Twisted Sisters (The Orion Circle Book 2)

by Kimber Leigh Wheaton

  Published by Sea Dragon Press

  Visit Kimber Leigh Wheaton’s official website at

  www.kimberleighwheaton.com

  for the latest news, book details, and other information

  Copyright © Kimber Leigh Wheaton, 2015

  ISBN: 978-0-9904026-5-7

  Cover design: AM Design Studios

  eBook formatting: Guido Henkel

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination, and any resemblance to real persons, either living or dead, businesses, companies, events or locales is entirely coincidental.

  All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce, distribute, or transmit in any form or by any means, with the exception of small excerpts for review purposes.

  The author acknowledges the copyrighted or trademarked status and trademark owners of the products, characters, and services mentioned in this book. Any trademarks, service marks, product names, or named features are assumed to be the property of their respective owners, and are used only for reference: Keurig, Apple iPhone & Mac, Octane, Anything Goes, Ford Mustang, Jeep, Hyatt, Indiana Jones, Richie Rich, Scooby Doo, Diet Coke, Frisbee, Spongebob Squarepants, Avenged Sevenfold, Ghostbusters, Supernatural, Disney World, Cadillac Escalade, Motrin, Blu-Ray, Nintendo, Mario Kart, X-Men, Star Trek, Sony PlayStation, American Horror Story, The Simpsons

  To everyone who has felt lost, misunderstood, or forgotten.

  And to everyone who has helped them find their way home.

  To my parents and my parents-in-law, especially Joan.

  I can always count on your support, and that means the world to me.

  Prologue

  A Child’s Toy

  Sunlight filtered through the sliding glass door, shining on the brown spirit board spread out on the antique oak table. A bright blue box emblazoned with the words Fun for all Ages sat beside it, along with an instruction sheet. One girl twirled the planchette with her fingers while watching her friend read the instructions aloud. A child’s game bought at a toy store. What harm could it do? These two girls were about to find out that sometimes evil existed in the most innocent of packages.

  “Okay, so it says to rest your fingers on that piece,” Melissa said as she tossed the instruction sheet aside.

  “If we put our fingers on it, then how do we know that we didn’t move the thing?” Kendra asked, placing the planchette in the middle of the board.

  “I don’t know,” Melissa said, rolling her dark eyes. “Did you want to try it or not?”

  “Sure, why not.” Kendra released a bored sigh that turned into a yawn. “Why are we up so damn early?”

  “I wanted to get an early start.” Melissa’s shoulders scrunched up into a sheepish shrug. “Lots of time until dark, you know, in case…”

  “It’s a toy, Melissa,” Kendra said with a snort of laughter.

  “Maybe, maybe not.”

  “You’re totally kidding, right?” Kendra stared at her friend from the corner of her eye.

  Melissa kept a straight face for a few more seconds, then burst into laughter. “Fooled you!”

  “Childish much?”

  “Okay, just put your fingertips on this thingy.” Melissa placed her fingers on the planchette before giving a pointed look to her friend.

  “I feel kinda stupid,” Kendra said as she placed her fingers on the opposite side of the planchette. “So, ah, if there are any spirits who want to communicate, we’re here.”

  “Wow, that was dull.” Melissa took a deep breath. “Spirits across the hazy veil. We call to you from beyond the pale.”

  “What was that?” Kendra asked, raising her brow.

  “Just a little drama.” Both girls stared at their hands which stayed unmoving. “I call to thee spirits for we are here. Any spirit nearby is welcome to appear.”

  The planchette began to vibrate and wiggle.

  “Are you doing that?” Kendra asked in a shaky voice.

  “No,” Melissa whispered back. “Shh! It’s starting to move.”

  “Is a spirit here with us?” Kendra called out to the empty room.

  The planchette jumped a bit before sliding to the word, yes. But it didn’t stop there. Before either girl could think to ask another question, it shot across the board, flying from letter to letter. Both Kendra and Melissa snatched their hands away from the shuddering, plastic pointer.

