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Mariah gives me a strange look. She tries again, and again, but her fingers pass straight through the cabinet, as well as the photo.
“I can’t,” she says.
“One more time,” I tell her. “Concentrate.”
“I don’t want to. It feels weird.”
Prickling with frustration, I force myself to take a step back.
So, Katherine was right. Mariah can manipulate spectral objects within the twilight realm, but not objects that only exist on the physical plane. Perhaps that is a skill she could develop, given time and practice.
Sadly, time is something she now has very little of.
“I’m sorry,” she says. “I don’t know why I’m sorry, but you seem disappointed that I couldn’t grab the picture.”
I curve my mouth into some semblance of a smile.
“Don’t worry about it.” I hold out my hand to her. “Come here, Mariah.”
After a moment’s hesitation, she gives me her hand. I kiss the back of her palm.
In a way, it will be showing her mercy to kill her, rather than giving Edward the chance to turn her into his blood slave. Still, it’s a damn shame. She’s so refreshinglyalive.
I’d truly hoped that Katherine was wrong about the extent of Mariah’s abilities, the same way I occasionally long for the taste of chocolate or the oblivion of sleep. It’s what remains of the human in me. The antiquated, long-dead parts that are convinced the world will be a duller, more barren place without Mariah in it. As though she were the color yellow, and if I were to take her life, I’d be stealing that color from the sunset.
In another place and time, I might have enjoyed her company once she’d had a chance to grow up and into herself. She’s younger than my usual preference when it comes to women, but a starving man doesn’t have the luxury of waiting for fruit to ripen.
“This is great, though,” she says. “Now that I know you’re a ghost, I can go home and see my mother. Her spirit’s probably there waiting for me.”
Her words snap me out of my bout of premature mourning. I’ve been keeping tabs on Isabella and guiding Mariah away from places she could potentially stumble across her mother. If Isabella were to see Mariah and I together, she might warn her daughter about my intentions just as we’re beginning to get closer.
But if Mariah believes Isabella’s spirit is in Maryland, there’ll be nothing holding her to this place.
“Isabella’s not back there,” I say.
“You don’t know that for sure.”
“Yes, I do.”
“How?”
“Because she’s here.” Telling her this is a risk I’ll have to take. I can still keep them apart while Mariah’s asleep. I’ll just have to hope her powers don’t develop so quickly that she’s suddenly able to see Isabella while awake.
Mariah’s brow creases. “Why didn’t you tell me—”
We both turn at the sound of Chastity’s heels clicking and clacking up the staircase.
“Will,” Mariah says, “why didn’t you tell me my mom was here?”
“Miss Greyson!” Chastity’s knocks ring out like thunder.
“I didn’t tell you because...she might not be well enough to see you.”
Agony contorts her features. “She’sstillsick?”
“Not like that.” I cup her face. I have to convince her to stay before she wakes up. “Death is a transition. She’s still acclimating. I’ll help you look for her, I promise,” I say, when what I really mean is, I’ll guide you around the property making damn sure the two of you never cross paths.
Mariah smiles appreciatively before dissolving through my fingers.
