Whoever the golden stranger was, his smile made me feel better. Somehow, he was the only one who did.
The sun slanted a golden beam across my hospital bed. In a flash, I remembered. Didn’t my parents say something about a postcard from my brother? I hoped they brought it here. My heart pounded against my ribcage, setting off a flurry of beeps and squawks from the machine. Feeling around the side of my bed, I pressed the button to raise myself up. There it was, on the bedside table. A postcard of an ancient church in Europe. Reaching for it, I flipped it over to read the back.
The postcard read Wish you were here, lil sis. I found an impressive church here. I hope you find one, too. I’m not sure what you’d love more, the stained glass windows or the libraries full of old books. Books hold so many secrets, just waiting for you to notice them. Don’t worry about me. You take care of yourself until I see you again. Love, James.
A tear slid down my cheek even as I curled my fingers into a fist on the scratchy hospital blanket. My brother had been missing in Europe for three years without a word, and now this cryptic message? All this time I’d been so worried he was dead. My lungs burned as I sucked in a sharp breath. The realization sank deep into my bones and I lowered myself down. He was still alive.
If it wasn’t for the Three Societies, my brother wouldn’t have run off to Europe and never come back. Just because he was the Chosen One, the next in line to be the Seer, they thought they could dictate his entire life? Well, they were wrong. I had nothing to lose now, no normal life here in Indiana to hide behind anymore. Just because I was only the second born in the Seer’s line, didn’t mean I couldn’t use my “lesser gifts,” as Dad always called them, to find James.
My brother was finally reaching out to me—asking me for help. Turning the postcard over, I gripped it tight and pressed it to my chest. I understood what I had to do.
Fire coiled in my gut as the anger simmered deep within. I’d go to Montrose Paranormal Academy, where everything got so twisted, and figure out what they did to him. Then I’d find him … and bring him home.
Present Day
I took one last look at my childhood bedroom. My heart somersaulted at each knick-knack I’d collected over the years. My elmentary-school soccer trophies were nestled next to art fair ribbons and pictures of me and my friends in crazy Halloween costumes. Can you be excited and scared all at the same time? I guess if you’re like me, sixteen years old and leaving home for the first time, a little nostalgia is acceptable.
Twirling my long, dark hair into a knot behind my head, I shoved more clothes into my beloved suitcase. Hard to believe my dad bought me the pink contraption three years ago to attend my brother’s graduation from Montrose Paranormal Academy in New York City. Sure, my high-powered parents had intended for me to start MPA the following fall semester as a freshman. But when James disappeared right after his graduation, no one blamed me for refusing to sign up for the same fate.
Instead, I’d stayed here in Indiana for two years—hoping to fly under the radar during my freshman and sophomore years. But after an awful breakup and a strange postcard from my brother, I’d finally decided to attend the dreaded Montrose Paranormal Academy for my junior year of high school. James was reaching out to me. After fearing the worst for three years, how could I deny him now?
Plus, my parents were loaded, so it wasn’t like they couldn’t afford the hefty tuition bills. Dad was the best stockbroker in the city and Mom was in the “million-dollar club” at her real estate firm. I was lucky they hadn’t turned me into a debutante or something equally horrible.
Over the years, Mom and I had our feuds over me joining in on her silly society events. She could never get it through her head that I didn’t want to pretend to be perfect. Dad always understood me better and let me be me. And we had a great relationship because of it.
The door to my room burst open, and Dad tiptoed through. The way he gingerly closed my door behind his six-two frame and padded across the carpet almost had me laughing.
“Lucy girl, before you go, we need to have a talk.” His voice came out hushed, but firm. Nothing to laugh at here.
A bubble of a giggle died in my throat. “Sure, Dad. Is everything okay?”
Dad cleared away a pile of clothes and patted an empty spot on the bed. “I’ve been hoping to spare you from this information, but since you insist on attending Montrose, there are a few things you need to understand.”
I sat down beside him and braced for impact. “Okay, lay it on me.”
The corners of his mouth twitched for a second, but the stern stare returned. “We’ve told you a little about the Three Societies growing up. What do you remember?”
“Seriously, Dad?” I exhaled a exasperated sigh as the words tumbled from my lips. “Here’s the truth. Even though you never said it out loud, I figured out that you and Mom have opposite views on them. On the outside, they look like elite organizations that get their members into Ivy League schools. And after graduation, cushy, high-profile jobs in politics, government, and so on. But on the inside, the secret societies keep the world safe from ancient prophecies and legends that date all the way back to the book of Genesis in the Bible.”
“That’s correct.” With a gruff nod, Dad ruffled my hair. A serious expression clouded his face. “This may