  Kill, kill, kill. Over and over again.

  “Who are you?” Melissa shrieked the question as an invisible wind blew her long hair around her body.

  Amy.

  “Amy?” The whipping air died with Kendra’s question. Both girls trembled as the planchette moved to yes.

  Tracy.

  “There are two of you?” Melissa’s face paled. Cabinet doors opened and slammed closed in rapid succession.

  Renee, kill…

  The planchette paused. Kendra took a breath to ask another question, but before the words reached her lips, the planchette spelled out a new word.

  M…u…r…d…e…r.

  “Murder?”

  Goosebumps spread up Kendra’s arms after she spoke. She hugged her arms around her body, trying to chase away the bitter chill. Dishes flew from the cabinets, smashing to the floor one after the other. Kendra pushed her chair from the table and fled the room. Drinking glasses from the cupboards flew across the room, hitting the wall where Kendra’s head had been just moments before.

  Us.

  “You were murdered?” Melissa asked through a gasped breath. She clutched the edge of the table with white knuckles, too scared to move. Pieces of shattered pottery lifted from the floor on an invisible whirlwind, blowing around the terrified girl.

  Yes, murder. Free, free, free.

  Chapter One

  The Kiss

  KACIE

  Restless, endless pacing. Nerves firing out of control. I wanted this, asked… no begged for this role, and now I’m regretting that choice. Why didn’t the director mention that the lead characters had to kiss on stage? And not some chaste, sweet kiss. No, it has to be a long, passionate kiss. I stop and lean my head against the cool glass of the window overlooking the courtyard below. Students go on with their lives, oblivious to my turmoil. Little lemmings I wish I could stomp on to stop their stupid betting pool.

  I was fine this morning. Daniel psyched me up last night, convinced me I‌—‌we could do this. But the moment I arrived at drama this morning, the entire class was abuzz with the news. We’d be rehearsing the kiss scene this afternoon. I can’t even begin to imagine the crowd this rehearsal will attract. But I was still managing to hold it together until fourth period. That’s when I caught wind of the betting pool.

  Option number one: Kacie will throw herself at Daniel and dump Logan after one kiss.

  Option number two: Kacie will run off the stage in a panic, unable to face Daniel.

  Option number three: Logan will beat the crap out of Daniel or at least knock his teeth out.

  Option number four: Kacie will be killed by the groupies before she can lay a lip on Daniel.

  How can one kiss attract so much attention in the drama that is high school?

  What about option five? Daniel and I act like professional actors and life continues on as normal. It’s only been two months since I was almost possessed by a homicidal ghost. This is nothing compared to that. Yet even as I repeat that over and over in my head, my stomach rolls and I bite my lip hard enough to taste blood. Finally I give in to nerves and text Daniel.

  Need help. Falling apart. Club room. Now.

  Within moments my phone chimes with his answer. On my way.


  Pushing away from the window, I glance around the dim club room. The Orion Circle is still new to me, though I’ve been a member for two months. Before the Circle, I was a scared physical medium who didn’t know how to deal with the ghosts haunting her. The Orion Circle took me in, showed me I wasn’t alone. They taught me how to use and control my abilities. Now I’m a paranormal hunter, a member of a group.

  A wisp of memory floats through my mind, and I squash it down… but not quickly enough. The Foxblood Demon almost possessed me, almost stole my body and soul two months ago. It’s not something easily forgotten. Before his spirit, I never realized there were ghosts that powerful out there. While it scared me, it also firmed my resolve. That night we saved thirteen child spirits from a monstrous ghost. I watched them move on to… well with any luck a better place, smiles lighting their ghostly faces. Without the Orion Circle, I never would’ve succeeded. We are a team. I need them. They need me. It feels good to be needed, to be a part of something bigger than myself.

