Read Tortured Souls (The Orion Circle) for Free Online

hair, and I cringe when I feel the tight waves.
    “Although all Logan really knows is that you’re a clairvoyant of some sort having disturbing visions. And visitations…” She pauses and gazes at me with her chocolate brown eyes as if sizing me up before continuing. “I read people. I have no connection with the dead, only the living. With your permission, I’d like the chance to read your aura and discuss your abilities.”
    She pauses again waiting for my response, not looking at me but rather studying her bright red manicured nails.
    “I’m not really sure what you intend to do, but I suppose it’s okay,” I say in a hesitant murmur.
    She glances up at me with a calm smile on her face before placing her hands palm up on the table.
    “Place your hands in mine. I need a physical connection to do a reading.”
    There’s no spark like there was with Logan—her hands cool to the touch but nothing more. She closes her eyes and appears deep in thought. Seconds creep by while she sits, eyes closed, unmoving. As more time passes I become anxious, squirming in the plastic chair from both mental and physical distress. I never was good at sitting still for any length of time. When her dark eyes open again, she regards me in silence before releasing my hands.
    “Let’s head back to the conference table,” she says, lurching to unsteady feet. “You’ll want to hear about what I sensed.”
    As we near the long table, all conversation stops. Michelle takes her prior seat on the far side of the table. When Logan motions for me to sit beside him, I’m grateful. The idea of standing in front of this group is mortifying.
    “Your report, Michelle,” Mr. Kincaid prompts.
    “Sorry, just organizing my thoughts,” Michelle says, rubbing her chin with her fingers. “Kacie appears to be a very strong psychic medium. I really don’t think any additional testing is necessary. But she dammed up her talent behind a massive wall in her subconscious mind. Her power is so strong it trickles out around the barrier. This is incredibly dangerous since the power that leaks out is uncontrolled. It acts almost like a beacon to the supernatural world. Why did you do that, Kacie?”
    All eyes turn to me, and I can’t help but squirm under their stares. This is a difficult subject for me. I always felt responsible for my mother leaving. My powers annoyed and scared her. She hated them and by association hated me. Tears blur my vision, threatening to spill over my eyelashes. Logan places his hand on my arm.
    “It’s okay, Kacie,” Logan says, running his hand up and down my forearm. It has the desired effect and I relax under the soothing contact. “You can trust us, I promise. You’ll feel better if you tell us what happened. Believe me, the people at this table will not only listen but understand.”
    I watch entranced as his fingers run a light caress up and down my arm. After a few deep breaths, I glance up at him, expecting to see the scorn and disbelief I always saw on my parents’ faces. Logan gazes back, his brow creased in worry—but not about me embarrassing him with what I might say. No, he’s worried about me, about my feelings. With a gentle tug he pulls my arm down over the armrest, lacing our fingers together under the table. I look at our clasped hands then back up at his face. He gives a little nod, urging me to tell my story.
    “When I was young, I didn’t know I was different. My parents assumed the people I talked to were imaginary friends. They were busy—no they were oblivious really. I’m sure if they’d paid attention, they would’ve noticed how strange the conversations were.”
    I pause when my throat closes up, overcome by the guilt and the heaviness in my chest. Had I known I’d be sitting here telling strangers my darkest secrets, I doubt I would’ve agreed to come to this meeting. Taking a deep breath I continue, clinging to the hope that telling my story will help ease the pain.
    “When I was