“You live with the fortune-teller?” Luke pushed his sweaty blond hair from his eyes to look at me.
“You live with her?” Jayden’s voice was soft. Incredulous.
I didn’t know what to say. I couldn’t lie. “My dad and I live upstairs. We kind of share the house with her.”
I watched as the expression on Jayden’s face turned from confusion to hurt. I met his gaze and in that instant, I knew that he knew. He sprang up from the grass and stalked toward the field. Marco followed.
“Hey, where are you going?” Garrett yelled.
“Later,” Jayden called without looking back.
I ran after him, panting when I reached his side.
Jayden refused to slow down. “You knew I went there yesterday?”
I wanted to be his friend. Friends tell the truth. I nodded.
“And you don’t say anything? What’s up with that?” he demanded.
“I’m sorry. That was wrong,” I admitted, jogging to keep up. “I didn’t think it was my place—”
“Today you bring up my brother, and I’m supposed to believe that just came out of nowhere? What did she tell you?”
“Nothing. Honestly, nothing. She doesn’t talk about people who come and see her,” I insisted. “I just kind of figured—”
He stopped abruptly. “Did you tell all your friends I went to see some crazy fortune-teller?”
“No. I would never do that.” I hoped he believed me. “And she’s not crazy!”
“She was totally lame. I went as a joke, you know.” He turned away and pretended to watch the younger kids practicing on the field.
I didn’t believe that, but I didn’t want to argue. “Lady Azura’s really good. She helps a lot of people. You should come back.”
“I don’t need help!” he yelled. I’d never heard him yell before.
Marco was glaring at me. I sighed. Just drop it and walk away, I told myself. Then I heard Lily talking with the boys in the distance. Lily always tackled problems head-on, and people liked her for it. I couldn’t give up on him just because he yelled.
“She has a connection with the dead,” I said quietly, ignoring Marco and moving closer to Jayden. “Come home with me now. I’m sure she’ll—”
“I’m not going to your house now—”
“So come to the party this weekend. She’ll be there then,” I suggested.
“I’m not coming to your party!” Jayden cried, stepping away. “I’m never going to that woman again, and I’m certainly not going back to your freaky house!”
The sting would have been the same if he’d slapped me in the face. Freaky. My house was freaky. Next it would be me.
This is not about you, I reminded myself. Jayden needed help. He had to know that Marco’s spirit was still here. He had to have it explained to him.
“Jayden, listen.” I grabbed his arm, pulling him toward me. “Sometimes the dead linger. In different ways, I mean.” I wished I’d had time to plan out how to say this.
From across the field, a soccer ball arced through the sky.
“Sometimes their spirit stays and your—” Before I could blurt it all out, the ball nailed me in the head, knocking me to the ground.
Chapter 11
I looked up at the stars.
Forty glow-in-the-dark stars now hung from dental floss from the ceiling of the front sitting room. I’d never seen Lady Azura use this room, but she was intent on decorating it for the party.
“Place that last one to the left of the fireplace,” she instructed me.
I did what she wanted. Since I’d gotten home from the soccer field, I’d been on decorating duty. I tucked the roll of tape under my arm and rubbed my scalp with my free hand. I had a small bump, but it didn’t hurt. I probably fell from the shock of being hit.
Everyone had rushed around me—Lily, all the boys, the two coaches from the field. Everyone but Marco. He stood off to the side, gloating. The ball had to have come from him. I saw those little kids practicing. No way any of them could’ve possibly kicked a ball that hard without a little help.
Had he sent the soccer ball my way because I touched his brother? Or had he gotten scared that I would find the words to tell Jayden about him?
“You were watching.” Lady Azura handed me a shiny silver-and-black garland.
Watching what? I almost said, but didn’t. I knew what she meant. I taped the garland around the doorway and said nothing.
“You and Lily.” She shook her head. “I expected more from you.”
“I’m sorry.” Lady Azura never raised her voice, but her quiet disappointment was much more powerful. “We were wrong. It’s just that Jayden was the boy I was telling you about. The boy with the spirit following him.”
