I shake my head, looking right at him. Hey, if theyre fool enough to ask, then Im fool enough to tell. I smile. So I guess the question is, how big of a fool are you?
He pauses, hesitates for so long that I worry that I took it too far. But then he smiles, right hand extended as he rises from his seat. Fool enough to hire you. Now I know why you wouldnt shake hands the first time around. He nods, squeezing my hand for a few seconds too long. Thats one of the most amazing readings Ive ever had.
One of? I lift my brow in mock offense as I reach for my bag and walk alongside him.
He laughs, heading for the door and glancing at me when he says, Why dont you stop by tomorrow morning, say around ten?
I pause, knowing theres no way I can possibly do that.
What? You prefer to sleep in? Join the club. He shrugs. But believe me, if I can do it, you can too.
Its not that. I pause, wondering why Im so reluctant to tell him. I mean, now that Ive got the job what do I care what he thinks?
He looks at me, waiting, gaze adding up the seconds.
Its justI have class. I shrug, thinking how class sounds so much older than school, like Im in college or something.
He squints, looking me over again. Where?
Um, over at Bay View, I mumble, trying not to wince when I say it out loud.
The high school? His eyes narrow further, newly informed.
Wow, you really are psychic. I laugh, knowing I sound nervous, stupid, coming clean when I add, Im finishing up my junior year.
He looks at me for a momenttoo long a momentthen he turns and opens the door. You seem older, he says, the words so abstract Im not sure if they were meant for me or for him. Stop by when you can. Ill show you how to work the register and a few other things around here.
You want me to sell stuff? I thought I was just giving readings? Surprised to hear my job description expanding so quickly.
When youre not giving readings youll be working the floor. Is that a problem?
I shake my head as he holds the door open. Justjust one thing. I bite down on my lip, unsure how to proceed. Well, two things actually. Firstdo you mind if I go by a different nameyou know, for the readings and stuff? I live with my aunt, and while shes totally cool and all, she doesnt exactly know about my abilities, so
Be whoever you want. He shrugs. No worries. But since I need to start booking appointments, who do you want to be?
I pause, not having thought this through until now. Wondering if I should choose Rachel after my best friend in Oregon, or something even more common like Anne or Jenny or something like that. But knowing how people always expect psychics to be about as far from normal as it gets, I gaze toward the beach and choose the third thing I see, bypassing Tree and Basketball Court as I say, Avalon. Immediately liking the sound of it. You know, like the town on Catalina Island?
He nods, following me outside as he asks, And the second thing?
I turn, taking a deep breath and hoping hell listen when I say, You can do better than Stacia.
He looks at me, gaze moving over my face, clearly resigned to the truth if not exactly thrilled to hear it from me.
You have a serious history of falling for all the wrong girls. I shake my head. You do know that, right?
I wait for a response, some recognition of what I just said, but he just shrugs and waves me away. Still watching as I head for my car, having no idea I can hear him when he thinks: Dont I know it.
CHAPTER 16
The moment I pull into the drive Sabine calls my cell, telling me to just go ahead and order a pizza for dinner since she has to work late. And even though Im tempted to tell her about my new job, I dont. I mean, obviously I need to inform her, if for no other reason than to spare me the one shes lined up, but still, theres no way I can admit to getting this particular job. Shell think its weird. Even if I omit all the stuff about getting paid to give readings (and believe me, Id never dream of mentioning that) shell still think a job at a metaphysical bookstore is strange. Maybe even silly. Who knows?
Sabines far too reasonable and rational to ever get behind such a thing. Preferring to live in a world thats sturdy and solid, that makes perfect sense, versus the real one that is anything but. And while I hate always having to lie to her, I really dont see how I have much of a choice. Theres just no way she can ever learn the truth about me, let alone that Ill be giving readings under the code name of Avalon.
