“I figured you could seekimi.”
Marianne shook her head. “I cannot see spirit companions.”
“Oh.” Angélica fanned herself, shifting slightly away from the heat. “If it wasn’t you, then who was talking to Quint?”
“I don’t know. What was said?”
“Something about too many whispers and the ancestors speaking to their guardian with talk of death.” She paused, trying to remember what else, but it was so damned hot this close to the fire. “Oh, and Daisy—or whoever—warned Quint that he must not be left alone.”
Marianne glanced her way, her brow lined.
“There was also something about Quint having death smeared on him.”
“That was not me,Pik.”
Angélica bit her lower lip, frowning at her mom. “Then who was it?”
Her mother stared across the fire toward the dark jungle beyond. “There are many whispers here, especially on the other side of the wall. I’ve seen shadows moving about under the trees that shy away from the living when they pass.”
“What are you saying?”
“We are not alone in this part of the jungle,Pik.”
“You mean there are other ghosts like you?”
“I don’t believe they are the same as me, but we share a plane of existence.”
Sweat trickled down Angélica’s spine. “Are you in danger?”
“The shadows don’t seem to notice me when flitting about, only the living.”
“Good.” Well, sort of good.
“But I fear that you and your father are in trouble,Pik.” She grabbed Angélica’s arm and pulled her close, wrapping her in a hug that smelled like Daisy’s lemon eucalyptus oil bug repellent, butAngélica didn’t care. She squeezed back, pretending it was her mom in full physical form.
“What can we do?” Angélica whispered.
“You can leave now,” Marianne said in her ear. “Run,Pik, and don’t look back.”
Angélica pulled away. “I can’t do that, Mom. If someone else were to come here and get hurt, I’d feel responsible.”
“It is not your role in life to be some great protector.”
“Maybe not, but it might be Quint’s. He may be the key to saving us.”
Her mother’s focus returned to the fire, her palms out once again. “It’s nice to be of flesh and blood again. I can usually see the flames through my fingers.”
“Be careful not to burn Daisy’s hands.”
“The channeler is fine.” She gave Angélica a small grin. “I would like to have her kiss your father.”
“Mom!”
“I’m serious,Pik. I can almost feel the heat of this fire here now. If your father was kissing her and I joined with her, do you think I’d feel his lips again? That old twinge of excitement from his touch?”
Angélica squeezed the bridge of her nose. “I don’t want to have this conversation with you, Mother.”
“Your dad was always such a wonderful lover. That man could work magic with his hands.”
