Con stared up at the hulking Victorian monstrosity, the strap of his bag digging deep into his shoulder. The suitcase Mercy had forced on him leaned against his leg. He still couldn't figure out why she thought he would need so many different clothing options. Ten to one he'd be in his sweats most of the time. Maybe his swim trunks.

A sign off to his left proclaimed: Welcome to Haven Hot Springs—A Haven for the Mind and Body.

Sometimes he hated his sister. 

He glanced up at the overcast sky. Bare oak branches cut stark lines overhead. Even a crow cawed at him from its perch atop the porch roof. Dead leaves tumbled across dead grass with a hollow rattling sound. A cold, autumn wind cut through his Carhartt jacket, making him tuck his chin, seeking some kind of warmth.

"You look cold."

Con flinched slightly at the soft voice behind him. He half-turned, swearing under his breath when his suitcase toppled to the ground. For a moment, he considered righting it. He dismissed the idea just as quickly. He'd pick it up when he finally decided to go in.

A pretty Asian woman smiled at him, her glossy, black hair billowing out from under a knit cap tugged low to protect her ears. "It's nicer inside. And warmer."

Con raised a skeptical brow, glancing at the faded white paint. A few of the shingles flapped with the wind, which was starting to pick up. A verdigrised weathervane spun at the top of the steeply pitched roof. 

A shadow stared down at them from a small balcony, leaning on the decorative railing. Con blinked and it was gone, making him scowl. Stupid shadow figures.

"Unless you're waiting for someone?" The woman had stepped up beside him, her dark eyes trained on the balcony as well.

Did she see it too?

Con shook the ridiculous thought away. It was in his head. Of course she couldn't see it. 

"No." His answer came out more sharply than he'd intended.

She peered at him from the corner of her eye. Con winced internally. He was being weird. Being weird drew attention, and the very last thing he wanted was attention. So he turned to face her and stuck out his hand. "I'm Con. Brennan."

The woman glanced down, an amused smile playing on her lips. "Ella," she said, taking his hand. "Park."

Her fingers were warm in his, the skin of her hand smooth and dry. He met her eyes, letting out a startled gasp. Her irises were an orange-gold, her pupils vertical slits, and he could see sharpened fangs indenting her lower lip. Con pulled his hand from hers, tucking it in his pocket to hide the trembling.

Ella Park blinked up at him with decidedly ordinary eyes, confused. Con swore at himself. At his stupid brain. He hated those delusions the most—the ones that turned ordinary people into monsters.

"H-Have you checked in yet?" he stammered, trying to cover his momentary slip toward madness. "Or are you waiting for someone?"

Ella continued to watch him for a moment, her pink lips turned in a slight frown. Then she smiled. "Perpetually."

Now it was his turn to be confused. He glanced down to find she had no luggage with her. All she had were the soft pink sweater and white jeans she was wearing. So, she probably wasn't checking in. When he realized what he was doing, he jerked his gaze back up in a panic, not wanting her to get the wrong idea.

But Ella wasn't paying any attention to him. She was frowning toward the inn. "I'm always waiting on someone," she murmured, more to herself than anything else.

Con looked in the same direction she was, but nothing about the creepy tableau had changed. The screen door banged softly against its frame. The crow cawed again, and Ella shivered.

"But I'm already checked in." Her suddenly bright voice startled him. She gave him another smile, displaying straight, pearly-white teeth. "How long are you staying?"

"Um. A...A week, I guess."

"You guess?" She lifted an amused eyebrow.

By now, he was wishing he hadn't extended this conversation.

"This whole vacation thing wasn't exactly my idea," Con muttered, bending to pick up his suitcase. He nodded toward the door. "I suppose we'd better go in."

Ella nodded, brushing a strand of hair back from her face. When Con gestured for her to lead the way, she turned up the long concrete walkway leading to the porch. To Con's amusement, she stepped carefully over each crack.

He thanked her when she held the door open for him, then just as quickly swore when he got a good look at the lobby. "I'm gonna kill her," he hissed under his breath.

"Sorry?" Ella turned back toward him.

Con offered a mild smile. "That's a lot of lace." He swept his gaze around the room again. "And...dried flowers."

"And creepy old black-and-white photos," Ella whispered, gesturing to the framed photos of women in long dresses and men with impressive mustaches lining the walls. 

There were so many, Con could hardly make out the green-and-white striped wallpaper beneath. What was worse, their eyes were already tracking him, making him feel like his skin was crawling.

Yeah. This place is gonna be super great for my mental state. With that sour thought, Con moved toward the empty reception counter. One side held a Tiffany lamp comprised of purple and green pieces of glass, along with a few china figurines of tiny, dancing couples. The other held nothing but a rack of pamphlets extolling the health benefits of the hot springs the hotel was built around.

That, and an ornate, silver service bell.

To his relief, he found a computer when he peered over the edge of the counter to the desk below. At least this place had wifi. That was one thing going for it.

Movement in the corner of his eye made him whirl, but it was just Ella. She gave him a small wave as she began to ascend the stairs. They led up to a mezzanine lined with more pictures. And mirrors set in heavy gilt frames. Con breathed deeply.

"See you around, Con Brennan," Ella called from above his head. "I'll be here over the week, too."

Con tilted his head back, meeting her eyes and ignoring the shadow figure looming behind her. When it seemed like she expected some kind of response, he nodded. She smiled before turning a corner and disappearing down a hallway he assumed led to the rooms. When she was gone, he let out another sigh. So much for just keeping to himself.

"Oh yeah." He grimaced. "This is gonna be a lot of fun."