Page 66 of With All My Haunted Heart

A gentle touch of my arm stops me before I blabber any further. “Pippa, could you give Sloane a demonstration of the ghost room.” Elle’s voice is gentle at my ear, the warmth of her closeness against my back settling some of my nerves. I don’t know whether she heard my family’s name or could sense my distress, or if she truly wants the demonstration for her investor, but I’m grateful for her touch all the same.

I plaster a smile on my face. “Happily.”

Everyone follows me into the sitting room, and I breathe deep, letting go of the tension from my conversation with Sebastian while drawing fresh magic into my body. It’s fortifying, a playful dance in my chest before it spills down to my hands.

“This particular aspect of the manor’s magic isn’t complete. There are a number of variables to solve, but I can give you a taste of what to expect.” I explain what I’ve set up, and when all attention is on me, I pour magic into the crystal grids at each corner of the room.

The crystals hum gently as their energies shift into harmonic alignment. Then, bit by bit, the forms of the manor’s ghosts come into view.

Jenn T sits on the edge of the couch, with Jen B sprawled on the cushions on the other end.

Colton walks into the room next, Harry on his heels.

“Still no Laney?” I ask, and there’s a flash of guilt in Colton’s eyes.

Jen B snorts. “They needed some introvert time. If Laney knew you were getting them a puppy, they might not have agreed to stay.”

Colton crosses his arms. “I’m not a puppy.”

Jenn T pats his cheek. “Of course you’re not,” she says mockingly, but Colton seems to miss her tone.

“Incredible,” Sloane says on a breathy exhale. “I won’t want this in use during my retreats, but it’s an impressive bit of magic. Elle says you intend to make it operate independent of you?”

Their praise adds another layer of warmth alongside the magic flowing through me. “That’s the goal, yeah.”

Sloane rests a hand on my shoulder. “NACOW may try to stifle ingenuity, but I find it’s an exceptionally valuable skill in a witch.”

“Ingenuity is Pippa’s whole thing,” Xander says, pride in his voice. “Tell Sloane about the creativity spell you’re working on.”

“I’ve had to put it on pause for this project,” I admit, suddenly nervous to be the center of Sloane’s intense attention. But then I think of Dea, and I square my shoulders. Impressing Sloane was half the point of taking this job. Gaining access to either their money or their influence would take my business to new heights, and the creativity spell would add so much good to the world. More art. More authentic stories to build bridges of empathy between people.

“Once the spell is complete,” I explain, “it will allow the recipient to tap into their most creative self. I’m keeping it broad to work for traditionally creative endeavors, like art or writing, while also weaving creativity into other areas, like business. Marketing plans. That sort of thing.”

A contained smile tips one corner of Sloane’s lips. “I think you and I should talk after my retreat.” They pull a wallet from their suit jacket and hold out a business card.

I accept it with trembling fingers. “It would be my pleasure.” Behind Sloane, Xander gives me a wicked grin and a thumbs-up. Elle’s proud smile reminds me of the look she gave me in her bed, both of us thoroughly sated and lost in each other.

“So, that’s three new magical applications to register with NACOW,” Sebastian says, bringing me back to earth. The thought of dealing with my family sucks the joy right out of my lungs. Maybe Xander or Elle could submit it on my behalf and keep my name out of it entirely.

Sebastian taps across his phone screen. “Sloane, we have another appointment.”

“What?” Colton says. “No questions for us?”

“Next time.” Sebastian flashes an eager smile at Colton. “Promise.”

“Before we leave, I’d like the room turned off to ensure it won’t affect my retreats in its inactive state.” Sloane accepts their coat from Xander, who I hadn’t noticed slip from the room. “Quickly please, Pippa. Sebastian is right. We have another urgent appointment this afternoon.”

I ignore the flush of pride from Sloane remembering my name and hurry to disconnect the magic funneling between the four crystal grids. In my rush, I lose hold of the flow of magic. An unexpected surge courses through me, knocking me off balance. I catch myself on the side of a chair, but Harry looks up in alarm.

“Pippa? I don’t feel right.”

Before I can respond, the crystal grids’ hum grows dissonant. Light shoots inward from each corner. Spots float in my vision for a moment, and when I blink to adjust to the returned dark, the ghosts are gone.

“Was that supposed to happen?” Elle asks, her voice small.

Sloane steps into the center of the room and raises their arms out to either side, chest height. They turn in a slow circle, displeasure rolling off them in waves. “No. It was not. The spirits have been flung across the veil.”

Elle turns to me. “Can you get them back?”