“And?”
“And what?”
“Just because you can see a spirit beside the boy does not give you the right to spy on him. Or me.”
“I’m sorry,” I said again. “But you saw how upset having Marco, that’s his brother, around makes Jayden. He upsets me, too. I just want to send him on his way, or whatever it’s called. Make him not trapped here.” I paused, but Lady Azura didn’t reply. “I think you know how to do that. Can’t you show me or tell me or something?”
She stopped arranging the garland. “You are starting in the middle of the story. We are powerless to help unless we know what has happened since page one. I do not know Jayden and Marco’s story. Neither do you. Until Jayden or Marco tells one of us, there is nothing to do but set boundaries between you and the spirit.”
“That’s not fair. I have these abilities that other people don’t have. I should be able to use them to help Jayden.”
“Help Jayden?” Lady Azura gently placed her hand on my shoulder. “Be honest, Sara. Is it Jayden who you truly want to help? Or is it Sara?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“I think you do. You like this boy. I didn’t need to hear it from Lily to know that. Marco, for whatever reason, stands between you and him. Now if Marco were no longer there, that would possibly improve things for you. Am I right?”
“No, that’s not it.” I crossed my arms over my chest. “It’s better for Jayden and for Marco if Marco goes.”
“And you know this how? Because you are alive? Does being alive make you smarter?” she challenged.
I didn’t know the answer to that.
“The only way a guardian spirit will depart is if he is expelled by the person he guards,” she explained in a measured voice. “Jayden is the only one who can show Marco to the door. Not you. Jayden has to want him gone and express it.”
“But how can Jayden tell someone to leave if he doesn’t even know he’s there?” This was all so frustrating.
“Jayden is on the journey now. It’s a long road to understanding and acceptance of what he cannot see but can only feel.”
“Then you need to help him,” I implored. “If I get him to come back, will you help? You heard him say his brother is a weight on his family. Jayden’s life would be so much better without Marco getting in the way.”
“And I suspect, my dear, Marco would say the same about you.” Lady Azura pressed her crimson lips together, holding back a grin. She picked up another garland and set about hanging it as I silently fumed.
“This looks spooktacular!” Dad called as he opened the front door. We’d decorated the foyer as well.
I ran out to greet him. Seeing him always made me happy. When I was little, we called ourselves the Two Musketeers. We’d do everything together. We even bought matching shirts for the weekends. Weekend shirts meant fun times together.
As I hugged him, I smelled an unfamiliar scent on his blue button-down shirt. Something perfumey. I pulled back. “You have a girlfriend,” I said.
“Sort of.” He blushed the same pink as I always did. “How’d you know?”
“You smell like lilac.” In the past, he’d smelled like roses, berries, and vanilla. A new scent meant a new
girlfriend.
Dad sniffed. “I thought I smelled like coffee.”
“Lilac’s nice.” I tried to be supportive.
“You’ll like her. Janelle works at the insurance company too. She’s really smart, and a lot of fun.” He smiled awkwardly and then put his arm around my shoulder, drawing me close.
“Will you stay home for dinner tonight?” I asked. I didn’t want to ask too many questions about Janelle. Not yet.
“Definitely. I’ll make my famous chili.” Dad dropped his briefcase on the floor by the narrow hall table. “Majorly spicy or extra spicy?”
“Extra-extra.” We both liked our food spicy.
“I’ll tone a batch down for you,” he promised Lady Azura, who now held an oversize leather handbag. “Are you ready to go?”
“Indeed.” Today was beauty salon day. Dad always made sure he was home in time to drive her.
“Homework done and then we’ll cook,” Dad instructed as he left with Lady Azura.
I thought about my book bag waiting in the kitchen with all the worksheets. Then I spotted my camera resting on the table where I’d left it after the soccer smackdown. Had I gotten any good photos?
I scrolled through the memory card. The boys juggling in a circle was an excellent shot. Jayden dribbling the ball downfield. Jayden pulling his leg back to kick. Yes, these were good enough to submit. I would print them out and turn them in to Mrs. Notkin.
