Page 138 of Hidden
Nausea stuck at the base of my throat. She was going to be so angry. But it was too late to back out now.
“It’s fine.” Miles stood behind me. “You’re in control, right?”
I nodded. From the beginning of this, all my focus—my attention—had been on locating a memory that would benefit Bianca’s current predicament.
But it still didn’t make the guilt easier to bear.
However, the sight in front of me helped slightly. My heart slowed and panic receded.
She looked and actednormal. This wasn’t anything like what I’d imagined.
Titus told us about Kieran. She’d beenrelativelysafe before he died.
But it was different seeing her before the events of her life had broken her.
Bianca giggled and rocked the doll. She was smiling so widely that her face seemed to glow. A stone seemed to settle in my stomach and my breathing caught. Miles also hissed in a breath, so he’d seen it too.
She never smiled like that around us.
“Bianca,” a woman’s voice rang through the room. And as I looked, a presence shimmered into focus some feet away. This was a memory, and these moments were the only time where I could experience abilities besides my own.
She had waist-length, curly brown hair, and an elegant posture. And I knew without question that I was looking at the spirit of Alyssa Dubois.
“Aly!” Bianca smiled at her mother, dropping the doll on the floor as she jumped to her feet.
She crossed the room with her arms outstretched, but stopped when Alyssa held out her hand. The woman wore a stern expression and my heart ached as Bianca’s steps slowed, disappointment heavy in her expression as her gaze turned to the floor.
“Sorry,” she said.
Alyssa sighed, sadness softening the stern set of her jaw. “Don’t be sorry, little one.” She crossed the room, kneeling in front of Bianca. Her hands raised, as if she was going to touch her daughter’s shoulders but then she bit her lip and dropped her hands to her sides. “Just remember, no touching.”
Why was she lying? Alyssa Dubois knew Bianca would be able to touch, and be touched, by spirits. It was an ability that Mu had always had from birth.
Then Alyssa spoke, her voice leaving a heavy weight in the room. “What are the rules?”
“You were gone a long time.” Bianca sniffled. “I missed you.”
“I know Bianca, and I’ve missed you too.” Alyssa folded her hands into her lap. “But that’s not what I asked. Before we play, I need to know you understand this. Look at me,” she demanded, waiting until Bianca’s watery eyes raised to meet her own.
“What are the rules?” she asked again.
“Don’t touch.” Her little fists clenched in front of her as she repeated Alyssa’s earlier statement.
“That’s right. You mustnevertouch a ghost, and don’t ever let them touch you.” Alyssa nodded.
“But why?” Bianca tilted her head, the tears drying up.
“What’s the second rule?” Alyssa ignored her question.
“Not all ghosts are good,” Bianca responded. “If one feels scary, run away.”
“That’s right,” Alyssa said. “A normal spirit will feel non-threatening. But there are those who can hurt you. And you’re not old enough to defend yourself.”
“Who will hurt me?” Bianca asked, frowning.
“You’ll learn as you get older. Kieran will teach you.” Alyssa’s gaze never wavered from her daughter. “But until you’re taught, it’s safest to assume that all non-human spirits are demons. Don’t ever trust them.”
Well, that explained her feelings toward Kasai and Kiania.
