Clairvoyant (Spells and Sins)

1. Chapter 1

The rules of the Arcana Guild are very simple. They are laid out in the grimoire every coven of witches has in order to remain in good standing. Anyone who does not follow the rules is to be summoned to a hearing and will be punished in accordance with the crime that was committed.

The biggest rule is humans can never know about magic. Whenever humans find out about us, their first reaction is violence because they are afraid of what they don’t know. The Arcana Guild is a council of twenty-one witches. They make the rules, and we have to follow them.

We can’t summon beings outside of the realm we live in. No interruptions of free will. Magic can never ever be used to cause harm. All covens can’t sacrifice animals or people.

The rules aren’t hard to follow, but sometimes they are for me. I’m not like other witches in the coven, or in any coven, for that matter. I’m what is considered a clairvoyant. I have the ability to see things others can’t. I can speak to the dead, I can see them, and if I touch certain objects, I can see the past and future.

Every member of the Rune Coven has to have their own way of contributing to the coven funds.

My job as the youngest witch in the coven with this power is to go to homes or any other establishments where the owner claims they have paranormal experiences. My job is to make sure they are safe, to help whatever entity is ready to cross over, and to help families heal and move on. Sometimes, family members want to talk to a loved one who has died.

I’m that connection. Shockingly, there aren’t too many in the world like me. The Guild is aware of my ability, and they have made me promise that I do not divulge my coven’s location, name, or admit that I am a gifted witch. To humans, I’m just another human with an ability.

And it’s to stay that way.

“You’re to go to the university,” The High Priestess informs me, handing me a sheet of paper with the address written on it. “There is an old house on campus that needs renovating, but no one wants to live in it due to the haunted rumors surrounding it.” She rolls her eyes. “They want you to go there, spend the night, and make sure it is safe. The university wants it to be a fraternity house.”

“Seriously? A frat house?” I groan, taking the piece of paper from her. “This is what it’s come to? Taking jobs for a frat? There has to be better things out there. I can do so much more than decide if the house is just old with creaky steps.”

She folds her hands in front of her, placing them gently on the oak desk. “I know,” she sighs, giving me the kind of smile that says she feels bad for me. “It’s the way the Arcana Guild wants it. It’s a good way to bring the coven money—”

“—And they get a nice percentage of that, don’t they?” I mumble a little too loudly.

“Quinn,” she scolds, then leans back in her seat. “But it is frustrating, isn’t it?”

My brows raise in shock.

The High Priestess scoffs. “What? You don’t think I get frustrated too? I hate that they use you for profit, but let’s forget about them and think about all the people you have helped. People who have been scared of what is in their homes, people who needed to say goodbye to loved ones, and what about the ghosts that need your help to crossover? Yes, some jobs are a joke, but most aren’t. Just remember that when you feel angry about the circumstance.”

I plop down on the leather seat in front of her desk. “I know. You’re right. I feel like they are using me.”

“They have to. Your power is one in a million, Quinn. This is the safest way to channel it without giving away the coven status. Plenty of humans claim they have this ability, so we can easily pass this off as you were born with this ability. I mean, that isn’t wrong. We aren’t lying about what you can do. We’re just leaving out the part where you’re a witch.” She stands, coming around her desk to sit next to me. The High Priestess takes my hand and gives it a reassuring pat. “I know it is difficult, and if you ever want to talk, I’m here for you. Anything you say is safe between us. I promise.”

“Thank you, High Priestess.” The paper with the address on it crinkles as I ball it in my fist.

“Quinn, we are closer than that. In private, you can call me Natalie.”

“Sorry. It’s a tough habit to break.” I remove my hand from hers, thankful I’m wearing gloves so I can have a conversation without seeing her entire life. “What time are they expecting me? Who am I meeting there?”

“In an hour. You’ll meet someone named Beckett Blake. He is the contractor the university gave the key to. There will probably be young men there as well who have dared themselves to stay at the house. The contractor’s words. Not mine.” She purses her lips together. “It might be a little chaotic when you go there.”

“And I have to spend the night there? With them? If they try anything, I’m using my magic.”

“I wouldn’t expect anything less. Just make sure the humans are left unaware.”

Internally, I scream. I can’t stand always keeping the humans in the forefront of my mind. I understand we don’t want a war, but some days, living by the human standard is so exhausting.

“Of course, Natalie. I wouldn’t ever do anything to risk the coven.” And I truly wouldn’t. The coven is my family. I know a lot of us aren’t always too keen on following the laws the council makes us follow, but we do. All we want is peace.

And unfortunately, keeping our magic hidden from humans is the only way for that to happen.

