Page 47

Karmela continues to watch me carefully as I slather some marmalade on bread and force myself to eat. A few minutes of strained silence pass until it is broken by Karmela setting down her coffee with a firm thud.

“I had an idea,” she says, a tinge of excitement in her voice. “We are going to throw a party.”

It takes a moment for my mind to wrap around the concept. “Party?”

“Not just any party. The Lavanda Gala. Like we used to every summer. I found an old flyer this morning, on the ground, right next to my slippers. Here, let me show you.” She shuffles toward a drawer, pulling out a sheet of paper and laying it on the table. An elegant font is scrawled across the crumpled surface.

Lavender House welcomes you to an enchanting evening at the Lavanda Gala

Celebrate the beauty of lavender in full bloom

Karmela must notice the hesitation on my face, because she leans forward.

“You’ll love it. We had live music, and dancing, and so much delicious food. Even lamb on the spit—oh, you have to try it! And we had such lovely decorations, like these beautiful lanterns that lit up the lavender field. The people always had such a good time.”

I think of the monkfish, its razored teeth bared at me. “Are you sure they’ll want to come?”

“Of course. We always took donations too, for the church.” She sighs, shaking her head. “I should’ve thought of this as soon as you arrived.”

Hustling over to the calendar on the wall, she adds, “I’ll need time to arrange the food. Luka’s family always used to cater. And I need to find music—I wonder if Tomo’s klapa still performs . . . How about Saturday, the 18th? That is two days before you leave, right?”

Her smile falters as she turns to me. “Petra, what’s wrong?”

I bite my lip, the mention of Luka cloaking my body in sweat. Karmela can’t have a gala when this house is haunted. I need to fess up about everything that’s happened. “Karmela,” I begin hesitantly.

“Please, it’s Nana.”

“Nana,” I correct. “Are you sure the mora isn’t real?”

Her face immediately darkens. “Why do you ask that?”

“Because . . . Davor told me the other day that she’s been haunting people on the island. They’re upset. It was him that put the fish at the door.”

She lets out a sound of dismissal. “This is precisely why we need this gala—to clear the air. Show people there’s nothing to be afraid of concerning our family. Once we let them inside, they’ll see all is well. You can learn all you need to know about a person by the inside of their house.”

“I saw the mora too,” I add solemnly.

Karmela freezes. “When?”

“Three nights ago. Other times too.”

Her gaze widens, then falls to my chest. “Where is the necklace I gave you? Have you been wearing it?”

I look down, confused. “No . . . I—”

“You should,” Karmela says firmly. “God will protect you from any bad dreams.”

But it’s not God I need, and the mora isn’t a dream. Yet I keep my mouth closed. I have a feeling no matter how much I try to convince her, Karmela won’t budge. “Alright,” I say weakly.

At my acceptance, her lips lift into a smile once more. She claps her hands, rubbing them with glee. “Don’t worry, Petra. Everyone loves a good party.”

I haven’t seen Karmela so lively. Even the house seems energized, curtains fluttering in her wake as she strides through the rooms, discussing her plans. I help her bring out boxes of supplies—linen tablecloths, vases, antique lanterns. It’s nice to see her excited, at least, rather than concerned. But I can’t just ignore the mora, like she does. Not if Luka might be in danger.

What am I going to do?

I ponder this as we work. When Rex comes up to sniff the items strewed about the living room, my eyes focus on his iron collar. A thought strikes me—could the necklace Karmela gave me be made of iron too? Davor had said it’s harmful to a mora, that it makes them mortal, so they can be killed. Maybe that’s why Karmela’s so insistent I wear it. The realization charges me with energy. But it isn’t enough. If iron is all it takes to weaken a mora, surely someone would have defeated her long ago.

I need something else. Some clue to help me get rid of her.