Page 95 of Séance

Shadows move through her eyes, turning them dark and stormy, and my excitement dims at her caution. “Will it put her in any danger?”

The last thing I want to do is put my sister at risk.

Maggie has already sacrificed enough for me.

Rue nibbles on her bottom lip, the sight threatening to distract me, but she’s lost in her head. “She should be fine, as long as we strengthen the wards on the house first. The only spirits who can enter are the ones invited.”

“Should?” I say slowly, not sure I want to take the chance, but if this is my last opportunity to talk to her, I would never forgive myself.

Rue blinks as if remembering we’re still in the room, then she shrugs. “Contacting the other side always comes with risks. Spirits can’t linger without energy. When I summon them, they will be able to use my energy. Unfortunately, my power will call others like a beacon.

“Most spirits pass to the other side the instant they die. Some fight the pull, but they fade after a day or two. Those who died violently or suffered usually linger longer. Some don’t realize they are dead and they fight the hardest, not ready to give up on living.”

When she doesn’t continue, I take a seat at the bottom of the bed, needing to see her face. I’m conscious of the guys watching us, wavering between belief and doubt, but I have none.

I don’t believe in much.

The guys.

My sister.

Now Rue.

If she says she can do it, then she can do it.

It’s that simple.

She’s keeping something from me, though, and I don’t like it. “What aren’t you telling us?”

She purses her lips, a mutinous look sparking in her eyes, and I know I’m right. With a heavy sigh, she traces a pattern on the comforter, her voice soft. “Some spirits are able to steal energy from the living, using them like a battery. Energy equals power in their world.”

“And some asshole will always want more power, no matter the cost,” I finish for her, my gut sinking with dread. “Will you be at risk?”

“Not—”

“Don’t lie to us, pookie,” James interrupts, his hand coming to rest on her wrist with a gentle squeeze.

Her shoulders slump, and she shrugs noncommittally. “Not really, but spirits aren’t natural to this world. I’m hidden by wards, but once word spreads that I can communicate with the dead, they’ll come for me.”

“Who?” Jace scowls down at Rue, absently twirling his ring around and around his finger, and we all turn toward her as we await her answer.

“The dead.” Her eyes are clear as she speaks, not a hint of fear on her face, but I have enough for both of us.

I shove to my feet and pace away from the bed, my heart feeling like it’s trying to escape my chest. “No, we’re not doing this. I forbid it.”

I’m not aware of stomping back and forth across her room, struggling to control my rage, until she suddenly appears in front of me. I stop so abruptly it’s only James grabbing the back of my shirt that stops me from plowing into her. “Wha?—”

“I don’t have much formal training with my abilities. What I learned is all by trial and error. Nan left me books to study, ways to keep us both safe.” She places a hand on my chest, rightover my heart, and I swear it leaps at her touch, as if sensing her nearness.

“One thing I have learned over the years is that it’s more dangerous not to use my powers than it is to use them. The more they are repressed, the more they build and threaten to escape my control. The more training I have, the safer I’ll be.”

She places her hands on her hips, lifting her stubborn chin, a bullheaded glint shimmering in her eyes. “As much as I might wish otherwise, there is no escaping this life. It’s what I believe ultimately drove my mother insane. I’ve been holding off on using my abilities since I arrived, but the spirits will find me, eventually.”

A sad, rueful smile crosses her lips, but I don’t miss the resigned look in her eyes. “They always do.”

My skin tingles at her nearness, but it’s not enough.

It will never be enough.

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