Page 10 of Hateful Prince

I sighed. “How do I learn?”

She placed a small jar filled with swirling black mist on the desk. It was sealed with a cork, and a soft blue glow emanated from within the vapor. “With this.”

“Smoke?”

“So you can see what’s inside?” she asked, her lips curling into a triumphant smile.

“Yeah, can’t you? There’s a bunch of glowy smoke swirling around.”

“No, Dahlia. I’m not a medium. I can’t see what’s inside the spirit jar.”

“Spirit jar? You mean there’s an actual ghost in there?” I poked it, half expecting a face to manifest, complete with fangs ready to snap the digit from my hand.

Masterson nodded. “Yes, this is Katarina. A mischievous little spirit who came to my coven for safekeeping after one of her practical jokes almost got an entire orphanage burnt down.”

“Your ghost has a name.”

“Don’t they all?”

Swallowing hard, I nodded. “I guess they do. What am I supposed to do with her? Have a whole chat?”

“We already know you can speak with them. I want to test something else.”

A sense of dread swirled through me, my very own mini anxiety tornado, as Masterson twisted the cork off the jar. The smoke immediately escaped, but she couldn’t see it. She wasn’t even looking in that direction since her eyes were locked on mine.

“I want you to put her back.”

What.

The.

Fuck.

An evil cackle filled the room, accompanying the heavy buzz that prickled across my skin. I was sure my hair was standing on end like I’d been shocked.

“Finally. Stupid fool. I’ve been locked away for too long in that prison. I’m ready to play.” The ghost’s voice echoed as though she was speaking in a cavern, but there was a youthfulness to it I couldn’t deny.

“She’s a kid,” I whispered.

“She was old enough to know what she was doing when she died. Now, catch her before she escapes and finds an open flame. She’ll burn this place to the ground if you don’t.”

“That’s a lot of pressure to put on me for my first go-round, don’t you think?” I snapped, my voice squeaky and high-pitched.

“It’s not a true test if there are no stakes.”

“You and I need to have a chat about your teaching methods, woman.”

“Focus, Dahlia.”

Huffing out a breath, I watched the spirit whip around the room. Not that I needed to be able to see her to track her path. Everywhere she went, objects fell to the ground. She wasn’t just a firebug; she was an absolute chaos gremlin.

“I don't know what I’m doing!”

“Yes you do. Focus on her essence. Use your mind to wrap her in your power. You can contain her.”

“You say that like I know what that means.”

“Instinct will guide you. You were born for this.”

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