“We don’t have much time. Mel will be out of the restroom soon.”“You’ve got a magician named Mel?”

“You set us up!”“No! I swear—” Her face fell. “Mel. Mel must’ve told him.”“Right,” I grumbled. “Blame Mel.”

“Lately, I don't talk much except to Mel. I make an exception because he has a dog.”

“Mel? Mel, I love you. Mel, come back . Mel, Mel, Mel."It's Jared's voice, trying to call me back the way Wanda called back the Healer's host, the way she taught Kyle to call to Jodi.I can answer him. I can speak now. I can feel my tongue in my mouth, ready to move into whatever shape I ask it to. I can feel the air in my lungs, ready to push out the words. If I want this. "Mel, I love you, I love you."This is Wanda's gift to me, paid for with her silver blood. Jared and I, put back together again as if she'd never lived. As if she hadn't saved us both. If I accept this gift, I profit from her death. I kill her again. I take her sacrifice and make it murder. "Mel, please? Open your eyes."I feel his hand on my face, cradling my cheek. I feel his lips burn against my forehead, but I don't want them, not at this price. Or do I?”

“We had to go back to the coffeehouse: the Wreck was there. Mel had walked over. Well, I don’t know about walked. He had come over without vehicular assistance anyway.”

“Though we were curfew-free- I'd told Mom I was spending the night at Mel's after our double date, and Mel had told Mrs. Warren that she'd be home "whenever my happy ass walks through the door"- I was nervous about tonight.”