Page 144 of Dead Heat

“She’ll be even more thrilled in a second.” Ashley slipped the straps of her backpack off her shoulders. “We come bearing gifts.” She unzipped the pack and produced a shiny black ball.

“Is that a scrying glass?” I asked. If so, it was unlike any I’d ever seen.

“Not quite,” Ashley said. “You know how I’m getting certified as a Witch’s Assistant? Well, we had to study a section on the spirit world. I guess because Phaedra was born a witch, she didn’t get to learn all the material we cover.” Sheheld the orb aloft. “This ball should allow Steven and I to see Nana Pratt and speak to her directly.”

Nana Pratt smothered a cry of joy.

“Would you mind if we set this up on your table?” Ashley asked.

Nana Pratt jostled my elbow. “Say yes. Please.”

As if I’d refuse them. “I’d be disappointed if you didn’t,” I said.

“Offer them snacks,” Nana Pratt hissed. “They look hungry.”

“Would anyone like a snack?” I asked. “I have no doubt your grandmother spent all of yesterday stress-baking cookies.”

“She’s a ghost,” Ashley said. “What does she have to be stressed about?”

I bit my tongue.

Steven smiled at the sight of my computer on the counter. “Hey, it still works.”

“When it’s in the mood,” I said.

Steven nudged his sister. “You and the computer have that in common.”

Ignoring her brother, Ashley set the black ball in the middle of the table. It started to roll to the side and was quickly rescued by Claude, who held the ball firmly until it was able to maintain its balance. I hadn’t even noticed the revenant scamper into the room.

“Thanks, Claude,” Ashley said, giving him a friendly pat.

“What do we do now?” Steven asked. “Start chanting about moons and stars?”

Ashley glared at him. “Joke all you want, but you’re going to be weeping into your pocket protector when you see Nana’s face for the first time in years.” She sat in a chair and motioned for Steven to do the same.

“Do you need me, or will I ruin it?” I asked.

“I wouldn’t mind the extra energy,” Ashley said.

I joined them at the table.

“Can’t you just order us to be visible?” Ray asked, hovering in the background.

“I don’t have that ability. You’re either visible to certain people or you’re not.”

My answer didn’t satisfy him. “But if a spell can make us visible, why can’t you?”

“I’m not an all-powerful genie.”

Ashley concentrated on the orb. “I need everyone’s hands on it.”

“Ghosts too?” I asked.

“Can’t hurt. We’re basically powering up the orb to generate magical energy.”

Five pairs of hands splayed across the orb. Claude tried to join but couldn’t find space. He slunk to the edge of the table in defeat.

Ashley looked up and gasped. “Wow. You look exactly the same.”

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