Tortured Souls (The Orion Circle) by Kimber Leigh Wheaton

Fatigue wears at me from lack of sleep. Were it not for caffeine, I’m not sure I’d survive at all.
    Drama rehearsal this afternoon was brutal. Mr. Holmes was in rare form… nasty form that is. Nothing was done right, and he forced Daniel and me to stay an extra hour after the rest of the cast left. Between my “lack of anything resembling grace”, and Daniel’s “caterwauling”, I can’t help but wonder why we were cast in the first place. On the ride home, I cried—I actually cried in front of Daniel. I’m just grateful I didn’t cry in front of that asshat director.
    Worst of all, Daniel wouldn’t leak a hint about my test tonight. After all we’d been through together at rehearsal, he kept his mouth zipped.
    Rebecca, Daniel, and Logan are taking me out tonight for a test of my new control. They’ve all been so tight-lipped about it. I’m back to imagining animal sacrifices in a graveyard.
    I drop my backpack and stare at my bed in longing. A glance at the clock shows there’s no time to even consider a nap. Daniel said he’d be back in less than an hour. Plopping on the bed, I devour the fried chicken I nabbed from the kitchen downstairs, washing it down with a diet soda. When I’m finished, I peel off my clothes and head for a quick shower. I swear I worked up more of a sweat at rehearsal today than at a cross country meet.

    “Downtown?” I ask, staring out the window of Daniel’s SUV. “Come on, it’s time to spill. Where are we going?”
    “Oh, here and there,” Rebecca says from the front seat. “By the time we’re through, I think it will be four or five places total.”
    “Please guys,” I say, close to tears. “I can’t take this anymore. The visions are getting worse and I’m not handling life well right now. And after Mr. Holmes this afternoon…”
    “Shh, Kacie, it’s going to be fun. I promise,” Logan says as he takes my hand in his, weaving our fingers together. “You’re going to love it.”
    My stomach flutters. “Really?” I ask, staring at our entwined hands. If Logan plans to hold my hand tonight, then I think I can handle anything.
    “Cici, I guarantee you a fun time tonight,” Daniel says, glancing at me in the review mirror. “And you were fantastic this afternoon, by the way. I think Mr. Holmes is having boyfriend trouble which is turning him into a monster.”
    “So I didn’t have ‘elephant feet’?” I ask, cringing at the phrase the director used to describe my dancing.
    “Hell, no,” Daniel says laughing. “Dancing may not be your strongest suit, but you’re still good. Besides, you have the voice of an angel.”
    “Thanks, I needed that,” I murmur, smiling at his compliment. “And you didn’t sound like ‘an alley cat in heat’ either. You have a very nice baritone.”
    “Thanks,” Daniel says snorting. “We’re taking you downtown for a ghost tour. You’ll love it.”
    “Daniel!” Rebecca’s shriek makes me cringe. “You weren’t supposed to tell her.”
    “Really? A ghost tour sounds like a lot of fun,” I reply, ignoring Rebecca’s outburst.
    “It was my idea,” Rebecca says, turning in the seat to look at me. “I thought you’d have lots of chances to work on your shields with residual energy. Then Logan wants you to meet a ghost he thinks you can help.” Her gaze drops to the backseat. “And Logan’s holding your hand,” she adds in a squeal.
    “It’s a great idea, Rebecca,” I say, trying to sound casual and normal. “I’ve never been on a ghost tour.”
    “Forget that,” Rebecca says, pushing her glasses up her nose. “Are you two like officially together?”
    “I-I don—” I mutter.
    “I hope so,” Logan says over my stammering.
    I glance at him, praying my face isn’t as red as it feels. His smile is breathtaking, and I sigh a bit under my breath. He seems to be waiting for an answer, but I don’t think my voice will work no matter how hard I try. I nod, giving him a shy smile while