Free Against a Brightening Sky by Jaime Lee Moyer Page A

question she’s attached to you.” She drummed long nails on the top of the bureau and frowned. “Her eyes follow you and she shifts position as you move. She’s very lively for a memory. Everything I remember reading about mirror ghosts conflicts with what I see. But as I said, they are rare and the literature on them is rather sparse.”
    â€œSo what do we do now?”
    Isadora hooked her arm through mine. “We go downstairs and wait for Sadie’s call. I plan to occupy my time raiding Jack’s liquor cabinet and listening to you tell me more about what the union men saw. Much as I tease, you don’t go actively looking to get tangled up with unusual occult activity or ghostly manifestations. You seem to be some sort of lodestone for obscure denizens of the spirit realm. Damned if I can figure out why.”
    â€œAt least you allow that it’s not my fault. That’s progress of a sort.” I looked back at Connor, torn about leaving. “Will he be all right alone?”
    â€œThis used to be your room, as I recall.” She tipped her head, peering into the corners of the room. “We layered enough wards and charms and protections on this room to last a millennium. Don’t fret about Connor. He’ll be fine.”
    We went toward the stairs, still arm in arm. I did my best to ignore the face of the princess looking back at me from every shiny surface. Dora paid her no attention. I wasn’t at all sure she saw the ghost.
    â€œSo tell me about this friend of Sam’s. I think you said her name was Libby?”
    â€œYes, Libby Mills, the social worker. The papers have written several articles about her obtaining employment for soldiers’ widows. I like her a great deal.” I gave Dora a sidelong look, but her eyes were crinkled up in concentration, and not a trace of mischief showed on her face. She was paying more attention to the ghost than I’d thought. “Libby’s not at all subject to panic in a crisis. She’s downstairs right now, helping Annie tend to the poor young woman Sam rescued.”
    Dora stopped to stare at me. “Really? Our Sam is a hero?”
    I nodded. “Very much so. He saved Alina from being shot.”
    â€œWell, well … Sam is always full of surprises. I suppose displaying full-blown heroics was just a matter of time and circumstance.” Dora patted my hand. “Raiding the liquor cabinet can wait a bit. I want to meet Sam’s friend Libby and his damsel in distress. What did you say her name was?”
    â€œShe told Sam her given name is Alina, but she’s said little since. The poor thing had just seen her parents gunned down and he was lucky to get that much from her.”
    â€œAlina … Sam’s sure that’s the name?” I nodded. An expression I couldn’t read crossed Dora’s face. She glanced at the princess ghost and frowned. “Imbibing can definitely wait a little longer. A clear head is always best when meeting new people.”
    â€œTell me what’s wrong, Isadora Bobet.” I dug in my heels, facing her straight on and refusing to go any farther until I got an answer. “And don’t try to pretend it’s nothing. I know you too well.”
    She started to pout and make light of it, but thought better of games after a good look at my face. “I can’t absolutely say that anything is or isn’t wrong. Let’s just say I have a hunch.”
    â€œA hunch?” Dora had surprised me for a second time. I couldn’t keep myself from staring openmouthed. “I don’t think I’ve heard you use that word before, not once. Is this a new thing for you?”
    â€œMock me if you choose. Gabe doesn’t have exclusive ownership of the word.” She sniffed in exaggerated disdain, but the worry in her eyes ruined the effect. “A hunch is just a milder form of a premonition. I’ve had more than my share