“I know you wouldn’t.” She checks her watch and exhales. “I have a meeting in five minutes. Let me know how the reading of the house goes. They paid us a good chunk of change, so do your best, okay? This could mean an opportunity to work with the university in the future. That would be good business.”

“Of course. I’ll go pack a bag and be on my way.” I turn to walk away, but Natalie grabs my arm.

Flashes of her as a little girl running through the yard with blood on her clothes have me gasping. Her sadness and fear nearly bring me to my knees. In my vision, she turns to look over her shoulder, pigtails a mess, tears dripping down her face, and then Natalie lets go.

I double over, inhaling until my lungs can no longer expand.

“Oh, God. I’m so sorry, Quinn. I didn’t mean for you to see that. It was a natural instinct to reach out and stop you before you left because I wanted to invoke the coven bond.”

I shut my eyes, taking a deep breath as the horrific memory from her childhood fades. The rolling in my stomach doesn’t go away though. The terror she felt hangs in the depths of my gut, causing it to twist and turn.

She reaches for me again, and I flinch, backing away from her touch. “It’s okay. I need a moment. Please, don’t touch me.”

Her hand is against her heart, and her pencil-drawn brows pinch together. A piece of grey hair falls from her French Twist before she tucks it behind her ear.

“I’m so sorry, Quinn. I didn’t mean to. I feel terrible.”

“It’s okay, Natalie. Usually, when people touch my arms, I don’t get such vivid memories. All my communication is done with my hands, so the flashback took me by surprise. I’m okay, I promise.” I give her shoulder a reassuring squeeze, thankful for my gloves.

They have given me peace where I didn’t think it existed. I didn’t think I’d ever have a moment of solace. Everything I touched, I was never safe. It got to the point where I passed out at one point, unable to keep the energy it takes to give a decent reading of a person, place, or ghost.

“The coven shall not be in ruin,” I begin, stating between breaths.

High Priestess finishes the sentence, “As the Runes’ protect the coven at all costs.” Her eyes glow a fierce blue while mine become cast in silver as our eyes meet.

And if I break the bond by breaking any of the rules the coven follows, punishment will be given. No one has ever broken the rules and I don’t plan to be the first.

“I’m going to go get some water, then I’ll pack.” I walk out of the High Priestess’s office, still reeling from the vision. I’m curious about what happened, but I won’t pry. Her life isn’t my business unless she chooses to make it my business.

“Quinn!” she shouts after me as I open the door to leave. “I am sorry.”

I give her a nod before heading across the white marble tile to the kitchen. I pass a few members of the coven, and they give me a wide berth, careful not to touch me.

It’s a lonely way to live. I never get to experience something as simple as a handshake or a hug. I have never had sex and don’t plan to. I wouldn’t enjoy myself. All I’d be able to see are visions of the person I’m intimate with, learning secrets I might not want to know.

I’m better off alone, even if it means being eternally lonely. It’s better for everyone if they aren’t burdened by someone like me. The energy it would take to be with me, I wouldn’t put that on anyone.

It’s best I live the rest of my life just like this until the universe shows me mercy in my grave.

Staring at the window above the kitchen sink, I stare off into the forest while filling my glass halfway with tap water. I chug it down, allowing the cool liquid to coat my dry throat.

Hanging my head, I grip the counter, mentally preparing myself for the job that lies ahead. Taking a deep breath, I push down the exhaustion, frustration, and resentment towards my gift. This is my life. I’m used to making money for the coven. That’s my existence. I need to come to terms with that.

Turning on the faucet one more time, I cup my hands under the water and splash my face. It’s cool against my hot cheeks. I breathe a sigh of relief, the slight chill working wonders to help reduce my stress.

“You okay?” My best friend, Rian, asks me.

I look over my shoulder before grabbing a paper towel to dry my face. “I’m fine. I’m about to go to another job.”

“Another one?” She uncrosses her arms and strolls into the kitchen to stand next to me. Rian is the only one in the coven who seems unbothered by my gift. She doesn’t care. She isn’t afraid of me. She is mindful not to touch me, respecting the space I need to stay sane.

Honestly, without her, I don’t know what I’d do. She’s a safe space for me to vent. She’s the only one I can count on.

“Yeah, it’s an old house on the university campus. They want to renovate it for a frat house.” I crinkle my nose, thinking about the future of that poor house. “Apparently, I won’t be the only one there. Students like to dare one another to sleep in the house and see if they can make it all night.” I roll my eyes. “Hopefully, the contractor is decent. He has the keys, since he is the one that will renovate it.”

