Chapter 121

I growled in frustration and rushed into the hallway, closing the door behind me. The light at the end buzzed and crackled until it faded to a pinprick. The darkness swallowed the air from my lungs. I knew what was coming, but I had no time. No light to find out what had happened to my ship family. And no patience. I pulled the consumectalon cylinder from the pocket of Crispin's pants I'd borrowed. From now on, the magnet would be on the ghost itself. Not me.

Something blasted into the inside of the dining room door. I jerked back with a yelp, then peeled back my lips in a scowl, refusing to budge. The door creaked open, and more darkness poured out even though I was sure I'd left the light on.

I thumbed the cap on the cylinder the tiniest amount. The cracks along the glass bit into my palm. I hoped it could contain at least one more ghost and keep from shattering.

"Go in," I said to the gloom.