Intuition Read Online Free Page B

inside.
    â€œIt’s okay,” Rayne says, in an attempt to be reassuring.
    â€œIt is definitely
not
okay.” I’ve gone over and over it for thepast couple of months, but Veronique hasn’t been here to answer for any of it. Now is my chance. “You don’t even understand what you’ve done.” I lean forward, my breath coming hard and fast as my heart pounds. “The scar Griffon’s going to carry for the rest of his life.” I pull up my sleeve and hold my arm out for her inspection. “My scar that hides the real damage inside. I can’t play anymore; I’ll probably never play in front of an audience again. And for what? I had nothing to do with Alessandra’s death in that lifetime.” At this point, I don’t care who hears me.
    Veronique waits quietly until I’m done. “You’re right. I deserve all of that and more. I take full responsibility for everything I’ve done. I was stupid and stubborn. All I could see was an opportunity for revenge, to silence the anguish that’s followed me from one lifetime to the next.” Her eyes tear up. “I was blinded by my love for Alessandra, and it’s prevented me from moving on in this life. From being able to form relationships, to pursue my passions. And it was love that made me do things I can’t take back. I just thank God that everything ended up as well as it did.”
    â€œNot all of us are so thrilled,” I say quietly, not wanting to let her wrap everything up in a neat little package.
    â€œI’m seeing a therapist.” Veronique nods at Rayne. “She’s Khem, but someone who understands what it means to be Akhet.”
    Rayne’s looking at me for clarification. “Khem is someone who’s not Akhet,” I explain, just as Janine did for me. I stare down Veronique. “But most Akhet don’t use it. It’s like slang, a derogatory term for someone who doesn’t know, who’s ignorant.”
    Veronique holds her hands up in front of her. “I didn’t meananything by it. In fact, she’s been really helpful in sorting some things out.” She looks at me. “Giacomo has gone back to Italy. Alone.” She laughs. “Or maybe not so alone by now, who knows?”
    I have to admit I’m surprised that her boyfriend left her. Giacomo stood by her even though she loved a ghost. He was ready to kill for her. “I’m
so
sorry to hear that.” I make sure that she hears my tone.
    She shrugs, either not getting my sarcasm or choosing to ignore it. “It’s better this way. Even he couldn’t compete with my memories. That’s what I’m trying to learn to deal with. I may never find the essence of Alessandra again, and I have to come to terms with that. All I ask is your forgiveness.”
    â€œWhy in hell should I forgive you?” I say. “I trusted you, and you completely betrayed me. Why should I waste any more time listening to you?”
    â€œYou don’t have to,” Veronique says quietly, her eyes fixed on the sidewalk.
    The expression of resignation on her face is pathetic and only makes me more angry. “Good to hear,” I say.
    I turn to go, but Veronique grabs my hand. “Come on.” Her voice is almost desperate. “Don’t leave like this.”
    I push her back as hard as I can, knowing that people are starting to look at us, but not caring at all. “Get your hands off me!”
    Rayne jumps between us, one hand on each of our shoulders. “Stop!” If I wasn’t watching carefully, I would have missed it. As soon as Rayne touches her, Veronique flinches slightly and something unreadable crosses her face.
    â€œOh my God,” she whispers, putting a hand to her mouth.Two red spots appear on her cheeks, and I can see her hands trembling. Rayne isn’t Akhet, I know that, so I have no idea what’s causing this