She rolls her index fingers in the air in a backward motion. “Let’s go back. You have another job? You just did one yesterday. Doesn’t the council know you need rest? This power you have is draining. You can’t do this every day, Quinn. It will kill you.”

Would it be so bad if it did? At least I’d finally have peace. I don’t say that out loud though. It’s a dark intrusive thought I keep to myself. I’d never hurt myself. I believe I am here for a reason and my reason is to help people. If I ever found myself on my deathbed and all that waited for me was peace, I wouldn’t be upset about it.

“I’m okay.”

She takes my gloved hands in hers. “Are you? I see how tired you are. You can’t be okay. I know you aren’t. I feel it.”

Rian’s power is similar to mine. She’s an empath. She can feel and soak up all kinds of energy. The coven uses her for interrogations, since someone’s energy shifts when they are lying.

“And you’re allowed to say no,” she adds, raising an accusatory brow at me.

I drop her hands and scoff. “Can I? We all know the council wouldn’t be happy if I said no,” I whisper, so no one can overhear. “The orders come from them. The High Priestess gives me the information. I have to do it, Rian.”

“Then let me come with you this time.”

I shake my head immediately in disagreement. “Absolutely not. I’m not putting you at risk. Your batteries will be drained.”

“I’ll take coffee. Please. Quinn. Let me go with you.” Her big round eyes stare at me to the point I can’t say no.

Rian is the type of person no one can say no to. She’s so sweet and endearing. That’s what I worry about. If we enter a house with an evil entity, she will be vulnerable, and if anything happened to her, I’d never forgive myself.

“Rian,” I sigh, exasperated. “Okay, but—” I hold up a finger “—If there is bad energy and if I know there are spirits with bad intentions, you leave. They will suck your energy until you can’t move. Promise you’ll leave. Those are my conditions.”

Rian grins, claps her hands, and jumps up and down. “Ah! Yay! A sleepover in a creepy house. I’m so excited. We are going to have so much fun.” She spins on her heels and bolts out of the kitchen.

Her footsteps are quick and loud, rushing up the steps to her room. Her excitement makes me smile and the dread I was once feeling is gone. I’m excited which is something I haven’t felt in a long time.

My bedroom is on the main floor, unlike Rian’s. I toss the paper towel I used in the trash on my way to my room. Strolling out of the kitchen, I take a right down the dark hallway.

Old photos line the walls of previous coven members. Photos that date back to the days when images were in black and white. I love seeing how pictures range in color, reminding me of the history and importance of the Rune Coven.

And I’m a part of it.

I enter my room, rushing to pack a bag of extra clothes and toiletries. I only take what I need for the night, toss the bag over my shoulder, snag my car keys, and leave.

“Oh my God!” I jump when I see Rian standing in the doorway with her own bag, a giant smile on her face. “You scared me.” My heart is beating a hundred miles an hour.

“Sorry. I’m just so excited. Okay. Let’s go. Come on. Come on. I want to get there.”

I shake my head, but then I’m grinning because her excitement is so infectious. “I don’t know why you’re so pumped. I bet it’s just an old house with creaky floors and a draft from a broken window.” I scoot by her, chuckling when I see her pout.

“Don’t be such a fuddy-duddy. I want there to be excitement. I’ve never gone to a job with you. This will be so awesome. What if there is a demon? What do you do then?”

“Exorcise it. Luckily, those aren’t too common.”

“Do we need holy water?”

“I have it in the trunk of the car at all times, along with a script I use if I do have to exorcise a demon. You won’t be there for that if it happens. It will feed on your energy until you have nothing left to fight it off, and then it will possess you. I’m serious, Rian. When I tell you to leave, you leave.” I open the front door, looking at her over my shoulder so she can see how serious I am. “Promise me.”

Her brows furrow as she nods her head. “I promise, Quinn. Really. I understand.”

“Okay,” I blow out a breath of relief. “Plus, the High Priestess would be pissed if something happened to you when you aren’t supposed to be coming with me to these jobs.”

“She’ll live,” Rian grumbles, matching my pace as we head to the car.

It’s a gloomy evening. Thunder rolls somewhere in the distance. The air is damp with a promise of rain and the breeze slightly picks up, causing the ends of my hair to dance over my shoulders.

Any storms tonight will generate more energy, which will work in my favor if there is any paranormal activity in the house.

“Crap,” Rian says as she shuts the car door to the passenger side. “Don’t we need blankets?”

“All in the trunk with sleeping bags. I keep my car ready so I don’t have to worry about it. Along with snacks and water.”

“You have thought of everything.”

“I have to.” I shrug a shoulder, turning the key in the ignition. I tap my fingers on the steering wheel, a sudden burst of nerves washing over me. It happens every time I go to a job, but there’s something different about this one.

