Page 65 of Malice

“He’s a good guy. He doesn’t leave me alone and…” I shrug. “He really cares about the outcome.”

She studies my face for a moment before saying, “Put your hands against this barrier.”

I do what she says, holding them up. She mirrors my stance on the other side, and I feel the slightest tingle between us, like a low current of electricity.

“Joss…?”

Her eyelids flutter and she stumbles back into a waiting Elaina. When she snaps her eyes open, her expression softens.

“Wow,” she whispers.

“What just happened?”

“It’s something new I’ve been working on. Reading energy. I’m still new at it, but yours is so clear and palpable.”

“Is that a good thing?”

My sister nods, glancing at Elaina. “It’s good. It’s strong. Maybe that’s why the ghost is so drawn to you as he was in life.”

“That’s not good then.”

“No, it is. Think of it like a rare gemstone. Everyone would want it, some good and some bad, but once they saw it, they couldn’t resist trying to keep it for themselves.”

“I’m a rare gemstone?”

She smiles, nodding. “Yeah, and…” She blows out a breath as Elaina gently squeezes her arm. “This whole situation is going to change your life for the better. It doesn’t feel like it now, but give it time. The right person will see your value.”

Her eyes flicker past me and I follow her gaze to Aster, sitting on the floor playing with his dog. She can’t mean…?

“How long have you been able to do stuff like this?”

“As long as I can remember. I’ve always had visions and abilities that didn’t make sense. It wasn’t until about six years ago I started researching it. I thought I was losing my mind, but it turns out I’m just gifted.”

“Then she found the coven,” Elaina says. “They’ve nurtured her abilities.”

“You can do stuff too?”

“Different from Joss. I have some divination abilities, but they aren’t as strong as hers.”

“This is so wild. I had no idea this whole world even existed.”

“You did,” Joss says. “You noticed things about me when I was younger. I think we both blocked it out because we had bigger issues with our parents. Being gay took precedence over being witchy. Can you imagine what they would’ve done to me?”

I shudder. “Don’t want to.”

“Same.” She smiles warmly. “You’re in good hands with Aster.”

“I know.”

“Trusting someone after what you’ve been through is hard. It can feel insurmountable, but it’s the only way through to the other side. When you’re ready, just remember that.”

“How will I know when I’m ready?”

“When the desire to try is stronger than the desire not to.”

Emotions bubble up in me and I press against the invisible barrier. “I missed out on so much of your life trying to be independent and forget the past. I’m sorry.”

Her eyes turn glossy with tears. “We’ve both been stupid. Our folks did a real number on us. I was afraid you wouldn’t understand what I am. I didn’t even give you a chance.”

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