The Quickening Read online

  Shade’s eyes snapped open when Tiffany sat in the chair next to the bed. “Hey.”

  “Hey yourself. How are you feeling?”

  “I hurt.”

  “I know, honey.” Tiffany held up her hands. “May I?”

  “You’re not going to bite me are you? I’m kind of at a disadvantage here.”

  Tiffany laughed. “Do you want me to?”

  “Not tonight, dear, I have a headache.” Shade chuckled, then winced. “Ow, don’t make me laugh.”

  Tiffany was glad to see her sense of humor was intact. She laid her palms gently on Shade’s bandaged head, focusing white, healing energy into the wound. She drew as much of the pain from Shade into herself that she could for the next few minutes.

  “Enough. Feels good.” Shade broke the connection by removing Tiffany’s hands gently. “That’s almost the best that I’ve felt all day.”

  “What do you mean, almost?” Tiffany brushed Shade’s bangs out of her eyes.

  “The last nurse that was in here, leaned over to adjust the bed. Her boobs were in my face.”

  “You’re incorrigible. Your distractions aren’t going to work. I’m still going to ask questions.”

  “Let it—”

  “No, Shade. I’m not going to let it go this time. You’ve put everyone off for too long. The ‘later’ that you always insist on, is finally here.”

  Shade looked at the ceiling, and Tiffany felt rather than saw the temper that was brewing.

  “You can’t put me off forever. I’m worried about you. We’re all worried about you. So while you evaded and ducked us for months, right about now, I’m thinking our concerns were quite valid.”

  No answer.

  “Beenie nearly got her ass kicked downstairs.”

  Shade glared at her then looked away. “Tell Jordan to keep out of my business.”

  “It wasn’t her, it was me,” Tiffany said. “I saw what happened to you and I was furious. What are you doing hanging out with her anyway?”

  “Trust me, Tiffany, you don’t want to know.”

  “Damn it, Shade! I love you.”

  “I love you too, Tiffy, but I’m not talking about this.”

  “You are so frustrating.”

  “It’s part of my charm.”

  “No, it’s not. I want to smack you right now.”

  “But you won’t.”

  Tiffany sighed. “No, you’re right. I won’t.”

  “I’m okay. Please don’t worry.”

  “Do you know who attacked you?”

  Shade’s expression tightened. “No, I didn’t and I can’t see him.”

  “Beenie did.” Tiffany recalled the vision of money changing hands.

  “I’ll deal with her when I’m on my feet. Believe that.”

  Tiffany felt a small chill. The venom in Shade’s voice was a little scary. Suddenly, she didn’t want to talk about it anymore.

  Shade’s pain was evident in her eyes as she stared at Tiffany. “You stop that!” Tiffany said. “Don’t you pull that mind persuasion crap on me.”

  “If my head didn’t hurt so badly, it would have worked.” Shade said. “Please, Tiff, I’m tired. This is not the place to go into all of this.”

  She’s right. Tiffany’s temper deflated instantly. “I’m sorry. I’m just so damn worried about you.”

  “I’ve got this. Promise me you’ll be careful.”

  “Why?”

  “Things are fuzzy right now. I just know that something that looks innocent, isn’t. Something dark is coming.”

  “Okay, that’s a little frightening. Aura told me the same thing before she left for the beach.” The hair on the back of her neck raised and Tiffany rubbed her neck. “Can you see any more of my future?”

  “No, my head hurts when I try.”

  “Of course it does. I’m sorry. I promise I’ll be careful. You just get better, okay?”

  “Kiss me and go home.”

  Tiffany leaned over and kissed Shade’s cheek just as a nurse came in. Shade winked and mouthed the word, boobs. Tiffany pinched the inside of her arm.

  “Ouch.”

  “You deserved it. Promise me that when you get out, we’ll talk about what’s going on with you, or I’ll do it again.”

  “Do what again?” asked the nurse.

  “Nothing,” Tiffany said sweetly and smoothed the sheet. “Good night. I’ll come see you tomorrow.” She left the room and waited on the other side of the open door.

