Page 127 of The Diamond in the Rough

And people who would sit by my hospital bedside, and bring me dinner, cookies, and puzzles. People who would risk life and limb to rescue me.

I was lyingin the darkness, staring up at the ceiling and trying desperately to think of something that would keep the nightmares at bay.

But everything that slid into my consciousness was dark. Haunted. Agonizing.

Sylvia?I could have spoken out loud, of course, but I felt more comfortable talking to her in my head. I wasn’t sure why, since it was just me and the four walls.

What’s wrong, sunshine?she asked gently as she shimmered into view. I almost never summoned her. Usually she just appeared to say hello.

I wondered if I should summon her more often. If summoning a ghost was more like a phone call or dropping by unannounced. Because I didn’t want to bother her, but if being Sylvia’s friend meant that I should be summoning her more often, then I wanted to do that.

Do you like it when someone summons you?I asked her.Or is it annoying? Or rude?

She laughed.Oh, sunshine, don’t worry. If I’m too busy for you, I just won’t show up.Then her smilesoftened.Unless you seem in distress. Then I’ll come anyway.

You can tell?

Of course I can tell.She let out a little huff.Was that why you asked me here?She at least sounded amused rather than irritated.

No. I sighed.I—I’m lonely, I guess,I confessed.And after… everything…

Not sleeping, sunshine?

I shook my head.No.

Nightmares?she asked.

I nodded again.I keep dreaming I’m still in the well. Except it isn’t, because I can see the sky, far, far above me.Like a star, but bigger. One you could never wish on.

Of course you are,she murmured sympathetically.And you will for a little while.

I know. I didn’t like it, but I wasn’t surprised by it.Sylvia?

Yes, sunshine?

I killed one of them.I’d told Hart this, of course. I assumed he’d told Raj and whoever else needed to know. Or maybe he hadn’t. Nobody had said anything about arresting me.

One of the men who tried to kill you?

Yes.

And how do you feel about that?she asked, and I was surprised that there was no judgment in her tone.

I—don’t know, I admitted.I’m not upset he’s dead. He was one of Garraway’s cronies. But I didn’t actually mean to kill him.

What did you mean to do?

Kill Garraway, I replied honestly.But he pushed the magic away somehow.

Technically, that sounds like Garraway killed him,she informed me.

The death magic was mine, though.

Do you really think he couldn’t have diffused or deflected it somewhere else?she asked pointedly.

So you’re saying I didn’t actually kill anyone. Weirdly, that was disappointing. I wanted to have actually accomplished something in my own defense. To have made an impression that wasn’t just leaving my blood on the property. I didn’t think giving Gennaro a bloody nose counted as really accomplishing much.

Sunshine, you managed to get yourself rescued,Sylva replied.