Chapter 19

My gaze roamsover the people dressed in gowns and tuxedos. The reunion prom is in full swing, and everyone appears to be having a good time. Kellan is beside me, his attention on one of the couples on the dance floor. Miles is wrapped in Ivan's arms, and they sway gently to the music.

Tomorrow, everyone leaves.

The thought makes me sad, but at the same time, I'm excited for the school to reopen. It means the hallways will no longer be empty. I may be dead, but I can pretend to be part of the living, when the students and teachers return.

"Where did Arabella and Eli go?"

Kellan pulls his attention away from Miles. "I don't know."

"Is it me, or is Bret acting weird?"

"Maybe all the groping and making out in the dark corners is making him rethink his vows." His voice is dry.

"No. The emotions he's giving off are strong. It's not lust. He seems on edge."

Kellan studies him for a moment. "Hmm, you"re right."

Standing up, I pass through the crowd. It's a weird sensation having people walk straight through me, but I"ve grown accustomed to it. I stop in front of Bret and watch while he scans the room.

Why is he so tense?

"What's the matter?" Kellan comes up behind me.

"I'm not sure." The sense of foreboding surrounding me grows.

Something is wrong. Something is here. I can feel it.

"Zoey?"

"Oh god, no!"

Turning, I pin Kellan with a wide-eyed look. My gaze locks onto his concerned expression for a second before I vanish. The ballroom melts away, and I'm back in the cemetery in the woods.

Why can't I stop shaking? What's happening?

Movement catches my eye. A figure in black is standing in front of the little plaque the school made to mark the spot where I died. White lilies wrapped in black paper have been placed at the base, their white petals a bright beacon in the darkness.

My favorite flowers.

"I'm sorry I've been away for so long, but I'm back now. And I'm ready to finish things."

The raspy voice of the man crouched beside them makes my skin crawl.

No, no, no.

It can't be him.

He reaches out and runs his fingertips gently over the name etched into the metal. My name.

"I promise you won't be alone much longer. There's one more life to take."

Dread burns like acid in my stomach.

Evan.

Evan is here.

The man who murdered me. Murdered Kellan.

Why is he here? What does he want? To torment me even in death?

Silver glints in the moonlight and my gaze fastens on the knife in his gloved hand.

"Eli will join you tonight. And then you'll be silent. You'll stop tormenting my dreams. I'm giving you what you want. Giving you the ones you chose over me. Surely that's enough to prove my love?" Leaning forward, he places a kiss on my name.

He's going to murder Eli.

My terror morphs into molten hot rage.

He can't kill my last living friend.

Not when he's just found Arabella again. Not when Kellan and I have worked so hard to ensure they'll have a future together.

Evan rises to his feet.

I let the fury I've been suppressing for the last eleven years build until I can't contain it anymore. Energy crackles through my form, and I rise off the ground. My rage comes crashing out in an unearthly scream. He may not be able to see me, but this man will feel my wrath.

Kellan materializes beside the plaque. "What's going on?"

Ignoring him, I send an icy blast at Evan. A ghostly wind whips at my dress and hair as my gaze bores into the man who murdered me, Kellan, and plans to do the same to Eli.

The color drains from Evan's face, and his eyes pop wide with alarm. "Z-.Zoey?"

I don't care how he's able to see me, just that he can. And that"s all I need to exact my revenge.

Screaming, I lunge at him.

"You killed me."

"What the fuck?" He jerks backward and slashes the knife wildly through the air.

My fingers twist into claws as the blade passes straight through me. "I'm here for your soul."

His back hits one of the gravestones, face contorted in panic.

I fly at Evan again, aiming for his face.

The knife slips from his fingers. "No. No. Zoey, please. I love you!"

"I want you to die."

Evan pales further, turns, and runs.

To my left, Kellan is laughing hysterically.

Ignoring him, I take off after my killer. He darts through the woods. The sound of his frightened breathing plays a rhythm through my ears. Every instinct drives me to rip him to shreds for what he's done. We plunge through the night, him running while I fly behind him through the trees. When we reach the wall surrounding the Academy, he slows his pace.

Evan darts a look in my direction. His expression is twisted with terror as he drops down to the ground. When I arrive at the spot where he disappeared, it's to find a hole leading underground.

Another tunnel?

Without hesitation, I descend into the darkness. Evan is somewhere up ahead. I chase after him, and smash into a barrier.

What the fuck?

My hands touch nothing but air.

This must be the school boundary.

Bellowing in frustration, I pound my fists against it.

He's getting away.

I slam my hands into it over and over until my rage dies, and a shudder runs through me. Tears spill from my eyes, and I sink down onto the dusty stone floor, weeping for what was stolen from me.

Strong arms wrap around me. "I got you."

I twist around so I can bury my face against Kellan's chest.

"He wants to kill Eli."

"You stopped him."

"I-I got s-so angry."

"You were so fucking badass. Pretty sure the fucking asshole needs new underwear."