  “Can’t wait,” Shade said.

  “I heard that,” Tiffany called.

  “Go home.”

  Chapter Eight

  Tiffany hopped the bus that would take her to the ferry terminal. She knew she could have asked Sunny or Jordan for a ride, but she didn’t want to bother them with it. Besides, this way she didn’t have to answer any questions. Sunny would have known in a second what happened with Kat last night, and her curiosity would have been greater than her usual tact she displayed when she felt other people’s emotions.

  The stale air on the bus reeked of misery, and Tiffany blocked it as best as she could. At the next stop, an elderly couple boarded and sat on the long bench seat behind the driver. They held hands and their auras were brilliant with a rainbow of colors. They had a deep, abiding love for each other.

  As she stared at them, the gentleman looked at Tiffany and smiled at her. It was then she saw the dark mass in his colon and it pulsated with dark, poisonous energy. Being a healer was an innate trait in her personality, but she had learned long ago she couldn’t save everybody. There were some things she just couldn’t make better. She glanced back up to his face.

  He was still smiling at her. I’ve had an amazing life. Don’t be sorry for me. It’s my time, little one.

  Tiffany blinked, surprised the man spoke telepathically to her. She smiled back to let him know she heard him.

  He winked at her, turned his smile to his wife, and his adoration for her lit up his face. Tiffany had longed for that look her entire life. She’d certainly never received it from her mother or her ex-husband.

  Your daughter looks at you with love. Look forward. The answers to your past are in your future.

  He was right. His words humbled her. Thanks.

  She was getting off at the next stop. There was no need to ring the bell. Most of the passengers were exiting for the ferries. The couple stayed seated.

  She couldn’t resist. On her way out, Tiffany touched the gentleman’s shoulder, sending a powerful burst of white light directly to the mass. It wouldn’t cure it by any means, but she hoped it would alleviate some of his pain for the day.

  She looked at him one last time before the doors on the bus shut with a hiss. It was his turn to look surprised. That felt good. I should get out more often. She’d insulated herself from the outside world for too long. The people she met on a daily basis came to her for help.

  The crowd closed in around her and Tiffany quickly raised her mental shields. She’d forgotten it was like a cattle run, everybody rushing to the ferry to get to work in Seattle. She clutched her bag across her chest like a shield, caught up in the gauntlet.

  The majority of the passengers rushed to the window seats, the rest to the onboard café for coffee. She just wanted to find an empty space to breathe for a few moments. The energy she’d given the elderly man and the mindset of the boarding passengers had made her a little nauseous. Tiffany dug in her large purse to find the crackers she kept stashed for Angel.

  The fresh air would do her good. She reached back into the depths of her bag and found a hair tie she would need on the windy deck. She walked out to the railing and leaned out.

  Tiffany looked down at the water and saw, through the wake and waves, hundreds of clear jellyfish. The houses along the sides of Puget Sound were gorgeous, with their long piers and docked boats. She wondered briefly what it felt like to live in one, to be able to sit outside and stare at the water every day.

  Tiffany let the salt air re
fresh her. She was soon filled with happy anticipation. She was still stunned that she was so forward with Kat last night. The kiss, oh man, that kiss. She had no idea it would be so soft, so sensual. If she thought she knew what she was in for by peeking into someone else’s trysts, she was dead wrong. Nothing compared to the reality.

  She honestly hadn’t known she even possessed that force of lust. Tiffany remembered Kat lifting her onto the counter. How freaking sexy was that?

  After the kiss, she’d brazenly invited herself over to Kat’s house. She didn’t know where she’d found the bravery. Maybe it was the promise to herself she’d made to step out and up. She might not always make the best decisions, but at least she was now making them for herself.

  The Seattle skyline drew closer and Tiffany left the rail to go to the restroom. By the time she fixed her hair and refreshed her makeup, they would be pulling into the dock. There was no way she was going to get in the middle of that crowd exiting to get to work on time. Late commuters could be brutal.

