Page 116 of Starrily

“Now, you two stay here. Make sure you’re touching at all times,” Mom said. “Momma and I will do the rest.”

They moved to the table. Callie heard whispers of words she didn’t recognize, and a strong smell wafted past her—first flowery, then changing into citrusy, and at last, sweet and earthy. Next came the warmth, pressing along her back first, then enveloping her whole. But through it all, she didn’t take her eyes off Raleigh and kept her palms pressed against his.

“Hey, Phoenix.” His tone indicated a question coming.

“Shhh. You probably shouldn’t talk during this,” she said.

“Nah, he’s good,” Nana said from behind her. “Talk all you want.”

Raleigh raised an eyebrow at her. “After all this time, you’ll have to admit the supernatural is real.”

“That’s what you want to talk about?”

“Well?”

She sighed. “I suppose it is.” Maybe she’d always known it was; she only pushed it to the side in favor of science. But one didn’t necessarily negate the other. Her job and her discoveries were real—just as real as this ghost business was. She’d simply have to make room for both.

“Good,” he said.

“Why do you look so pleased?”

“No idea.” He closed one eye, focusing. “Feels like I’ve won a bet.”

“I’m pretty sure we didn’t make any.”

“Then let’s make one now. I’ll bet …” He pretended to think. “I’ll bet you’ll be just fine. I’ll bet you’ll rock at your job, and those comic-book-carrying shelves of yours will nearly give in under the awards you’ll receive. But I’ll bet you’ll also let a bit of magic back into your life.”

“Don’t …”

“And now you have to do it. Because if you don’t, I win.”

How was it possible for him to make her want to laugh and cry at the same time?

His palms grew warmer. “I feel something,” he said. “I can’t explain it—like a ball of sunlight spreading inside me.”

Callie looked at their joined hands. The warmth was followed by a slight, pleasant tingling. Whatever they were doing, it was working—she just didn’t know in which direction yet. But it had begun, which meant it would soon end, too.

“Raleigh.” Her voice shook as if she was the one about to leave her body.

His lips quirked into a smile—part charming, part provocative, as always—but his eyes were soft and loving. “Thank you for everything, Phoenix.”

“No.” Overwhelming emotions pushed tears into her eyes. Without letting go of him, she raised on her toes. “Don’t forget me,” she whispered and pressed an everlasting kiss to his lips.

Moments dragged as they separated, as if everything and everyone, including Raleigh, had been frozen in time.

And then the whispering behind her quieted; the heat evaporated; the tingling stopped. Raleigh blinked and frowned at the string connecting their wrists.

No, not Raleigh.Simon. Callie now understood what Shanna meant when she said Raleigh had Simon’s face, but a different smile.

“What’s happening?” Simon narrowed his eyes at her, then shook their wrists. “What is—get this off me!”

“Relax,” Nana said from behind Callie. “You’ve got some catching up to do, boy.”

“Don’t call me—who are you?” He looked around the room as Nana came to undo the strings. “What’s going on?”

“I—it’s fine, I’ll explain everything.” Shanna emerged from the shadows in the corner. “I’ll take care of him.” She carefully approached. “Hey, Simon. Don’t worry. Everything is going to be fine now.” She took his hand and led him outside the room.

Callie was frozen like a statue, her eyes focused on the point where he had stood. Then she shook herself out of her reverie, remembering only one half of the ritual had been completed. Where was Raleigh?