Page 18 of Blood Match

I focus on the hairpin. It’s beautiful. The delicate charm dangling from it – a tiny star – catches the light, and for a moment, I’m transported back to that day. Mia’s excited grin as she presented the gift, her warm hug as she whispered, “To remind you that you shine brighter than you know, little sister.”

My throat tightens, and I have to take several deep breaths before I can continue.

“Make-up,” says Poppy. “Trust me, you need it.”

“Gee, thanks,” I mutter, snatching the bag away from her before she can get her little paws in it. “I think I can take it from here.” She may be my familiar, but some days, I think familiarity breeds contempt. I’m not in the mood for it right now. “Why don’t you run along and do whatever it is that squirrels do when they’re not tormenting witches.” I wave a hand. “You can’t come with us, anyway.”

“Suit yourself.” She huffs and gives a little squirrel shrug before hopping onto the window ledge. She pauses. “Take care, Ro. I’m thinking of you.” It’s the closest to sympathy I’ll probably get from her, so I take it, watching as she disappears out the window before turning my attention back to my make-up.

I do my best to cover the evidence of my breakdown. Foundation to hide the blotchiness, concealer for the dark circles under my eyes. A touch of mascara, a hint of blush. Nothing too elaborate – this isn’t a celebration, after all. Besides, my glasses will hide most of it.

As I apply a final swipe of lip gloss, I catch sight of the crystal necklace laid out on my dresser. We’ll all wear one tonight: me, Mom, Kara, Gran. Dad will have a pendant on a leather thong around his neck. The focal point of the Starlight Vigil. My stomach clenches at the sight of it, knowing what it represents.

With shaking hands, I fasten it around my neck. The crystal rests cold and heavy against my skin, a constant reminder of why we’re gathered tonight. To say goodbye. To let Mia go.

Taking a deep, shuddering breath, I lift my chin. I just have to get through this night, and then we can all move on.

With one final glance in the mirror, I turn toward the bedroom door, steeling myself.

“The fucker is up to something.”

The voice slices through my mind like a razor blade, causing me to stumble back. It’s the same one I’ve been hearing for days now, a deep baritone that sends an involuntary shiver down my spine. But this time, it’s clearer than ever before.

“What the hell?” I mutter, pressing my palms against my temples. The stress must finally be getting to me. I’m hearing things, going crazy on top of everything else.

“Who said that?” It’s the voice again, sounding confused and slightly alarmed.

Frustration bubbles up inside me, hot and fierce. I’ve had enough of this. Of everything. “Who are you?” I say out loud, my voice trembling with anger. “What do you want from me?”

There’s a moment of stunned silence, and then: “Who are you?” The voice sounds genuinely shocked.

“I asked you first.”

“This is fucking unbelievable.” There’s an exasperated breath. “I’m losing my mind.”

“Oh, you think you’re losing your mind? You’re wreaking havoc over here!” This voice is the reason I turned Mrs. Henderson blue, dammit.

“Wreaking havoc? Wait a bit. Are you real, or am I going insane?”

I let out a harsh laugh. “Oh, that’s rich. You’re in my head, and you’re asking if I’m real?” I spin around, half-expecting to see someone standing behind me. But there’s nothing near me. “Show yourself!”

“I can’t exactly do that,” the voice replies, a hint of dry amusement coloring his tone. “Considering I have no idea where you are or how this is happening.”

My heart pounds in my chest. This can’t be real. It has to be some kind of magical anomaly, a backfired spell, something. “Get out of my head,” I growl, clenching my fists.

“Believe me, I’d like nothing more than to get you out of mine as well,” he retorts.

“I’m not in your head; you’re in mine!” I snap, then immediately feel ridiculous for arguing with a disembodied voice. I take a deep breath, trying to think rationally. “Are you…are you a wizard?”

A low chuckle reverberates through my mind, rich and warm. Despite my anger, I feel a flutter in my stomach at the sound. “A wizard. Oh, you have no fucking idea.”

“Then what are you?” I demand, pacing back and forth in front of my door. “How are you doing this?”

“I could ask you the same question,” he replies. “I’ve been hearing your voice for days now, snippets of thoughts and emotions. I thought I was going crazy.”

I freeze mid-step. “Days? You’ve been eavesdropping on my thoughts for days?” Horror and indignation war within me. “That’s…that’s a massive invasion of privacy!”

“It’s not like I had a choice in the matter,” he says, sounding equally frustrated. “Do you think I enjoy having a stranger’s voice in my head?”

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