“What part of you is dead, my daughter?”I didn’t know—my sense of humor maybe?”

“We didn’t like each other when you were alive,” I muttered to my father. “You think living in my head is going to change that?”

“We’re a lot alike that way. You know I never back down from a challenge.” He reached over, brushed my hair back, and tucked it behind my ear. “Not the safest way to go through life.” “Maybe not. But it’s my way.”

“Greyson is gone.” A high-pitched ringing started in my ears. “Dead?” I asked, not at all ashamed at the tiny bit of hope that leaked into my voice. “No. Escaped. He’ll be hunting you.” With that as the option, I liked dead better.”

“I cupped my hands over my ears. “No, no, no. Get out. Get dead.”

“My dad told me he knew where to find Zay. Which meant I had to cooperate with him...."Do you see what we have accomplished together? The healing of souls with the magic you carry. We have healed souls in death. With light and dark magic."“We? No, you stuck your hands in my chest and stole my magic and threw it at them. If you try that again, you won’t have hands. Where’s Zayvion?” Okay, maybe I was a little rusty on the whole cooperation thing.”

“My voice rose up and up with each question, even though I didn’t want it to. It’s called panic. I’m good at it.”