Mourning Moon (A Guinan Jones Paranormal Mystery #2) by Callista Foley Read Free Book Online Page A

matter what we believe," I said, running interference. "If it wasn't an accident, the police will determine that."
    Those were Granddad's words. He said the same to me after I told him about the allergy testing kit. From the corner of my eye, I saw Luke watching me. Several seconds of silence passed before anyone spoke.
    "So you're saying one of us killed him?" Sinder said. She shook her head and crumpled her napkin.
    I looked around the table. Everybody's eyes were on me except Ione's. "Not necessarily. An accident or a prank gone wrong. I don't know."
    Sinder dabbed her eyes, but her voice was steady. "Why don't you read us? See which one has something to hide."
    "Everyone has something to hide," I said. "I can't sense w hat a person is being deceptive about. Just because someone is lying doesn't mean he or she is a killer."
    "What can it hurt?" Embry said. "I mean, we're here. Why not get a sense of...whatever?"
    "I don't like reading family or friends."
    Luke snorted. "Is that some ki nd of psychics code of ethics?"
    I took a deep breath. "No, it's mine. I wouldn't want anyone knowing my private emotions." I thought about the time Tessa read me and confessed that she was also empathic. It felt as I'd imagined it would: an intrusion.
    Sinder leaned forward. "But if we want you to, what's the big deal?"
    "Start with me," Luke said. "Tell me what I'm feeling right now."
    "I don't need to be empathic to do that."
    I expected to see a smirk on his face, but his expression was serious.
    "Just read me." He said it in a voice that seemed inappropriate to the occasion. My stomach tingled. I lowered my gaze. "Are you scared to?"
    "He's an ass," Sinder said. "Read me."
    I didn't want to read anybody, but I found myself unable to take my eyes away from hers. They were child-like—huge and vulnerable-looking. Love. Then the emotion seemed to grow edges. An amorphous cloud of jealousy shimmered between us like heat. But I sensed no hate or vengeance.
    "Is she the killer?" Luke said.
    "Can we stop this, please?" Ione said. She didn't look cold a nymore. "This is the stupidest thing I ever—"
    "Why are you so resistant?" Sinder said. "Do you have something to hide?"
    Embry slapped his hand on the table, and everybody jumped. "Enough of this crap. Let's go." He got to his feet and pulled Ione up by the arm. Before anyone could react, they were halfway down the street.
    "I knew it," Sinder said. "They're both hiding something."
    "Can you give us a minute?" Luke said to her.
    We both looked at him. Sinder nodded, got up, and went into the cafe. I kept my eyes on the door.
    "Look at me."
    I did, reluctantly. My eyes lingered on his stubbly chin and traveled across his face. His cheeks were pink from the chill. I looked into his eyes. Lust, affection, and deception tangled together and settled at the base of my throat. Deception over what?
    "Satisfied?" I said, taking a sip of cappuccino that had grown cold.
    Luke picked up his cup and rose from the table. "Actually, I'm not." He zipped his jacket. "But that's another topic for another day." He gave a half-salute and walked away.
    Sinder must have been watching from a window. She came out just as he left.
    "Let's go to my house," she said. "I want to show you something."
    I glanced at the time on my phone. "I'm supposed to meet my grandfather in about an hour."
    "It won't take long. I promise. I parked on the next block. I'll drop you off after."
     
    ***
     
    We entered Sinder's house, and she ushered me quickly through the hall.
    "Rosie, is that you?" A voice called out from the kitchen.
    Sinder stopped in her tracks and rolled her eyes. "My middle name's Rose," she said to me in a low voice. "It's me, Mom. Just headed to my room with a friend."
    I expected her mother to come out and greet us, but she remained in the kitchen. "One of your cute boyfriends? The red-head or the other one?"
    Sinder pulled me along. " A girl friend, Mom."
    I was curious but didn't question her. We entered her