Moonlight Mist: A Limited Edition Collection of Fantasy & Paranormal)

by Nicole Morgan

  Alex remained a few steps behind, talking to a couple lawyer acquaintances, pretending he didn’t “know” her, a role they’d agreed to play in public wherever the Psychics Guild was involved. A dumb pretense, since anyone who’d followed the kidnapping knew Juliana and Alex had worked together to solve the case. He just didn’t want the world to know how intimately they were involved, and especially didn’t want to parade their relationship in front of the watchful eyes of those preying on Guild members. Not like she wasn’t a target on her own merits, she mused.

  Juliana wanted to pay her final respects to her client, and wished to see if Jake McAllister materialized. Nagging suspicions told her Falbrooke’s partner knew much more than he’d told her about the death the police had ruled an accident. Forensics had dug a nail out of both front tires that supposedly caused the blowouts, solidifying the accident ruling.

  Four days had passed since her first vision. Four more dead vision days, other than the repeat performances at the crash site and impound lot. She was certain she’d glean nothing more if she tried her touch telepathy again. Time slipped past, and the residual connection to Falbrooke faded.

  Was she now mind-linking to people in the throes of their final moments in life? Who had Falbrooke seen in his rearview mirror? Someone targeting Guild members? Or had he targeted Falbrooke for another reason? The questions bombarded her; she tripped on a sprinkler head, and Alex grabbed her waist from behind, preventing a faceplant into a headstone.

  “I hate this,” he muttered, owning up to her beliefs. “We’re not fooling anyone.”

  “Then stand by my side. Own us,” Juliana pleaded. “What better protector to have at my back than a homicide detective? I want the world to know us.”

  Alex stopped her, waited for people to pass them, and took her in his arms. He kissed her, hard and demanding. A growl worked up his throat as if he wanted to devour her. A fire burned in his irises that Juliana barely recognized, laying waste to his reservations. “I will always own us, the same way you own my heart, my soul. Don’t ever doubt me.”

  In one freeing step, they exposed their relationship for all to witness. At least half the funeral attendees were Guild members, as evidenced by the tumble of thoughts smothering Juliana’s brain. With Alex by her side, holding her hand, Juliana owned their entangled world with him.

  They stood three rows away on the other side of the casket raised over the covered hole in the ground. More thoughts crammed her head. Falbrooke was a well-respected and universally loved man. There wasn’t a mean thought about him from the large group of mourners. Juliana “listened” and dug for an inkling of trouble, hatred, or negativity, but hit dead-ends. When her mind captured the tortuous and overwhelming thoughts of the redheaded woman standing closest to the casket, head bowed, sobs quaking her body, she realized the woman was Falbrooke’s orphaned daughter. As quickly as Juliana invaded the other woman’s mind, Lily shuttered it. The petite woman’s head snapped up, eyes blazing green fire, scanning the crowd, until her gaze landed on Juliana’s face across the casket blanketed in stargazer lilies and white roses.

  The familiarity of the woman lambasted her, and Juliana gasped, staggering against Alex. He strengthened his hold on her waist. Curious heads swiveled toward her.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “It’s Lauren McKenna,” she said under her breath. “The clairvoyant girl I met at the Institute. The redhead close to the casket. I had no idea she was actually Lily Falbrooke.” She studied the unfamiliar young woman with her arm wrapped around Lauren/Lily’s waist. The tips of her long glossy dark hair fluttered in a slight breeze, and her dark, almost black witch-like eyes shot daggers at Juliana as if she were a threat. Juliana graced her with a benevolent smile and swallowed her paranoia.

  “From the article?”

  Speechless, Juliana nodded. Clues began to make sense. The break-in, the planted Guild medallion, the stargazer lily left on her pillow, the well-hidden article. She was meant to find them, to place the links on the chain of clues. A cold stone hit her stomach, a freaky instinct that the Guild perceived her as a threat to Lily Falbrooke, vanquishing her idea that she was a victim, other than a victim of a pre-conceived error and a violation of her privacy.