Looking at the pictures, I couldn’t help but think about Jayden. He had walked away from the field after seeing that I was okay. No good-bye. No apology for yelling. He was still angry with me. I hated that.
I pulled out my phone and texted him. I’M SORRY. REALLY.
Then I waited.
He didn’t answer.
PLEASE COME TO THE PARTY.
Again no reply.
I knew his mom wasn’t big on parties. I tried once more. BRING YOUR PARENTS 2 PARTY 2. IT’S AN OPEN HOUSE THING.
I wasn’t expecting an answer. He was mad. I got it.
I fiddled with my necklace. Courage. Boundaries. Love. None of the crystals were working.
I pushed back the velvet curtains and entered Lady Azura’s darkened fortune-telling room. Weak late-afternoon sun filtered through the front window. I stood before the shelves arrayed with crystals and gemstones. All promised assistance. Promises not kept, I thought.
Suddenly exhaustion overwhelmed me. I was tired from battling Jayden and Lady Azura and most of all, Marco. I sank into Lady Azura’s big armchair. I couldn’t stop Marco, yet he was intent on stopping me. He’d thrown a ball at me today. Who knew what tomorrow would bring? I had a feeling it would only get worse until he got what he wanted—me gone.
The teacup used to read Jayden’s leaves rested on the table before me. I leaned closer. I searched for the guitar shape that Lady Azura had seen. All I saw were blobs of dried out tea leaves. There was no point searching for answers here, I realized. I had to do something. Stop this myself.
Then I saw Lady Azura’s crystal bell, and it was as if a bell chimed inside my head. I knew what I had to do.
Lady Azura used the bell to call spirits to her.
I’d never done it before, but I was going to try. I’d bring Marco here, to me, now and have it out with him. Set boundaries. Command him to go.
I grabbed the crystal bell and rang it to the four corners of the earth the way Lady Azura did. Calling Marco’s name. Meditating on him. Drawing him out.
Would it work?
Chapter 12
Nothing happened. I sat alone in a room of astrological charts and tarot cards. The one time I wanted to see the dead, and I couldn’t.
I’d watched Lady Azura summon the dead with this bell. She rang it four times and . . . what? I closed my eyes, trying to recall. She’d touched the hands of the person who’d come to see her to connect with the spirit.
But Jayden wasn’t here.
I opened my eyes and spotted the tea cup. The cup with Jayden’s tea leaves. I plunged two fingers into the remains. It was worth a try. I rang the cut-crystal bell, intoning the chant.
I willed my body to relax and my mind to go blank.
“MarcoMarcoMarcoMarco.” His name ran together as I repeated it.
My stomach contracted as a wave of nausea overtook me.
“Marco. Marco.” Something was happening.
Sweat beaded along my hairline. The stomach pains grew stronger.
And then he was there. Marco. Shimmering before me. Hoodie and shorts. Bare feet hovering centimeters above the floor. Scowling.
I was so amazed, I nearly whooped with joy. I’d done it! I’d actually summoned a spirit.
Marco began to fade. I refocused my energy on him and only him. Bringing him back.
My joy quickly transformed to fear as I realized what I’d done. I’d brought Marco here to me. I was alone with a spirit who hated me.
Now what?
The spot behind my eyes began to throb. My stomach felt as if a fist were grabbing it and wringing it like a sponge.
“Why?” I managed to croak. “Why are you doing this to me?”
Marco didn’t speak. He just glared.
The room swayed. The turkey sandwich from lunch so many hours ago threatened to come back up.
Marco moved toward me. Closer and closer.
I pushed back against the chair’s nubby fabric. Nowhere to go. No escape.
He reached out, and I cringed as his hand touched my shoulder. A current jolted through my body, forcing every hair to stand on end.
The light grew brighter. Brighter. The glare of the sun caused me to shade my eyes.
I peered at Marco over the expanse of the rocky ledge.
