Chapter 9 · The Wall Talks Back

The words glow on the wall like they've been waiting ten years to say it.

FIND THE FIRST CREDITOR. BEFORE HE FINDS YOU.

Rona's hand is still pressed to the stone. Mom's blood is warm under her palm. She can feel her pulse hammering against the mark on her wrist, the one that woke up two days ago and won't stop itching.

"What the hell is a creditor?"

Ghost laughs. It's a wet sound. She's slumped against the far wall, one hand pressed to the bandage on her side. The fabric is soaked through. Rona can smell the blood from here.

"Your mom didn't tell you?" Ghost's voice is thin. "Course she didn't. She was good at keeping secrets."

"She's been dead for ten years."

"Yeah." Ghost's eyes are half-closed. "And you're still asking the wrong questions."

Rona pulls her hand back. The words fade but the heat stays, like the stone remembers. She turns to look at Ghost. Really look.

The woman's face is gray. Her lips are pale. The pool of blood under her leg is bigger than it was a minute ago.

"You're dying."

"Observant." Ghost tries to shift and hisses through her teeth.