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Chapter 1

“Inhale Slowly…That’s it Now…exhale in one, two, three” Morio’s voice was low indown, his hands on ers, into my body

I sat cross-legged on the floor, wearing a filmy black dress, my arms extended to the sides In rasped a yeand, carved with intricate symbols etched in silver

“Focus on the spirit Keep your gaze on it” Again, his soft whispers caressed my ear We were in tune, ht sky, in the hidden shadows of a long-forgotten graveyard The borders of the Circle were ablaze withtoon

We were in a slect The ss across the groundet they were there as I stared at the spirit hovering in front of me

The ghost was lu up froround by my feet I had no idea who the spirit had been, or why it was here My task was to break through its barriers and destroy it, setting it free to rest, or—if it would not go willingly—sending it into oblivion

I gathered the rush of energy Morio was feeding h les sparked, crackling throughme up until I spiraled out of my body

Looled to keep control—both of the flahthe power through me faster than I’d ever been able to take it before, and I struggled to keep atop of it I loweredbehind a ard spark, there it was

All nature Control the key, control the force

Reaching out, I latched onto the signature and the flames flared up At first they resisted le, they surrendered and quit fightingthee forth at my command

The spirit see

I raised o now or I will destroy you”

The spirit refused to move but instead shrieked and ai intently

I tried once more “I command you to depart this realm”

Again, nothing, but it was obvious the ghost was planning so nasty I sucked in a deep breath and flippedforward