by Deanna Chase
Shit. I’d been hoping with the whole aura thing, she’d forgotten that comment. Lailah pulled me out of the closet with one reading of my aura. I’d had my aura read once before and already knew it was purple. But that just means intuitive. It doesn’t mean empath. How did she know?
“Come on, Jade.” Pyper set her food down, giving me her undivided attention.
I took a deep breath. The last person I’d told about my gift was Dan. Look at how well that had turned out. “I guess Lailah can see people’s auras.”
“That part I got.”
“She also said she sees other things, and apparently she saw something dark attached to you.” I stalled.
“Right, I have a dark ghost following me. That isn’t news. That’s why I’m staying with you. What’s so special about you that makes him behave?” Her eyes bored into mine.
“There isn’t anything special about me!” Warped maybe. Or flawed. But not special. And certainly nothing that would keep evil ghosts away.
“That’s crap, and you know it. Hell, I knew it the first time I met you. Look at Kane and how he’s fallen for you. And Charlie, she’s friendly and outgoing, but she doesn’t respect a lot of people. And she respects and admires you, Jade Calhoun. There’s something very special about you, even if you don’t see it.” She stopped to catch her breath. “Now, what’s an empath, cause I didn’t forget.”
Stunned, I let her words sink in. For the first time in my life, I had a network of friends and hadn’t even realized it. Something unlocked in my heart, and the last of my resolve melted. “An empath is someone who feels other people’s emotions as they feel them.”
“Kind of like being around a happy person can make you happy? Infectious energy stuff?”
“Yeah.” I laughed humorlessly. “Only normal people get a small fraction of that transfer. Empaths, people like me, get a full force version whether we want to or not.”
Pyper leaned in, giving me her full attention. Curiosity bubbled up, replaced by empathy gliding off her and swirling around my center. “So when people near you are upset, you feel their pain?”
I nodded. “And for people I have a close relationship with, like Aunt Gwen, sometimes I feel her emotions no matter where she is.”
“Oh, Jade. You poor thing. Is there anything you can do to block it out?”
Her sympathy wrapped me in a blanket, and I let myself cherish the sensation. Not that I wanted to be pitied, but I’d never had someone understand that terrible part of my existence so quickly. I cleared the newly formed lump in my throat. “Yes, I can build defenses, but it’s draining. And sometimes if an emotion hits me too hard, I can’t block it out.”
She squeezed my fingers and let go. “But you also feel joy and happiness too, right?”
“Sure. Those are great, kind of like a natural high, but that wears me out, too. Too much outside emotional energy is exhausting. Then I can’t block anything, and that can be destructive.” I looked down at my half-eaten pizza and pushed it away, no longer hungry.
Pyper didn’t say anything and when I risked a peek, she met my eyes and said, “It’s a gift, Jade. But it isn’t what makes you special.”
One tear rolled silently down my face.
She moved her chair next to mine and used a napkin to catch it. “Honey, I don’t know what happened in your past to make you think this was something to be hidden or ashamed of—”
“I’m not ashamed.”
“Okay, guarded. How’s that?”
I nodded. “Guarded.”
“But you’re part of our family now. You must know we accept you for who or what you are, no matter what. There’s no need to hide from us. Kane, me, Charlie, even Holly.”
“Holly hates me.” I sniffed.
“Of course she doesn’t.”
I raised an eyebrow.
Pyper smiled. “Hate is a very strong word.”
“Right, but I don’t think she sees me as part of the family.”
“Well, maybe not, but she likes you better than you think.” Pyper stood up. “Come on, let’s get out of here and get this smudge thing done. I’m tired of my black shadow.”
***
Two days later I stood at the cash register of the café, stifling a huge yawn.
“You look like you’re ready to fall over,” Pyper said.
I nodded, wiping down the counter. I’d seen my reflection in the mirror. It wasn’t pretty. The smudge hadn’t worked, and Pyper had taken up residence, sleeping on my couch. She was no trouble, but the dog was constantly barking at her—or, more likely, her black shadow. I’d performed a ritual to ask the dog to move on, but it hadn’t worked. Without any other options, I’d been afraid Pyper would feel pressured to leave. So, I just didn’t tell her about it.
