands clenching into fists.