Monicaoverheardandstoodtograbmyarm.“YouriskedFelixforyour idiotsister?Youfacedoffaghostyoudon’thavethetrainingtofightfor someonewhocannotbesaved?”
“WhatdoesthatgirlmeanthatBrankacannotbesaved?”Daddy’svoice crackedandIheardthehorrorinhisvoice.Morepowerfully,Ifeltitthroughthe instinctsofmyheart.Hewascrumpling.
IjerkedmyarmawayasChrysierose,insertedherselfbetweenmeand Monicaandmadeherbackoff.
“Getawayfromme,vampire,”Monicashrieked.
“Getoutofhere,”ChrysiesaidinatoneIhadneverheardbefore.Itwas low,deadly,andchillasablizzard.
“Daddy,”Isaid,tryingtoignoretheothersasmycovenandthekeeper teamfacedoff.“Branis…notinagoodway.”
Howtoexplaintherollingred,yellow,andblackeyes?Thedemonvoice?
Thebiteonmyarm?ThewayBran’spossessedbodyhadheldmylittlesister andthreatenedherverylife.
“Thatgirlsaid…”Daddywascrying.Hisvoicetrailedoffbecausehewas chokingonit.“Ithought…Ithought…withwitchcraft.”
“Witchcraftcan’tfixeverything,”Isaid,myowntearsfalling.
“Butitcouldtakemylife,”hesaid.
Wasthataflashofanger?Wasitterriblethatitmademehappyforhimto beangry?Tonotfeeljustdumbfoundedandlost?
“Daddy,”Isaid,carefully.Ididn’twanttogivehimfalsehope,butIdidn’t wanthimtogiveup.“I’mnotdonetryingtosaveBranyet.”
Hesniffedandthenseemedtostraightenhisspine.Itcertainlyfeltthatway throughourconnection,“Ifanyonecandoit…”
Heclearedhisthroatandfinished.
“Ihavefaithinyou,Veruca,mybaby.Ialwayshave.”
Myhandswereshakingfromtheforceofkeepingmyemotionsinasmuch checkaspossible.Iwasn’tabletospeakthoughandkeepmyselfcontained.
Daddyclearedhisthroatagainandasked,“WhatdoIdoaboutyour mother?”
Somethingtofocuson,thankthegods.
“CallHazel.TellherthatIforciblyremovedthetalismanfromMother.”
Daddylaughedforamomentandthensaid,“Idon’tevenknowwhatthat means.”
“AndIdon’tknowwhatyouuserandommedicationsfor,butyoudo, Daddy.Hazelwillhelpyou.”
*****
PortiaonlyletFelixchoosethreevisitors.ItwasMonica,me,andChrysie.
MonicawentfirstandthenPortiasentusinafewminuteslater.
“…understandwhyyouarelivingthere.Orwhyyouconsortwiththem?
Youaren’tabadwitch,Felix.Youcoulddosomuchbetterthansomeidiot, unconnectedHallowanda vampire. MyFatherisverydispleased.”
“Isn’tthatthepoint?”Felix’svoicewastiredbutsteely.
“What?”IcouldheartheshockinMonica’svoiceandIwonderedifFelix hadletherseethatintractablesideofhimbefore.
“Thepoint?Thepointofmeistomakeyourdadfurious,right?”
“Ican’tbelieveyou’resayingthis,”Monica’svoicetrailedoffintoherown tears.Itseemedtobetheeveningofweeping.
“Idon’tknowwhynot,”Felix’sexhaustionwaspouringthroughandIwas determinedtostepforwardandprotecthim,butChrysietookmyarmandheld meback.“Itwasobviousfromthestart.Ijustdidn’tcarebefore.”
“Oh,butnowyoudo?Why?Because RueHallow doesn’tlikeme?You thinkIdon’tknowthatyou’retakingyourchanceatabetter-connectedfamily?
Thatyoumeantoslideyourwayintoherlifelikeyoudidintomine?Please.”
