Page 25 of Surrender

“She won’t hear you when you’re barely speaking.”

“Of course she will, she’s less than three feet away.” Again, he barely moved his lips as he snapped his reply.

“Then let her.” Peter uttered a sound of disgust at Theo’s amazement. “Why do you think I’m here, you arrogant bastard? She’s wanted to talk to me for some time now, and you’re the only way I can make that happen.”

“And exactly how do I make her believe you’re here?” Theo arched his eyebrow at the ghost, still uncertain he wasn’t just asleep and having a vivid dream.

“Just say, be a phoenix.” Skeptical of what he was seeing and hearing, Theo shook his head, and the shadow leaned forward until moonlight streamed across and through Peter’s familiar features. “For fuck’s sake, Theo. Say it. She’ll know it’s me.”

“Genevieve,” he said with reluctance as he shifted his gaze toward her, but she didn’t stir. Feeling like a fool, he cleared his throat. “Genevieve, be a phoenix.”

For several seconds, she didn’t move then turned her head toward him. To his dismay, her cheeks were wet, and regret tightened his gut.

“What did you say?” she whispered, her voice full of bewilderment.

“Be a phoenix.”

“Where did you hear that?” she bit out in a hoarse voice.

“Tonight is the first time I’ve ever heard the phrase.”

Chapter 7

Genevieve stared at the white cloud hanging in the air in front of her for a long moment. Bewildered by the sudden change of temperature in the carriage, she shook her head.

“I don’t understand. There’s only one person—”

Another faint cloud of white floated in front of her, then faded into oblivion, while an unsettled expression swept across Theo’s face. Peter. Confused, she met Theo’s gaze with a hint of trepidation before her gaze searched the carriage interior for some sign of her brother. Theo remained silent, and Genevieve closed her eyes for a moment before looking around the cabin once more, hoping to see what she knew she could not. Her gaze swung back to Theo.

“Peter? He’s here?” she breathed as another small cloud of cold air hovered in front of her. Discomfort darkened Theo’s handsome features, but he remained silent. Trepidation ran a chill over her skin. “But how? You’ve always said you don’t have the family gift of sight.”

“It appears I was mistaken,” he ground out between clenched teeth before his mouth tightened into a harsh, thin line.

“Then he’s—Peter’s here? Now?” Genevieve shot upright, her gaze fixed on Theo’s dark countenance.

“Yes,” Theo replied.

Relief lightened his features as if he’d been worried she wouldn’t believe him. But she was well familiar with the an dara sealladh. Her father’s ability was quite strong, and she’d experienced his inherent knowing when something was troubling her quite often over the years.

“Where?”

“He’s right next to you,” Theo replied in a gentle voice.

Blindly, Genevieve stretched out her hand, and the minute her skin became ice cold, she drew in a sharp breath of air. Peter was here. Whenever the departed appeared in the living world, there was usually a cold spot in the area where they materialized.

A Rockwood in name only, the gift of sight wasn’t a talent she possessed. But growing up in a family where numerous loved ones did, the an dara sealladh was as normal to her as breathing. Not everyone in the Rockwood family possessed the ability, and although she vaguely remembered hearing Theo didn’t have the gift, she wasn’t about to question him. It was how she was certain her brother was beside her, and Theo could see him. Envy swept through her that Theo could see him, but at least the cold air allowed her to know without any doubt that Peter was near.

“He said you’ve been wanting to talk to him.” Theo’s quiet words made her jerk.

“Yes, I…”

When her voice trailed off into silence, followed by a long pause, Theo frowned, then glared at the cold spot beside her. It was an annoyed expression she’d seen exchanged between him and Peter quite often. Apparently, her brother had said something Theo didn’t appreciate. Leaning forward, Theo caught her hand in his. The instant he touched her, fire streaked up her arm and engulfed her body before the heat sank through her pores to warm her blood.

It wasn’t a new sensation for her where Theo was concerned, but every time it happened, she found herself wishing things were different between them. She discarded the notion with blinding speed. As she stared at the large, firm hand wrapped around hers, she struggled to breathe. When Theo cleared his throat, Genevieve lifted her gaze to meet his.

“What is it you wish to ask or say to Peter?”

The moment Theo asked the question, her heart skipped a beat. Dear God, how could she possibly share any of her thoughts without Theo learning things she didn’t want him to know—things from her past she didn’t want to share with anyone. It also meant that no matter how carefully she guarded her words, he would realize just how conflicted her feelings were about him.