Hell's Gate: Amelia Read Online Free PDF

couldn’t believe his eyes. One second she was there and the next moment he was staring at the gray wall through her. Then she disappeared altogether. It’s not possible. Can’t be real. He stepped forward and moved his hand through the place where she had been and felt a cooler spot. After walking over the location of where she was, he was hit with another cold breeze that made him shiver.
    “Great trick. Where are the mirrors? Come on out, Amelia.”
    The ring moved on the dresser, sliding across the dark surface until it floated in midair for a split second. Then Amelia reappeared. At first, she was nothing more than a misty outline and solidified before his very eyes. Fear took hold. He backed up against the wall and realized she was telling the truth. It hadn’t been a trick. She walked toward him, but he put up his hand to keep her back. She hung her head.
    “See. I told you that you wouldn’t want to be with me. I promise I won’t haunt you. I understand if you don’t want to see me again.”
    “How long have you been dead?” he asked.
    “Eighty-five years.”
    “How’d you die?”
    “My boyfriend and I were caught in the middle of shoot out between two mob factions. It was the twenties. They were running liquor in and out of the city trying to gain control. We were on our way to a speakeasy, a club back then where they had liquor and entertainment.” She stopped and a dreamy look came to her eyes.
    Studying her now, Barrett never would have guessed she was dead. There was a faint hint of pink to her cheeks, and she had felt real in his arms. It just can’t be.
    “We were crossing the street, and Shawn took the first bullet, but jumped in front of me. The next bullet from the tommygun pushed through him and hit me in the heart. I died instantly. He passed on and I was left in the cold wasteland of limbo. Leah, the club’s owner, welcomed me here about ten years ago, I think. Time passes differently for me. Sometimes I focus on something for so long and hours have gone by or days.”
    “So, how is it you’re corporeal now?
    She held up her hand that had the ring on it. “This ring. A friend of mine gave it to me. I wanted a change of pace. I wasn’t expecting to meet you. Last Friday was the first night I had it on. I’m sorry you got mixed up with me. I wasn’t planning on it.”
    Barrett took in everything she said and stayed against the wall. He needed something firm to let him know he wasn’t dreaming all of this. Amelia remained where she was. His heart slammed into his chest. It took him a moment to catch his breath. This is real. I’m not dreaming. He dragged his hand across his lips, trying to get the taste of her from his mouth. “I need to get some air.” He tried for the doorknob, but there was none.
    Amelia nodded. She rested her hand on the door and it popped open. Barrett slid out, careful not to touch her. He made it down the hall before Amelia grabbed his arm. He couldn’t help but pull away. Instead, he was backed against the wall. She held his wrist and then pressed against him. Barrett saw a light in her eyes that told him she couldn’t be dead.
    “There was something I wanted to tell you before you left.”
    “S-sure,” he stammered.
    “I really did appreciate you rubbing my feet last week and your attentions. I haven’t felt anyone touch me in such a manner for a long time. I’m sorry if I scared you. I don’t blame you for running away.” She leaned up and brushed his cheek with a kiss before backing away.
    His heart sank, but he was still too overwhelmed to say anything else. Instead, he moved away and found his way back upstairs. The club was still slamming with people. The music did little to ease his nerves. At the bar he ordered a shot of whiskey and drank it straight down. Then another. The bartender eyed him, but he slapped down another ten and she slid him a third one.
    “Hey, Barry. You look like you’ve seen a ghost. You okay, man?”
    He glanced