Back on the ledge above the river. Back with Marco and his friends outside in the summer sun.
A girl with auburn braids wordlessly handed me a pair of aviator sunglasses. I put them on and mouthed, Thanks. Then I watched Marco.
Alive. In color. Laughing with the blond-haired girl.
“Come out with me tonight,” he told her.
“I have plans.” She giggled and leaned back on her pink towel.
“With me,” Marco insisted. His eyes were nut brown. Deep, warm eyes like Jayden’s. “Come on, you have to say yes sometime.”
“Maybe sometime,” the girl teased. She batted her long lashes at him. “You need to prove you like me.”
“Anything,” Marco said.
“Go swimming in the river,” she said.
“Easy,” Marco scoffed. He stood, wearing the dark hoodie and board shorts he’d wear for eternity. He headed for the dirt path that wound through the pines toward the riverbed.
“No, that’s not what I meant. I want you to jump!” the girl called.
“Jump?” Marco gazed over the side of the ledge. I scuttled across my towel to get a better view. The swirling river waters looked a long way down.
“Yeah.” The girl stood next to him now. “Jimmy did it last week, didn’t you, Jimmy?”
The boy on the nearby towel nodded. “It’s a wicked jump. Major splash. But you got to aim it right. Got to hit the deep spot in the middle.”
Marco furrowed his brow, assessing the jump. He didn’t look convinced. “Water’s too cold to jump today. Besides, I’m late to get my little bro.”
“Don’t be such a chicken,” the girl teased. She giggled and flapped her skinny arms in an imitation of a chicken.
Marco stood straighter. “Do not call me that.”
“Then do it. Do it for me,” the girl wheedled.
Marco glanced down again and then at the girl. He really liked this girl. I could see the spell she cast reflected in his eyes.
“I dare you,” she coaxed.
Marco didn’t answer. He just walked to the edge of the rock, and without even taking off his hoodie, cannonballed over the edge.
We all heard the splash.
I scrambled to the edge so fast I scraped my knees. Everyone hurried around me. The dark blue water
s swirled, throwing up white foam around the many small rocks.
Searching. Searching. We were all searching the water.
Where was he? I looked frantically for Marco’s head.
“Could he be underwater for this long?” one girl asked.
“I bet he’s trying to scare us,” Jimmy said.
“I didn’t think he’d really do it,” the girl who’d dared him murmured. Her face seemed to have lost its tan.
The tears streamed down my cheeks. Hot tears. Tears of grief. It would take his friends several minutes more to discover that Marco wasn’t playing tricks. Marco wasn’t ever going to surface.
This was how Marco had died.
A swimming accident.
Caused by a stupid dare.
“Marco!” the blond girl shrieked next to me. Anguish filled her voice. As the others raced down the path toward the water, she rocked in place, her tears flowing as fast as mine.
I lifted my hand to wipe my dripping nose and inhaled the pungent odor of strong tea.
Tea. I pulled my hand back. Thick, black tea leaves stuck to my finger.
I gazed around. Dimness. The sunlight gone. I was in Lady Azura’s room. Marco—a shadow of the vibrant boy he’d once been—hovered before me.
“I’m so sorry,” I whispered. What else could I say? His death was senseless.
Then, for the first time, Marco spoke to me.
“Stay away from my brother. You are trouble.”
Chapter 13
I sat by myself on the porch swing.
Not totally by myself. I was with the spirit that knits. She worked her needles, paying no attention to me or the neighbors entering the house.
I liked her. She did her own thing and left me alone.
I knew I should be inside. The party had started an hour ago. Lady Azura already had a line for quick palm readings. Kids and adults were drinking soda with fake eyeball ice cubes and eating cookies shaped like bones.
It was just pre-Halloween fun, but this year it seemed wrong. Disrespectful. Death wasn’t a joke. Ever since Marco showed me what had happened, I couldn’t stop thinking about him and what he’d said about me.
He’d said I was trouble. What kind of trouble? The question kept me up at night. I would never hurt Jayden. Never.
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