“I don’t know any other witches. I didn’t believe they were real until five seconds ago.”
“Right.” Aurora shook herself, her hair swirling. “How’d you find the Lockwood Coven, anyway?”
“I didn’t. They found me.”
Aurora snorted as if she didn’t believe her any more than Gia first believed in ghosts. “They found you and gave you keys to the Spotlight Theater out of nowhere?”
“What does the theater have to do with anything? My aunt owned it, and I inherited it. It’s mine now.”
Aurora’s eyes widened. “Susan Lockwood was youraunt?”
Damn it. Gia didn’t want to share personal information, but at the same time, she needed answers. Maybe Aurora could explain who these Lockwood people actually were.
“Yeah, Susan was my aunt, but I didn’t know her. I discovered our connection recently. Turns out, I’m not as related to the father I grew up with as I thought.”
“But you’re related to Susan, by blood?” Aurora’s gaze slid over Gia.
Her skin prickled as if she’d been touched, and she bit her lip. Oh, dear lord, she needed to focus. Aurora wasnotchecking her out.
Aurora’s assessing stare turned triumphant. “So youarea witch.”
A flare of indignation scorched through Gia. “No, I’m not. I’m…” She didn’t know what the word for not-a-witch was, but she knew whoshewas. And she wasn’t a witch.
“Human?” Aurora suggested.
“Yes. Exactly.” Gia was human. Of-fucking-course she was.
Aurora seemed to come to some conclusion and smiled, the gesture maddeningly placating.See, definitely not checking her out. Aurora probably thought Gia was clueless.
“I hear you,” Aurora said soothingly, like Gia was five. “You aren’t part of the Lockwood Coven—or any coven—which makes sense if you’re human, but you can still help me. I need to see if I can get out of this building.”
“Why do you need my help for that?”
Aurora’s voice tightened. “Because I can’t open doors or move physical objects.”
Was that really all Aurora needed? Someone to open the door? Gia squashed a swell of disappointment. “If I open thedoor for you, will you tell me what the deal is with your coven before you go?”
A shadow passed over Aurora’s translucent face, making her hard to see for a split second. “My coven? Oh. You mean the Lockwoods? Sure. Open the window for me, and I promise I’ll tell you, but I need to know if I’m trapped first. I’m on a bit of a time crunch, so I might need to answer your questions later.”
Gia wanted an explanation now, but it was wrong to keep Aurora trapped. Gia knew that more than most.
She stood and went to the window. Where could a ghost possibly be hurrying off to? The afterlife? The thought sent a stab of remorse through Gia. It would have been nice to be friends with Aurora if she were alive.
An image of a fiery pit popped into Gia’s mind. Nope. She did not want to think about the potential realities of Hell right now.
She glanced down at the street, her hand on the window latch, and hesitated at the sight of a man standing in front of the theater, frowning at her building. Gia’s heart skipped.
After a closer look, she was sure she’d never seen the guy before. Her father wouldn’t send anyone but his most trusted men after her. Besides, he didn’t know where she was. She was being paranoid. People glared at buildings all the time. Maybe he thought it was ugly.
Gia unlatched the window, and Aurora appeared at her elbow. The ghost gasped, and ice enveloped Gia’s wrist.
She pulled her hand away from the latch and whirled around, but no one was there. The room was completely empty. “H-hello?”
“I’m here,” hissed Aurora’s disembodied voice. “Don’t open the window. I know that guy.”
He was still lingering across the street, and Gia swore he was looking right at her window.
She quickly stepped out of sight.