HolyHecate,Iwasn’ttryingtobreakinandsaveFelixanymore.Iwas shocked,andIwantedtoheartheanswer.
“InevercaredthatyouwereaPreskitt.Youwerejusttoobusytelling everyoneyouweretonotice.”
Hergaspwassoshockeditechoedintothehall.
“Ican’t…Youhorrible…Areyoukiddingme?IT’SOVER!”
“It’sbeenoverforalongtime,”Felixsaid.“Weshouldhaveletitgoalong timeago.”
“Thenwhy didn’t you?”
“BecauseyouwerefunandIlikedyouandIknewthatyouwereusingme togettoyourdad,buttherestofthetimeyouweren’tsuchaplastic…Barbie Doll.Gods.”
“Barbie?”Thesneerwasviciousandlow.
“Plastic,”Felixsaid.“I…Gods,Mon…let’sjuststop.”
“Nowthatyou’vegotyourinsultsin?”Monicaseemedtobesoangryshe mightsetsomethingonfire,butChrysiestillheldmeback.
“I’msorryforsayingthat,”Felixsaid.“I’msorryforeverything.”
“RueHallowwillneverwant you. Ifyoudon’tthinkshe’sfocusedon power,you’reasblindwithherasyouwerewithme.”
“Gods,Mon…Justgoandbehappy.”
Butshedidn’t.“She’sgoingtodieinoneofhermisguidedinterferences intothingsbeyondher,andyou’llprobablydietoo.Ifyou’relucky,that’sallthat willhappen.Iwouldn’tputitpassthetwoofyoutotaketherestofyourinept, incapable, ridiculous covenwithyou!”
Sheslammedoutoftheroomthen,sawus,andhereyesseemedtoblaze, butshejustbrushedpastandslammedoutoftherecoveryroom.
ChrysieandIlookedateachotherandthenChrysietookastepforward, pullingmewithheraseasilyasshe’dkeptmebehindlasttime.
Felixlookedlikehe’dbeendrainedofblood,hewassowhite.Therewere darkcirclesunderhiseyes,adraincomingoffofhisshoulderandanotheroutof hisside.Helookedlikedeathwarmedover.
“Hey,”Chrysiesaidbrightly.
Felixlookedatherandthenatme.“Soyouheardthat?”
“Notmuch,”Chrysielied.“Justthetiniestbit.Don’tworry.”
“We’realive,”Felixtriedtofakecheerandfailed.“Doesthatmeanwe won?”
“Iguessso,”Isaid.Itooktheseatnexttohim,wantedtotakehishand,but didn’t.“Daddycalled.Motherisunconscious,soIguessit’sminenow.”
IflashedthetalismanandFelixnodded,“Iknewyoucoulddoit.What next?”
“I’llthinkofsomething,”Ilied,becauseIdidnotwanthimtoworryafter he’dbeenimpaledbytwobranches.Evillittlegirlghosts.Ofcourse.And becauselifewascruel,Iwasgoingtogettorememberstabbingtheghostspine ofagirlwhoremindedmeofmylittlesisters.
“Wegotthis,”Felixsaid,butashesaidit,hiseyesflutteredclosedandhe slippedintosleep.Perfect.Irose.Ihadthingstodo.
Chapter16
“Ineedhelp,”ItoldPortia.
Shewasinheroffice,behindalargecherrywooddeskthatwasspreadwith papers.Sheleanedbackinherchair,crossedherfingersoverherchestandrose abrow.
“Tonightisthefullmoon,”Isaid.“Ghostswillbethestrongest.”
“Yes,”Portiaagreed.
“IneedyoutomeetmeattheoldHallowFamilyCemetery.”
“Idon’tworkatyourbeckandcall.”
“Whatdoyouwantfromme?”Itwasanofferandshehearditassuch.
“IwantyoutogiveLeanderandFinnachancetotransferthetalisman.”
