I couldn’t stop the tears from running down my face. Ordinarily, the thought of hearing Adam’s final words would have been enough to tear down all my defenses, but standing here in the graveyard with Constance, hearing how the passing spirits of Evenfall had banded together to help me, it was more than I could take. I had been so focused on myself, so wrapped up in my own pain, I had forgotten about everything else. I had abandoned all the people who needed me, who needed my gift. But they hadn’t forgotten about me.

“I was afraid of this,” Constance said. “I can see the guilt on your face, but I want you to know every ghost who passed on the message was happy to do it, and no one begrudges you your time of pain. Besides, it’s done us all good. It’s true what they say. Giving help is sometimes more healing than receiving it.”

I nodded quickly. I didn’t know if I’d be able to forgive myself easily or not, but I couldn’t focus on that now. I had dreamed of this moment, always believing it was impossible. I could deal with everything else later.

“Right. Where were we?” Constance squinted, then snapped her fingers. “The message. First, though, I need you to promise to do two things for me. Things I can’t do now that I’m . . .” She hovered in the air and stuck her tongue out the side of her mouth.

I wiped the tears from my cheeks and smiled. “Constance, nothing would make me happier.”

“Ready to get back in the game, huh?”

“So ready.” I was surprised by how deeply I meant that.

The first item on Constance’s list was not a shock. The second, however, took me aback. “Are you sure that’s what you want?”

“Absolutely, I won’t be able to rest unless I know it’s done. Now back to you. I can feel the light pulling at me, so we’d better get to it.”

Suddenly all the insects in the graveyard stopped chirping.

Constance looked around before her eyes settled back on me. “Did you do that?”

I looked around too. “Oh, I guess I did. It will only last a second. I just don’t want to miss a word.”

She frowned. “You Warren women are a little creepy, you know that?”

I nodded.

“Right. First, I’m sure you won’t be surprised to hear your husband wanted you to know that he loves you. Always.”

I smiled. The movement sent fresh tears spilling down my cheeks.

“But he also had a request. Now, I’m not quite sure what it means, but hopefully it will make sense to you.”

Chapter 46

The next day I set out to fulfill my promises to Constance.

It had been a late night. Not because we were at the police station. Mary, Liz, and Rip had gone in by themselves to make their confessions, but we had waited up to hear from Beatty to make sure it had all been settled. He called around two in the morning. The three had confessed to everything. It was over. For us at least. For Constance’s family, the journey was just beginning, and, despite everything, I wanted to help.