Diana mock-scoffed. “I can’t believe that came out of your mouth.”
“So they learned a little bit,” I clarified. “Like enough to make it not hurt when one of them enters my head . . . and they mind their manners.”
Memories of Louise picking through my brain resurfaced, making me cringe. But surely, someone I’d met in real life wouldn’t do that. I hoped.
Mr. Rhines nodded. “They learned the basics. And since they’ve volunteered for this, other mind witches in the ghost plane have been giving them tips.” He paused, and his gaze grew solemn. “I realize it’s asking a lot for you to trust us on this, Odette. My wife and I might not know much about being mind witches, but we’re experts when it comes to spirits. Believe me, the most powerful ghosts are the ones with a driving purpose.”
Silence fell, and blood rushed in my ears. Everyone was waiting for my word. It was strange to be the one hesitating and questioning, after I’d been so determined to find a solution.
All three of the Rhineses knew more about the world beyond than I ever would. Probably more about mind witches, too, considering their recent investigations. If they thought this would work, I needed to trust them, no matter how scared I was. Or how strange it would be to have someone I’d actually known inside my head.
I drew in a long breath. “I have to talk to Eva and make sure she’s cool with this, but if she’s down, I say we do it.”
Eva shared my concerns, but in the end, she decided the Rhines family had probably done their due diligence in figuring out who would be the best candidate to keep our minds safe. After all, it wasn’t just our lives on the line. Amethyst had already said she wanted to fight alongside us again, as would many of her family’s friends.
“You still want Tabitha?” Eva shot a glance at the door just beyond which Amethyst was preparing her circle. My bestie was clearly not convinced that I wasn’t just letting her have the more easygoing of our classmates out of the goodness of my heart.
“Yeah,” I said. Tabitha and I had a spotty past, and some making up to do. For some reason, it felt right to claim her.
“Okay, just double-checking. We all know you two had . . . history.”
“Well, so did you guys.” Hunter had messed around with Tabitha before he started dating Eva. For that reason and because of how Tabitha treated me, Eva had never liked her much.
“Both Tabitha and Efraim will do well for you girls,” Alex said, squeezing my hand. “They have loved ones who are still alive. People to protect.”
Amethyst poked her head out of the room we’d been waiting to enter. Her expression was equal parts excited and nervous.
I understood that mix all too well.
“I’m ready,”Amethyst said.
After giving Alex a kiss, I strode toward Amethyst, trying to project confidence. My parents were waiting just down the corridor with Eva’s family, talking in low voices. “Us and our parents, right?”
She nodded. “Mom and Dad say these sorts of things work best if only blood relatives witness it. It has something to do with the blood you’ll shed to bind the ghost to you. I don’t really get it, but I trust them.” She extended something to me.
I looked down to see a dagger in her hand. I chuckled, though none of this was funny. “You know, Amethyst, I like things that aren’t daggers too.”
“I promise, I’ll never give you one ever again.” She bit her lip, obviously conflicted.
I knew where she was coming from. The deed itself was positive and would bring a lot of good for our side. But a ghost had possessed her against her will. I doubted she relished the thought of implanting a ghost inside someone else.
“Hey,” I whispered. “I was teasing. You’re doing the right thing. This gives us arealchance.”
She gave me a wobbly smile. “Thanks, Odette. You want to go first?”
I nodded and blew Alex a kiss before disappearing into the room Amethyst had prepared.
Besides being a brighter space than La Voisin’s sitting area, the setup for the binding was identical—a salt circle surrounded by candles giving off smoke, a silver bowl, though this one was larger than Mélanie’s, and of course, the dagger in my hand. Everyone filed in behind me, necessitating that I moved out of the way. I looked at Amethyst, wanting direction.
“Stand in the middle of the circle and cut your hand. Drip the blood into the bowl, and when I tell you to, lift it high,” Amethyst instructed. “Tabitha is nearby, waiting. But she’s too new as a ghost to cross over by herself. She still needs an actual invitation.”
I sucked in a breath, preparing to meet a mean girl from my past. As I got into position, I dug the blade into my palm. A metallic tang filled the air as red blood welled against my skin, a feature that was becoming all too common in my life. I allowed a good amount to drip into the bowl.
From the sides, others watched. My parents looked worried, but I wasn’t. And neither was Eva. We’d done this before, and though she’d hated me in life, I trusted Tabitha more than Louise. She had skin in the game, whereas Louise had only wanted a shot to feel alive again.
“Tabitha Goode, I call you to this plane. I call upon your powers and request your help. I call out on behalf of an entire realm, hear my request.”
Amethyst nodded to me, and I lifted the bowl above my head.
