CHAPTER 15
The distinction between Type One and Type Three perception is analogous to the difference between having a telephone conversation and hearing speech through a wall. Type One individuals can establish a direct cognitive link with an entity. Although such occurrences are exceedingly rare, they’re also exceptionally dangerous. An entity able to communicate clearly within the mind possesses capabilities that extend far beyond speech.
—Near Death Perception: How a Near-Death Experience Changes the Brain, by Benjamin Ashford
Donny runs his scanner on the trees for half an hour before emerging, brushing leaves off his jacket.
“Whatever was there is gone now, but there was certainly something in there,” he says. “Not long ago.”
I rub my forehead, making circles where the pulling sensation has finally released. The bone feels sore, like something grabbed the front of my skull and yanked hard enough to leave a mark, even though I know there’s nothing there.
“I really did feel something,” I say, hating how small my voice sounds.
“I believe you.” Donny’s eyes are bright as he studies me. “This is fascinating. I wonder if it was energy you sensed.”
“But I heard it,” I say. “Could I have heard energy?”
“Frankly, I have no idea what you did, but you detected something we otherwise would have missed.” He pulls his goggles onto his forehead, flattening his white hair. “That’s valuable, Eden. Very valuable.”
Griffin high-fives me. “Looks like you might make a good hire after all.”
I can’t stop the huge smile that breaks across my face.
Dawn is breaking as Griffin pulls into the garage. The sun is orange on the horizon, and that light should energize me, but I’m not even sure an entire pot of coffee could energize me now. My whole body feels like it’s made of lead.
DJ shuffles toward the house, already half-asleep on her feet. I exit the van, stepping out of the way for Donny to follow, but he stays in his seat.
“You coming?” I ask.
He nods, and I notice he has a gray tinge to his skin. “I’ll be along in just a moment.”
I go to ask if he’s okay, but Griffin’s hand lands on my shoulder before I can, gently steering me toward the house.
“He’s seventy-nine and just pulled an all-nighter,” Griffin whispers. “He doesn’t like being fussed over.”
I guess I wouldn’t want someone hovering over me either if I were exhausted and just needed a minute alone. Still, I can’t help but glance back at the van once more before following Griffin.
Nico’s waiting in the doorway when we step inside, his arms crossed. My pulse does this annoying little skip.
“How’d it go?” he asks Griffin.
“Confirmed paranormal activity. But get this.” Griffin gestures at me with his thumb. “Eden could sense the energybefore our scanners picked it up. Led us straight to the hot spot. It was incredible.”
I smile up at Nico, hoping for something that acknowledges I did something right for once.
His eyes sweep over me, cold and assessing, before he does a curt nod. “Benji took your dog out an hour ago.” He turns to Griffin. “Get some rest.”
With that, he goes upstairs, and all the warmth rushes out of my body.
Griffin lifts his eyebrows. “Well. That was frosty.”
“Really?” I ask. “Is that not normal for him?”
“Don’t take it personally.”
“It kind of feels personal when my team leader can barely stand to look at me.” The words rush out, and I want to clamp my hand over my mouth because they sound so pathetic.
I’d thought Nico’s attitude was because he saw me as a liability. Another Bonnie. But this does feel personal. Nico doesn’t look at anyone else the way he looks at me.
