Our Psychic
Chapter Warning: Things Are Heating Up!
This chapter contains content that’s a little “spicier” and more intimate than my usual writing.
Get ready for some intense, close-quarters magic and emotional connection, plus a kiss that’s been a long time coming. The tension is high, the air is thick, and the stakes just got personal! Proceed with curiosity.
Erin recovered first. “What are you?”
Zora’s smile vanished. She shifted uncomfortably on the couch, looking like she wanted to disappear into the cushions.
“Dammit, Erin!” I fussed.
“What?” She stood from the coffee table. “We’re all thinking it!”
I shook my head and patted Zora’s foot. “Ignore her…”
Erin grabbed another cookie from the tray and nibbled it as she plopped back down on the couch. Zora sat up straighter, gathering her courage, and looked at Lizzie.
“I can do psychometry,” Zora explained.
Lizzie shook her head. “I don’t know what that is.”
“It means I can read information off something or someone… by touch.” Zora’s confidence grew as she continued. “I could do that for you. If you want to know more about what happened.”
Lizzie gave Zora a considering look and removed the necklace. She walked it over, and Zora took it gently. Zora patted the couch beside her. Lizzie sat down. This felt intensely personal, but we were all invested now. I scooted back into the corner of the sectional to give them space.
Zora wound the necklace around her hand, placing the charm in her palm. She offered her other hand to Lizzie, who took it nervously.
“It won’t hurt, but it is… intimate.” Zora offered an almost shy smile. Her confidence was growing. “Me touching you will help you see what I’m seeing. Please don’t pull away once we start. It can be painful.”
Lizzie nodded, intertwined her fingers with Zora’s, and settled into the couch.
“I’ll do my best to explain what I see.” Zora checked in with each of us visually. We all nodded eagerly. She took a deep breath, raising her shoulders to her ears, then down, letting her breath out slowly. Her hand closed around the necklace’s charm.
I’d only seen Zora demonstrate her abilities once, but I knew it helped her with her journalism. She was dedicated to her work, and I suspected her gift was responsible for many of her biggest stories.
The one time I’d witnessed it was when she helped me pick out an antique ring for Bex. She’d stopped me from buying one that belonged to “an evil person”, her exact words. Zora had felt compelled to protect me from the bad mojo, and I’d been grateful, promising to keep her secret.
She looked at me. “This won’t be anything like that ring.”
I raised an eyebrow but stayed quiet. Erin glanced at me, but I waved her off, explaining that I knew Zora’s secret too, she’d helped me find a beautiful ring with good energy for Bex’s birthday. Erin seemed to accept this, and we turned our attention back to Zora and Lizzie.
Lizzie looked nervous, but Zora put a reassuring hand on her shoulder. “You can tell me to stop at any moment.”
Lizzie nodded shyly. Zora took it as permission to begin. She explained that it might initially seem like a flash of images, but it would slow down once they found that night. Zora locked eyes with Lizzie, who didn’t flinch as Zora slid her fingertips up and down her forearm. It seemed to help Lizzie relax. Spencer, Erin, and I remained silent, occasionally glancing at each other.
“Keep your eyes open,” Zora instructed. “I want you to let me drive.”
“I’m, “ Lizzie started to speak, but Zora placed a finger on Lizzie’s lips. You could tell Lizzie was nervous, but she maintained complete eye contact. This confident version of Zora had her full attention.
Zora smiled gently as her hand slipped from Lizzie’s lips to her jawline and down her neck. Lizzie shivered and looked… well, hungry. From my perspective, it was getting heated fast. That’s when I noticed she was sporting the fangs again. I considered worrying about it.
“Please close your eyes now,” Zora requested.
Lizzie complied without question. Zora put on the necklace and, with both hands, pushed Lizzie back into the couch cushions. You could tell Lizzie almost opened her eyes but fought the urge. Then Zora surprised us all by moving to straddle Lizzie’s lap.
My eyes went wide, but it was Erin’s face that nearly made me burst out laughing. She was leaning over Spencer’s shoulder as he wrote in his journal, not missing a single word.
Zora spoke, and I missed it, turning back just in time to watch them.
Lizzie’s breathing quickened, who could blame her? Zora pressed against her, face tucked into Lizzie’s neck. Zora placed a single kiss there and sat up. Her hands traced Lizzie’s arms briefly before grasping her by the shoulders. Then Zora’s head flung back so violently her hair fell from its clip.
“I see Lizzie,” Zora began, voice distant. “It’s morning. She opens the window. The sunrise is beautiful, but, is that smoke? No! She’s diving across the bed, hiding. The necklace hits the floor with the note. She reads it. Grabs the necklace and tests the sun. Nothing happens. She puts it on and stands in the window.”
Zora’s head fell forward. This time she grasped the back of the couch to avoid falling onto Lizzie. She shook her head and sat up. Lizzie didn’t move, but her breathing was rapid.
