A Glimpse of the Dark Side: Adult Paranormal Erotic Romance Collection by Eden Laroux Page A

hand on the
girl's own. "It's over," she told her. "You're safe."
    Lianna got control of herself and nodded. "I'm
different, though. I can still do it , you know. Read people.
I can read everyone now. Is that normal? I mean, even for someone
like me?"
    January smiled. "Well, the first thing to get
used to is, there is no 'normal.' Everyone who has these abilities
is a little different. Just like all people are different from each
other. It sounds like you had some kind of ability all along, but
it just hadn't fully appeared yet. It's going to take some time to
get used to it. To figure out how to control it."
    "How do I do that?"
    January shrugged. "Through a lot of trial and
error. I was lucky- my mother was like me, but even she couldn't do
some of the things I can." She took the girl's hand again. "And it
sounds like you are far more talented than I am. Maybe when you've
had a chance to put all of this behind you, we can keep in touch. I
can help you with anything you need... but I have a feeling you
will do just fine on your own."
    "You really think so?"
    She smiled. "The most important thing is to have
people in your life who love you and understand you. They will give
you all the help you need."
    There was a knock on the door. Ash poked his
head in. "Sorry to intrude," he said. "January, I think we've got
everything wrapped up here. If we get in the air pretty soon, we
can have you home by nighttime." He looked at Lianna. "How are you
feeling?"
    "Much better, thank you, Agent Sterling," Lianna
said. "I just wanted to make sure I had a chance to thank January
before you guys left."
    Ash nodded and looked at January. "We couldn't
have done it without her," he said.
    January continued to stare at the door after it
had closed. When she turned back to Lianna, the girl had a big,
smug grin on her face.
    January grunted. "Hard to keep anything secret
around a budding psychic."
    "Oh please, " Lianna laughed. "It didn't
take any special powers to figure that out." Then she looked
at January seriously. "He wants to protect you, but he knows you
don't need it." She smiled. "That's why he likes you so much."
    January flushed deeply. "Are you sure I didn't
awaken your hidden powers as a noseypants?"
    "I mean it, he really likes you. Like, a lot ."
    "Okay, okay!" They said goodbye and hugged, and
January returned to the visitors' area, where Ash and Carrie were
waiting to take her home.

Chapter Twelve
    "I THINK IT'S about time to have a drink," Agent
Talbot declared. "Who's with me?"
    "I'll pass, thank you." Ash had his laptop open
on the little table between the airplane seats. He was typing
furiously.
    Agent Talbot shrugged. "Suit yourself. More..."
she stopped to read the neon-colored bottle she was holding,
"...Rad-Berry Blast Cooler for me. Where'd they get this stuff, a
sorority fund raiser?" She shook the bottle at January
invitingly.
    January smiled. "No, thanks, I think I'll just
try to get some rest."
    "Wise words," Agent Talbot said. "For all of us. Ash. The case is over. Take a break. You can type the report
tomorrow."
    He ignored her. "January, we're going to make a
quick landing in Virginia to drop off the slightly inebriated Agent
Talbot, so she can endanger pedestrians and small wildlife."
    "I'll have you know my sister is picking me up
at the airport," Agent Talbot said. "I figured if I was down here,
I might as well drop in on her." She switched to a loud stage
whisper. "She's kind of a basket-case, but she's a lot of fun."
    "Are you finished?"
    "No. I will also have you know I once did an
undercover assignment at WVU, so it takes a little more than a cup
of bubbly fruit juice to knock me off-kilter."
    "How much will it take to get you to stop
talking?" Ash turned back to January. "Anyway, after that I will
make sure you get home safely."
    "That sounds good," January lied. She thought
about her dark house, the lights she had set to turn on and off
every night with a timer. The breakfast dishes from the other