Chapter 13 · The Sister in the Room

"Mara."

Elise says my name and I can't breathe.

She's three feet in front of me. Not the flicker I saw through the door—solid. Real. Registry uniform, same hair, same everything. She's looking at me like I just showed up unannounced at her apartment, that mix of annoyed and relieved I used to get every time.

My legs don't feel like mine. She's been gone three years. I watched them pull her effects out of the Archives and hand me a folder with her last paycheck.

But she's *here*.

"Don't." Kieran's voice cuts between us. He's on his feet, one hand braced against the wall. His face is white. "That thing isn't your sister."

I freeze. "What're you talking about?"

"Look at her." He jerks his chin toward Elise. "Really look."

I do. Elise hasn't moved. She's watching me with something between pity and panic. Her hands are at her sides. Her chest isn't moving.

She's not breathing.

"She's not real," Kieran says. "She's part of the door."

"Shut up." I don't look at him. Can't. If I look away she might disappear. "You don't know—"

"Mara, please—" Elise starts.

I'm already moving.