Page 67 of With All My Haunted Heart

“No. She can’t,” Sloane answers before I can. “Once a spirit has crossed over, there’s no way to bring them back. Not beyond a temporary visit when the veil is thinnest on Halloween.”

Sebastian shoots me a pitying look before his fingers fly over his phone screen again. “Shall I start making alternate arrangements for Friday? The mansion over in Jade Ferry only has two ghosts, but there’s a hotel within walking distance. It’s not ideal, but—”

“Please don’t give up on us,” Elle says, an edge of panic in her voice as she turns to Xander. “We’ll be able to meet the terms of your investment by Friday. I swear.”

Xan nods, ever charming. “It’s an unfortunate setback, but we’re capable of rectifying the situation.”

“Before Friday?” Sebastian barely contains a scoff. “We can’t take that risk.”

While the four of them continue discussing the future of Midnight Manor in hushed tones, I fall into the nearest chair as residual magic bleeds out of me and shame rushes in to take its place. I never should have let Xander trust me with this. It’s worse than the reelection I nearly ruined for my mother. This was supposed to be the thing I’m good at, and I completely blew it. Now, everyone and everything that matters to me hangs in the balance.

In one rushed move, I’ve endangered Xander and Elle’s entire financial future. The business they risked everything to launch could fail before it opens. And god, the ghosts. The Jennifers, Colton, and Harry. And Laney? Were they caught up in the blast, too? Or did being out of the house protect them? Will they want to stay knowing that my carelessness could force them over the veil without warning?

And Willa…

If something like this happened to Elle’s niece, she’d never forgive me. I’d never forgive me.

A pair of black-and-white floral shoes with solid toe caps step into my line of sight, and I look up to see Sloane standing over me. “You have until Thursday afternoon to replace the four spirits you just crossed over.”

“Sloane, I’m—”

“I don’t need an apology. Innovation is inherently risky.” They look over their shoulder toward where Jenn T was sitting on the edge of the couch until I banished her with no warning. “I recommend letting go of this particular idea, as impressive as its success would be. The risk is not worth the reward in this case.”

I nod, not trusting myself to keep my voice steady. If I could move my arms, I’d return Sloane’s card. I clearly don’t deserve it.

“Sloane. We need to get moving.” Sebastian gestures toward the door with his phone. He waits for his boss to exit before handing Xander his card. “If you’re unsuccessful this week, please contact me Thursday morning. I’d rather not waste the trip out if I need to rush to prepare another venue.”

Xander accepts the card and pockets it without a glance. “We’ll see you on Thursday, Seb,” he says, pure confidence radiating from his tone, but Sebastian cringes, like he doesn’t appreciate the nickname or doesn’t believe Xander’s assurances.

Once it’s the three of us again, once the sound of Sloane’s car roars to life outside and rumbles down the drive, Xander looks from Elle to me, the worry he’d hidden now clear on his face.

“So,” he says, running a trembling hand through his hair. “How fucked are we?”

Chapter

Twenty

The two people who have unintentionally become the center of my universe, the two people who hold the biggest portions of my heart, look to me for answers…

But I have nothing to give them.

I train my gaze on the floor, the last of my magic dripping out of me, leaving me alone and ashamed and altogether unfit for their affections. If they don’t already hate me, it’s only because they don’t realize how bad this is. I dropped the magical equivalent of a bomb in the middle of the future they’ve built. I’ve ruined everything.

Eventually, Elle and Xander abandon their questioning looks, abandon their hope in me, and turn to each other. Planning. Strategizing. Their words rumble over me, and I only manage to catch snatches of their conversation.

But the budget—

We’ll find another investor—

Not in time for—

The first year is always hard. It’ll be lean, but we can manage—

All their hard work up in smoke, all because I let myself believe I could do this. Let myself believe in the craft that I’ve honed for years. The magic I chose over my own family.

You have disgraced this family for the last time.

You are no longer an Erikson.