Page 18 of The Demon's Sinful Serenade
"Not exactly," Miranda clarified. "Sometimes intense emotions can forge a link between the living and the dead,especially if there's unresolved business. It doesn't mean you're imagining things. It means your grief and guilt created a pathway for Julian's spirit to follow. That can be catnip to a troubled spirit."
River looked unconvinced, but some of the defensiveness left her posture.
"So, what do we do?" she asked.
"We perform a banishment," Miranda said simply. She frowned and added with a grumble, "I didn't bring any supplies for this kind of work, though."
"It's fine," I said. "Rava can take you back to Grimstone if you need anything."
Hannah shook her head. "I'm not worried about supplies. I'm worried about having something of Julian's for the ritual."
All eyes turned to River.
"Did you keep anything that belonged to him?" Poppy asked. "Something personal?"
River hesitated, then reached into her pocket and pulled out a guitar pick. "He gave me this after we wrote our first song. Said it was for luck."
"That should work. Especially since it was a gift freely given," Miranda confirmed. "If you're ready, we can begin preparations."
RIVER
The training room of the Kadhan compound felt too large and too small at the same time.
Miranda traced a complex chalk pattern in the center of the room, her movements focused and unhurried. The white lines formed interlocking circles, symbols branching off in somearcane language I'd never bothered to learn. Music was my realm, not magic.
I sat cross-legged against the wall, guitar balanced on my knees, plucking nervously at the strings. My fingers moved automatically, muscle memory taking over while my mind raced. Was I really about to face Julian? After a year of nightmares and guilt and grief that had hollowed me out, would I finally see him again? The thought made me nauseous.
Hannah knelt opposite Miranda, arranging candles and crystals at specific points while Poppy walked the perimeter, burning something that smelled like sage and muttering under her breath. They moved with such confidence, like this wasn't completely insane.
A shadow fell across me as Zane slid down the wall beside me, our shoulders almost touching. The heat radiating from his skin was oddly comforting.
"You don't have to do this, you know," he said quietly. "We could find another way."
I shook my head, not looking up from my guitar. "There is no other way. Julian won't stop until he destroys everything I care about."
"You care about your career that much?"
My fingers stilled on the strings. The question caught me off guard. It wasn't just about my music anymore, though that had been my initial focus. "I'm so tired of being afraid. I need to do this. I need to take back control of my life." I finally looked up at him, searching his golden eyes for understanding. "What if it doesn't work?"
"Then we'll try something else."
"And ifthatdoesn't work?"
"We keep trying until something does." He shrugged as if it were the simplest thing in the world. "That's what I do."
I stared at him, looking for the lie, the false reassurance. But there wasn't one to be found. He meant every word. "Just like that? You'd keep going?"
"Just like that."
My gaze dropped to his mouth, remembering our kiss from earlier. For a heartbeat, I considered leaning in, seeking that connection again. The urge to close the distance between us was nearly overwhelming. I could almost taste him again, feel the heat of his skin against mine.
Not now. Not here.
"We're ready," Miranda called, breaking the moment.
I set my guitar aside with careful hands, suddenly terrified of what came next. Zane rose first, offering his hand to help me up. I hesitated before taking it, his skin burning hot against mine. The contact sent a strange flutter through my chest, and I fought the urge to hold on tighter.
"Just remember," he murmured close to my ear, "whatever happens, whatever you see or hear, I'm right here."