I feel it and I can’t put my finger on the emotion itself because I’ve never felt anything like it before.

Rian cranks up the radio, blaring a song I don’t know as we head down the tree-lined driveway that heads to the main road. Rian sings off-key as if she doesn’t have a care in the world while I chew on my thumbnail.

Something feels…off.

I punch in the address on my phone and follow the directions the GPS gives me, taking a right at the end of the driveway. I’m completely lost in thought, tuning out Rian’s off-key singing, and following the road.

The clouds become darker the further into town we get. The wind picks up, cooling the inside of the car, and the tops of the trees sway. Weather is related to how the night will go. I truly believe that. With the storm activity, I think we will have a successful night.

A flutter spreads across my chest, a feeling of excitement, and it has me pressing harder on the gas pedal. The engine purrs as it gains momentum. Rain begins to sprinkle, but I leave the windows rolled down to bring in the refreshing air.

I love the smell of rain. It brings me peace and helps rejuvenate me when I feel run down and tired.

Rian is still singing off-key at the top of her lungs and I glance over, smiling from ear to ear, when she starts playing the air drums.

She’s unbothered.

I strive to be like that one day. I’ve always been envious of Rian. She’s a carefree soul, laid back, and never gets angry. I think it has to do with her empathic nature. Her energy is better used elsewhere. Any amount of confrontation exhausts her to the point where she will sleep for days until she is rejuvenated again.

“We’re close,” she singsongs, pointing outside the window to the campus library.

Instead of replying, I give a soft smile because my heart beats faster as the minutes tick down until we are at the house. I steal one last glance at the huge cathedral-like building where students are coming in and out before turning left down a new street.

We pass the majority of the main campus. Students hustle, walking swiftly to their next classes. Many of them are in sweatpants and baggy shirts, with messy hair, and a coffee in hand.

I’m not even in college and that’s my every day. Adulthood is a vampire, and it sucks the souls out of all of us.

“Woah,” Rian whispers in shock when we take a right down another street, but it’s a dead-end road.

At the very end of the street where the road turns into a roundabout, an old run-down gothic-style home that matches the university building’s stands. There are many high-pointed arches and large windows, and the home itself is very tall, which is typical of Gothic-style homes.

The porch is circular with a wide staircase and gorgeous detailing that is common in Gothic architecture.

“This house looks haunted. I’m just going to say it. It has to be,” Rian says. She points up to the second floor. “Look at that window. You can’t tell me a ghost doesn’t peek out of it every night.”

I snicker, parking my car behind a beat-up work truck that says “Blake’s Construction” on the side of it.

In fine print under the company name is where I understand why he is here. The slogan for the company is, “Renovating history for four generations.”

“You want to see if it is haunted?” I ask her.

She rubs her hands together like a villain in a movie. “I’m so excited.”

“Too excited.” I narrow my eyes, tapping my fingers on the steering wheel. “I’m starting to think you’re going to like this so much, I’m going to have to bring you on every job.”

She squeals. “Oh my God, how amazing would that be? We would need a cool team name. We should brainstorm about that.”

“If I leave it up to you, it would be ridiculous. Like Haunted Whores or something,” I snicker, opening the door to get out of the car.

She slams her door, placing her arms on the roof of the car. “Would that be so bad? It kind of has a ring to it.”

“I feel like people would think they were getting strippers.” I crinkle my nose in distaste.

“Again. I’m not seeing the issue.”

We both fall into a fit of laughter as I open the trunk. We gather all the supplies, our bags included. The rain is a refreshing mist against my warm cheeks and the breeze stirs the autumn leaves around my feet.

“Ready?” Rian asks me as we stand in the middle of the path.

The sidewalk leading to the stairs is covered in dirt and moss from being ignored for years. A few cracks vein in each section, showing the age of the property.

“I’m always ready.” I shove the strap of my overnight bag up my shoulder and take a deep breath, that unfamiliar flutter causing havoc in my chest. Taking off my right glove, I stretch and curl my fingers, as they are finally free. “Remember not to touch any of my exposed skin,” I remind Rian.

“I know,” she says softly. “I won’t forget unless it means I have to grab your hand to save your life if you are about to fall down the steps.”

I’m about to reply when the front door opens to the house. A man steps out onto the porch in work boots that thud on the old wood. His hoody says “Blake Construction” and I can’t see his face to decide if he is kind. He’s giant though, nearly as tall as one of the pillars holding up the roof of the porch. He’s broad, with wide shoulders from hard labor.

