“It’s his house, too,” Kaylin replied, lowering her voice. If she now believed in Mrs. Erickson’s ghosts, she also believed most of the Hawks would think she’d gone crazy, and she wanted to avoid that for as long as she could. She hesitated and then said, “I think Jamal’s worried for you.”

“Children sometimes worry when they shouldn’t.” She smiled. “I’m not a child anymore; I worry about them. I don’t suppose you need a place to live?”

Kaylin shook her head. “I have a very large place to live; I’m sure it could accommodate a couple of ghosts—but not if we can’t move them.”

“If you’re wondering about how to free them, I’m not sure there is a way. I did spend some time looking. I’ve spoken to priests, even the Renunciates of Life.”

Kaylin frowned. “I’m not sure I know that one.”

“It’s a small religion that deals far more broadly with the concept of death and permanence—but I had hoped that they might have answers for me, or at least for the children.”

“I take it they didn’t.”

“They couldn’t see the children. The man in charge even insulted me until Jamal started to throw things at his head. You are the only person who’s entered my house since I was born who could see them. And you’re younger than I am. I’m a bit afraid to abandon them—I’m not getting any younger.”

Kaylin nodded, unsurprised. She didn’t know a lot about ghosts; she knew stories, but stories were an echo of imagination and fear. Especially if the ghosts were vengeful ghosts. What she knew at the moment was that her marks had reacted to Jamal.

Ghosts, however, were only one part of the equation.

“Mrs. Erickson, have you ever been tested for magical aptitude?”

05

Mrs. Erickson’s shoulders dipped. Her face, which was usually expressive, became more of a mask. She failed to answer the question, which was answer enough: Yes, and it had not gone well.

Kaylin didn’t press for the yes. “How old were you?”

“Thirteen.”

“Did your parents take you to get tested?”

She nodded.

“Did they go to the Imperial College of mages?”

She nodded again. “It’s so long ago,” she said, her voice low. “I know it shouldn’t bother me all these years later.”

Thirteen. That meant whoever was responsible for her testing was probably dead, which was a bit of a pity, as Kaylin wanted the opportunity to punch them in the face. Which would be the definition of career limiting. She reined in her immediate reaction.

“It was because of the ghosts, and a few other things,” Mrs. Erickson continued. “My mother thought I might have what she called ‘the gift.’ She didn’t, but her grandmother did.”