Twisted Sisters (The Orion Circle Book 2) Read online

  While they continue their conversation about Daniel’s annoying groupies, I text Logan.

  Hey, u ok?

  I wait for a long thirty seconds then my phone buzzes a reply.

  No.

  Just no. Nothing else. No explanation, no details, just no.

  Care to share?

  This time the reply comes faster.

  No.

  Tears burn my eyes. Logan has never been so dismissive before. Something is most definitely wrong… but what?

  Chapter Four

  Sorority Sisters

  LOGAN

  When I pull up to the house, I have to double check the address Mr. Kincaid texted me. The Greek letters Rho Gamma Pi are emblazoned on the front of the house in bold, blue lettering. He sent me to a sorority house. A dark voice in the back of my mind whispers that this is the perfect opportunity to get even with Kacie. Shaking my head, I silence it. That is not who I am, nor who I want to be.

  Crows settle down on the eaves, in the oak trees, and on the porch railing. It seems Kacie’s familiars don’t plan to leave me to face whatever lurks in that house alone.

  The moment I’m out of the Mustang, two attractive, brunette co-eds race from the house, making a beeline for my car. They look enough alike to be real sisters. Both have light brown hair, one falling to her waist in waves, the other as short as mine. Their doe-brown eyes are wide, haunted. I manage to hide my shock when they both fall against my body and wrap their arms around me. Not that I’d normally complain about two pretty girls hugging me, but I’m here on Circle business. This is starting to look like some sort of sorority stunt rather than a real case.

  That all changes when I realize one of them is crying.

  “I’m Logan Finley with the Orion Circle,” I say while trying to decide what to do with my hands. When I give in and wrap my arms around them, the other girl starts sobbing too. “I can’t help you if you don’t tell me what’s wrong.”

  “I th-th-thought…” The girl with short hair pulls away and gazes at me with teary eyes. “I thought it was a toy,” she blurts out before burying her face back against my shoulder.

  “What was a toy?” I ask, patting her back.

  “The b-b-board,” the other girl says.

  Tension spreads through my shoulders and up my neck. There’s really only one type of board that would cause a problem that I’d need to investigate. Any sympathy I had for these girls is quickly fading. I hate stupid. Only an idiot messes with something they have no clue about.

  “Let’s go inside and talk,” I say, biting my lip to keep from saying what I really want to say.

  “No!” they both shout together. The crows ruffle their feathers and flap their wings, but remain silent.

  “No?” I ask, glancing around. We’re going to attract attention at this rate. Lots of black birds, sobbing sorority girls… it’s like a bad horror movie.

  “They’re in there,” the short-haired girl says.

  “How about we sit on the grass then,” I suggest, hoping to get this situation under control.

  Perhaps I’m a bit out of my league here. I sag a bit in relief when they both nod their agreement. For some reason, I expected the girls to let go of me so we could walk over to the small patch of grass in the front yard. No such luck. They continue clinging to me as I inch forward. Whenever I dreamed of having two girls hanging all over me, it was never like this. It usually involved a party and laughter, not ghosts and tears. We reach the patch of green, and I ease them both to the ground, thankful when they release their firm hold on my shirt.

  “Okay, let’s start with your names,” I say, hoping to bring them out of their panic with an easy question.

  “Kendra,” says the girl with short hair.

  “Melissa.”

  “Great. I’m Logan. I’m here to help you.” I channel everything I remember about my mother and her easygoing interrogation techniques. “Tell me what happened.”

  “It was just a toy,” Kendra says through a sob. “I mean I got it at a toy store at the outlet mall.”

  “It wasn’t supposed to work,” Melissa adds, putting her arm around Kendra.

  “A spirit board,” I bite out through a clenched jaw.

  I really hate those things. Dangerous supernatural objects should never be packaged for children. It’s a full on crime. I don’t give a flying rat’s ass whether you believe in the paranormal or not. What CEO says, Kids should try channeling spirits. Let’s put out a spirit board and stick it in with the board games. Utter crap on so many levels, I can’t begin to count.

  Kendra nods. “Yeah.”