  Lines of confusion swept Lily’s irritation away until recognition launched a renewed onslaught of tears cascading down her cheeks. She smiled at Juliana, and Juliana felt acceptance in her grim smile. A reason for her being at the funeral and back in Lily’s life, even if Lily didn’t know it, became clear. A reason for everything that’d happened since she’d met Falbrooke.

  The Guild knew.

  Had they kept Juliana on their radar since she’d entered the Institute? “They know Lily and I met in New York, forged a brief connection.”

  “The Guild?” He inhaled a couple of antacids.

  “Yes.”

  The minister spoke his final words, laying Michael Falbrooke’s body to his eternal rest. Juliana searched for Jake McAllister. She spied his brother Ric and whom she assumed was his other brother Liam—another beyond sexy McAllister—standing next to Niles in a group of muscular, bodyguard type men behind Lily.

  Light flickering from a grove of trees about fifty feet beyond the gravesite caught Juliana’s eye. Jake stood guard halfway behind a sycamore trunk, watching the crowd and onlookers. Their gazes met and he took out his phone, thumbs flying.

  Juliana’s phone vibrated in her purse and she glimpsed Jake’s text. “Don’t give me up. Watching crowd for signs of killer.”

  Juliana texted back, “Catch him, please. She doesn’t deserve this.”

  The large crowd disbursed, most people leaving, not staying for the internment. Without a word to each other, Alex knew Juliana wanted to talk to Lily in private.

  The casket began lowering and Lily tossed a handful of dirt on top. Tears stained her pink cheeks. She kissed a stargazer lily, and her hand opened, letting the flower drift onto the casket. A familiar attractive older woman embraced Lily, soothing her shuddering sobs. A few people milled about now, saying their final goodbyes.

  Alex prodded the small of her back. “Talk to her. I’ll wait here.”

  Juliana approached Lily, and amazement cleared the evident sorrow from the distraught woman’s red eyes.

  “Elizabeth, please take Marisa home with you. Niles is waiting for you by the limo,” Lily said to the older woman at her side. “Give me a few moments. My driver’s standing by.”

  “Honey, you shouldn’t be alone,” Elizabeth chided.

  “Lily, no,” said the dark-haired woman, Marisa. She was a year or so older than Juliana, beautiful, darkly exotic. Although she’d quit shooting daggers at Juliana, wariness wafted off her in waves.

  “I need this. Please.” More tears welled. “Go with Elizabeth, Marisa. I want to talk to Leigh.”

  Juliana clutched Elizabeth’s arm over her long black sleeve, avoiding skin. “I’ll make sure she gets on the road. My fiancé,” she pointed out Alex, “is a cop. He’s watching over us.” She finally placed Elizabeth as Falbrooke’s office manager, having met her during her original meeting at the law firm.

  The slender, older woman’s bloodshot gaze took Juliana in, relief dispelling her motherly concern. “Thank you, Ms. Westwood.”

  Surprised, Juliana watched the woman approach Niles and accept his arm to lead her to his black SUV. His warm gaze seemed to devour Elizabeth as if she was the only woman alive. Did everyone in Michael’s life have links to the Guild? After hugging Lily, Marisa reluctantly followed.

  “My surrogate mother and best friend, both a tad overprotective.” Lily’s lips kicked up in a tired smile. “I can’t believe it’s you.” She reached for Juliana’s hand, and Juliana didn’t hesitate in letting her clasp it. “Leigh Duncan. I thought I’d never see you again.”

  “Juliana Westwood,” she corrected. “You know the Institute and their anonymity policy. I’m so sorry for your loss.” She hugged Lily, holding her for the longest time. Lily snif
fed, wiped her nose on a handful of wadded tissues, and eased out of Juliana’s arms. “Everyone is overprotective of you. I noticed the large gang of Guardians here,” Juliana stated. “Do they show this support for all their members?”

  Lily scoffed. “I wouldn’t know. I’m not a member. Marisa’s been trying to land me forever even though I suck at being a psychic, never advancing much beyond my abilities at the Institute. Anyway, they’re not for me. No offense if you’re a member,” she babbled as if to shift her emotions off her father’s death.

  “None taken, since I’m not a member either.” How had Lily escaped Guild membership if her father had strong ties to it, albeit reluctantly?

