Or maybe he’s just uncomfortable.
“But in this case, it’s someone whose own personal magical practice became so entwined with a location that they…” She laces her fingers together. “Merged, essentially.”
“Fucked up,” someone mutters. Kai, who’s staring into the wick of one of Morgan’s candles, avoiding everyone’s eyes.
Morgan ignores him. “So if anyone understands what’s going awry with things around here,” she goes on, her tone just a fraction more pointed, “it’d be thegenius loci.”
“Okay.” Cal nods. “Makes sense.”
It does. As much as magic can, I guess.
“Right,” Morgan says. “So, I guess we keep it as much like last time as possible.” She ticks off on her fingers. “Clothing that’s white. A crown of red flowers. A significant day on thecalendar...” Frowning, she pulls out her phone and swipes it open.
“How do you have a charge?” Lanz asks, incredulous.
Morgan stares at him. “Magic,” she deadpans.
“I didn’t wear a crown,” Kingston mutters. “We made a ring of flowers on the ground.”
“Full moon,” Morgan murmurs, chewing her thumbnail. “Guess that’ll have to do.” She looks up from her phone. “I suppose it should be you, King, since you’re the only one she’s appeared to so far?—”
“No, he isn’t.”
Five heads turn to me.
“Well, he isn’t,” I say. “I’ve seen her too.”
Kingston looks nonplussed. Kai’s eyes narrow. Lanz and Cal exchange a look of surprise.
“You saw her?” Kingston speaks first. “When?”
Does he not believe me? “That time I was ‘taking my swim test,’” I say, drawing air quotes. “And Callahan saved me from drowning?” Cal looks bashfully at the floor. “I saw her. In the water.”
“Well, that’s…” Morgan’s brows draw together, like she can’t quite pull the right word. “Auspicious.” She lowers her phone. “I think it should absolutely be Gwenna, then.”
“No.” Kingston and Kai say at the same time.
There’s a beat of silence. Then Lanz speaks up.
“Yeah, I don’t know.” He purses his lips. “After Russia…”
I shiver. Again, Kingston’s question to Emrys echoes in my mind, like a terrible mantra I can’t get rid of.
Will she have to die?
“I highly doubt that there’s going to be anyblood sacrifice,” Morgan says drily. “More likely is that Vivian gives you some sort of quest to uncover the answer. That’s much more in keeping with tradition.”
“Vivian,” Kai repeats, a sneer in his voice. “We’re on a first-name basis with the ghost girl now?”
“She’s not a ghost.” This time, it’s me and Morgan who speak at the same time. I smile a bit in spite of the circumstances.
“If youmustknow, Vivian is a witch,” Morgan adds, studying her nails. “Or was, before she died. At least, that’s my theory, anyway.”
“Oh, even better.” Kai smacks the arms of his chair. “Why don’t we just stick an apple in Gwenna’s mouth and serve her to Vivian a goddamn silver platter, then?”
“Would you both shut up?” I don’t mean to yell. But I don’t like them sniping at each other like this. Partly because of the tension that’s now radiating through Morgan’s formerly cozy living room, and partly because…
Because I’m worried Kai might be right.