“Soquicktothinkofsomething,”Isaid.IfiguredIhadverysmallchances ofactuallysurvivingtheeveningwithmysister.Myagendaforthedayincluded writingaletterofgoodbyetomymother,newsiblings,mydaddyandmycoven.
IhadalsocreatedawillthatgaveChrysieHallowHouse.Iwasn’tsureifitwas legal,butIdidmybest.
Portiajustraisedabrowandwaitedformetoagree.
“Fine,”Isaid.“Butyoucan’thaveituntilafterItrytosaveBran.”
Portianoddedonce.Iknewshedidn’tthinkIwouldbesuccessful.Ihadno ideaifIwouldbeeither.
“Bethereatthelunarzenith,”Isaid.“Don’tbringLeanderora
nyofthe council.”
Portianoddedonce.
Itgotdarkaround5:00p.m.Ihadsometimebeforethen,andthelunar zenithwouldtakeevenlonger.Ihadmuchtodo.
*****
“Hi,”IsaidtotheghostsasIenteredthecemetery.
Theydidn’treply,butIcouldfeeltheirgazes.Theyhadhelpedmeonce before.Ihopedtheywouldhelpmeagain.ItalkedasIsetup,litteringthe graveyardwithcandles,tellingthemmyplan.Thelittlegirlghostwhohadonce toldmenottotrustanyonewasthefirsttoappear.
“Risky,”shesaid.
Inodded.
“Itcouldwork,”anothersaid.Ididn’tthinkIhadseenthisonebefore.It wasamaninclothingthatfitthemoviesofthe20s.“Butyoubothmightdie too.”
“Igoogledwheretoputit,”Isaid.
“Idonotknowwhatthatmeans,”themanrepliedandthegirlghost nodded.
“I…don'thavetimetoexplain.”
BythetimeIwasdonewithmypentaclearoundthegraveyard,thecandles, andtherunesI’dburnedintothegrassofthegraveyard,HiroandCyrushad shownup.
“Youneedtostayoutsideofthegraveyard,”Itoldthemastheysetthechair withtheboundBrandown.
“Whatareyougoingtodo?”HirolookedatBran,atthesetup,andthen shookhishead.PortiaarrivedwithMartin,asHirosaid,“Itwon’twork.Those symbolswon’tgetthehaunttoleaveyoursister.”
“Ok,”Isaid.Ilookedaroundandthensaid,“Don’tcomeinunlessthis works.”
TheystaredatmeandIcouldhearPortiaaskingCyrusandHirowhatIwas goingtodo.
“Areyouready?”
Theghostsofmykindreddeadbeganappearing.Theynodded,andI crossedtotheedgeofthepentacleandsealedit.Itwasamirroredpentaclemade withspelledchalk,pebbles,ash,andbone.ItwasthefirstnecromancypentacleI hadevermade,butIcouldtellbythezingofitinmymindIhaddoneitright.
ThepentaclewouldkeepBran,thehaunt,andIinside.Anditwouldkeepthe othersout.Nomatterhowitturnedout,theywouldn’tbeabletocomeandsave BranandIunlessIbrokeit.
“Whatdidyoudo,Veruca?”Dr.MartinHallowtriedtocomeintothe cemeteryandwasblockedbymypentacle.
“Justtryingtokeepthehauntfromdestroyingyouall,”Isaid.Ismiledat him,notcaringforoncewhathisagendawas.Orwhetherheevenhadone.
Icrossedtomysisterandsaid,“Youalwayswerethebiggestpain.
RememberthattimeyouopenedallofourChristmaspresents?”
“Hungrrrryyy,”thehauntsaid.
Iliftedmyarm,cutitinfrontofthehaunt.
“Rue!”MartinHallowyelled.“Don’tdothat!”
“Ineedtotalktomysisternow,”Itoldthehaunt.
“Hungrry.”
Itiltedmysister’sheadbackbythemaneofherhairandallowedseveral dropsofmybloodtofallintoitsmouth.BecauseIwasusingmagicthewholeof thetime,mybloodwasinfusedwithit.ThehauntscreechedwhenIpulledmy armback.
