Magic of Three by Jenna Castille Read Free Book Online Page B

a moment she thought Julian or Tim would put up a fuss, starting a whole new scene. But they looked at each other, unspoken words passing between the two. Julian turned back, the fire in his eyes banked. “It was a pleasure meeting you as well. Had I known the owner of this fine establishment was so charming I would have come here much sooner.”
     
    Not knowing what to say to that compliment, Lisa inclined her head and drew back. Quickly…but not running away. Not her.
     
    Whew . What the hell else could happen today ? That was a marked improvement but my goodness . How much weirdness could one woman be expected to take ?

 
    Chapter Six
     
     
     
    Julian stared down at the clear, flawless crystal ball, willing his mind into the future. A trite technique. Overdone and incredibly clichéd. But sometimes the best option was the tried and true. Not that crystal gazing worked like it did in Hollywood B movies. Swirling smoke and hazy, mystical images didn’t twist, twine or gambol within a green, glowing sphere. No, it was more of a meditative device, a physical mantra. Something solid to help peel back layers of the invisible. Staring into the clear, bottomless depth helped him empty his mind. Helped him pull away from the present and look into the myriad futures with his inner eye.
     
    He couldn’t see as far or as clearly this way as he did with his dreams. In his dreams time lost all meaning, all anchor. Past, present and future collided in a kaleidoscope of colors and emotions. But what he lost in power and clarity he gained in direction in his conscious state. He could guide his sight, control it, look for particular things.
     
    An important skill for a private eye.
     
    Not that his power hadn’t caused its own measure of difficulties and obstacles in his life. Nothing good ever comes without a cost.
     
    A familiar voice, one that caught him at odd moments, echoed out of his personal past. Cold, controlled, steely anger. “First you tell your mother that you’re bisexual. I could overlook that. At least you could still settle down with a nice girl, have kids and get whatever other kicks you needed behind closed doors. But now you have the balls to tell me you’re a new-aged psychic con-artist? You expect me to do what? Support your delusions? You better be thankful you’ve already enlisted. Maybe the military can beat this rebellious crap out of you. I’m tired of trying. Have all your things gone in the morning. I don’t want to see your face.”
     
    His father’s face stood out in stark, bloodless white. Not even anger could heat that appalled visage. It still amazed Julian that his father hadn’t completely disowned him that night.
     
    The image flickered and snapped. Next the shriek of braking tires followed by the ripping sound of angry metal pulled Julian into the past once more. As in his first dream, the night it happened, he saw his mother’s terrified expression moments before jagged metal shot through her window, slicing through her skull. Instant death.
     
    His father’s knuckles turned white as he gripped the wheel, fighting to keep the car upright as the semi slammed into it, over it. A sharp snap sounded as his father’s head slammed into his mother’s then against his window, shattering the safety glass. His arms fell useless to his sides.
     
    Julian watched as paramedics fought to keep his paralyzed father’s heart beating and lungs pumping as other workers zipped his mother into a long, gleaming black bag.
     
    So the call from friends in New York hadn’t shocked him. The call from his father’s attorney had.
     
    Guess Dad didn ’ t feel like leaving everything to the historical society or Mom ’ s green charity of the month after all . Either that or he thought he had another decade or two to straighten out his perverted , recalcitrant son before resorting to changing his will .
     
    Too bad the old man couldn ’ t see the future .
     
    Julian forced the past out of