Page 104

Chapter Ninety-Four

LUNA

I waved back. Maybe what I did inside her really worked. Maybe we all needed to be a little more patient.

Back in the ancient consigliere’s penthouse, Serafina rushes to me like a long-lost sister. Though she may not know what I’m upset about, the fact that I’m upset at all is enough.

“Oh my God,” she says when she sees Mom. “I heard what that strigoi did, but I didn’t believe it.”

“Don’t make a big deal about it. There are upsides.” Mom retakes my arm. “Like my daughter has to take me to a bathroom.”

I bring her to the one by my former room.

My Nike bag is on the bed. I forgot all about it.

How long is this thing going to follow me around, collecting artifacts?

I don’t have to open it to know what’s inside it.

Socks. Sweatpants. A phone charger. A worthless contract.

That fucking Amex card. Who was I when these things mattered?

What about the things that do matter? A smorfia . A scrap of paper with Lotto numbers. A lapis clock. If only I could put my heart in this bag and carry it around until it stops loving him.

The toilet flushes.

“You need help?” I call to Mom. The sink runs and splashes.

“All shitters are basically the same.” The water shuts and the door opens. “Let’s go get some coffee, Lunagirl.” She takes my arm.