Page 15 of Cursed Sight
His face scrunched in thought before he exhaled. “So, we keep you near a hospital?”
She laughed. “I’m not staying near a hospital. We’ll have to come up with a different plan. Have you had any other visions?”
“No.”
“Dreams? I wonder if this vision has to do with the one you mentioned before.”
Ethan’s eyes rounded. “Oh. Shit. Could they be linked?”
“Maybe, or it could be what you said before. You saw Brandy or my fingers with blood on them.”
He closed his eyes, and his nose flared. Serena watched him, feeling a surge of magic in the room as he tapped into his gifts. Ethan faced her and shook his head. “No. In my gut, the two aren’t related. The dream hands were too bloody to be a couple of drops for a spell.”
“Why do you think this vision woke up more magic?” she asked. It was not his only prior vision. They had spoken of previous ones, but the ones they were discussing now were the first he was reluctant to share. Then again, she could not imagine having to tell someone about a vision of them lying dead in a puddle of blood.
Ethan flashed her a sad smile. “Maybe because someone I care about was hurt?”
They shared a quiet moment. Ignoring what she had learned about their connection, there was no doubt she cared about him. He was a kind, funny, and loyal person… friend even. She could not imagine reacting any differently if the roles were reversed.
“I guess now we get to add controlling your telekinesis to the lineup,” she joked, hoping to lessen the serious conversation. “Finish your tea. We have a lot of work ahead of us.”
“I don’t suppose there is any way we can figure out who does this to you?” he asked, after a large gulp of cooled tea.
She smiled. “An oracle with years of training could dig in and learn more, but the chances of getting you there before I’m stabbed? It’ll be pretty slim, but then again, your family keeps surprising me.”
“Wearepretty awesome,” he teased.
Serena rolled her eyes, and his answering grin sent the butterflies in her stomach into a tizzy. “Speaking of which—”
“Which witch?” he joked.
“Shut it! Why were you checking in on me? Are you sure you’re not leaving something out?” she asked, recalling his texts when Brandy had visited.
Ethan laid a hand on her knee, and his expression went serious. “Serena. I count you as part of the people I care about. I only wanted to make sure you were okay. I promise I’m not leaving out any other important information.”
His hand was warm, and the touch was meant to be comforting. Her body did not care about comfort, however, as heat made her core tighten with delicious need. A flutter in her chest reminded her of her own feelings toward him. She searched his face and smiled. “Okay, but remember, the only way I can help you grow is with complete honesty.”
She’d need at least Ethan’s complete honesty. If she was to be completely truthful, she’d have to admit things she was not ready to.
He stared into her eyes for a moment, capturing her full attention and drawing her in like a moth to a flame. “I’ll be your best student yet,” he whispered.
Chapter 11
After the vision of Serena being stabbed on his last visit, Ethan found the pull to Serena had doubled or even tripled. The idea that someone out there wanted to hurt her lit his blood on fire. He was more determined than ever to learn and expand on the gifts of his ancestors.
When Brandy had been targeted, he’d felt the desperate urge to do what he could to protect her too. But she was his blood, his closest friend and sibling. Serena was a gorgeous woman who checked all his boxes, but lust was not enough of a driving force for him to climb on his white steed and attempt to save her.
She had worked her way into what he considered his inner circle. He remembered their near kiss and the disappointment he’d felt when Max interrupted them. Fueled by desire, what he felt was far from innocent.
Ethan could not explain what he was experiencing when it came to his relationship with Serena, and he did not feel comfortable asking anyone. Hell, he was not even sure if Serena would have kissed him back or if she would have slapped him for screwing with their easy friendship.
Now he needed to dig deep and understand not only one complicated gift but a second power.
After they worked into the early morning, Ethan slipped from the shop under a cloak of protection in case whatever he had seen was still waiting on him. Wiped after multiple lessons, it did not take him long to fall asleep. Serena was a tough teacher, but they had made progress. After deciding to focus on his oracle powers first, he barely practiced on his telekinesis. The only times he lost control and moved objects was when he envisioned her still body covered in blood.
He continued every night after work for the next few days, but he needed a break. Using the excuse of wanting to check in on Max’s progress, Ethan decided to visit him at home after peeking in on him in his kitchen.
Ethan stepped onto the elevator to go to Max’s floor, and a woman joined him. She wore a skintight white dress, with one strap over a thin shoulder. and sky-high heels, nearly bringing her to his height.
