Read Online Psyched by Juli Caldwell [fantasy] - Free Book Online Page A

her carry the rest of the dishes into the kitchen.
    “Why are you helping me?” Aisi whispered, looking over at the table where all his ghost hunter toys had now been switched off. Zinnia sat chatting and snuggling with Colby.
    Vance took the bleach-scented cloth from her hands and wiped the table. “Because I work as a dishwasher to pay my way through school, so I know what I’m doing. And because I think you can help me.”
    Aisi inched away from him, but he caught her by the hand and held on tight, not letting her go.
    “Do you know what all that stuff is on the table?”
    She shook her head.
    “I don’t need to tell you all the names or explain everything,” he continued, “but they only respond to psychic events. Every time you opened your mouth, my EMF detector went off. And your dad?” Vance looked into the open window which separated the large electric grill from the dining room. “The man set off every piece of equipment I own.”
    Aisi put on her best poker face and shrugged. As she tried again to pull away, she became very aware of his warm hand holding hers firmly. She wouldn’t meet his eyes but the image of his tan face, smoky eyes, whisker-stubbled chin, and strong, wide frame was already burned into her mind.
    “You know what I think, Aisi Turay?” Vance finished wiping the counter with a flourish before tossing the rag with perfect basketball player form through the window separating the kitchen and dining areas. It flew right to the sink against the back wall and wrapped itself around the base of the faucet. He turned back to her, gray eyes boring into hers.
    “No clue,” she lied. She knew exactly what he thought.
    “I think if you’re not psychic, your father must be.”
     

Chapter 7: Infrared
     
    Aisi finally looked up into Vance’s eyes. She wasn’t sure why, but she believed she could trust him. Her brow furrowed as she wondered why this guy, of all people, would show up at the tail end of the single most awful day she’d ever had. A guy who would believe in what she was. A guy who studied it. Why would he come right then? She didn’t believe in random chance. Something must have brought him here, something bigger than just a school project. She might not believe in coincidences, but did she believe in fate?
    She finally glanced away, heart pounding as she realized some part of her knew she could tell him. Out of the corner of her eye, something caught her attention and looked toward the kitchen door. She saw her father’s silver eyes watching them closely. She realized that Vance still held her hand, and at that moment the door jingled open and her mother swept in. Aisi jumped back with a squeal of surprise, blushing furiously. Great timing, Mom!
    “Aisi! Just look at you!” her mother said, jerking to a halt in the door way. She was backlit by Padelski’s still-flashing lights at the corner. She looked from Aisi to Vance and back again. Aisi flushed further, wondering why she felt guilty and embarrassed when she had no reason. Her mom just walked in at a bad time, right?
    Jorja pursed her lips, her expression a mix of curiosity and surprise. “Is this a boyfriend I have yet to meet? Why does my own daughter never tell me anything? Come here, boy, let me look at you.”
    Jorja flounced across the diner in the most dramatic way possible so her floor-length broom skirt swooshed around her. Her excessive bracelets jangled, and her purple shawl swept behind her. Long auburn curls spiraled down to frame her pale, freckled face. She quickly yanked his hand up from his side and gazed intently, squinting at it as if she were far-sighted, her face inches from his palm. With one long, slender finger, she gently traced the lines of Vance’s palm.
    “Do you know what I am doing, boy?” Jorja whispered. “Chiromancy. The ancient and sacred art of divining the future by studying what the gods have written on your palms. I see something peculiar at the intersection of your head line