  “How could we know it would work?” Melissa says with an angry glare. Good I can handle angry better than sobbing.

  “It said ‘glow in the dark’ on the box.” Kendra wrings her hands together. “I mean, that’s like a toy, right?”

  “This isn’t your fault,” I say, and actually mean it. “Nothing that dangerous should ever be marketed to children. You couldn’t know the consequences.”

  Kendra glances over her shoulder. “There’s something bad in the house now.”

  “Real bad,” Melissa agrees.

  As if to justify her statement, a loud crash sounds from within the sorority house. Several girls run out screaming. They collapse on the grass beside Melissa and Kendra, a tangle of limbs and hysterical crying. Crows take to the sky, circling the house and cawing their displeasure. I gnaw on my cheek to keep from screaming and pull out my phone to call for backup.

  “We really need to go inside so I can check out the spirit board,” I say in as calm a voice as I can muster. It’s hard to concentrate with five cute girls falling all over me.

  “I’ll take you to the board,” Kendra says, straightening her back. “Come on, Melissa. I’m not going alone.”

  “Will you keep me safe?” Melissa asks in a hoarse whisper. She gazes at me with wide eyes while caressing my leg through my jeans.

  “I have a girlfriend,” I blurt out without thinking.

  Yeah, one who kisses your best friend.

  “Oh, too bad,” Melissa says, though she continues drawing small shapes on my leg.

  “Right, well, we need to go check out the spirit board before my backup arrives.” I push her hand away. Rising to my feet, I walk toward the open front door. “Are you coming?”

  “Um, no, I don’t think so.” Melissa lets out a shaky laugh. “I’ve had enough psycho girl spirits for one day.”

  I somehow resist the urge to smack my forehead with my palm. “You know who the spirits are?”

  “Well, yeah,” Melissa says, inching closer to me. She snuggles against my side, wrapping her arm around my back. “They told us their names, and that they were murdered.”

  “First of all, back off,” I tell Melissa in a gruff voice.

  “Do I distract you?” She gives me a coy smile.

  “Yes, but not in the way you seem to want to.” I bite my lip to keep from snapping. My words have the desired effect even with my calm tone. Melissa backs away as though I drenched her in ice water. “I have to go get the spirit board. We’ll need to bind it in order to calm the spirits enough to talk to them.”

  “Yeah, they don’t want to talk, just throw things around,” Kendra says, shaking her head. As though to emphasize her words, another loud crash reverberates from within the house.

  “Where is the board?” I ask, somehow managing to keep my features blank and my voice neutral.

  “In the kitchen at the back of the house,” Kendra replies, pointing her finger toward the door. “In the sink. We tried to burn it.”

  Well, at least now I know part of why the spirits are so pissed off. My teeth gnash together in an effort to keep any lectures at bay. Now isn’t a good time, and I doubt these girls will ever play with a spirit board again anyway.

  “Stay here,” I order before heading toward the door.

  The moment my foot crosses the threshold, the door slams shut, smashing my foot and knocking me
backward. As I stare up at the bright red door, it opens again, revealing a wispy, silver image of a girl with long hair. Her back is to me. When she turns around, I swallow hard, hiding my shock behind a blank mask. She appears in her death state, which given her power level, is a choice. If she thinks to shock me, she’ll have to try harder than this. The right side of her head is caved in, and her nose isn’t in the center of her face anymore. Bones stick out through her arms and legs. Her dress is in tatters. Perhaps my cold scrutiny makes her uneasy. She disappears leaving behind an icy breeze.

  I glance over my shoulder at the cowering girls. Though they still appear afraid, I’m guessing based on the lack of hysterical shrieking that they didn’t see the ghost. Steeling my nerve, I push my body across the threshold. The air is so thick; it’s like moving through water. The moment my body is inside the house, the door slams shut again. Probably for the best‌—‌now I don’t have to deal with the sorority sisters. A scream echoes down the staircase followed by thumping footsteps.