  I wander over to the bookshelves lining the far wall. Nervous energy makes my hand shake as I run my finger along the spines. The Orion Circle’s collection of paranormal books is a treasure trove. My finger stops on American Urban Legends: Decoding the Paranormal, and I yank it from the shelf. I’ll need something tonight to occupy my mind no matter the outcome of rehearsal. As I’m shoving the book into my backpack, Daniel enters the club room.

  “Hey, Cici,” Daniel says with a tired smile. “How long have you been hiding up here?”

  “Since I walked out of my chemistry class.” My head falls back, and I stare at the ceiling like those boring tiles can provide insight into my foolish overreaction. “I overheard some girls whispering about the betting pool. When she noticed my interest, Karen handed over the paper outlining the options. I gathered my things and fled.”

  “Ouch.” Daniel crosses the room to lean against the leather sofa. “So much for acting disinterested.”

  “Yeah, I panicked.”

  “It’s just a kiss,” Daniel says in a soft voice. “It’s not the end of the world.”

  “Then why is everyone acting like it is?”

  “Boredom, jealousy, who knows.” He shrugs. “Does it matter? We’ll create an option five where two professional actors kiss onstage without incident. It will make them all look foolish.”

  “I’m overreacting, huh?” I say with a sheepish grin. Daniel always manages to make me feel better.

  “You ready to go to lunch?”

  “Wait,” I call out to his retreating form. “I’ve never kissed anyone on stage before.”

  “It’s just me, Cici,” he says without turning.

  “It’s just… rehearsals are hard. The house lights are up, and I can’t lose myself in my character,” I admit with a dry chuckle. “It’s going to be Kacie Ramsey on that stage kissing Daniel Westin in front at least fifty witnesses.”

  “Yeah, I have the same problem.” Daniel turns back to face me. “Did you want to practice first? Get the awkwardness out of the way?”

  “Now?” He read my mind. “Yes, I think it would help.”

  Without a word he crosses the room to stand within inches of me, as close as he can get without touching. Unsure what to do or say, I stare at our feet. We’re both wearing black hiking boots. They’re kind of an Orion Circle staple.

  “I had a crush on you last year.” My hand flies to cover my mouth. I can’t believe I just admitted that.

  “I know,” he replies, placing his finger under my chin to tilt my head up. All traces of the sarcastic Daniel I’m used to are gone. Instead I see vulnerability in his gray eyes. “Do you know why I never acted on it?”

  “Acted on it?” I ask with a gasp. “You mean you liked me?”

  “Oh, yeah,” he replies, his lips turning up into a half-smile. “You are adorable with that dusting of freckles across your nose, those big, hazel eyes, and your panicked shyness that disappears the moment you hit the stage.”

  My breath catches in my throat. That entire time I pined for him, I had no idea he liked me too. I open my mouth to ask why he never acted on it but nothing comes out. My mind is wrenched back to that one moment in time when I made an ass of myself at the cast party. I tried to kiss him. He shot me down. Nicely. But still it hurt.

  “My best friend had a major crush on you,” he says, answering my unspoken question.

  “Logan?”

  He nods. “Logan certainly didn’t come to all of those rehearsals to stare at me.” Daniel’s laughter is musical, and just like that the tension fades away.

  “Logan liked me last year?” I ask, unable to stop the smile spreading across my face. “Why didn’t he tell me?”

  “He was too shy,” Daniel replies with a snort. “And no amount of prodding on my part could convince him. You and Logan are meant to be together. You need each other, and as corny as this sounds, I think you complete each other. Certainly when it comes to psychic power. You and me? It would have been wild and passionate and burned up as fast as it started. I liked you far too much to lose you as a friend for the sake of a few kisses.”

  “Oh, Daniel.” My eyes tear up from his frank admission. “I don’t know what I’d do if I lost you as a friend.” Just the thought makes my chest hurt.

  “You won’t, so don’t even think about it,” he replies. “Now shut up and kiss me.”

  His comment makes me laugh. “Thanks.”

  “For what?”

  “Making me feel better,” I say, pushing on his chest. “For always being there for me.”

  “Are you gonna kiss me or keep talking?”

