I crack it open.
Seers can enter the spirit realm through trance and communicate with spirits to gain knowledge. By traversing the spirit realm, we assume great personal risk. Our spirit can become lost in the realm, leaving our body open to possession. Even after returning, we are particularly vulnerable because of our ability to bridge the divide between life and death.
I start flipping through the pages as quickly as I can. “If it’s really a seer symbol, it should be in here somewhere.”
“I’ll look around and see if I can find the pelt,” Amund says, moving through the room behind me.
I thumb through page after page of notes onTraversing the Spirit RealmandSeeking the Wisdom of SpiritsandReturning to Your Bodywhen—
There.
At the top of a page, it readsReturning Spirits to Our Realm.
A cold shiver traces down my spine. “Amund. Look at this.”
He leans closer, looking over my shoulder. We read it together.
Returning Spirits to Our Realm
Just as it is possible to enter the spirit realm, it is also possible for spirits to reenter the realm of the living. Unlike séances, which allow temporary communication between our realms, this ritual can be permanent. It must be done with great caution. Once the door to the spirit realm is opened, it will remain so until sealed, and any returned spirit must either possess a living host or become trapped in the realm of the living until it is released.
“Wait.” My stomach sinks as I turn to Amund. “Is this what Irina is after? Is she killing people in order to bring her aunt back?”
His eyes lock with mine. “Sounds like motive to me.”
I swallow hard. “We have to bring this to Helga.”
“As soon as we find the pelt,” Amund says. “I haven’t seen it anywhere so far.” He pulls open her dresser drawers and searches through her clothes. “We’re going to need as much proof as possible to convince Helga.”
“Maybe she’s keeping it somewhere else?” I try, eager to get out of here.
The drawer snaps shut. “Like the seer school?”
“Well, wedidsee Irina going there… and I was also chased by the original berserkr when I went there.”
Something buzzes loudly in Amund’s pocket.
He pulls out his phone quickly. “Shit, Val said Irina is coming.”
I shove the notebook closed. “What do we do?”
Footsteps approach down the hall.
“We have to hide,” Amund whispers.
He glances around the room, but there’s nowhere to go.
The door handle jiggles.
“Get under the bed.”
I crawl under quickly, hugging the book to my chest.
Amund slides in next to me as the door opens.
We barely fit. Lying on my back, I stare up at the bottom of her mattress. Poor Amund has even less room, his chest pressing against the bed frame. He had to turn his head to the side so he’s facing me.
I listen to footsteps as Irina walks through her room.
