Read Online Tortured Souls (The Orion Circle) by Kimber Leigh Wheaton - Free Book Online

my eyes with a silent apology. “There’s a phone call for you, Kacie. It’s our mother.”
    I stiffen at his words. She hasn’t spoken to me in six years. Not one single word. Ever. What could she possibly have to say now?
    “Be strong,” Logan whispers in my ear. “Call me if you need anything, okay? Otherwise I’ll see you tomorrow.” He starts walking toward his car, and I race over to him.
    “Can I have a ride to school in the morning?” I ask, remembering Dave can’t drive me tomorrow.
    “Sure, I’ll pick you up at eight,” he replies, glancing at me over his shoulder.
    He gets into his Mustang, and I release a heavy sigh, knowing I have to deal with the phone call now. Has she been waiting this whole time? Strange. Holding my head up, I steel my shoulders and stroll into the kitchen to grab the phone.
    “Hello?” I say into the receiver, hoping she hung up since it took so long.
    “Kassandra, it’s good to talk to you,” she says in a saccharin tone making me gag a little. “How have you been?”
    “Is this a sick joke?” I ask, unable to believe her gall.
    The woman can’t even bring herself to call me Kacie like she did before she left. She doesn’t speak to me in years and suddenly calls out of the blue and asks how I’ve been.
    Unbelievable!
    “What do you mean, baby?” she asks.
    How dare she call me baby!
    “I’m not your baby,” I snarl through gritted teeth. “What do you want?” There’s a long silence on the other end.
    “I’ve been having disturbing visions of your future,” she says in a theatrical murmur. “I wanted to warn you and to make sure you were okay.”
    “Wait a minute,” I gasp in shock. “You’re having visions ? You’re psychic and never told me?”
    “It’s not something I like people to know about me,” she replies in a dismissive tone.
    “You abandoned me, left Dad thinking I was a liar or insane for seeing spirits and having visions!” My voice is high and cracks with emotion. “How could you do that to me and then call one day like nothing happened, only to tell me you’re clairvoyant too?”
    Dad sits at the table, his mouth hanging open in shock at my words, while Gavin stares wide-eyed from the counter.
    “I admit I’ve made some mistakes…”
    I wait for her to continue, to apologize, to beg my forgiveness. She remains silent, waiting for me to say God knows what.
    “Mistakes? Sure, we all make mistakes. Leaving my homework at home, forgetting to set my alarm, letting my friend cut my hair… those are mistakes.” My tirade tapers off as I’m overcome with emotion. Somehow I manage to continue through the hard lump in my throat. “Abandoning your child is criminal, not some simple mistake. It was a choice you made to protect yourself. Well screw you and your ridiculous visions. I’m fine without your concern, thank you!”
    I end the call and slam the phone down on the table. Tears stream from my eyes blurring my vision. I race away from my family to the solace of my room. Six years. She left six years ago and hasn’t spoken a word to me since. Why now? Why today? Throwing myself down on the bed, I allow the tears to fall, uncaring as they soak my pillow. The phone rings again, and I know it’s her. It doesn’t take any psychic power to know. Neither Dad nor Gavin call me to the phone, and I choke out a beleaguered sigh.
    When the doorbell rings I almost scream in frustration. Was she calling from a cell? Did she fly here from Arizona? Please don’t let it be her at the front door. I pass several nerve-wracking moments waiting to see if someone will call for me. Relief floods me when it doesn’t happen. A light knock on my door has the fear rushing back full force.
    “Kacie, it’s Gavin,” my brother calls from the other side.
    “Go away,” I call out in a choked sob.” I don’t want to talk right now.”
    I never lock my door. My family always respects my privacy, so I’m astounded when Gavin opens the door.