  Lily bestowed a quivering smile on Juliana. “No kidding?”

  “No kidding.”

  “How did you know my father? Client?”

  “He recently hired me as his financial planner.”

  “Oh…I didn’t know.” Lily wiped her nose, her chipped purple nail polish long overdue for a touchup. “Talk about a small world. Guess I’ll need your help to sort through his finances.”

  The world was smaller than Lily believed. “Anything you need, just ask.”

  “You know, you saved me back then,” Lily said. “I realized if you could suffer through losing your mother and live beyond it, I could too. Until I’d met you, I wasn’t sure I’d live again. I missed my mom and younger brother so much I wanted to die. Now…” she waved her hand in front of her face as if to forestall another flood of tears.

  Bingo! Falbrooke had mentioned a son, yet Juliana always honed in on the mother, hence the reason Lily’s identity never clicked. Her heart creaked, and she steered Lily away from her new desolation. “I’m glad I was able to help. I wished we’d had more time together. I think we would’ve been amazing friends.”

  “Well, my future’s open to friendship.” Lily swept a strand of red hair off her face. “I’ll have to hang in town and take over my dad’s practice.” More tears, more sniffles and Juliana’s heart continued to shatter. She peeked at Alex leaning against a tree, giving her space, the love and empathy in his eyes bolstering her up.

  “I’d love that. I missed having a friend at the Institute. Oh…” Juliana dug inside her purse. “I have something for you I hope will give you one bright spot to such a dismal day.” She handed the sword pendant to Lily. The woman’s jaw hung open as she accepted the now silent rearview mirror dangle. The mini sword never spoke to Juliana after her first touching. “I found this near the crash site. The police missed it.”

  “How did you know it belonged to my father?” Lily closed her fingers around the sword.

  Juliana met Jake’s gaze across the lawn, never straying from Lily. Leaving the details of her visions for Jake and the Guild to explain to Lily, she described her abilities. She didn’t know how much Lily knew or what they’d told her about the accident. “Your father wanted you to know this, ‘Twilight’s yours. Don’t let them steal your twilight, flower child. I love you Lily with all my heart. I’m sorry I’ve kept all this from you.’”

  “What did he mean by Twilight?” Lily’s swimming eyes burned into the sword, practically compelling it to answer.

  “I was hoping you’d know.”

  “I’ve no clue.” Lily slipped the sword inside her pocketbook. “Elizabeth will know. Dad didn’t eat without her knowing. For now, I just need to get through this.” She gestured to encompass the gravesite. “I need to make an appearance at the wake. Will you come? I need another friend.”

  Chapter Thirteen

  The wake was held at Falbrooke’s estate in the woodsy hills of Los Gatos, a small town on San Jose’s outskirts, not far from Juliana’s old family home.

  The moment she spied Niles alone she pounced, dragging Alex behind her, who was already having a tough time hanging with the myriad Guild members. He was on double duty keeping his mind shuttered from psychics in the room who tried to dig into his thoughts. Many were suspicious of outsiders, especially cops. Many also wondered if Falbrooke’s accident was murder, and all were on guard. She wanted Alex to bear witness to what she had to say to Niles, to set him at ease, or on guard, whichever way the conversation traveled.

  “Niles,” Juliana greeted.

  “Ah, Ms. Westwood, Detective MacKenzie. I was hoping we’d have a chance to speak.”

  “Is it safe here?” Alex never stopped eagle-eyeing the room.

  “We never know, do we?” His hand slipped inside his jacket pocket, jangling his keys. “We have telepaths trolling the room and a slew of Guardians, all on high alert.”

  “Do you have something to say, Niles?” Juliana drove straight to the point. “Am I a target of Guild scrutiny? A threat?” Before he could respond, she gripped his wrist, and the vision hit her fast and clear. She slumped against Alex, and he caught her in his arms, always ready to catch her if she fell.

  Niles strolled through the foyer and into her family room, touching an object here and there, moving about, fading away.

  Clearer now, he walked straight to the framed photograph on the console table, disassembled it, and slipped a piece of paper behind the frame backing. “Ms. Westwood, if you’re in my head, I mean you no ill will. You must understand the Guild must be careful who we allow into our ranks. We test every potential member in certain ways, more so since our members have become targets of unfortunate criminals. Let’s see if you pass my test, shall we?”