Isaidagain,“Ineedtotalktomysisternow.”
“Mooorreee…”
“Ineedtotalktomysisternow.”
“Rue,yourmagicfeedsthehaunt.You’remakingitstronger.Makingit wanttocomeafteryou.”Martinsoundedalmostfrantic.GiventhatIwasn’t likelytosurvive,Ifinallydecidedhewastrustworthy.Toolateforusthough.
“Mmmhmmm,”Isaid.Thatwas,ofcourse,theplan.
“Rue,”Hiroaskedcarefully.
ButBran’seyesopenedthenanditwashergreengaze.Ismiledatherand shescowled.
“Whatareyouupto,princess?”
“Savingthedamsel,”Itoldher.
“IthoughtIwasn’tsaveable.”
“YouknowIammorestubbornthanthat,”Isaid.“I’msorry.”
Andwiththatsimplestatement,Ipulledoutthetalismanandranitintoher lowerrightside,below—Ihoped—herliver.
Herscreamwashorribletohear.Butworsewasthewaythehauntfledher.
Thetalismanhadn’tjuststabbedher,ithadstabbedthehaunt.Itfledthefailing hostandcameatme.
“Ruuueeeeeeeeee!”
Iwasn’tsurewhowasscreamingbecausethehauntwasdivingintome.
Divingthroughthecut,strikingatme,breakingthecontainmentoftherunesand tattoos.Iscreamed,thepainwasastounding.Mybodyarchedup,diggingmy headandmyfeetintothegroundwithmybellyintheair.
Someonewasscreaminginpain,andthenIrealizeditwasme,butthere wasmore.Thecold.Theoverwhelmingcold.Mykindreddeadwerecomingto myrescue,fightingthehauntinmyverybody,andallIcoulddowasholdon andhopetosurvive.
Chapter17
“Rue,ohgods,Rue.”
Someonewaspushingbackmyhair,holdingmyhandandweeping.I crackedopenedmyeyesandfoundthefaceofmysister.Allfreckledandcute witheyesIneverwantedtoseeanyothercolor.
“Please,”shewascrying,“Pleasedon’tleaveme.Ican’tdothiswithout you.”
“Bran…”
Shestoppedbrushingbackmyhairtomeetmyeyesandgasped.
“How’dyougetfree,”IaskedbecauseIdidn’twanttothinkabouthowI couldn’tfeelmostofmybody.
“Magic,”shesniffed.“Rue…you’renotmoving.”
“I’mok,”Ilied.
“Don’tlie,”shecried.“Don’tdothis.”
Shewasholdingherandtoherside,whereI’dstabbedher,butdidnot seemtonoticethewoundoutsideofthat.
“Girlup,”Itoldher.
“Youweren’tsupposedtoexchangeyourselfforme,youbigdummy.Iam goingtomakeyoupayforever.”
Someonewasyellingbeyondus.IslowlyturnedmyheadandsawHiro, Portia,CyrusandMartinbangingonthepentaclewall.
Iwonderedifthehauntweredead,orifitwerejusthidinginme.Wasit safetoletthemin?Thelittlegirlghostappearedandleaneddowntosay,
“Thaddeustookitthroughtheether.Hewon’tbeabletocomebackforsome time.”
IclosedmyeyesandasIdidamemorycamebacktomeofmykindred dead,theonewhodidn’tunderstandGoogle.Hehadwrappedhisspiritaround thehauntandused my magictoformtheethercageandpushthemboththrough.
“Ican’tbelieveyoustabbedme,”Bransaid.ShemusthavedecidedI wasn’tdyingjustthen.Ididn’thavethesamefaithinherstate,analarming amountofbloodwasspreadingbetweenherfingers.
“Whiner,”Isaid.Icouldn’tmove.ButIcouldn’tletherbleedout.Ifocused notmybody,butmywillandmymagicand threw thetalismanatthepentacle.It shatteredasmyheaddroppedbacktothegrass.
