Lucian wasn’t wearing the Beauty’s Bone bracelet while disguised as Mr. L.

I couldn’t stay with him. I had to follow Julian out.

He was already calling Richard to announce that he had secured the investment. He sounded insufferably pleased with himself.

I laughed.

I couldn’t wait to see his face when he learned who Mr. L really was.

Outside, the celebration was in full swing. Teachers and children were showing the invited guests around.

Then I noticed Ellie.

She was crouching in a neglected corner, playing with the doll I had given her on my last visit.

My heart ached.

She must be wondering why I had broken my promise. I had told her I would come back.

I’m sorry, Ellie.

I can’t come back anymore.

I forced myself to look away.

Then I saw Pearl approaching her, furtive and quick.

I couldn’t hear what she said. Ellie looked frightened, but she let Pearl take her hand and lead her out through a side gate.

I frowned.

That gate was normally locked. Why was it open today?

Beyond it lay an empty lot and a half-demolished building scheduled to become a library. Farther ahead, a narrow path led out of the school grounds.

Was Pearl taking Ellie away?

Julian’s warning flashed through my mind.

Remember why you’re here.

Whatever they wanted, it couldn’t be good.

Nobody else had noticed.

I broke away and followed them.

“Hurry up, you little brat,” Pearl snapped. “Do you want to see Stella or not?”

Ellie hugged her doll. Her large eyes darted anxiously around the deserted lot.

“Where is she? We’re almost outside the school.”

I shook with anger.

Pearl was using me to lure a child away.

“Stop asking questions. Just walk.”

Ellie shrank back and refused to move.

“Stella said we can’t leave with anyone except Dr. Finch.”

It took courage for her to say it.

Pearl stared down at her, then forced a smile.

“I’m a Whitmore, too. Stella and I are family. Be good. Once we go through that gate, you’ll see her.”

Ellie’s eyes sharpened.

“No! You’re lying! I’m telling Dr. Finch! You’re a wicked witch who tricks children! Let go!”

She couldn’t pull free.

So she bit Pearl’s hand.

“You little bitch!”

Pearl’s mask vanished.

She drove her high heel into Ellie’s stomach.

The child flew backward and hit the ancient tree beside the path.

She couldn’t even scream. She curled around her stomach, her small face turning white.

“Ellie!”

Tears filled my eyes.

“Pearl, you filthy bitch! She’s a child!”

Pearl inspected the teeth marks on her hand.

“Ungrateful little animal. How dare you bite me?”

She grabbed Ellie and slapped her across the face.

“You’re just like Stella. A worthless little bastard. Wasting air just by breathing.”

Her fingers dug into the child’s arm. Bruises bloomed beneath them.

Ellie trembled, sobbing helplessly.

“It hurts. Please don’t hit me. Stella! Stella, help!”

I was the person she trusted most.

Her protector.

And all I could do was watch.

Then Pearl closed her hands around Ellie’s throat.

Her pretty face twisted with vicious pleasure. Her red lips moved like the mouth of some bloodthirsty creature.

“Let’s see if your precious Stella comes to save you.”

“Let her go!”

Ellie’s eyes began to roll back.

I threw myself forward.

Please. Please, let me save her.

I’ll pay any price.

For once, something answered.

Three blood-red streams burst from the ancient tree and shot into my spirit.

Heat flooded through me.

I reached out.

And caught Pearl.

I didn’t stop to question it. I seized her and threw her over my shoulder.

As a ghost, I was stronger than I had ever been alive.

Pearl flew more than thirty feet and slammed into a concrete pillar in the ruined building.

She screamed and landed in broken glass.

Her white dress left her lower legs bare. Sharp fragments sliced her calves, arms, and face.

“It hurts! God, it hurts!”

She stared wildly around her.

“Who’s there? Who did that? Come out!”

She couldn’t see me.

That made it even better.

For the first time since I died, being a ghost had its advantages.

I wasn’t finished with her.

After everything I had suffered, alive and dead, I finally had a chance to make her pay with my own hands.

I rushed at her.

And passed straight through.

I tried again.

Nothing.

Within seconds, the ability was gone.

My chance at revenge had vanished.

No.

No, damn it.

Pearl staggered upright, covered in blood and terrified. Nobody was there, but the wounds were real.

“Was that… a ghost?” she whispered.

Then she spotted Ellie running back toward the school.

“Stop, you little brat!”

She forgot her fear and chased her.

Ellie was too small, her legs too short. Pearl was gaining on her.

Then a group of reporters rounded the corner.

Cameras immediately swung toward Pearl.

“Stop filming! Which outlet are you from?” She raised her hands to cover her face. “I’ll sue you!”

These weren’t the reporters she had paid for.

They were considerably less accommodating.

“Miss Whitmore, what happened to you? What are you doing back here?”

“Were you abusing a child at the academy?”

“Look at the camera, Miss Whitmore! Did you come dressed like that for a publicity stunt?”

Pearl looked ready to lose her mind.

She had worked so hard to get that face. So hard to build her image as the perfect heiress.

She couldn’t let them destroy it.

“You’ve got the wrong person! I’m not Pearl Whitmore!”

She covered her face and fled.

She ran so fast one heel buckled beneath her, nearly sending her sprawling.

The reporters followed, surrounding her whenever they could.

Watching the chaos was wonderfully soothing. Some of my anger at losing the chance to finish her began to fade.

She loved inviting cameras to follow her around.

Now she could have all the attention she wanted.

Wait.

Pearl had disappeared.

Without a tether, why was I still here?

Then I saw Ellie standing in a corner, her fingers gripping the leg of a man’s perfectly tailored trousers.

My gaze traveled upward.

An elegant hand rested at his side.

Around the pale wrist above it gleamed a string of blood-red prayer beads.