Page 73 of Amber Gambler

Low moans rose in concert around me, my temper riling the dead beneath my feet.

Whispers curled around me, hissing in my ears as phantom fingers dug into my skin.

“Enough,” Kierce barked, and the unhappy dead returned to their slumbers.

Crossing her arms over her stomach, Farah darted frantic glances around, but there was nothing to see.

“Let’s go find Matty and Little.” I gave myself a forced cheer injection. “Lead the way, Farah.”

A flash of blue light announced her departure, leaving me and Kierce behind.

Once it was obvious to him I was in avoidance mode, he asked, “How often does that happen?”

The voices. The chills. The…episodes.

Every path was familiar, so I chose a shortcut for us. “How can you tell it’s not the first time?”

“You weren’t taken by surprise.” He tucked his hands into his pockets to stroll. “They felt your anger and rose to meet it.”

Given he was an expert on death, I would be a fool not to get his opinion. “Three or four times a week.”

“Did these episodes begin before or after we met?”

“Before.” I was relieved to confirm he wasn’t the trigger. “It started maybe eighteen months ago.”

As I firmed up a time frame to the best of my memory, I regretted it meant Ankou was off the hook too. The power flares began before Armie integrated himself into our lives and had continued in his absence. They hadn’t been much to start with, but their potency and frequency kept increasing.

“Do the spirits touch you or only speak to you during these episodes?”

“They touch me.” I got chills thinking how real they felt when I had always been the one who gave them substance if I wanted to initiate contact. “Any idea what’s causing it?”

“I would hazard a guess that you’re entering a metamorphic stage.”

“You’re saying I’m a caterpillar and no one told me?”

“Caterpillars are remarkable.” He cut his eyes toward me. “So are you.”

“I just want to state for the record I’m open to sprouting butterfly wings.Oh.Moth wings.”

Josie could pull off going full-on Monarch. I was more of a Luna.

“I doubt there will be physical manifestations, but new powers or heightened senses may emerge.”

“Well, that’s both disappointing and terrifying.”

“Without knowing the other half of your heritage, it’s only a guess.”

“A guess from you is worth more than a doctoral thesis from anyone else. Will the episodes keep getting worse?”

“Until your full potential is met, yes.” His mouth tipped down. “I’m afraid they will.”

“All good, Mary?” Matty stood with Little next to the gateway. “I was getting worried about you.”

“Little was too fast.” I faked flicking sweat from my brow. “It took us this long to catch up to you guys.”

The girl in question beamed until the hoot of an owl reminded her where she was and wiped her expression clean.

“This is your friend?” Alyse stepped from her mausoleum to join Farah. “Audrey, was it?”

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