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I said, "Um"

I know, Liz would’ve been proud

"Sadie," Anubis said "You shouldn’t be here Carter is dying"

That jarred me back to my senses "I know that, jackal boy! I didn’t ask to be--Wait, why am I here?"

Anubis pointed at the door of the infirmary "I suspect Jaz’s spirit called to you"

"Is she dead? Am I dead?"

"Neither," Anubis said "But you are both on death’s doorstep, which means your souls can speak to each other quite easily Just don’t stay long"

Walt still hadn’t acknowledged me He muttered: "Couldn’t tell her Why couldn’t I tell her?" He opened his hands Cradled in his palivenwith him?" I asked "Can’t he hear me?"

Anubis put his hand on Walt’s shoulder "He can’t see either of us, though I think he can sense uidance That’s why I’m here"

"Guidance from you? Why?"

I suppose it sounded harsher than I intended, but of all the gods Walt ht’ve called, Anubis seemed the least likely choice

Anubis looked up at me, his eyes even more melancholy than usual

"You should pass on now, Sadie," he said "You have very little time I promise I’ll do my best to ease Walt’s pain"

"His pain?" I asked "Hang on--"

But the infir open, and the currents of the Duat pulled me inside

The infirmary was the nicestmuch I hated hospitals My father used to joke that I was born screaot me out of the maternity ward I was mortally afraid of needles, pills, and above all the smell of sick people Dead people and cemeteries? Those didn’t bother me But sickness…well, I’m sorry, but does it have to smell so bloody sick?

My first visit to Jaz in the infire This second time, even in ba form, wasn’t any easier

The rooh-hewn lilow of New York Cedar cabinets were carefully labeled with ical charms and potions In one corner stood a fountain with a life-size statue of the lion goddess Sekh through Sekhmet’s hands could cure a cold or flu instantly, and provide most of one’s daily vitae to take a drink

The gurgle of the fountain was peaceful enough Instead of antiseptic, the air smelled of charmed vanilla-scented candles that floated around the room But still, the place made me jumpy

I knew the candles ed color to indicate problems At the moment, they all hovered around the only occupied bed--Jaz’s Their flae

Jaz’s hands were folded on her chest Her blond hair was combed across her pillow She s a pleasant drea at the foot of Jaz’s bed was…Jaz, or at least a shie of my friend It wasn’t a ba The form was fully huhost

"Jaz…" A wave of fresh guilt washed overthe past two days had started with Jaz’s sacrifice, which was my fault "Are you--"

"Dead? No, Sadie This is my ren"

Her transparent body flickered When I looked es, like a 3-D video of Jaz’s life Toddler Jaz sat in a high chair, painting her face with baby food Twelve-year-old Jaz cartwheeled across a gy squad Present-day Jaz opened her school locker and found a glowing djed a card that had led her to Brooklyn

"Your ren," I said "Another part of your soul?"

The glowing green iyptians believed there were five different parts of the soul The ba is the personality The ren is--"

"Your name," I remembered "But how can that be your name?"

"My name isas my name is remembered, I still exist, even if I die Do you understand?"

I didn’t, even reht die, and that it was my fault

"I’rabbed that stupid scroll--"

"Sadie, don’t be sorry I’lad you’ve co happens for a reason, Sadie, even bad things"

"That’s not true!" I said "It’s bloody unfair!"