"Actually, we really have to go," he says. "Selena's waiting for us at the cemetery."
"She's there? Why?"
"...She remembers where she saw your name, Mara."
"Oh..."
The hot atmosphere from before disappears all at once. I already had a hunch but... now I feel like this is going to be a hard one. I glance at the journal, but Liam gently pulls my chin and has me look at him instead.
"...Are you going to be alright?"
"Yeah. I... I figured it might be... I mean, it's a cemetery right? Moreover..."
I remember the signs I drew on the mirror earlier and nod.
"I think I know how to properly get in contact with the other Mara now. This isn't going to be as hard as it could have been. I almost have Clarissa’s full story. It's time to get to know the other Mara. Plus I'm glad there wasn't anything bad between them. From reading Clarissa's journal those two just... genuinely loved each other. They wanted to help one another. I'm glad it's not some dark possession story or some Dark Witchcraft that went bad."
"...Well, we’re not exactly sure it wasn't, right?"
"I'll get the answers soon." I nod, convinced. "Let's go?"
"Let's go." He nods, giving me another quick kiss.
I grab Spark to hold on my lap while Liam gets on his bike and starts the engine. The truth is, I didn't want to show it to him but I feel a bit sour. I just want this to be over and done with so I can go home and finally talk to Mara again. I hope that mirror thing will still work later.
I get behind Liam, hoping no one will say a thing about the cat I'm holding. I have no idea how I'm supposed to carry Spark otherwise and it's not like he's going to leave us. I guess magic cats don't mind a bike ride more than any other...?
We leave the pool’s parking lot and while Liam takes us north, I'm thinking about Clarissa again.
I don't think I sympathized with her as much as I do now. From her memories, I had thought she was rather weak, but now I realize I just didn't know the real extent of her pain. She was more of a survivor than I am. Moreover, she could have not cared after Mara saved her life, but she still held onto the ghost like a lifeline desperate to save her. I can't even imagine how she must have felt, knowing she was condemned yet still hoping for a solution. I hope we find out about her real end soon, about how I got her body back to good health again.
At least, I now understand how she was able to do all of this. The magic circle in her bedroom, her contact with Mara, and the little snake traps. Clarissa studied witchcraft and did the most she could with what little magic she carried in her blood. She wasn't a full-fledged witch but she still managed to learn enough to do this much. It's impressive... I have full firepower and I'm handling it like a baby trying to stand up. In a way, the powerless Clarissa was much more experienced than I am. I shouldn't have underestimated all the books Kelsi handed me, that stuff is really for witches. Something as simple as three symbols on a mirror allowed me to get in contact with the other Mara... or at least, what was left of her soul. I wish I could know exactly who I was talking to, what she wants? Why wouldn't she be the one in this body? Why is she in the background? I'm starting to think Liam may have been right to worry about this...
We arrive at the cemetery and Selena is standing there, accompanied by a tawny wolf. Liam stops the bike right in front of them and I realize the White Moon Alpha has a really sour expression on.
"Hi, you two," she mutters.
"Hi," says Liam. "Hi Daniel."
The wolf growls briefly and I get off the bike, letting Spark down. Arms crossed, Selena walks up to me.
"Sorry it took me so long..." she sighs. "It only clicked when Liam mentioned you wanted to go to the cemetery. I... I come here from time to time, to see my parents. I once met with... Sylviana, here. She said she was visiting family..."
"Do you know where exactly?"
"I remember the direction she came from, I went there a couple of times after she died. I didn't know what to look for, though, so I... overlooked the name."
I nod.
"It's okay," I say.
She looks really uneasy about this, but I can't blame her. They probably feel worse than I do, to be really honest. I'm anxious, of course, but I'm more curious to find out what there is to see.
Liam comes to my side and wraps an arm around my shoulder, giving me a quick kiss on the temple to comfort me. We silently walk into the cemetery. Spark scampers ahead of us, looking perfectly fine here. The black and gold cat even rubs his body against some of the little bushes. Or jumps on a tombstone to sniff it. I realize we're headed deeper into the cemetery, into what has to be the oldest part. This is probably why Selena isn't familiar with this area.
Strangely, the closer we get, the heavier my heart gets. I didn't think it would be like this, but my feelings get ahead of me and before long, my hands are shivering and I want to cry. I can't even fight it. I don't know which part of me is reacting, but I tear up involuntarily and feel the tears run down my cheeks for real. Liam gently rubs my shoulder. I'm not even sure why I'm crying, it's so silly but I can't stop.
We finally arrive in an area so old, most of the tombstones are covered with moss. Why is it here? Because of the Jones Family? We start looking around, Selena looking a bit unsure.