Myeyesflutteredcloseandthenopen.Icouldseemysister’smouthmove andthenMartinandPortia’sfaces.
Thelittlegirlghostwastherewiththem,betweenthem.Shewastalking too,butIcouldn’thearanyofthem.Thegirlreacheddown,placedherhandson myhead,andsaid,“It’sbecausemynameisAngela.”
“What?”Iasked.
“Theangel.Iwastheirangel.Eventhoughwe’repagans.”
“Ohhh,thestatue.”Itwasgoodtoknow.Icouldfeelmysoul’sanchor shifting.Iwasdying.Itwasgoodtohavethemysterysolved.Wouldtheybury mehere?Ihopedso.
“No,”Brancried,anditreachedthroughthehaze.Shereachedherhand downtomychestandpouredhermagicintome,herstrength,andherlove.She poureditinawaythatnooneelsecouldhave—throughtheconnectionbetween ourhearts.Wherethemagicofoursoulslinkedsooftenandsoregularlythatit wasasnaturalastakingasipofwater.“Noyouarenotallowedtoleaveme alonewithMother.”
Ilaughed.Andtheanchorofmysoultomybodysnappedbackintoplace.
*****
“Iamprettysure,”BransaidasIsatdownatthetable,“Th
at I savedyou.”
“Nope,”Ishookmyhead,takingahugebiteofmyburger.Iwas starving.
“You’rethedamsel.I’mtheknight.”
“Theprincess,”sheinsisted.
“I’mthehero.Theonewhosaved.Youarethesavee.Iamthesavior.You damsel.Mehero.”
Shereachedoverandtookthepieceofbaconthatwashangingoutofmy burger.
“Rude,”Igasped,tryingformybacon,butIwastooslow.Eventhough she’dbeenstabbedthreeweeksago,Iwastheonewhoserecoveryhadbeenfull ofstopsandstartsandtoomanydelays.Ineededtorun,thoughcurrently,Iwas onlycapableofaslowhobble.
“That’swhatyougetforstabbingme.”
“Didyouwanttoseemybitemarks?AndIgoogledwheretostabyouand everything.”
Shelaughedandnabbedthefallenavocadofrommyburger.Felixreached aroundherandplacedherplateinfrontofher.“Leaveyoursister’sfoodalone.
She’srecovering.”
“Iwas stabbed,” Branpouted.
“Shealmostdied,”Jessiesaididly.HerfingerswerelinkedwithCyrusand thewaytheytouchedmadeitevidentthatsomethinghadalteredbetweenthem.I ignoredthepangofjealousyandfocusedonmyhappinessforthem.“Areyou goingtowearthosecuffsforever?”
Bransmileddownattherunedcuffsthathadhelpedtokeepthehauntin checkuntilwewereabletostabit.
“I’vegrownfondofthem.”
“What’snextforyou?”ItwasChrysiewhoasked.
Branhadlefthome,highschoolunfinished,crossedthecountry,anddid notwanttogohome.
“Idon’tknow,”shesaid.“Somethingfun.”
“Youcan’tbetrusted,”Itoldher,onlyhalf-joking.“You’regoingto probablyfindsomeothernastyhaunt.Meanerthanthelast.”
“Oh…IthoughtI’dhauntyoumyselfforawhile.UntilI’m…youknow.
Recovered.Plus,Ineedtogetajobandsaveup.”
“Youcouldstayhere,”Ioffered,knowingshewouldsayno.Shemightstay awhile,butthewayshefeltthroughourlinkwasrestlessandreadytorun.
Branshookherhead,shotmeamischievoussmileandthensaid,“Nowthat I’mnotbeingmurderedbyacenturies-oldcurse,Ihavetoconsiderwheremy effortsarebestdeployed.Whatadventuretoundertakenext.Whatcountryto visit.Whatcrimetocommit.”
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