Ill just tell her I got a job somewhere local, someplace normal, like a regular bookstore, or a Starbucks perhaps. And then of course Ill have to find a way to back the story up in case she decides to follow up on all that.
I park in the garage and head up the stairs, tossing my bag onto my bed without even looking, then heading for my closet as I yank off my tee. Just about to unzip my jeans when Damen says, Dont mind me, Im just sitting here enjoying the view. I cover my chest with my arms, heart beating triple time as Damen lets out a low, sweet whistle and smiles at me.
I didnt even see you. I didnt even sense you for that matter, I say, reaching for my tee again.
Guess you were too distracted. He smiles, patting the space right beside him, face creasing with laughter when I pull on my shirt before joining him.
Whatre you doing here? I ask, not really interested in the answer, just glad to be near him again.
I figured since Sabines working late
Howd you But then I shake my head and laugh. Of course he knows. He can read everyones mind, including mine, but only when I want him to. And even though I usually leave my shield down, making my thoughts accessible for him to view, right now I just cant. I feel like I need to explain, tell my side of the story, before he can peek in my head and draw his own conclusions.
And since you didnt come by after school He leans toward me, eyes seeking mine.
I wanted to give you some time with the twins. I pull a pillow onto my belly and finger the seam. You know, so you could get used to being together andstuff I shrug, meeting his gaze, knowing hes not buying it, not for a second.
Oh, were quite used to each other. He laughs. I assure you of that. He shakes his head. Its been quite a dayvery busy and veryinteresting, for lack of a better word. But we missed you. He smiles, eyes grazing over my hair, my face, my lips, like the sweetest lingering kiss. It wouldve been so much better if youd been there.
I avert my gaze, doubting any of thats the slightest bit true. Muttering under my breath when I say, I bet.
He touches my chin, making me face him, face masked with concern when he asks, Hey, whats this about?
I press my lips together and look away, scrunching my pillow so tight it threatens to burst, wishing I hadnt said anything because now I have to explain. Im just I shake my head. Im just not so sure the twins would agree. I shrug. They pretty much blame me for everything. And its not like they dont have a point. I mean
But before I can finish, I realize somethingDamen is touching me.
Like touching me touching me.
For reals.
No glove, no telepathic embrace, just good old-fashioned skin-on-skin contactor at least, almost contact.
Howd you I look at him, his eyes shining with laughter when he catches me gaping at his bare, gloveless hand.
You like? He smiles, grasping my arm and lifting it high, both of us watching as the thin veil of energy, the only thing separating my skin from his, pulsates between us. Ive been working on it all day. Nothings going to keep me from you, Ever. Nothing. He nods, his gaze meeting mine.
I look at him, mind racing with possibilities, of all this could mean. Enjoying the almost feel of his skin, separated only by the thinnest shroud of pure, vibrating energy, invisible to everyone but us. And while it does somewhat temper the usual rush of tingle and heat, and while it could never compare to the real thing, I miss him so muchjust being with himIll take what I can get.
I lean into him, watching the veil expand until it stretches from our heads to our toes. Allowing us to lie together in the way that we used toor at least almost in the way that we used to.
Much better. I smile, hands roaming his face, his arms, his chest. Not to mention how its far less embarrassing than the black leather glove.
Embarrassing? He pulls away and looks at me, mock outrage displayed on his face.
Come on. I laugh. Even you have to admit it was a total fashion faux pas. I thought Miles was going to have a seizure every time he saw it, I murmur, inhaling his wonderful, warm, musky scent as I bury my face in his neck. So howd you do it? My lips grazing his skin, longing to taste every last inch. Howd you harness the magick of Summerland and bring it back here?
Its got nothing to do with Summerland, he whispers, lips at the curve of my ear. Its just the magick of energy. Besides, you should know by now that most everything you can do there, can be done here as well.
I gaze at him, remembering Ava and all the elaborate gold jewelry and designer clothes she used to manifest there, and how upset she always was when they didnt survive the return trip home.