“It’s a different face now,” Zora continued. “She’s looking in a bathroom mirror. Black hair. Blue eyes. Beautiful. She walks up to someone at a bar, it’s Lizzie. They’re drinking. Talking. But wait…” Zora paused. “The necklace is on her neck.”
She sat back, still straddling Lizzie, looking amped up but holding it together. She took Lizzie’s hands, holding them between them. “Open your eyes.”
Lizzie opened her eyes slowly, completely focused on Zora. “Do you want me to continue?”
“Yes! It’s just getting good,” Erin interjected.
Spencer swung his journal at Erin, missing her arm as he hushed her. Zora ignored us, maintaining eye contact with Lizzie’s silver gaze.
Lizzie nodded. “Yes. We need to know.” She’d seen what Zora could do and wanted to see it through.
Zora leaned forward, gently kissing each of Lizzie’s cheeks. Her lips were close to Lizzie’s ear when she whispered, “Close your eyes.”
She braced herself on Lizzie’s shoulders and continued. “We’re walking down the street. You’re drunk, stumbling up dark steps. The door won’t open, but she forces it. She’s strong. There’s a kiss. Hands touching, but wait…” Zora readjusted on Lizzie’s lap, looking uncomfortable. “Something’s wrong. Lizzie pulls away. The woman smiles. Her eyes are electric blue in the dark. She pushes you into the room, then everything goes static.” Zora paused, leaning into Lizzie. “That’s it. That’s all I can see.”
Lizzie started to open her eyes, but Zora stepped things up a notch. Touching her cheek, she whispered, “Don’t.”
Zora kissed Lizzie, a gentle press of lips for just a moment while Lizzie got her bearings. Then Lizzie kissed back. As the kiss deepened, Lizzie wrapped her arms around Zora, and they held each other.
We were all elated but slightly confused. Spencer cleared his throat, and the pair came up for air.
“Cecelia…” Zora whispered.
Lizzie’s eyes flew open, mouth falling open in shock. “Cecelia,” she echoed.
They were both breathing hard, but Lizzie held Zora close. After a long silence, she reluctantly let go. Zora climbed off Lizzie’s lap and sat beside her on the sofa. The awkwardness was suddenly overwhelming.
They’d finally kissed. I started to say something to ease the tension, but Erin spoke first, smiling. “Not one of us is normal… well, except you, Dani.”
“Thanks, Erin.” I smiled back with attitude. “I may be vanilla, but your secrets give me sprinkles.”
She laughed. I laughed, and it spread. We all laughed until our cheeks hurt. I don’t think it was edible-induced this time. I think we were genuinely relieved to be freed from some of our secrets. Though that didn’t mean there weren’t more lurking.
We took a break, each going our separate ways. Spencer retreated to his room. Lizzie returned to the kitchen. Zora went to the bedroom to change clothes. That was my direction too, with Erin following close behind.
Our candles sat on the dresser, casting an amber glow across the room. I leaned against the dresser, bracing for a barrage of questions from Erin, but she was uncharacteristically quiet. Zora grabbed her clothes and disappeared into the bathroom. Erin sat on the bed, looking at me.
“Go ahead,” I encouraged.
She took a moment, then spoke earnestly. “How did you do it? I couldn’t wait to tell someone I was a witch, but you took secret-keeping to a new level. How do you keep your mouth shut about a witch, a vampire, a psychic, and a smut writer? How?”
It wasn’t hard to explain. “It wasn’t always easy, but you’re ALL family to me. I have to protect you, and that means keeping your secrets.”
Erin shook her head slowly. “They don’t make people like you anymore.”
“No, they don’t.” Spencer’s voice came from the doorway. He stood there with Lizzie beside him. Zora returned from the bathroom too.
“I thought we were taking a break?” I asked, standing up, slightly embarrassed by the compliment and my claim that they were family. That was something I usually only said around Bex.
Spencer came forward for a hug, and I met him. As we embraced, I felt more warmth and bodies. It was a group hug with me at the center. I let myself relax and smile, feeling the genuine affection radiating from all of them.
As we separated, I noticed how quiet it had gotten. I commented that the storm seemed to be dying down. I checked my watch, we were minutes from midnight, but that’s not what caught my attention. I saw our ghost in the doorway and gasped.
“What did you just see?” Erin asked sharply.
“Our ghost.” I turned to Erin, decision made. “Bex will kill me, and I know I shouldn’t do this, but let’s talk to her.” I shook my head and tried to look prepared. Looking around, I found smiles. Erin was practically vibrating with excitement when everyone agreed.
Feedback, Please!
Now that you’ve read the chapter, I’m curious to hear your thoughts on the change in tone and approach.
What did you think of the new, “spicier” direction? Did it fit the characters and the moment, or did it feel like a jarring shift from the normal writing?
I’m particularly interested in your take on:
The pacing of the intimate scene.
The use of Zora’s psychometry ability to create that intense moment.
How the group’s reaction to the scene landed for you.
Your feedback will help me decide how to handle the tone in future chapters!
Harlo
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