Read Wraith for Free Online

“Wow.”
    She patted my bouncing knee. “Yeah, that’s a lot to carry, but…”
    My eyes flashed to hers. “But what?”
    “But I saw something else. Something different.”
    “Tell me.”
    “Don’t get upset, but all of your fiery red was surrounded by black. Solid black.
    “Okay,” I said. I had a feeling I knew where this was going. “Is this unusual?”
    “Not exactly. Shadow auras mean that someone has issues relating to death. It could be lack of forgiveness or unresolved karma. Sometimes spirits find us and linger, coating us with their confusion.” Her description hit hard, forcing me to think of Evan and why he was sent to me. He always tried to present that he was there for me, to help me, but sometimes I thought it was more. That there was something else he needed to do.
    “Do you believe in spirits, too? Ghosts?” I asked, before I lost my nerve.
    “Absolutely.”
    I felt ill. I wanted to tell her. I wanted to tell her everything about what I’d been going through and about Evan, but I was afraid. I couldn’t trust that she wouldn’t go to my mother and I would go back to the shrinks and back on meds. I loved my Aunt Jeannie but I had learned this was something I couldn’t share. With anyone.
    Panicked, I changed the subject, feigning curiosity I asked, “Who taught you how to do this? All of this?”
    “My mother.”
    Again, I was surprised, since no one spoke about my great aunt. She had some kind of history that was deemed inappropriate or shameful. A black sheep, indeed.
    We stared at one another longer than was appropriate or polite. My mouth opened more than once, but in the end I couldn’t do it. I couldn’t reveal my secrets. It was as if she knew this, because in the next moment Jeannie leaned over and gave me a tight hug. “I love you, Jane. I see so much of myself in you from your nose, to your long, artistic fingers, to the worry that clouds your eyes. When you’re ready to talk, call me. Anytime. I’m always available to you.”
    I nodded, my eyes welling with tears that I wiped away before they could fall. “Thanks.”
    She redirected her attention to the photo album, laughing and pointing out pictures that gave her a reason to share a story. From the corner of my eye I saw Evan emerge, taking a position in the shadows, letting me know he was there and I wasn’t alone. Tonight, that meant I not only had the support of my best friend, but from a member of my family, as well.

T HE RAIN STARTED AFTER Thanksgiving break, and it continued for weeks. This wasn’t really helping the foul mood I was in as I sat in the counselor’s office at school waiting for my bi-weekly meeting with Mrs. Crawford. While I didn’t exactly hate the meetings—I mean, it did excuse me from class—I felt guilty lying about my progress, which made it a waste of time for both of us.
    When I arrived at the office, her door was closed, so I sat on the couch in the small waiting room and took out my book for English. The office door swung open a couple minutes later and I was stunned to see Connor. My stomach flip-flopped.
    “Connor, take a seat while I fill out this form,” Mrs. Crawford called from inside her office. He eyed me and then the couch as if assessing his options before sitting at the opposite end, dropping his bag at his feet. Dried droplets of silver paint splattered his shoes and the fraying edges of his jeans. Had he been back to the ruins? I instinctively shifted closer to my side.
    Mrs. Crawford called my name.
    “Yes?” I asked, standing up and gathering my bag, skirting around his long legs which occupied the majority of the floor. I poked my head in her door, where I saw the top of her dark hair as she leaned over her desk.
    “I need five minutes, okay?” She gestured to a form on her desk. “Wait for me out there.”
    “Okay,” I said and turned back to the waiting room. Connor had shifted, taking up the majority of space on the couch. I decided to sit in the chair