Mateo would be angry. He was the sort of person who got angry over petty things. It was only an email, after all. If Maria’s parents had received an email like that they’d probably delete it and go on pretending it had never come in the first place. Even Lily’s old-fashioned Catholic parents would probably take it in stride.

Well. Maybe.

Maria wished Lily were here now. She didn’t care if she ever saw another human face for the rest of her life, but she still needed Lily. She needed her to hold her hand and smile her special smile and tell her everything was going to be all right.

But that could wait. Just now, Maria had a job to do.

She wasn’t afraid anymore. When he came to her, she wouldn’t hesitate.

She wouldn’t have to. The spirits would take care of any obstacles.

She wondered idly what time it was. It felt late. The sky above her was black. She couldn’t remember a time when the sky hadn’t been black.

The field around her was silent, empty, still. The flickers of the three candles she’d brought with her made up the only movement.

Until she spotted a dark figure charging toward her.

“It’s your turn, Maria!”

The accent was Mateo’s. Good. The spirits would want Maria to be done with it quickly.

She stood up straight. Her shoulders trembled, betraying her. She ignored them and tucked the dagger into her right wrist, angling the blade so it wouldn’t be visible. The candles flickered blue on the risers as her arm swept past them.

Mateo ran right up to her. He was soaking wet in the faint moonlight.

Brandon had once told her that his favorite thing about Mateo was the way he radiated happiness. Like even the bad things could never be that bad.

Now Mateo glared at her. Maria couldn’t recall what he looked like when he wasn’t consumed by pure hatred.

The dagger’s rough handle dug into her palm. There was no use waiting.

All she had to do was raise her hand. In an instant it would be over.

But Mateo spoke before she could move.

“Lily’s dead,” he spat.

Maria stared at him.

She blinked.

She’d heard the words he’d said, but they didn’t make sense.

She sat down on the nearest riser. Mateo stood facing her, his arms crossed over his chest. The three candles illuminated only one side of his face, making his left eye gleam monstrously.

“Say something,” Mateo demanded.

Maria was alone now.

Brandon was gone. Lily too. She couldn’t even feel the spirits anymore.

“Open your goddamn mouth and say something!” Mateo shouted.

This could be a trick. Mateo hated Maria enough to make up a horrible story like this one.

Still, Maria believed him.

She’d never deserved Lily. She’d never deserved anything.