  Two girls race down the hardwood stairs practically falling over each other in their attempt to flee whatever chases them. I expect them to run to the door, but instead both plaster themselves to my sides. I’m beginning to feel like I’m in some thirteen-year-old’s wet dream. Nothing appears behind them on the staircase, and I let out an exasperated sigh that sounds like a growl. The girls both shriek and clutch at me when the front door bangs open by itself. A blunt invitation to leave.

  I lead the now quiet girls to the door and usher them outside. The moment we cross the threshold, the door slams shut hard enough to rattle the frame. After pushing the rescued girls toward their friends, I try to open it. Two sore fists and a stubbed toe later, I acknowledge the fact that the spirits have no intention of letting me back inside. Seems the only reason I was allowed inside to begin with was to assist in pest removal.

  I make my way to a giant oak tree at the edge of the yard, as far away from the annoying sorority girls as I can get. Crows land in the tree as I sink to the soft dirt amid the roots. I want to yell at them to make them scatter. They’re a bitter reminder of Kacie and her betrayal. Instead I lean my head against the rough bark, grinding my teeth together when several girls approach my sanctuary.

  Before I can say a word, Poe lands on the ground nearby, cawing and flapping his wings at the frightened co-eds. They scuttle backward, returning to the tightknit circle near the driveway. Despite my sadness and anger, a smile creeps across my face when Poe perches on my leg. The large crow watches me while making a soft cooing noise. I run my fingers down his soft back, not caring how odd I must look petting a crow. Nothing to do now but wait for backup.

  Chapter Five

  Chaos

  KACIE

  We arrive at our destination amid utter chaos. Sorority girls cover the front yard of the house‌—‌some pacing, some crying, lots of shouting and cursing. There must be at least twenty of them out here. A small crowd has gathered on the sidewalk, watching the odd behavior. So much for keeping a low profile. If we don’t get these girls under control, we’ll all end up on the evening news.

  My silver bracelet pulses like a second heartbeat‌—‌fast, steady bursts of power. There’s lots of negative energy here. Between the frightened girls and whatever scared them, it sent my bracelet into overtime. I caress the silver with my fingertips, hoping to calm the rapid rhythm. This ancient relic had been passed down a long line of witches before it chose me two months ago. While it does warn of impeding spiritual danger, it also becomes impossible to remove in the presence of any perceived threat. At times it seems more like a shackle than a bracelet.

  When I try to remove it, the clasp won’t budge‌—‌it has become a shackle once again. Not a good sign at all. The last time this happened, I was up against the Foxblood Demon and almost died. My coven high priestess, Mrs. Finley, says the bracelet is a gift from the Goddess. Some gift. I resist the urge to scratch at my wrist where the silver shimmies and vibrates.

  My thoughts immediately fly to Logan, and I survey the scene. Hours of built-up tension melts away when I spy him sitting under an oak tree near the property line safe and sound. He leans against the trunk, watching the girls through half-closed eyes. My familiars are perched in the tree branches, keeping a silent vigil over him. Their mere presence makes my pulse race fast enough to rival the bracelet’s quick pace. Something is wrong, or they wouldn’t be here with him.

  As soon as Daniel puts the SUV in park, I leap out and race to Logan’s side. I’ve been worried about him for hours. It’s not until I’m towering over him that I realize I’m torn between hugging him and screaming at him for making me worry.

  “Logan, you… I…” I trail off at his dark glare.

  “I was there,” he murmurs, his golden-brown eyes never leaving mine. “I saw you with him.”

  “What are you—” Halfway through my question it hits me. “You saw me kissing Daniel in the club room?”

  “Yes.”

  “Oh God, Logan. I’m so sorry. I should have told you.” The words tumble from my mouth in rapid succession. “It was kind of a last minute decision.”

  “What?” He looks at me with such loathing mixed with sorrow.

  “I was a nervous wreck,” I murmur, sinking to the ground beside him. “The bets were making me fall apart. I love acting, but rehearsals are hard for me. I perform best when the stage lights are on. With the house lights on and a hundred pairs of eyes staring at me… well sometimes it’s really hard.”

  “You were rehearsing.” His lips are in a firm line, his brow creased. He doesn’t believe me.

