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She covers her face with her hands. “Ugh. Really? This is what you want to talk about?”

“Yes? No? I feel like we need to talk about it, even if I don’t want to.”

“Yeah, I guess.” She rolls over to face me once more. “No, he wasn’t always abusive. That didn’t start until after he killed you, I guess. Since our house went up in flames, we didn’t really have anywhere to go. Michael wanted to get a hotel, but I needed to be near Mom. Losing you was like losing a part of myself.”

Tears pool in her eyes, and I wrap her up in a hug. “It’s okay. I’m okay.”

She snorts. “Yeah, but you’re still dead. Neither Mom nor I handled it well. Michael was so cavalier about the whole thing, and it rubbed both of us the wrong way. The day after your funeral, Mom said she needed to get away for a while. I understood it—even if I still needed her—so I sucked it up, and she left. She told me and Michael that we were free to stay at her house as long as we needed. She checked in with me twice after leaving, but that’s it. It’s almost like she disappeared off the face of the earth.”

“You don’t think that Michael has her, do you?” My eyes widen. It could’ve been completely possible for him to grab her without my sister knowing. He’s never been one for telling Wren what he does with his time. I was so worried that he would go after her next, but what if he already has her?

“I don’t know, Audrey. I really don’t. I wouldn’t put it past him, but if he did have her, then wouldn’t he have rubbed it in my face before he killed me?” She sighs. “I’m not sure he cares about our family so much as us getting in his way. Mom left town, so she isn’t in his way. Hopefully, it stays that way.”

I sit and move up the bed until my back hits the headboard, pull my knees up to my chest, and wrap my arms around my legs. “I really hope she’s okay, but she would’ve come home after they found your body—in her house, no less.”

“Fuck. I didn’t think about that. I’m sure Michael moved out, though, so there won’t be any way for her to find out whatever he’s up to. Not that I have any idea what that is. He didn’t tell me a damn thing before he killed me—though he made sure to tell me how much he couldn’t stand me. And how fucking annoying you were. If I could’ve, I would’ve killed him when he said that. I was so angry.” She scoots back so she can sit beside me, mimicking my posture with our sides pressed together.

“Let me guess, he used bindings that wouldn’t allow you to use your magic?” At her look of disbelief, I giggle. “It’s what he did to me. He’s not overly original, so I figured he’d done the same to you.”

She sighs, resting her chin on her knee. “When Mom left, all I had was Michael. I needed someone to help me through my grief, and I thought he loved me. Apparently, that annoyed him. He slapped me the day after Mom left, and I tried to kick him out of the house, but he just laughed at me. He started talking down to me, but the physical abuse amped up slowly. I know you and Mom didn’t like that I married him. You made it very clear you thought he was controlling—”

“Hewascontrolling, Wren. Please don’t try to defend the man who fucking murdered you!” I wince as I shout at her. I didn’t mean to raise my voice, but I always hated how she had excuses for his behavior.

“Oh, I promise you I’m not, but how he used to treat me was nothing compared to how he acted once you were gone.” She bites her lip. “I think you protected me from the worst of it without even knowing it. He was always a little afraid of you.”

I scoff. “Afraid of me? I doubt that.”

She shrugs. “You don’t have to believe me, but he was always on his best behavior when you were around. Not that it matters now.”

We sit there in silence, and it’s nice to just sit with her.

“Oh, my gods! I can’t believe I forgot to tell you!” I bounce onto my knees, startling Wren. I call on my magic and show her my flame. “It’s purple!”

“When did that happen?” she asks, reaching for it. “Why did it change? Is it because you’re a reaper?”

I try to douse it before she can get near it, but I’m too late. Her hand is already dancing in the flames, but she’s not screaming out in pain like I expected.

“It’s hellfire,” I tell her.

She jerks her hand back, staring at it in shock. “It didn’t burn me.”

“I wonder if that means you’ll also end up with hellfire?” I ponder out loud. “No one has any idea why I’m able to control hellfire. They don’t think our dad was a witch, though. Or if he was, he would have to have been a direct descendant of Hecate.”

That gets Wren’s attention as she meets my gaze. “So Mom lied to us?”

“Or she didn’t know. I have no idea. I just know I’ve had more than one person tell me I’m not a witch since arriving in the underworld. Between that and the hellfire, I’m beginning to believe them.”

“Yeah. I can see why.” Her eyes have returned to the flames now dancing along my arm. “I haven’t been able to call on my magic yet.”

I shrug. “Don’t feel bad. I was one of the last to be able to use their magic. Nex—I mean Professor Novak—was tutoring me. Once I was able to use it, I found out very quickly how much stronger it was from when we were earth-side. I’m betting yours will be the same.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.” Wren yawns, her hand shooting to her mouth. “Shit. I’m sorry.”

A glance at the clock shows it’s getting late. We’ve been up here longer than I thought. “There’s no reason to apologize. Why don’t I walk you back to your dorm so you can get some sleep?”

“Yeah. Okay.” She stands up, stretching as she does so. “Are you going to go back to ignoring me now?”

“I said I was sorry. I just wanted to give you space, but don’t worry. I’ll be up your ass from here on out.” I shoot her a grin. “Starting on Monday, I’ll be assisting in classes. I’ll also be tutoring you if you need it. You won’t be able to get rid of me.”