“Am I keeping you awake?” Pyper stepped close to me.
“No, no.” Another yawn took hold, causing my eyes to water.
“I don’t believe you. I should stay at my own place tonight.”
“No! That’s not an option.” We were stuck in a holding pattern. Bea and Ian were still MIA. We’d each called Ian, with no answer. I’d called Bea and left numerous messages. When she didn’t call back, I’d stopped by her house, but she hadn’t been home. Then I’d tried her shop again. Lailah didn’t know much. She’d gotten a message Bea was unavailable for a few days. In the meantime, I wouldn’t let Pyper out of my sight.
“It’s Kane, right? That’s what’s keeping you up. I know he hasn’t called you or stopped by. The ass.”
“No. It isn’t. I asked him for space.” It was true. I had asked him, and he was giving it to me. Be careful what you wish for. He hadn’t even shown up in my dreams. Though Bobby was still there, watching.
“But—”
“It’s the ghost dog.” I cut her off before she could work herself up farther. “Duke, the ghost dog. He barks all the time while you’re there. He just won’t stop.”
“Oh.” She chuckled then sobered. “I’m sorry, it’s not funny.”
“It’s kinda funny, except I’m about to pass out.”
Pyper looked thoughtful. “Do you think it would help if we had separate bedrooms? I mean, if we stayed in my apartment, do you think I’d still be able to sleep? Maybe the dog will sleep in your room with you. Do ghosts sleep?”
“I don’t know about ghosts, but Duke certainly looks like he does. That dog lies around all the time.” I shrugged. “I’m up for trying it, if you are. You have a lot more to lose than I do.”
“It’s worth a shot.”
Later that night, while Pyper went to work at Wicked, I curled up in Kane’s bed once again and was rewarded with the faint whiff of his scent. I hadn’t realized how much I’d missed him until that moment. A hollow ache formed deep in my heart.
I closed my eyes and did my best to put Kane out of my mind. Within moments Bobby’s soothing image stood before me. I don’t know how long I slept before the barking started. Damn dog. I got up and followed the noise to the living room.
“Hi, Pyper.” I waved.
“Did I wake you up?” Her worry seeped into my consciousness.
“No. It was the dog. I’ve come to collect him. Come on, Duke. Let’s go.” He trotted over to me and disappeared in the bedroom. “Want me to stay up until you go to sleep, just in case?”
Worry swirled around her, but stubbornness quickly took over. “No. I’ll wake up fast if it doesn’t work.”
Too tired to argue, I nodded. “Okay. Goodnight then.”
“Night.”
I fell right back to sleep. Bobby watched over me as usual, with Duke lying at his feet. The bliss seemed to last for hours, until the light around Bobby brightened to a reddish glow and the calm turned anxious. I rolled over, restless and knocked my head against something hard.
“Ouch. Damn it.”
“Hey,” a gruff voice said. “Are you all right?”
Kane’s distinct energy engulfed me. “Was that your head?” I asked.
“Yes.” He ran his hand lightly over my skull. “No large bumps. I think you’ll live.” He wrapped his arm around my shoulder and I snuggled in closer.
“Good.” I closed my eyes hoping for more sleep, but his intruding desire snapped me awake. “Wait, why are you here?”
“There’s a storm raging and rather than take a cab home, I decided this sounded much nicer.”
“But you’re avoiding me.”
“I was giving you space.”
“And now?” I sat up.
“Now I’m not giving you space.” He pulled me back down into his arms and crushed my lips with his.
Shocked, I didn’t move, but when I felt his tongue searching I kissed him back with just as much intensity. His heart pounded against my breast. I pressed closer as his desire overpowered all my other senses. That alone was enough to send my blood pumping.
Kane rolled me over, trapping me beneath him, hands everywhere. My thoughts jumbled, and I wanted nothing but him.