But before I can even mention it, he says, While its true that the things manifested there cant be transferred here, if you understand how the magick works, if you truly get how everything is really just made up of energy, then theres no reason you cant manifest the same things here. Like your Lamborghini, for instance.
Id hardly call it my Lamborghini, I say, cheeks flushing despite the fact that it wasnt so long ago when he had a thing for exotic cars too. The second I was done with it I sent it right back. I mean, its not like I kept it.
He smiles, burying his hand in my hair and smoothing the ends between the tips of his fingers. In between manifesting things for the twins, I perfected it.
What kinds of things? I ask, moving so I can better see him, immediately distracted by the sight of his lips, remembering how warm and silky they once felt on mine, wondering if this new energy shield will allow us to experience that again.
It all started with the flat-screen TV. He sighs. Or, should I say flat screens since they ended up requiring one for each of their rooms, plus another two for the den that theyll share. And not long after I got them all hooked up and working, they sat down to watch and not five minutes in they were inundated with images of things they couldnt live without.
I squint, surprised to hear that, since the twins never seemed to care all that much about material things back in Summerland, but maybe thats because material things tend to lose most of their value once you can manifest whatever you want. I guess losing their magick has made them just like anyone elselonging for everything just out of their reach.
Trust me, theyre an advertisers dream. He smiles, shaking his head. Falling right into that coveted youth market of thirteen to thirty.
Except for the fact that you didnt actually buy any of those things, did you? You just closed your eyes and made them appear. Hardly the same as going to the store and charging it on your credit card. In fact, do you even have a credit card? Never having seen him even carry a wallet, much less a pile of plastic.
No need. He laughs, finger skimming the bridge of my nose before his lips meet the tip. But even though I didnt actually go out and buy all of those things as you so generously pointed out . . . He smiles. That doesnt make those commercials any less effective, which was really my point.
I pull away, knowing hes expecting me to laugh, or at least say something lighthearted in reply, but I cant. And even though I hate to disappoint him, I still shake my head and say, Either way, you need to be careful. I shift my body so my gaze can better meet his. You shouldnt spoil them so much, or make them so comfortable theyre reluctant to leave. He squints at me, clearly not following my meaning, so I rush ahead to explain. What I mean is, you need to remember that living with you is a temporary solution. Our main goal is to look after them until we can restore their magick and get them back to Summerland, which is where they belong.
He rolls onto his back and stares at the ceiling. Turning his face toward mine as he says, About that.
I hold my breath and look at him, my stomach dipping ever so slightly.
Ive been thinking He squints. Whos to say Summerland is where they belong?
I balk, an argument pressing forth from my lips until he raises his finger and stops it right there.
Ever, the question as to whether or not they return, well, dont you think thats something they should decide? Im not sure were the ones who should be making those choices.
But were not choosing, I say, voice shrill, unsteady. Thats what they want! Or at least thats what they said the night I found them. They were furious with me, blaming me for the loss of their magick, for stranding them hereor at least Rayne was; Romywell, Romy was just Romy. I shrug. But still. Are you saying thats changed?
He closes his eyes for a moment, before leveling his gaze back on mine. Im not sure they even know what they want at this point, he says. Theyre a little overwhelmed, excited by the possibilities of being here, and yet too terrified to even step outside. I just think we should give them some time and space and keep our minds open to the possibility of them staying a little bit longer than planned. Or at least until theyre fully adjusted, and better able to decide for themselves. Besides, I owe them, its the least I can do. Dont forget they helped me find you.
I swallow hard and avert my gaze, torn between wanting whats best for the twins while worried about the impact itll have on Damen and me. I mean, theyve been here less than a day and Im already mourning my access to him, which is a totally selfish way to view two people in need. Still, I dont think you have to be psychic to know that with the two of them around, requiring all kinds of assistance, times like thiswhen its just Damen and mewill be severely limited.