Prologue
CJ
Seven years ago
“Auntie Betty!” I squeal, launching myself into the arms of Aunt Meg’s best friend of nearly forty years the moment she walks into the living room.
“Oh, sugar, look at you,” she gushes, wrapping me in her familiar vanilla-scented embrace, her curly blond hair poofing against the side of my face. “All grown up and almost done with college, for goodness’ sakes.”
“Well, I guess we all know who CJ is really excited to see this year,” Aunt Meg says drily from the archway to the foyer.
I stick my tongue out. “You know I love you too,” I assure Aunt Meg.
Auntie Betty presses me away and scans me from head to toe, her eyes landing on the obnoxious sweater that’s sure to win the family’s annual ugly Christmas sweater contest. “What on Earth is that?”
I grin widely. “It’s the periodic table,” I explain. “Arranged to look like a Christmas tree.”
“Nerd alert,” my twin brother says as he enters from the kitchen. He saunters up indifferently, but his cool college guy façade is betrayed by the kiss he gives Auntie Betty on the cheek. “Merry Christmas, Betty.”
Auntie Betty arches an eyebrow. “Merry Christmas, Matthew,” she replies acerbically.
He huffs quietly but doesn’t respond. I hide my smile. Matt hates being called Matthew. Auntie Betty one, Matthew zero.
We all settle in on the couches, Uncle Chuck joining us with a pre-dinner tray of deviled eggs. Christmas day in the Roberts household means a string of visitors, an overwhelming amount of Christmas spirit, and what feels like more food than I’ll eat for the entire month of January. All traditions I thought I was over in my teenage years, but being away from home for school has given me a new appreciation for these moments.
I especially love Auntie Betty, who is one of the most carefree people I’ve ever known. She also has the worst case of wanderlust I’ve ever seen, so she always has fabulous stories to tell about her travels.
This time is no different, as apparently she just got back from Scotland. It sounds lovely, and she spends a good while trying to convince Aunt Meg and I to go because — and I quote — “Every woman needs to be called ‘lass’ by a true Scotsman before she dies.”
It’s almost as fun listening to her as it is watching Matt squirm while she talks about the many virtues of Scottish men. Much to my dismay, she quickly turns the conversation back to us, asking Matt and I all about college life.
Matt is happy to talk about himself at length. Which is fine by me, as I just broke things off with my boyfriend of over a year after I caught him cheating on me. I know she’s going to have all sorts of questions. So will Aunt Meg, for that matter, since I haven’t told her either. Matt already knows, though. It’s hard to keep things from your twin. Especially a twin who, like you, has a psychic ability. But because of his ability to see the past, I was saved having to explain myself. And thank god for that.
“Didn’t you see it coming?” That’s the question I fear the most. Because yes, I did. Literally. In multiple visions that I promptly ignored. I thought there was a chance it wouldn’t happen. Boy, was I wrong, and that’s not really something I want pointed out right now.
“CJ?” Auntie Betty’s voice pulls me from my thoughts.
“Hmm?” I ask reflexively, meeting her knowing green eyes.
“I asked how school is going for you,” she says with a smile.
“Oh, it’s fine,” I reply vaguely, knowing that will by no stretch satisfy her.
She arches one of her perfect flaxen brows. “You sure about that?”
“Sure, um, classes are great,” I say lamely.
Auntie Betty chuckles. “So is it the extracurricular activities that are just ‘fine’ then?” she teases.
And normally, for me anyway, it’s not all about boys. But this time, she’s hit it on the nose. The bright, shiny red nose of Christmas shame.
I press my lips together, feeling the words fighting to get out.
Aunt Meg lays a hand on Uncle Chuck’s knee. “Honey, why don’t you and Matt go set the dinner table?” she suggests.
Uncle Chuck takes the hint immediately, and the men leave.
“Well, out with it, then,” Auntie Betty prompts. “Who is he and do I need to have him killed?”
That gets a dry laugh out of me. “He’s not worth it, trust me.” And it all spills out. Auntie Betty is one of a small circle who knows about my precognition, so I don’t have to edit the story. By the time I’m done talking, even though nothing has changed, I feel better.
“I’m so sorry, CJ,” she says kindly. “Precog or no, there’s no guarantee in relationships.”
Aunt Meg nods in agreement. “What I want to know is why you didn’t talk to me about this before now,” she says softly. “You know you could’ve come to me any time, CJ.”
I sigh heavily. “I know. I just … couldn’t say it out loud. I knew if I told you about my visions, I wouldn’t be able to ignore them.”
Aunt Meg and Auntie Betty share a knowing look. I bury my face in my hands, now fully embarrassed.
“God, I hope I don’t have any classes with him next quarter,” I groan.
“Well, you could always take time off and travel with me,” Auntie Betty offers.
I drop my hands and look at her, startled. “Are you serious?”
“As a heart attack,” she assures me. “I’m leaving for Rome in a few weeks. Why don’t you join me? It’ll take your mind off of things and give you a chance to see the world.”
“Betty, I don’t know,” Aunt Meg says with a note of caution in her voice.
Auntie Betty waves her off. “Nonsense. She’s young. There’s plenty of time for college and traveling.”
A glance at Aunt Meg tells me exactly what she’s thinking, though she’s never been one to explicitly forbid me from anything. But she’s also the reason Matt and I still have a family after our parents’ death. And she and Uncle Chuck made sure we could go to college and have it paid for. Clearly this isn’t something she wants me to do, so as appealing as it sounds, I’m just going to have to put my big girl panties on.
I give Auntie Betty an apologetic smile. “Thank you, but I’ll be okay. If I stop now, I might be tempted to never go back. I’ll push through.”
Auntie Betty reaches out and wraps a hand over mine. “Well, the offer is always on the table, sugar.”
But her words fade as the familiar sensation of a vision pulls me away … and into blackness. Ominous, silent, and oppressive, it’s like no other vision I’ve ever had. And certainly not from Auntie Betty. I’ve Seen some crazy stuff when she’s not focused on staying in the present, but never anything like this.
Her hands slides off of me, releasing me from the terrible hold of the vision. My heart pounds in my chest as my eyes refocus on what’s in front of me. Both Aunt Meg and Auntie Betty are staring at me, concern written all over their faces.
“That was a strange look,” Aunt Meg says carefully. “Did you See something?”