I meet his gaze, seeing his black button eyes fill with concern. I start blabbing everything. “I’ve been getting these dreamscapes about Mom’s past from the angel Verus.”

Walker nods. “Your mother told me.”

“Well, I think my dad may be a ghoul.”

“Have you asked your mother about this?”

“Not yet.” I slump a bit lower. “Maybe I don’t want the answer to that question so much anymore.”

“I understand.” Walker rubs his sideburns thoughtfully. “Perhaps a change of subject is in order. I’ve learned the Scala will perform an iconigration soon.”

“Really?! Will you sneak me in?” Iconigrations are when the Scala transfers souls in a huge group. So cool.

“Of course.” A wisp of a grin rounds his mouth. “And where would you like to go now?” He opens a portal.

I soak in Walker’s warm smile. A knot of emotion forms in my throat. “Thanks again, Walker. For everything.”

“No need for thanks.” Walker sets his hand on my cheek, his touch is warm and grounding. “You’re very important to me, Myla.” He glances at the black portal. “Now where to?”

I check my watch. “Well, school ended an hour ago. Can we go to the Ryder library?”

“Absolutely.” Walker takes my hand in his. Together, we step into the portal. For once, I actually don’t feel ill as we tumble through space. We step out right by the mansion’s front door.

I give Walker’s hand a little squeeze. “See you at the iconigration.”

Walker nods. “Until then.” He steps into the dark portal and disappears.

9

I take a deep breath, walk up to the front door of the Ryder mansion and knock. No answer.

I jiggle the handle. It’s unlocked. I turn the knob and step inside.

“Cissy? Zeke?” I nervously bite my lower lip. I’m totally late after that fiasco at the Arena with Adair. If after all that, I can’t go to the library today, I will definitely need to kill something. Hopefully, not Zeke.

Soft giggles sound from behind the corner to the West Wing.

“Zekie, don’t!” It’s Cissy.

Oh, they’re here alright. Ick.

I stand in the center of the reception hall. “Cissy, I’m going over to the library. Is that okay?”

More giggles.

“I’ll take that as a ‘yes.’” I walk down the hallway to the East Wing and hike up the stairs. I stop at the second floor.

This is the exact spot I saw in my dreamscape. This is where Mom met up with her family–my family–before she was sworn in as Senator. I stare at the closed door, knots of nervous energy forming down my spine.

Here goes.