Our hands were red, our skin softened by the water and torn and cracked from the soap and the friction, and every muscle in my body seemed to ache, when we heard the door creak open and boots tromp in. Annalie stiffened. Was it just Lean Joe? Or something worse?As I cast about for something I could use as a weapon, there was a thump and something heavy dragging along the floor.Then, “Celestina, are you here?”I laughed breathlessly. Finally, Ordorio! I was about to run to the entrance hall when Annalie whispered, “What is it?” She glanced around at nothing. “I hear them, but I don’t think they hear me. What is it?”“What?” I asked.“The spirits are a little restless. But I just—I can’t talk to them like I used to. I hear whispers, but no words. I sense things without knowing what. If I want to talk to them now, I have to do a proper ritual.” She shook her head with frustration and pushed her chair back from the table. “Never mind. Maybe it’s nothing. Let’s say hello.
