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I shake my head and look over to Kai who completely ignores her.

She walks away when Jack sits down and puts his seat belt on.

“What the fuck was that?” Jack says.

I look over at him confused.

“Nothing, I thought we could use something to loosen you up,” Jack replies… to himself. It clicks and I realize it’s Jack and Alok speaking.

“Yeah… Wake me up when we land,” I say, not wanting to deal with that, and pull my hood down over my face.

I force my eyes shut as I feel the plane pick up speed; the moment I feel us take off, my stomach drops as my ears begin to pop. I clench my jaw tight as we begin to even out. Allowing myself to relax, pretending I’m in my chair at the cabin, I put my focus on you.

I wish I could be wherever you are right now. But knowing you’re here with me, it’s comforting.

Despite everything happening right now, I just wish I could go away with you.

I surrender to the gentle pull of sleep. Letting everyone’s voices fade into the background as I feel myself drift into unconsciousness.

It is peaceful, a warmth surrounding me; I open my eyes and I’m in my bed in the cabin. For a moment I’m confused before I check myself.

This is a dream.

I can feel you.

Soft light bathes the room in orange hues, I look outside and see a blanket of white snow and trees as far as the eye can see. It’s warm in here.

“This is nice.”

I close my eyes and fill my lungs with as much air as they can take. I allow myself to be here in the moment. There’s nothing else for me to do right now. Just be here, with you.

“Our plan is pretty lackluster, I’ll admit.” I smile to myself.

“I certainly wasn’t expecting to have to work with these guys, but a part of me is happy.”

I play with the pendulum, rubbing it between my thumb and index finger.

“I always just figured the weight of the world had to be on my shoulders, now I know it doesn’t have to be, not when it really matters.”

I search the room for a glimpse of you. My eye catches flecks of dust shining in the gold rays from the window. And for a moment, I see the translucent iridescent shine in the air.

“I get the feeling you know exactly what I’m talking about. That aching loneliness that doesn’t ebb, and it seems to get deeper when you’re around people enjoying themselves. Because you know that they don’t understand. No one can see the world like you do.”

I sigh, leaning back against the bed frame.

“I can tell that you understand how I feel. I can sense it.” I search the air, watching the flecks of dust dance around the room. “But I need you to know that you never have to feel that way again. I don’t know what made you choose me, or what kept you here, but it doesn’t matter.

“You’ve opened my eyes, made me accept things that cannot be seen. Made me love something that can’t be seen.

“I’ll never say this to anyone but you. I am scared.” I throw my feet over the side of the bed, running my fingers through my hair. “Whatever hold the grimoire has over me, it’s getting stronger. I feel fine now, with you. But out there, when I’m awake, it’s bearing down on me like a weight. Calling to me, and I don’t even know what it wants.”

I feel a gentle buzzing tracing over my skin, shifting up my arms and over my shoulders, like an embrace.

“I know I’m strong enough to handle this. But I don’t know what’s going to happen, so we need to be prepared. And if it comes down to me having to make the ultimate sacrifice…” My words trail off as I stand, gripping the pendulum tight around my neck.

“Know that I am yours, little ghost.”

CHAPTER 30 CALLI