Page 58 of Séance

I just pray it’s enough.

I slowly release a hiccupping breath that’s a little too much like a sob, and I watch out the window as we head home, the steady thrum of the tires almost soothing. By the time we arrive at the house, I’m both mentally and physically exhausted.

Our headlights flash across the front of the house, and we’re barely parked before the front door is thrown wide. Three familiar men spill from the mansion, and they quickly close the distance between us. Just as Hicks cuts the engine, the passenger door is wrenched open. Grim silence reins for a few seconds as they take in the scene, then the twins swear loudly.

Ellis ignores them, his harsh voice breaking the silence. “What the fuck happened?”

Gunner stirs, a guttural groan rumbling from his chest when he tries—and fails—to straighten. Ellis reaches into the vehicleand presses his hand against his shoulder to keep him still. “Don’t try to move on your own. Allow the twins to help you into the house.”

He grunts in acknowledgment and collapses back into the car. “Good thing, since I don’t think I could make it on my own.”

His voice is just a rasp, the words tight with pain, but I lean my head back against the seat in relief that he’s alive and conscious.

Ellis steps back, and the twins reach into the vehicle without prompting.

“You sound like shit, man,” Jameson teases with a tight smile, and Gunner grunts in response.

With much swearing and groaning, the guys peel his ass off the seat and haul him toward the house without a backwards glance. My shoulders slump as I watch them go, exhaustion weighing on me like I’m encased in cement.

Talking with spirits is always draining. The more I interact with them, the more energy they draw from me. It’s a dangerous back-and-forth. If I’m not strong enough to hold them off, they could drain me and leave me vulnerable. Any spirit could try to take possession, and I would either be driven insane or die in the battle.

So far, I’ve been lucky.

The wards are helping me build up my strength, but I need more training. Nan told me that it’s only by sheer will, brute strength, and pure luck that I’ve survived this long.

I’m not willing to take the risk any longer, not only with my future, but theirs as well.

I’ve been studying the journals and diaries from my family, but it doesn’t seem to be enough. I need to learn the information faster, starting tonight. I refuse to let the guys get hurt because of me.

As I push my door open, my shoulders slump at the hopelessness of my situation. Only one bright spot keeps me from falling into despair—today, I managed to save Gunner’s life with my gift.

That’s two lives I saved in a matter of days.

If there’s a chance that I can change the horrible future I see in my nightmares, then I’ll do everything in my power to master my abilities, not only to save my own sanity, but I desperately want the chance to save other lives as well.

I know what it’s like to be hopeless and have no future.

If I can save someone from the same fate, then I’m going to do it.

“Where’s Rue?” Gunner’s gruff question is more of a pant as the trio stumbles up the steps.

I glance at him over my shoulder, my eyes widening when Gunner struggles with the others, refusing to enter the house without me. Much swearing ensues as the guys do their best not to hurt him further, but the big man refuses to be manhandled.

Like an awkward dork, I wave from the back of the car, trying not to let my smile wobble. “I’m just going to my house. I’m a little tired, and the guys need to look after you. I’ll only get in the way.”

“No,” Gunner says with a mutinous expression, immediately rejecting the idea. He looks seconds away from storming down the stairs to get to me, even if he will land on his face. “Stay.”

My heart breaks at the turmoil I see in his eyes, and I find myself weakening. I take a hesitant step toward them when Gunner’s eyes narrow dangerously. “Are you hurt? Did they touch you?” He turns and swings clumsily at Hicks, the blow landing with a solid thud that nearly knocks the other man down. “Why the fuck would you bring her to the fight?”

Gunner sways alarmingly, his chest billowing as he struggles for breath, but he doesn’t back down.

“I didn’t let her fight,” Hicks snarls, rubbing his already abused jaw. “She was safe in the car the whole time. You called her for help. You?—”

“I did no such thing,” Gunner protests, cradling his ribs and leaning against Jaceson for support when he can no longer hold up his own weight.

“But she said you were in trouble. She…” Hicks trails off, and the undivided attention of all five men lands squarely on me.

I shuffle awkwardly at the speculation in their eyes, then wince when my sore feet land on a rock, and I suddenly wish I had the ability to vanish like a spirit.

---