Reaper by Emily Goodwin Read Free Book Online Page B

said softly.
    She leaned forward. “And you seem normal.”
    “Uh, I think so,” I told her, feeling my cheeks flush just a bit.
    “Well not totally normal, if you’re here,” Jane added, earning a scolding look from Keith. “Sorry,” she mumbled.
    “Don’t listen to her,” he said and held his hand up to her face. “This was her first Gathering as well. We,” he said and looked at René, “are into this kind of stuff.”
    “And what do you mean by that?” I asked cautiously.
    “Paranormal stuff,” René answered. “Like magic and ghosts.” She smiled. “Are you? I’m assuming you are.”
    “Oh, yeah,” I said with a nod. “I do like paranormal stuff.” I folded my hands in my lap, feeling increasingly awkward.
    “This might sound forward,” René started. “But I’m also assuming you’re more of the ‘real deal’, too. Am I right?”
    I swallowed. “Uh, I-I don’t know. I guess.”
    “Told you,” Keith loudly whispered to Jane. He looked at me. “You’re dressed too normally to be one of the wannabes, you’re here alone so you’re not coming to mock people—sadly, people do— and you’re too quiet to be one of those obnoxious, delusional   people who think they have ‘the gift’. People like you don’t come to these that often.”
    I can see why , I thought. I shrugged. “I guess,” I repeated. “What about you guys?”
    “I’ve always been sensitive to things,” René informed me. “Sometimes I think I’m psychic.”
    “Sometimes?” I questioned.
    “Yes,” she affirmed. “I get feelings about things. I suppose you could call it intuition. And ghosts like me. Where ever I go, they seem to follow me.”
    I nodded, not sure if she was going to end up being one of those obnoxious, delusional people.
    “I just have a strong interest,” Keith said. “Unfortunately, I don’t have any cool powers.”
    “And I’m just here to piss of my dad,” Jane admitted. “He’s a pastor and thinks this is all insanity or the Devil’s work or whatever he decides to call it. I’ve been friends with Keith for forever so I tagged along.”
    “Such a good friend,” Keith said sarcastically.
    “But I’m not judging!” Jane added quickly. “I don’t really believe in this stuff, but I think it’s great you do!”
    I nodded and smiled to show her it was ok. Silence fell over the table. I picked at my chipping nail polish.
    “Well,” Jane said and put her hands on the table. “I’m gonna head home. My dad will be mad enough that I’m here; I don’t want to push it and miss dinner. It was nice meeting you, Anora. Bye guys!”
    “Finally,” René laughed. “Sorry, I know she’s your friend,” she said to Keith. “She’s nice and all, just…”
    “Not a believer,” he finished for her.
    “Exactly.” She turned to face me. “So, you’re from New York. I bet it’s so boring here. Do you miss the energy of the city?”
    I shook my head. “I’m from Syracuse, not New York City. I really do like it here. I moved into my aunt’s old farmhouse, which is perfect because I have horses.”
    “You do?” she asked excitedly. “I love horses! What kind are they?”
    I smiled. Now this was something I was comfortable talking about. For the next twenty minutes, the three of us chatted about horses, riding, my new barn, and our pets. René used to have a ferret, and Keith’s uncle used to breed German Shepherds. Then the subject switched back to the paranormal, and René entertained us with tales of past ghost hunting experiences. She didn’t claim to have seen or heard anything that would blow me away, which made me more convinced she wasn’t one of those people that annoyed me…and apparently Keith as well.
    “I’m starving,” René said with a sigh. “And I want something more substantial than cookies and coffee. Want to get something to eat?”
    “You know I’m always in,” Keith agreed. “Anora?”
    “Yeah,” I apprehensively agreed. “My boyfriend