Oracle Seeing (The Phoenix Files Book 2) by Morgan Kelley Read Free Book Online Page A

no use to anyone anymore.”
    “Avalon,” she said, holding out her hand to him. “Oracle is my government name. Avalon is the name I was given at birth. I wish we could be friends, and you’ll feel comfortable enough to use it.”
    She waited.
    He took her hand with only the slightest hesitation. That meant she was on the right path to getting to him. Her blindness was going to be an asset. He wouldn’t be afraid of her, and he would let his guard down.
    That was a start.
    “It’s not a trick?”
    “No.”
    “You really can’t see me?”
    She shook her head. “I can’t tell what you’re wearing, what color your hair is, or anything else that describes you. I can tell you that you’re smart, funny, and you used to love your life.”
    “I once did. I loved helping people.”
    She patted his hand. “You will again. If you trust me, I’ll get you back on the right path.”
    “No, it’ll never happen. There’s nothing in this life for me anymore. I had it all, and now I have nothing.”
    She felt horrible for him.
    Yet, Avalon understood. She’d felt that way, too, when she was a prisoner to her gift.
    He was a prisoner to his injuries.
    “Want to bet?” she asked.
    “What?”
    “I’m serious. Want to bet that you’ll start helping people again?”
    He couldn’t believe this sprite of a woman was real. Not only was she calming the noise in his head, she was trying to offer him some peace.
    He liked her.
    She reminded him of someone’s kid sister, sweet, friendly, and safe. He felt safe.
    That was a first in about ten years. The last woman who made him feel like that…
    It didn’t matter.
    She was long gone.
    “Uh, okay. What’s the bet?”
    “If I’m right, you heal, find happiness, and survive this, then you’ll bring a date to my wedding.”
    “What?”
    “I said…”
    “I heard what you said, Avalon. I’m not fit for a wedding. I’m more like the monster that rings the bells in the tower of the church.”
    She didn’t understand that analogy, but it made her curious.
    “Make the bet, Lucian. If I’m wrong, I’ll stay after the case and help train you on how to control the voices. You don’t know how to block. You need help.”
    He stared at her. “You’re an odd woman, Avalon.”
    She laughed, her voice offering so much calm.
    If he only knew the half of it.
    “I don’t know if I can.”
    “You don’t know that you can’t.”
    He was getting frustrated.
    “Let me warn you, Lucian. All my life, I was told I couldn’t do anything. I was expected to live my life out a mistake by the universe. I learned to persevere. You can too, if you let yourself believe it’s possible.”
    He wasn’t sure.
    “Let us help you. I can promise you right now that the people waiting by our cars won’t hurt you. They won’t judge you, and they will accept you for the man you are. You’re a hero, Lucian. You helped victims get justice. That’s what we do in our own way. We are fighting the same fight. I promise.”
    He hesitated. “I don’t know.”
    “Trust me,” she said, her voice calm and peaceful. It washed over him as she focused on his aura. It was changing. Avalon was getting stronger. She was able to calm the man with just a touch.
    “Okay. Deal.”
    He shook her hand.
    “Great,” she said.
    “What do I do now?” he asked, unsure how to handle this. The whole thing was new. He only knew one other person who heard the voices, and that had been his mother.
    “Can I feel your face?”
    He was horrified.
    “ NO !”
    “It’s how I see.”
    “Avalon.”
    “Please?”
    He didn’t know why he wanted to feel her fingers over his scarred cheek. She felt so safe, calming, and peaceful. Maybe Lucian wanted to see if some of her happiness would rub off on him. He could read her.
    She was a good person.
    He’d become good at seeing people for what they were worth. It’s how he used his gift in the courtroom.
    “Okay, but I warned you.”
    She moved close. With gentle