“God, Jade, I’ve missed you. I’ve been—”
A high-pitched screaming sounded through the wall.
Kane froze.
I pushed him off of me, jumped up, ran to the other room and yelled, “Pyper! Wake up, honey, wake up!”
Her screams stopped, and a second later her eyes fluttered open. “There you are.”
“Jade. What happened?”
“I don’t know, sweetie. You’d been sleeping for a while, but then you just started screaming. Can you tell me anything?”
Kane brushed my arm as he moved to sit next to Pyper.
“I don’t know. I was feeling peaceful, like I always do when I sleep at your place, then all of a sudden the calm disappeared and hell took over.” She clutched the covers to her chest. Kane reached out, running a hand over her leg.
I joined him on the edge of the bed. “I dreamt of Bobby and the dog and had the same peacefulness. Then right before I woke up it got tense and uneasy.”
“Right after I joined you in the bed?” Kane asked, his eyes crinkling with worry.
“How long had you been there?” I asked.
“I’d just gotten there when you knocked me on the head.” He turned to Pyper. “I’m sorry.”
“Why?” Pyper looked from Kane to me.
I slumped. “The ghost has a problem with me and Kane, ah, getting close.”
“Oh.” Realization dawned in her eyes.
“This has got to stop!” I jumped up and paced. “We can’t wait around until Bea and-or Ian shows up. We don’t even know if they can help.”
“I’ve been thinking about that,” Pyper said. “I wonder if Lailah might know someone or be able to do anything.”
“I don’t know. When we asked her about it she said our best bet was to ask Bea.” I flopped back onto the bed.
“It’s worth a try,” Pyper said.
“It is. In the meantime, why don’t the two of you stay here? I’ll take the other room.” Kane got up to leave.
“Won’t work. My ghost dog likes to bark at Pyper. He’s doing it right now. I won’t get any sleep.” I glared at the door where Duke stood.
“I guess it’s the couch for me then.” Kane kissed me on the forehead and left.
Back in Kane’s room alone, it took me a long while to go back to sleep.
***
The next morning, Pyper and I walked the short distance to the Herbal Connection.
“Hello,” Lailah sang from the back of the store. “Are you here to get your auras read?”
“Thanks, but not today. We’re here about something else,” I said.
“The black thing still following your friend?” Lailah frowned, studying Pyper.
“Yes,” Pyper said.
“We haven’t been able to get a hold of Bea, and things are getting out of hand. We were hoping you might have some suggestions for what to do, or know someone else who might be able to help us.”
Lailah focused on Pyper. Her white light energy took on a grey hue, and then shown bright white again when she looked back at me. She bit her lip. “I don’t know. That shadow is really strong, and it’s not going to be easy to get rid of. I know a way, but I’d feel a lot more confident if Bea were here to help me.”
“Do you know when she’s coming back?” I asked.
Lailah shook her head. “No. In fact I haven’t heard from her at all, which is really weird.”
Pyper stepped up next to me and put her hand on Lailah’s arm. “Please try?” A small twinge of desperation seeped from Pyper.
Then something odd happened. Lailah seemed to absorb it, change it somehow, and sent it back as a stream of calmness. She’d physically changed Pyper’s distinct energy. I could siphon energy, or send my own as a sort of suggestion, but I couldn’t change it.
“How did you do that?” I asked.
“You felt that, huh? Just one of my gifts. I’ll show you sometime. Right now I need to prepare for getting rid of this jackass tormenting Pyper here.”
“Yes!” Pyper pumped her fist in the air.
“Don’t get too excited. It won’t be pleasant. So be prepared.” Lailah turned to me. “I’ll perform the ritual, but we’ll need a fourth person. A female. Females have more power with this kind of thing. Do you have someone you trust?”
“Sure.” I knew Kat would come if I asked. “But she doesn’t have any powers.”
“If she’s female, it’s enough.” Lailah grabbed a note pad and started scribbling. “We need to do this as close to midnight as possible, and outside. Do you have a place we can meet for this?”
