𝓛𝓪𝓻𝓲𝓼𝓼𝓪 𝓦𝓮𝓮𝓶𝓼

𝓨𝓸𝓾'𝓵𝓵 𝓱𝓪𝓿𝓮 𝓷𝓸𝓽𝓱𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓵𝓮𝓯𝓽 𝓽𝓸 𝓼𝓪𝓿𝓮.

to hush. “ If it comforts you at all, my dear, you’ve haunted me too. But I never minded the company.”

long-neglected door of yours, before I start believing all that restraint of yours was merely for show.”

doing something right. You’ve always looked your most alive when I’ve been under your skin.” Her voice softened again, the next words a whisper meant for Larissa alone. “Tell me, Headmistress—are you quite certain you wish your ghosts to rest?”

until it rested over her chest — right where that rapid heartbeat betrayed her calm façade. “Come then, *Larissa*,” she whispered, drawing out her name like a sin made sacred. “Show me how thirty years have only sharpened your touch.”