The Purgatorium (21 page)

Daphne had wanted to die then. She had wanted to curl up into a ball and die.

The past is immutable, she reminded herself as she twirled the silver bracelet on her wrist. We can only learn to live with it.

As they ate, she listened to her parents recount what had happened the night before with the ghosts. Daphne fought hard not to smile, especially at her mother’s exaggerations. Before they had finished eating, though, Hortense appeared beside their table, looming over Daphne like an evil spirit.
No, like Prospero
.

“I need to speak with you privately in my office,” she said to Daphne. “Please come by when you’re finished.” Then she looked at Daphne’s parents, gave them a curt nod, and left the dining hall.

***

To learn more about Eva Pohler’s books, please visit her website at
http://www.evapohler.com
.