Reese didn’t know what to say. Russell had always been a bit rough around the edges, but before last year, she would’ve never thought he was capable of half the things he’d done.
“Come on, let’s go find Hallie and Skyla,” Orly said. Reese followed her across the yard to where the other two women were sitting on the porch. They were laughing and the sound traveled, making Reese smile. The air was warm tonight, and the barely there soft lighting made it easy for her to relax and not worry about accidentally making eye contact with anyone.
“Can we join you?” Orly asked.
“Of course.” Hallie pulled Orly to sit on the swing bench next to her. Skyla was curled up in one of the oversized chairs, leaving the other chair for Reese. She sat, but wasn’t quite sure what to say. She was still processing everything Orly had told her.
“So, I didn’t say anything before, but this is the woman who I talked to when I was being held at Desert Cove,” Orly announced to the women without preamble.
Both Hallie and Skyla gave little gasps and all eyes went to Reese, making her quickly cast her own gaze down, more out of habit than fear of activating her ability.
“Don’t be shy about it,” Orly said. ‘You saved us both that day. You have nothing to feel bad about.”
“It’s not that,” Reese started to say, wishing she didn’t always have to be so awkward around people. She’d decided to start looking people in the eye, but she still just couldn’t bring herself to do it. Maybe she wasn’t the bad ass Garrett thought she was after all.
“Thank you,” Hallie said. “For saving my best friend’s life. I didn’t even know Orly back then, but I’ve heard the story many times, and she would’ve never gotten out without your help.”
Reese felt her cheeks burning. She hadn’t done anything to help Orly that night. She was only trying to help herself. “We helped each other,” she conceded. “I’m just so grateful for Orly's incredible gift.”
“It has its moments,” Orly said. “Though most days it’s a pain. If I didn’t know I was actually helping people, I think I would straight up hate it.”
“Oh, I totally hate mine,” Hallie said.
Reese looked up at Hallie, seeing the dark shadows where the woman’s eyes would be if they weren’t sitting in the dark. Reese had suspected Hallie had a paranormal ability, but she wasn’t about to say anything unless the other woman mentioned it first.
Hallie shrugged. “I figured since you know about Orly, you might as well know about the rest of us. I can see glimpses of the future, but they hardly ever help anyone. Most of the time, they just scare me and give me nightmares. Caden is such an angel for putting up with all my drama.”
Skyla laughed. “Yours is practically a walk in the park. Try being used as a healing pawn by your own father and a crazed motorcycle club president.”
“A what?” Reese asked, not quite understanding her reference. “What do you meana healing pawn?”
“It means she can heal people with just a touch,” Orly explained.
Reese’s jaw dropped. Literally dropped. “Seriously?”
“Well, it’s more complicated than that. I have to touch their blood, and it can take a while, and it usually leaves me feeling drained and somewhat helpless afterwards. But, yeah…”
“Wow.” That was the only word that came close to describing what Reese was thinking at the moment. “And I thought I had it bad.”
“What do you mean?” Hallie asked.
“Oh no,” Skyla breathed. “That’s why Vivian had you, isn’t it?”
Reese took a deep breath, feeling all their eyes on her again. These women had shared their gifts with her, so it was only fair that she explain to them why they were sitting in near total darkness. “I’ve only told a few people. My family, including Russell, obviously, and I recently told Garrett.”
“You don’t have to tell us,” Orly said.
“Only if you want to,” Hallie insisted.
Reese took a deep breath. Did she want to tell them about what she could do? No. But somehow, she felt that she needed to. “When I look into someone’s eyes, I can see the moment of their death. Basically, when their soul leaves their body.”
A hush came over the space and once again she felt all eyes on her. “Is that why Garrett insisted there not be any bright lights?” Orly asked.
Reese nodded. “It’s the only way I can not worry about accidentally looking into someone’s eyes.”
“I think it’s our turn to say wow,” Skyla said. “But, wait, what happens if you do look into someone’s eyes? Does it hurt you?”
Reese tucked her legs up under herself, mostly to just get more comfortable. “No, it doesn’t hurt, but it can affect me. Sometimes I see peaceful deaths, but other times, I’ll see someone get shot or killed in a car accident or a plane crash, or worse.”
