“The point of this exercise is to boost your own powers by using the energy of another. Gabriel’s gift lies in his ability to attach himself to the energy of others. Like a leech.”
As annoyed as she was with Gabe’s character assassination on her, Riley didn’t know how she felt about anyone else dissing him. “A what now?”
“A leech attaches itself to a host and makes the host’s blood available to itself. Gabriel can attach himself to your gifts and enhance your energy.”
This was weird. Even for a Thorn.
“Okaaaaaaay,” Riley said, wondering if her grandmother had broken into Mrs. Penny’s Bloody Mary mix.
“You will begin.”
“Begin? Begin what? What are we doing?”
“I will follow your lead,” Gabe told Riley. “Ask your spirit guides a question, and I will make myself available to aide you in interpreting the answer.”
Riley was feeling a bit raw and didn’t know if she was ready to forgive and forget. He was her friend. Friends weren’t supposed to notice your crappy parts. And if they did, they certainly weren’t supposed to throw them in your face.
Her resistance crumbled under the weight of her grandmother’s glare.
“Fine. But what do I ask? I already had a chat with Dead Bianca at the sauna seance.”
Her grandmother’s eyes narrowed sharply.
“Perhaps find another question for which you do not have the answer,” Gabe said cryptically.
“Find out where Larry is,” Nick called from behind her.
“Good idea.”
“Okay. Let’s get this over with.”
“That is not the attitude that brings your gifts into sharp focus. That is the attitude of a moping child slamming their bedroom door,” Elanora said coldly.
Riley felt her nostrils flaring even as she realized her mean grandmother was right. Just because she didn’twantto be a psychic didn’t give her an excuse for not being the best damn psychic she could be. She made a mental note to consider turning that bit of wisdom into a motivational poster with a kitten.
“Fine. I’m ready to begin,” Riley announced.
She closed her eyes and shut out the rest of the room. Bringing her breath into focus, she called up her admittedly sporadic training and dropped lightly and intentionally back into Cotton Candy World.
“Hello, spirit guides. It’s me, Riley.”
“I am Gabe.”
Gabe wasinher cotton candy world. She couldn’t see him, but she could certainly sense his presence. Steady. Calming. Good.Familiar.
Just like the presence she’d felt during her vision with Bianca. “Hey. Were you in my head at the seance too?”
“I was. I should have sought your permission beforehand, but I was concerned for your well-being.”
Suddenly, she felt like a jerk for being mad at him. Gabe didn’t mean to hurt her on purpose. He’d simply been telling her a truth she needed to hear.
“Thank you for being here, Gabe,” she said sincerely.
“You are most welcome, Riley. I am honored.”
“Okay, spirit guides. We’re here to find out where Larry Rupley is. He disappeared over a week ago, and we need to find him.”
The clouds pulsed lazily. She’d learned that the energy in the clouds directly reflected her own energy. And after falling through a roof having sex, sleeping on the lumpiest divan in the history of furniture, getting glitter bombed and boot camped, she was running low on fuel.