And the closer he gets, the more the flutter in my chest hums. My body warms as if it is a hundred degrees outside. Time slows as my eyes watch him descend the steps. He stops directly in front of me and drops his hood.

Both Rian and I gasp.

He has one green eye and one brown eye, with a head full of wavy salt and pepper hair, but he can’t be over thirty-five years old. He smiles at me, his eyes locking onto my face, and that’s when I notice the crooked grin.

“I’m Beckett Blake. I think I’m meeting you here today, Ms. Rune.” He holds out his hand to shake mine.

“I’m Rian!” My friend chirps in with a wave.

“You can call me Quinn,” I manage to say through a dry tongue. “I can’t shake your hand. I hope you understand. I’ll see all your secrets.”

“I don’t have anything to hide, Quinn. And I don’t think I’d care if you knew everything about me.” His eyes search mine and something about them feels so familiar, so safe, that I find myself reaching for his hand.

I never do that.

“Quinn,” Rian hisses in warning.

I ignore her, following the unknown flutter that is so loud inside me that I have no choice but to listen.

My palm meets his. Static dances between our hands, and the wind whirls with new power. Thunder rolls above us as the clouds darken, yet inside me is a fire filling a void I’ve been missing my entire life.

I can’t read him. I see absolutely nothing about his life or his future.

I’ve met my twin flame, the man who completes the other half of my soul, the person who completes me in ways no one else can. It’s been said that twin flames always find each other in every life and every universe.

Now I know why he feels so familiar. I’ve met him before and I’ve loved him every single time. I can’t see his history because I’m not allowed to see our pasts.

I let go of his hand like it burned me, swallowing so hard it is loud and audible.

“It’s nice to meet you, Quinn.” He gives me that crooked grin that has me almost missing a step as I go up the stairs. He catches me by my bare arms, his touch not affecting me. “I’ve got you.”

Our eyes lock onto one another again. Even though I can’t see all of our past lives together, I can feel them as if I’m reliving them all at once.

This can’t be happening. He is human. There are strict rules about humans and magic. If he is my twin flame, then I’m assuming in every life he has known that I’m a witch.

“I swear, I know you, or I’ve met you before,” he states, his deep voice reminding me of what home truly feels like. “I would never forget a face like yours,” he whispers in a way that tells me he didn’t mean for that to be heard.

“Maybe I just have one of those faces,” I reply with weak knees. If he wasn’t holding onto me, I’d fall down the steps.

My brain has slowed. I can barely manage a thought.

He shakes his head. “There’s no way. You have the face a man remembers for lifetimes.” Beckett’s eyes drop to my lips before lifting to my eyes again. “How about I give you a tour of the house and you can explain to me why you’re here.”

Rian drops the bags on the porch. “You don’t know? No one told you?”

“They just told me to be here and allow any students in for the experience. I don’t know what that means.”

My stomach drops. The new flutter in my chest dies. Anxiety grips my heart like a wicked fist, laughing in my misery. He’s going to think I’m a whack job.

Not wanting to, but needing to, I ease myself free from his grip and climb the remainder of the stairs. Rian gives me a quick, questionable look and I shake her off.

“I’m Quinn Rune. The university wants me to do a reading on the house to see if it is haunted before you renovate it.”

His brows rise. “A reading?”

“She can see the dead, talk to them, see the past, present, and future, and can even help them move on. Quinn is what you call a Clairvoyant. Her abilities are even stronger when she touches an object.”

It dawns on him as he looks at my hand. “Which is why you didn’t want to shake my hand.”

I nod, a little embarrassed.

“What did you see?”

“You believe me?” I question in shock.

He lifts a shoulder, lifting his arm to scratch the back of his head. “I’m open to all things. I don’t know what all this world has to offer. If I did, I’d be an idiot. Am I skeptical? A little. Naturally. Do I think you’re insane?” He flashes that damn crooked smile again. “No. I don’t.”

He opens the ancient wooden french doors. The hinges groan, welcoming us to the place they have allowed so many people to enter.

“You never answered me about what you saw when you touched me,” he says, stepping through the entrance to the main lobby.

I glance at Rian, knowing she’s going to understand what I mean when I answer him.

“I didn’t see anything. That rarely happens. It means I can’t read you.”

Rian coughs so loud, it becomes awkward. “Sorry. I’m sorry. I had a tickle in my throat.”

“Does that bother you?”

I shake my head, crossing the threshold of the house. I glance up at the old chandelier hanging. A few pieces of crystal are missing. The dust and cobwebs are so thick, I can’t see the color of the metal. “It’s actually a relief.”

A commotion sounds from the living room, yet we are the only ones in the house.

“We aren’t alone here.”