“Yes,” Pyper said. “We have a courtyard between Wicked and The Grind. You know where they are, right?”
Lailah nodded, still writing.
I handed her my cell phone number. “Give us a call when you’re out front, and one of us will come get you. Do we need to do anything special to prepare?”
“Nope. I’ll take care of everything.”
When we got back to our building, Pyper headed to her apartment and I went to mine. I called Kat and invited her to a girl’s night in, leaving out the part about needing her for a ritual. Okay, so I felt a little guilty, but I wanted to feel her emotions while I told her about it in person. If she had any hesitations, I’d have an easier time navigating how to convince her.
My heart sank. Talk about being a hypocrite.
Chapter 17
Kat showed up right before nine. “Where’s Pyper?”
“Working down in the club. She’ll be here before eleven.” I poured two glasses of wine. “Did you eat?”
“Yes, but snacks are expected on girlfriend night.” She took a glass. “So chop up the cheese and whip out the olives or whatever it is you have stashed aside.”
Laughing, I pulled out a cheese plate from the fridge. “I’m way ahead of you.”
“Gouda!” She put a piece in her mouth, closed her eyes and groaned in ecstasy. “Man, this is good.”
“Glad you like it. And here’s dessert.” I set another tray next to it.
“Oh my God! I want girlfriend night at least once a week. Dark chocolate, strawberries, and what are these?” She held up a small round chocolate ball.
“Chocolate-covered blueberries.”
“Damn, Jade. You’ll never get rid of me now.” Kat filled a plate and sat back.
“Good, cause I have an ulterior motive for bringing you here.”
The cheery contentment surrounding her faded to suspicion. “What? What are you gonna make me do?”
“Not me. Lailah.” I grabbed my wine glass and told her about the day I’d met Lailah, my confession to Pyper and the upcoming exorcism.
After I finished my speech, Kat cast a sideways glance as she popped a few chocolate covered blueberries in her mouth. “Now that Pyper knows you’re an empath, did you tell Kane?”
After everything I’d just told her, that’s what she focused on? “No.”
Kat washed down her chocolate with a gulp of wine. “You better do it soon bef
ore someone else does.”
“What? Are you going to tell him?”
“No. But word spreads. You know that.”
I frowned, knowing she was right. “Fine, I’ll tell him. Happy?”
“Yes. Now, what exactly have you signed me up for? An exorcism?” Her expression told me she thought I’d lost my mind.
“Lailah said she might be able to get rid of the ghost. She needs three other women to help with the ritual.” Feeling her questions rise, I raised my hand in a stop motion. “I don’t know what or how. She did say it wouldn’t be pleasant, so if you don’t want to do it, I need you to tell me.”
Her suspicion faded to weariness. “Is she a witch?”
“I really don’t know. What I do know is Pyper is willing to try just about anything to be free. Kat, it’s horrible. I can feel her pain when she gets attacked.” I shuddered and whispered, “It’s awful.”
Kat sighed, still filled with weariness, but she said, “All right. If it helps Pyper, I’ll do it.
I grabbed her and gave her a hug. “Thank you. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you on the phone.”
“Don’t worry about it.” She refilled her wine glass. “Let’s get down to the really important stuff. Like where exactly is tall, dark and yummy this evening?”
I smiled. “He’s working at the club. We can go down there if you want.”
“Uh, yeah! Let’s go.”
We ran into Charlie at the bottom of the stairs. When I told her we were headed into Wicked, she shuffled us through the employee entrance and led us through the crowd. Once we reached the bar she waved a couple of dancers off the bar stools, making room for us.
“You didn’t have to get up,” I said to the tall, gorgeous, barely covered blonde in front of me.
She winked, smiling. “When the boss says move, you move. Enjoy yourself.” She turned and sat in the lap of a man sitting at a nearby table.
“You got promoted!” I stood on the bottom rung of the stool, leaned over the bar and wrapped my arms around Charlie.
“Yep, and a nice raise, too.” Charlie hugged me back, holding on a little longer than really necessary. Her eyes sparkled as she released me, and I laughed.
