“This is not Barrett,” I say.
We follow the spirit’s nudge as a word spells out in front of us:
P-E-T-R-A
Sybil makes a surprised sound in her throat.
“Hi, Petra,” I greet her, fear beginning to touch my bones.
Hello
“You have something to show me, then?” I ask and try to see through the growing darkness.
Yes
“Okay,” I say, trying to blink back the tears now. “I’m open to whatever it is. I won’t fight it.”
A-L-L-O-F-Y-O-U
“What?” Sybil asks before the room spins around us and we’re thrown into one of the large fields on the east side of the property. We’re in the exact same position—sitting at the table with the board around us.
“Don’t take your hands off,” I tell them, but my words are silent.
They nod, and I can only hope they understood.
“What did you do?” Petra screams behind me, slapping her palms on Nestor’s chest.
He looks around with defeat in his eyes. Not paying any mind to her hard slaps, he takes a step to the side, trying to hold Petra back.
“Nestor,” she begs on a sob. “What did you do? Tell me.”
“I’ve made many mistakes, Petra. I’m sor—”
His words are cut off by the sting of her palm, and the impact is so loud I can feel the ghost of it.
“This is your fault,” she tells him and points a finger at his chest. “All of it! You bastard.” She shoves him, and he almost trips over his own feet. “Everything that has happened is because of you!”
He reaches for her, but she pulls away. A loud crack breaks through the air at the same second lightning strikes a hundred feet from them.
Petra falls to her knees as she lets out a guttural scream. Nestor stands in front of her, protecting her from someone.
Then it goes black.
Collectively, we let out a sharp gasp and open our eyes, back in the cold, dark of my bedroom.
“Wait,” I try to shout, but it comes out hoarse. It’s enough to stop Sybil from removing her hands off the planchette. Holding onto any ounce of consciousness I can, I ask Petra, “Are we done? Can we leave?”
Instantly, the piece moves toByeand our hands fly off the table.
“Holy shit,” Esme murmurs as Sybil stares at the board with wide-eyes.
It’s the last thing I see before the claws of darkness drag me under, and I slump out of my seat.
Chapter 44
Archer
Taking a deep breath, I lean against a tree and relax in the shade for a few minutes. Renata doesn’t believe I’m an outdoorsy person, but she’s never been to Junimere. Everyone is outdoorsy, regardless of how much they enjoy it. However, this hike is much more rigorous than I expected.
