real dad. And while other supernaturals could see Kylie’s brain pattern, she had yet to learn to open up to let anyone get a deeper glimpse.
“Are you doing the mental exercises I told you to do?” Holiday asked.
“Yes,” Kylie said, and watched the camp leader’s brow crease. At least twenty minutes a day, Kylie was supposed to meditate. But so far it hadn’t helped, or at least if it had, no one had told her.
“Anything?” Kylie asked, not wanting to be the odd duck anymore.
“No. You’re still tight as a drum. Any luck reading anyone?”
“No. Maybe I’m a supernatural retard.”
Holiday rolled her eyes. “If anything I think it’s just the opposite. I think your brain is holding off giving you your powers until it thinks you’re capable and mature enough to deal with them.”
“Are you calling me immature?” Kylie made her point and stuck out her tongue.
“Not immature.” Holiday chuckled. “I think you’re wiser than a lot of girls your age.” Her expression went serious again. “But that doesn’t mean that you haven’t got a lot to learn.” Holiday stood up. “Do you think you can sleep now?”
“Maybe,” Kylie said, but deep down, she doubted it.
Holiday got to the door, then turned back. “Oh, about the ghost problems. If she doesn’t give you anything to work with the next time she shows up, tell her you’re going to shut her out until she offers something more concrete. Then do it. If she doesn’t give you something different, change channels on her. Nothing ticks off a ghost more than being ignored. That usually makes them figure out a better approach.”
“How do I change channels?” Kylie asked.
“Concentrate on something else. It has to be something you want to think about.” Holiday’s brow rose as if she’d just remembered something.
“Like making out with Derek.”
56/375
Kylie saw something in the camp leader’s eyes and she knew. “Burnett told you.”
Holiday nodded. “And I’m not going to get involved with that, but just promise me you’re not doing anything you’ll regret.”
“Nothing happened,” Kylie said.
“This time.” Holiday let go of another of her deep sighs.
Kylie sat up a little straighter. “Derek would never try to pressure me into … anything.”
Holiday’s chin lowered and her gaze zeroed in on Kylie with startling effect. “It’s not Derek I’m worried about, Kylie.” Kylie looked down at her hands, feeling exposed. How did Holiday know how close Kylie was to giving in? Then Kylie remembered Holiday was just like Derek—she could read people’s emotions. Obviously, just being around Derek had Kylie putting out turned-on vibrations. Good grief, she might as well just put a sign around her neck that said I’M HORNY. And wasn’t that just lovely?
“Kylie … it’s nothing to be embarrassed about. And I’m not asking you not to … What I’m asking is that when you do make that decision, it’s a decision you make rationally and not one you just let happen. You understand the difference?”
Kylie nodded.
“Good.” Holiday walked out.
Even after the door closed, Kylie’s chest filled with even more emotion—embarrassment, uncertainty, and a touch of resentment. She didn’t want Holiday or anyone knowing her deepest emotions or desires.
Then she recalled the sister-like bond she’d found with Holiday, the one Kylie totally valued. She supposed there was a downside to every good bond. She supposed a real older sister, even an all-human one, would have felt compelled to talk to her about sex.
As Kylie dropped her head back on the pillow, she remembered how it had felt to kiss Derek and wondered if she could ever make a rational 57/375
decision where he was concerned. Especially when he had the ability to control her emotions.
Socks leapt up on the mattress, and Kylie was totally caught off guard when her thoughts went from kissing Derek to kissing Lucas.
Great. Just freaking great. She grabbed
“Are you doing the mental exercises I told you to do?” Holiday asked.
“Yes,” Kylie said, and watched the camp leader’s brow crease. At least twenty minutes a day, Kylie was supposed to meditate. But so far it hadn’t helped, or at least if it had, no one had told her.
“Anything?” Kylie asked, not wanting to be the odd duck anymore.
“No. You’re still tight as a drum. Any luck reading anyone?”
“No. Maybe I’m a supernatural retard.”
Holiday rolled her eyes. “If anything I think it’s just the opposite. I think your brain is holding off giving you your powers until it thinks you’re capable and mature enough to deal with them.”
“Are you calling me immature?” Kylie made her point and stuck out her tongue.
“Not immature.” Holiday chuckled. “I think you’re wiser than a lot of girls your age.” Her expression went serious again. “But that doesn’t mean that you haven’t got a lot to learn.” Holiday stood up. “Do you think you can sleep now?”
“Maybe,” Kylie said, but deep down, she doubted it.
Holiday got to the door, then turned back. “Oh, about the ghost problems. If she doesn’t give you anything to work with the next time she shows up, tell her you’re going to shut her out until she offers something more concrete. Then do it. If she doesn’t give you something different, change channels on her. Nothing ticks off a ghost more than being ignored. That usually makes them figure out a better approach.”
“How do I change channels?” Kylie asked.
“Concentrate on something else. It has to be something you want to think about.” Holiday’s brow rose as if she’d just remembered something.
“Like making out with Derek.”
56/375
Kylie saw something in the camp leader’s eyes and she knew. “Burnett told you.”
Holiday nodded. “And I’m not going to get involved with that, but just promise me you’re not doing anything you’ll regret.”
“Nothing happened,” Kylie said.
“This time.” Holiday let go of another of her deep sighs.
Kylie sat up a little straighter. “Derek would never try to pressure me into … anything.”
Holiday’s chin lowered and her gaze zeroed in on Kylie with startling effect. “It’s not Derek I’m worried about, Kylie.” Kylie looked down at her hands, feeling exposed. How did Holiday know how close Kylie was to giving in? Then Kylie remembered Holiday was just like Derek—she could read people’s emotions. Obviously, just being around Derek had Kylie putting out turned-on vibrations. Good grief, she might as well just put a sign around her neck that said I’M HORNY. And wasn’t that just lovely?
“Kylie … it’s nothing to be embarrassed about. And I’m not asking you not to … What I’m asking is that when you do make that decision, it’s a decision you make rationally and not one you just let happen. You understand the difference?”
Kylie nodded.
“Good.” Holiday walked out.
Even after the door closed, Kylie’s chest filled with even more emotion—embarrassment, uncertainty, and a touch of resentment. She didn’t want Holiday or anyone knowing her deepest emotions or desires.
Then she recalled the sister-like bond she’d found with Holiday, the one Kylie totally valued. She supposed there was a downside to every good bond. She supposed a real older sister, even an all-human one, would have felt compelled to talk to her about sex.
As Kylie dropped her head back on the pillow, she remembered how it had felt to kiss Derek and wondered if she could ever make a rational 57/375
decision where he was concerned. Especially when he had the ability to control her emotions.
Socks leapt up on the mattress, and Kylie was totally caught off guard when her thoughts went from kissing Derek to kissing Lucas.
Great. Just freaking great. She grabbed
Similar Books