  “Why don’t you take the lead?” I ask, stalling for time. Can I do this?

  “It says in the script that you initiate the kiss,” he says, shaking his head. “You think Mr. Holmes will allow me to lead this party?”

  No. Mr. Holmes is one tough director. He would make me kiss Daniel hundreds of times if it wasn’t done to his satisfaction. I don’t know if he’s a perfectionist, a sadist, or both. Taking a deep breath, I rest my hands on Daniel’s chest. There’s too much of a height difference. Even standing on my toes it’s hard to reach past his chin. Why isn’t he helping? Moving my hand to the nape of his neck, I guide his head down toward mine. Our lips meet in a chaste kiss. Just as I’m about to pull away and yell at him, he responds to the kiss. His lips move beneath mine for a few moments before he pulls away.

  “Again,” he says. “This time put your arms around my neck. Your character is an experienced night club singer and no virgin. Act like it. My character won’t react immediately. That doesn’t deter you, it just makes you bolder. Once my arms encircle you, count to five slowly, then pull away. Got it?”

  I nod, determined to get this right. If we do it perfect the first time then Mr. Holmes won’t have us repeat it. It will feel so good to blow those asshats and their stupid betting pool out of the water.

  “How come not one of the options featured us acing the kiss at the rehearsal?”

  “Because that would be no fun for the hecklers, jokers, and assholes who thrive on the suffering of others,” he replies with a snort. “Now are you going to kiss me or not? I’m hungry and want to get to lunch before the line gets too long.”

  Once again I place both hands on Daniel’s chest. Rising to my tiptoes, I snake my arms around his neck and press my lips to his. He responds much faster this time, wrapping his arms around my back. His lips are soft and pliant beneath mine. The kiss is very pleasant. My body likes it, and yet my mind is counting to five like I was told. Just before I pull back, I hear what sounds like the door clicking shut. When I turn to look, no one is there. Must have been my imagination.

  “Now that was a kiss worthy of the stage,” Daniel says with a brash grin. “Come on, let’s get some lunch. I have a feeling rehearsal will go just fine.”

  Chapter Two

  Aftermath

  LOGAN

  Poor Kacie. The gossip flying around school today
must be killing her. When she doesn’t answer my texts, I decide to go search for her. It’s not like there are many places she’d go to hide out. Only one comes to mind. It’s where we all go during the school day to escape. The Orion Circle club room. After bounding up three flights of stairs, I pull out my key and open the door.

  The moment I step into the doorway, I feel like I’ve been hit by a truck. I watch for a moment or two as my stomach plummets like a falling elevator. My chest hurts, and I can’t seem to catch my breath. Without a sound, I back away and let the door close softly. Click.

  It couldn’t be, and yet I saw it with my own eyes. If anyone else told me, I would’ve accused them of lying. Closing my eyes, I lean my forehead against the wall beside the door. The vision of them wrapped in a tight embrace is seared into my mind. Shaking my head as though it would erase the image, I try to find a rational explanation. But there isn’t one. Is there? My best friend and my girlfriend were making out. Damn them. I can’t believe I was worried about her, about how nervous she’d feel about kissing Daniel at rehearsal.

  With a strangled groan I race down the stairs and out into the cool air. How long have they been doing this behind my back? My jaw clenches and my teeth gnash together. Damn, this hurts. Maybe I should go back and confront them…

  I start to turn around, prepared to do just that but stop mid-motion. No, I have to cool off first. If I go in there now, they’ll know how upset I am. Right now I’d like nothing better than to use Daniel’s face as my own personal punching bag. Asshole deserves it. See how much the girls like him with two black eyes and a broken nose, maybe some missing teeth.

  “Hey, Logan,” a voice says behind me. “Are you heading to the cafeteria?”

  Raven. Craptastic.

  “No, I’m going to the gym to work out,” I reply, looking over my shoulder.

  Her frosty, blue eyes narrow into a glare. “You know, Kacie could use your support today.”