“Billy,” I say, just above a whisper.
“Really?” Corinne levels me with a look of exasperation. “Come on, Alyssa. Put a little more oomph into it.”
I glare in return but do as she advises. “Billy,” I yell.
“You rang?”
I jump, twisting around and crouching into a fighting stance. “Dammit, Billy! Don’t sneak up on me like that.”
He slaps his lips together. “What are you doing? You look ridiculous.”
I stop holding my breath, straightening out of my warrior pose. “Preparing to attack.”
He scrunches his nose, and Corinne snorts behind me.
“You tried that once. Didn’t work so well, now did it?” His condescending tone and punchable face are enough to make me feel violent.
“Ugh.” I throw my hands up. “Just... don’t scare me.”
“Listen lady, it doesn’t matter what I do; you’re the definition of chickenshit. Whether I pop up or slowly glide into existence, you’re going to freak.”
I fold my arms over my chest like a petulant child. “You don’t know me.”
“And I really don’t want to, but here we are.”
“Ugh!” I shout again, entirely absent of adult vocabulary at the moment.
“He’s here?” Corinne says, and I turn to find her eyes narrowed, sitting at the kitchen island, reading through my grocery list.
“Yeah. He’s right there.” I motion toward Billy. “You don’t see him?”
Her eyes lift from the notepad. “No. I don’t see anything.”
“You said I unlocked your powers too?”
She bats her lashes, mouth smashed together. “I’ve only really connected with Garrett.”
“But you heard Billy... That’s why you snorted.”
She raises a brow. “I snorted because of your attack position. It was either that or cry, because we’re dying if our lives depend on you saving us.” She stands from the stool, looking around. “Why can’t I see him?”
I shrug in response.
“It might’ve been an exaggeration to say I gained my powers too.”
I bite my cheek, trying to control my mounting irritation. “So basically, you’re siphoning off me. Great. Glad I brought you here.” I turn to Billy for guidance.
“Don’t ask me,” he responds. “I don’t control this show.” Billylets out an annoyed breath. “What did you call me for? I have stuff to do.”
“You’re dead. What could you possibly have to do?” I snap.
He’s positioned by the back sliding door, blocking my only quick exit.
He lifts his top lip, baring his teeth. “You just interrupted a meeting with Harry. It seemed important, but I guess we’ll never know, because you summoned me.”
“Harry? Who the hell is Harry?”
“My guide. Apparently, all spirits stuck in limbo have one. He’s not very happy with you, by the way.”
