Guilt twisted my insides. It had been so long since I’d spoken about her, I had begun to forget the little details. Like the way her voice sounded, the smell of her perfume, even the exact color of her eyes.
I wished more than anything she was here right now. She would know exactly what to do with the spirits. She always did. But instead of my mom’s comforting words, silence settled over everything.
I rose. “I don’t think the spirit is coming back tonight. We better head back before the rain comes.”
CHAPTER 19
LYRA
Ipried my eyes open, rubbing the sleepy dirt from them as my phone buzzed over and over on my nightstand. Our group chat, The Council Meeting, was blowing up. Text after text came in about the fire last night.
I scrolled through my messages, disappointment creeping over me when none of them were from Grey.
“Oh good. You’re up!” Emory poked her head into my bedroom. She wasted no time flopping onto my mattress and wiggling under the covers. Her icy cold feet touched my legs, and she laughed as I pushed her away.
“My feet are cold,” she whined, trying to press them against my calves.
“Then put some socks on!” I scooted out of reach of her long, skinny legs.
My phone buzzed again, and I shamelessly jumped to see who it was from. But it wasn’t Grey.
Last night was the most embarrassing night of my life. I smushed my face into my pillow, thinking of being interrupted by a spirit while a demon was literally mid-thrust. Grey got a front row seat to the freak show. I wouldn’t blame him if he never talked to me again.
“I told Kenna we’d pick up coffee and swing by to check in,” Emory said, texting the group chat.
Forty minutes later, we pulled into the parking lot of the Toasted Owl. I threw my tangled hair into a claw clip and checked my phone for what felt like the hundredth time this morning. Still nothing.
“I can’t believe the house caught on fire.” Emory halted in front of the coffee shop’s door. “Imagine how bad things could have gone if Mr. Whitethorn and Kenna weren’t able to put it out.” She whispered the last part so no one could overhear.
“Do they have any idea how it started?” I probed, fidgeting with the bottom of my sweatshirt as we stood in line. The place was popping this early on a Sunday.
“No, but I’m sure we’ll get more details this morning.”
“Next.” The barista waved us over.
We approached the counter, and I smiled warmly at the young girl.
“What can I get you?” she asked, returning my smile.
“Three large lavender lattes and a dozen donuts,” I ordered, pointing out which donuts to box up.
“Whole milk okay?”
“Oat milk, please.” That would have ruined Kenna’s entire day. Dairy and Kenna did not get along.
“Is Cal going to be there?” I asked, turning toward Emory. “Because I’ll get another dozen if he is.”
“No.” She shook her head. “And neither will Eli.”
“Okay, just making sure. ’Cause I’m not trying to fight Cal over the last chocolate sprinkle donut.”
The barista rang up our order and got to work making the drinks. I dared another glance at my phone, only to be disappointed once again.
“Lyra,” the girl called my name, setting the three coffees on the counter.
“Thanks, have a great day.” I grabbed the drink carrier from the counter, and followed Emory outside.
“Good thing we decided not to walk.” Emory blasted the heat, checking her mirrors as she pulled out of the parking lot. “It’s freezing this morning.”