  “Please believe me, Logan.” I place my hand on his arm, caressing him through his thermal shirt. “Daniel and I would never hurt you like that.”

  “I was hurt. God, it hurt,” he says in a choked whisper. “I felt like my chest was being crushed.”

  “I’m so sorry, Logan.” I wrap my arms around his neck. My heart falls a bit when he doesn’t return my embrace. “I swear to you. The only thing I noticed while kissing him was the placement of my hands and the counting in my head.”

  “Counting?”

  “Yeah. Daniel told me to count to a slow five in my head before releasing the kiss,” I admit, leaning my forehead against his cheek.

  “You were counting in your head.” Logan makes a noise that sounds suspiciously like a laugh. “You kiss the amazing Daniel Westin, and all you think about is how long until you can stop?”

  “Um, yeah.” I pull back to look at him. My eyes widen at the adorable smirk gracing his face. “If the kiss was too short, Mr. Holmes would’ve made us do it over and over until we got it right. Then I’m sure one of the bet options would have happened. I wanted it to be perfect to begin with. Then I could walk away with the last laugh.”

  “What do you think about when I kiss you?”

  A warm flush shoots up my neck. “I, uh… you, nothing. I can’t really think too much when you kiss me.” The blush spreads from my neck across my cheeks. “When it’s over I sometimes worry about whether my legs will support me.”

  “You are so beautiful when you blush,” he murmurs, brushing a light kiss over my lips.

  “I’m sorry I hurt you.”

  “Don’t apologize anymore.” He kisses my forehead. “Had I gone with instinct and followed through with option number three, this entire event would have wrapped up much quicker.”

  “You heard about the betting pool.” The flush on my cheeks deepens from anger. “Asshats, the whole lot of them. Those vultures all showed up for the rehearsal. You should have seen their faces when Daniel and I nailed the kiss on the first try with absolutely no embarrassing issues.”

  I pause for a moment, trying to remember what option number three was. When it hits me, I pull away and stare into Logan’s eyes.

  “Option three was you beating up Daniel. You wanted to do that?”

  “It was my first instinctive reaction,” he replies, unable to mask the sorrow in his eyes
. “I went to the gym and beat on a weight bag for a while instead. Then went home only to be stalked by your damnable crows. They were all over my car at school and followed me home, then all the way here. How the hell did they know I might be in danger with this case?”

  “I don’t think they were with you because of the danger.” I glance up at my feathered friends. “I think they were reacting to your mood. They were worried about you.”

  “They’re crows.”

  “You know better than that,” I murmur before kissing his cheek. “You’re the one who taught me that familiars are more than mere animals. There’s something supernatural about their behavior. They were with you because they were concerned.”

  “I wish I had a familiar,” he says, glancing up at the crows covering the branches over his head.

  “Until you get your own, it appears I’m sharing.”

  Daniel walks over, eyeing us with a wary look. “We okay, Logan?”

  “Yeah,” Logan says, rising to his feet. He holds his hand down to me, and pulls me up, snaking an arm around my back.

  “I would never…” Daniel says, trailing off.

  “I know.”

  “So…” Daniel shoves his hands into the pockets of his jeans while he rocks back and forth.

  “This might be bad,” Logan says, pointing at the house. “Three furious spirits are tearing this place apart.”

  Before I can ask any questions, Carl and Rebecca arrive in the Circle van with the ghost hunting equipment. Something tells me we don’t need the cameras and EMF detector for this one. Though, maybe Carl will finally get his proof on camera. Logan takes my hand, entwining our fingers while our auras and powers mingle together. We gain strength from one another, and it seems to work much better when we’re touching. Raven stalks over, her expression stormy. Looks like our sorority clients annoyed her.

  “Okay, so after Logan’s failed attempt at nabbing the spirit board, I’m guessing our ghosts don’t like guys much. I’m heading into the house to grab the board. Hopefully they let me in,” Raven says, her lips in a firm line. “It’s in the kitchen. Those idiots over there tried to burn it in the sink when the ghosts popped out. Good thing they didn’t succeed.”