“I heard a car,” Theo mumbled, still half asleep. “Or did I dream it?”

I shook my head, walking closer to the large bay window. “No. Someone’s coming.” A light blanket of snow covered the driveway, so the car was crawling along. I still couldn’t make out what kind of car it was. Behind me, a door opened and closed, and I looked away from my post for a moment. I wasn’t quick enough, and Felix was already locking the door behind him. 0/2 today.

“Is it the realtor?” he asked, stuffing the key into his pocket. I made a point to remember he kept it on his body. The only thing that made sense really, because where else in the house would be safe from prying eyes?

“I can’t see what kind of car it is yet.” I turned back to the window, but all I could make out was headlights.

“Well, we need to stop them before they get too close. Any ideas?”

Theo groaned. “Not this again. Don’t make me pretend to be a ghost upstairs. It was so embarrassing.”

I turned around to smile at him. “I’m sure you made an absolutely adorable ghost.”

He rolled his eyes. “Thanks but no thanks, sweet girl.”

Luther joined us, stepping out of the library to look down at us from the top of the stairs. “It isn’t the realtor. It’s a black car, not silver.”

“So who the hell would be coming here in the middle of fucking winter?” Felix frowned, joining me at the window.

I shrugged. “I guess we’ll have to wait and see.”

We all held our breaths in a collective silence, until the car rounded the last curve. A black sedan, unremarkable in every way except…

“Brynn,” I breathed.

“I’m sorry, Brynn, as in your best friend teaching in Korea, Brynn?” Luther asked.

I whirled around. “That’s Brynn’s car. She must be back for Christmas, and wondered why the fuck she hasn’t heard from me.” As soon as I realized what her intentions were, dread flooded my veins. “She can’t come in here! She’ll be trapped like we are. How the fuck do I make her stay outside?”

Felix grabbed my shoulders, giving me a quick shake. “Take a breath, Sav. It’s going to be okay. People outside can still see and hear us through the windows. How do you think the haunted house rumor started?”