  When she was done, she meandered toward the end of the line. Someone slammed into her. The force was strong enough to knock her into the wall. By the time she caught her balance, the person was a blur running along the exit. She couldn’t see their face, and it wouldn’t matter if she could. Some people were just that rude. It wasn’t as if she could do anything about it, and she hated that it was the possibility of intentional violence she perceived first. It wasn’t personal. He was rushing to work, that’s all.

  Still, she was careful when she exited into the terminal. She spotted Kat standing by the doors next to the street, and the sight of her took Tiffany’s breath away. Her senses were hit with the smell of a rich, green forest and meadow flowers. Something teased the edge of her consciousness, but the harder she reached for it, the faster it slipped away. It was gone by the time she reached Kat.

  She may have shown uncharacteristic forwardness yesterday, but now faced with Kat’s magnetic smile and presence, Tiffany felt shy and unsure.

  “Hi,” Kat said. “You made it.”

  Tiffany nodded. “Hi.”

  They stood in silence though the terminal’s activity buzzed around them. It was as if they were in a bubble, reliving the energy of their kiss the night before. Butterflies circled in her stomach and she was hyper aware of Kat’s arm around her shoulder as she steered her through the exit toward the street.

  “Are you up to walking or do you want to catch a cab?”

  “Walking is good. With traffic the way it is now, a taxi would take longer.” Tiffany’s hand was enveloped in Kat’s as they walked the distance to Pike Place Market. It felt…right.

  Dozens of questions flooded Tiffany’s mind along the way, but none would form clearly enough for her to articulate in this crowded environment. The sights and smells of downtown Seattle were distracting enough, and the thousands of stray thoughts from the people rushing around them had Tiffany struggling to focus on her feet, let alone on Kat beside her. But oddly enough, she felt protected, and none of her usual apprehension of being in large groups of people was present.

  She loved the wide wooden planks in the building. She imagined it was much like being in a large pirate ship. Kat held the door for her and placed her hand on the small of Tiffany’s back. Her skin instantly heated underneath her shirt.

  Now that they were inside, the noise outside dimmed somewhat, making it easier to talk. “Have you been here before?”

  Kat grinned. “A time or two.”

  The store welcomed Tiffany like an old friend. It was full of thousands of colorful minerals and stones from various regions. Giant boulder-sized amethysts lined the walls and crystals hung from the ceiling alongside fairies with multi-colored wings. Bronze and pewter dragons curled around faceted gemstone spheres. Everything seemed to sparkle with energy.

  Tiffany felt drawn to the back of the store. There on the shelf was a beautifully detailed statue of a warrior maiden. She stood three feet tall and her hands rested on the pommel of her sword, which was stuck in a crystal at her feet.

  “See something you like?”

  She’d forgotten Kat was behind her, and she flinched when her question startled her. She’d been mesmerized by the bronze. She quickly recovered and hoped Kat hadn’t noticed.

  “She’s stunning,” Tiffany said. “She looks almost familiar.”

  Kat’s breath was hot next to her ear. “Really? Tell me why.”

  Tiffany felt her face heat along with her back where Kat pressed against her. God, she couldn’t think straight. She’d forgotten what she’d come to the store for. She knew she needed something, but it was lost in the rush of desire. Tiffany was about to tell her to stop teasing her but instead was struck speechless by quick stabbing pain to her temple. She put her hands up and cried out.

  “What’s the matter?” Kat caught her before she fell, ready to set her on the floor.

  The pain was gone as fast as it appeared. Tiffany’s legs felt shaky, but she refused to sit down. “I’m fine.” She looked around the store, trying to find the source of the psychic attack but didn’t sense any suspicious energy trails. It wasn’t the first time this had happened in similar places. The energy stored here in residence could be used for good or ill, depending on the person who harnessed it. She should have been more careful. Kat’s presence was thoroughly distracting.

  “What do you mean you’re fine? That was not okay. You were hurting.”

  Tiffany noticed Kat searching the room as well and it made her curious. “What are you looking for?”

  “I felt something weird,” Kat said. “It passed right through me.”

