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sit here, and Emma on the other side. John had some business, but will be here soon.”
    â€œYou’re going to let her get away with that?” Natalie whispered.
    I shrugged as I took my seat. I didn’t really want to give Bennett’s mom one more reason to dislike me. On the other hand … it really bugged me.
    â€œCeleste is dead, Mrs. Stern,” I said, putting my napkin in my lap. “She’s not deaf.”
    â€œPardon me?”
    â€œYou don’t need to compel her to do things. You can just
ask
.”
    â€œI’m sure Celeste doesn’t mind, Emma,” she said, a little flustered.
    â€œCeleste wouldn’t mind if you used her as a footstool. That doesn’t make it okay.”
    She gazed at me for a long moment, and I wished I’d kept my mouth shut. She was that scary. But Mr. Stern stepped into the room before she could respond. He was wearing a navy button-down tucked into khaki pants and a frown, and he looked almost surprised to see us there.
    â€œGirls,” he said briefly, before settling at the head of the table.
    Natalie and I eyed Mrs. Stern warily, but she apparently decided to let my little outburst go.
    And thus began the Christmas Eve from hell. Oh, itwas beautiful and elegant, and Anatole had seriously outdone himself with the food, as though he’d only been waiting for the Sterns to return home to show us what he was made of. But we ate each course in silence, our silver tinkling on the china.
    Christmas Eve with strangers. The Sterns were no doubt mourning their first Christmas without Olivia and Bennett, while Natalie had to live with the fact that her parents didn’t love and accept her. And I was left trying to ignore that vision and wondering where my own family was. Investigating Neos, no doubt, but at least they could’ve called.
    At the end of the meal, Natalie and I stood to help Celeste clear the plates, but Mrs. Stern waved a hand and said, “That won’t be necessary.”
    Somehow, that long uncomfortable meal had sapped all my strength, so I didn’t say anything. Instead, we both sunk into our chairs for another stony ten minutes, while Celeste bustled around us.
    â€œWhat’s up with this? It’s like you’re miming a Christmas dinner,” a male voice said.
    â€œLukas!” Natalie jumped up at the sight of him in his black down jacket, jeans, and Timberlands, striding into the dining room with a grin on his face. “You’re back.”
    â€œAnd none too soon.” He took in her outfit. “Did you turn Amish while I was gone?”
    â€œNo, I’m not Amish, you idiot,” she said, but she didn’t sound mad about it and hugged him.
    He reluctantly let Natalie go and turned to the Sterns.“I’m sorry—I feel like I’m interrupting a moment of silence or something.”
    â€œYou must be Lukas,” Mrs. Stern said stiffly. “We’re Alexandra and John Stern.”
    â€œBennett’s parents.” Lukas glanced at me. “
Excellent
.”
    â€œYup,” I said flatly, but the look I gave Lukas made it clear how much I thought this development sucked.
    â€œRight,” Lukas said, shaking Mr. Stern’s hand. “Pleased to meet you. So where’s Bennett?”
    â€œAway,” Mr. Stern answered shortly.
    â€œWhat are you doing here?” Natalie asked Lukas. “What happened with your mom and dad?”
    Lukas shook his head. “Nothing good. It was like a twenty-car pileup.”
    â€œI understand your parents aren’t ghostkeepers,” Mrs. Stern said.
    â€œThey’re the opposite of ghostkeepers.” Lukas tossed his jacket on a side chair. “They’re ghosthaters. At least, I guess they believe me now. They just want me to stop doing it.”
    Mr. Stern put his arm around Lukas’s shoulder. “Well, you’re welcome here. Come sit down.”
    Natalie and I exchanged glances.