Ryan doesn’t expect too much from his weekend at the Shadows and Souls fan convention in Tahoe -- he wants to meet his online friends, engage in a few heated debates about the plot for the upcoming season, and maybe shake the hand of the TV show’s star, Johnny Marlowe. But his weekend goes off course almost immediately after his arrival. First, the hotel loses his booking. Then Johnny Marlowe talks to him like they’re actual friends. And while his head is still spinning, a ghost attacks him in the elevator.<br><br>Despite fighting ghosts every week on television, Johnny Marlowe does not believe in the spirit world. However, he does believe he should get to know Ryan better. Fan or not, the man is not only gorgeous, he’s down-to-earth, fun, and makes Johnny forget about the fake life he’s forced to lead and the ex-boyfriend who refused to participate in the charade. Unfortunately, every time Johnny tries to get close to the handsome ginger, something explodes or the earth shakes or lights blink out -- and none of that is as sexy as it sounds.<br><br>Johnny doesn’t believe in ghosts, but he knows he has to get to the bottom of this haunting if he ever wants to get close to his biggest fan.

Between the Shadow and the Soul

“Clear your minds,” she instructed. “Which probably shouldn’t be that hard for you.”


“What’s that supposed to mean?” Johnny asked.


“Don’t worry about it,” Ryan said. “Just concentrate.”


But how was he supposed to clear his mind? He’d tried meditation in the past—Christian had converted to Buddhism not long before they met, and he was eager to have Johnny participate during the early days of their relationship. Johnny understood the appeal, he did, but he had what Christian called “monkey brain.” He couldn’t quiet his thoughts. The only time he ever got any relief from his own churning mind was when he became somebody else. Johnny couldn’t concentrate, but maybe ace paranormal investigator Isaac Tesla could.


Chapter 29