  “We should go now,” Tiffany said. “I don’t want to be here anymore.”

  “Okay. Are you still hurting?”

  “No, but I am hungry.” She was also mad that some power-tripping asshole ruined the trip to her favorite store. Tiffany tightened her shields.

  “Where do you want to go and eat?” Kat asked. “I’ll take you to brunch.”

  “Could we please go to your place?” Tiffany felt exposed. “I’d rather not be out right now. We could stop at the store and pick up something to make.”

  “I have plenty of food.”

  “That sounds even better. Let’s get out of here.”

  Traffic had cleared somewhat, and the taxi ride was short. The driver let them out in front of Kat’s building. Tiffany had to crane her neck to see the top. She’d never been inside a place this fancy. “Wow, how may floors is this?”

  “Thirty-five.”

  Tiffany followed her through the beautiful lobby and into the elevators. Kat punched number seventeen. Her stomach dropped as the elevator rocketed upward. She gasped. “Oh, my God.”

  Kat prepared to catch her. “What?”

  “I grabbed the handrail. Wild monkey sex in the ele-va-tor.” Tiffany slapped a hand over her mouth.

  Kat laughed. “I’m not surprised.”

  “Sorry. Sometimes my filter goes on vacation without me. This is why I don’t get out much.”

  “I think it’s adorable,” Kat said. “And the blush is cute too.”

  Tiffany covered her face with her hands. “I’m so embarrassed.”

  Kat tugged her arms down. “Not as embarrassed as they should be.” She pointed to the camera in the corner and waved before the doors slid open. “They probably play them at the holiday parties for the staff.”

  Great, Tiffany thought. They’ll probably play that little tiddly-bit too.

  *

  Kat stepped back and let Tiffany go in first.

  She squealed and ran straight for the wall of windows. “Omigod! Look at the view!”

  “It’s amazing, isn’t it? I practically live out on the balcony. You should see it at night when the city lights up.”

  “How you can afford this on a journalist’s salary?” Tiffany’s eyes widened. “Again, sorry, filter, none, you know.”

  “It’s okay. I don’t mind. When I first moved here, I worked a
t Microsoft while I went to school, and I invested heavily. This used to be my uncle’s condo, and because he never married, he left it to me when he passed.”

  “Where do your parents live?”

  “They’re gone too.”

  “Oh, I’m truly sorry.”

  “It was several years ago, but thank you.” Kat crossed to the open kitchen. Would you like something to drink?”

  “Water is fine.” Tiffany sat at the granite counter on a high stool.

  Kat passed a bottle over to her and then began putting together a tray. “I have fruit, crackers, several cheeses, and vegetables. I’m sorry, but I can’t offer you a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.”

  Tiffany laughed. “Everything sounds great.” A muffled ring tone sounded from her bag on the stool next to her.

  Kat kept herself busy gathering food for the tray while Tiffany dug for her phone.

  “Damn, missed it.” Tiffany checked the caller. “Well, it’s not Angel, and they didn’t leave a message.” She put the phone back.

  “How do you find anything in that suitcase?”

  “It’s not a suitcase; it’s a tote.”

  “It must weigh as much as you do.”

  Tiffany laughed. “I have a daughter, and sometimes when I’m working I need unusual stuff handy. I think of it as my Mary Poppins carpet bag.”

  “Cute.” Kat put the finishing touches on the tray. “Do you want to eat on the terrace?”

  Tiffany nodded. Kat loved the way her eyes lit up. Tiffany’s personality was genuine and pure. It was refreshing to spend time with her and not worry if there were any ulterior motives underneath. As soon as she thought it, she felt a twinge of guilt about her own motives.

  Was she being genuine with Tiffany herself? Or projecting Tanna onto her for her own selfish needs? It was a sobering question, and one she needed to answer.

  Kat carried the tray to the table outside before she pulled Tiffany’s chair out for her.

  “Thank you,” Tiffany said. “This is wonderful.”

  “I’ve never dated a clairvoyant psychic before.”