  His voice came through so loud it bounced her out of the vision.

  “Juliana.” Alex’s warmth glued her to him.

  Temples pounding, she opened her eyes to find herself standing in the same position, gripping Niles’s wrist. “How long was I out?” She released him and the Celtic knot medallion dangled from a rubber band around her wrist. The knot made an impression on Nile’s skin where she’d pressed it onto his wrist.

  “Thirty seconds,” Alex said, alarm riding his voice. “You’ve never done that from touching another.”

  “She drew her vision from the medallion. My presence made it stronger,” Niles explained.

  Juliana peeled the band off her wrist and handed the medallion to Niles. “You left this behind.”

  “You knew it was him?” Alex asked.

  “I figured it out today. Wasn’t a hundred percent until now.”

  “What the hell game are you playing?” Alex wheeled on Niles, his body stiffening against hers, his fury staking a claim.

  “He was testing me,” she explained.

  “No, he broke into your house and stole from you.” Alex yanked out his badge. “You want me to arrest you here and now on a 459, or outside?”

  Juliana seized the badge from his hand and shoved it in his blazer pocket. “Alex, no. Just let him explain.”

  “He can explain all he wants down at the precinct.”

  “Do what you will, Lieutenant. First, follow me and we’ll talk in private.” He led them into a bookshelf-lined office. Multi-colored Tiffany lamps decorated the corners of the dark room, splashing a rainbow of light around the room. Large castle paintings of Scotland and Ireland hung on the walls, evoking memories of the Scotland they’d left behind a week ago.

  “Explain,” Alex demanded, one hand stuck inside his jacket, fingering his gun, the other weaved through Juliana’s fingers.

  “Ms. Westwood is correct. I was testing her for Guild membership. We put all our members through rigorous examination to gauge their abilities and authenticity. Due to the threats, our background checks and tests are more imperative. Some psychics fake it to gain admittance. We had to ensure she was the real deal.”

  “But you knew I was a subject of Brian Miller’s studies.”

  “I did. You’ve been on our radar for many years. I connected you to Leigh Duncan a few years ago when Michael told me Lily had spent time at the Institute in New York and met a girl there who’d helped her believe life was still worth living. I put two and two together.”

  “Why the test?”

  “Anyone from L
ily’s past is being investigated deeply.”

  Juliana scratched her muddled head. “She’s not a Guild member.”

  “She is. She just doesn’t know it.” He set aside the empty glass he held. “Any children of our members are treated as members by default. Lily’s a special case. That’s privileged information, but she’ll be protected. You’ve met Jake McAllister. He’s been assigned to her as well as investigating Michael’s…accident.”

  “Still doesn’t explain you testing me,” Juliana said, feeling a tad violated.

  “I wanted you to come to the conclusion on your own, to find yourself worthy on your own merit.”

  “Worthy of what?” Alex blasted out in her defense. His glare was primed to turn Niles into a glacier.

  “Of belonging.”

  “Belonging to the Guild?” Alex sneered. “Give me a break. You people would be lucky to have her.”

  Juliana absorbed Niles’s silent words of acceptance and kinship bombarding her. They replaced the violation she’d felt moments ago and fed the fire of her rapidly decreasing loneliness since she’d returned to San Jose.

  “Of course we would. It’s what you’ve always wanted, Juliana,” Niles said as if she’d never negate him.

  She smiled. “Are you in my head?”

  He returned her smile, warm and inviting, a fatherly smile. “I’m not telepathic. My gift is touch telepathy.” He plucked her butterfly necklace and earrings out of his blazer pocket and handed them to her in a plastic pouch. “The love you hold for one another came through strongly on these. It’s everlasting, soul-filled. Shows me the kind of people I want in the Guild. You’d bring fresh blood to our ranks, a new order of strength. Your powers are strong, Juliana. I think you might be able to help Lily regain her abilities.”

  “Regain?” Juliana stroked the silver butterfly pendant, touching Alex’s love in the gifts and glad to have them back in her possession. “She said she doesn’t have any great ability.”