Gwisin Halmeoni nods and closes her eyes for what feels like only a passing moment. But when she opens them again, her eyes are tired, as if she has traveled a long distance. “I am so sorry, children, to be the bearer of bad news. I indeed managed to locate Sookhee Harrison. She is stuck here on Earth, unable to pass through to the next realm. But she is no longer the woman she once was. She has become a vengeful ghost, too overwhelmed by the wrongs done to her in life. And she is not willing to talk to you.”

Emmett falls to his knees, and I hold him in my arms. Oh no. I’ve made everything worse. “I’m so sorry, Em,” I whisper into his hair. “I’m so, so sorry.”

“However…” Halmeoni looks conflicted. “When I was with her, Sookhee had one small moment of clarity. I can tell you what she said, if that will be of use to you?”

We all look to Emmett, and he nods once.

The ghost closes her eyes again, and her voice changes. It becomes younger but shrill, like someone who’s desperate. Like someone who’s lost her way. “I didn’t want the artifact. I didn’t want to hurt anyone. I was possessed. I just wanted magic for my son, and that was used against me. I didn’t kill those Horangi scholars. I was betrayed by someone I trusted. It was their fault all those people died. I was wronged!”

Emmett covers his face and shakes his head. This is too much for him to handle. “Mom,” he whispers under his breath, “I’m gonna get to the bottom of this.” Then he slowly rises to his feet, looking determined. “I will find out who did this to you, I promise.”

I grip Hattie’s vial and hold it close to my own heart. Before, I thought it surely couldn’t be Auntie Okja. But now, I can’t ignore my suspicions. She was Sookhee’s best friend. She could’ve been the one working with the council, the one who coveted Sookhee’s position as elder, so she could get her hands on the artifact. Plus, it was Auntie Okja who told me all those horrible stories about the Horangi. And now I know she was wrong.

My head spins as I swallow the bitter pill. My auntie and the council really did falsely accuse the Horangi. They framed the scholars so the other clans wouldn’t find out that the council had tried to steal the artifact. Then Auntie Okja stole me from my birth clan.

My whole life has been a lie.

Gwisin Halmeoni opens her eyes, and they look apologetic. “I’m sorry again for delivering such news.”