Page 40 of Oracle Returns: Time will Stop

“We can’t just ask him. How do we inquire if he’s psychic, and feels like sucking up spirits to use them as a psychic vampire, or if he’s after Genesis and Avalon?” Lucian asked. “You know, without sounding crazy and getting slapped with a restraining order. Plus, we have to live here, so...”

That was pretty accurate.

They couldn’t out themselves if they planned on staying in Salem to live in the community. It tolerated a lot here, but there were limits.

“But it gives us a starting point,” Julian admitted. “We can work with that.”

When they heard keys in the door, all the men stood, and the two Marines pulled their guns and put themselves in front of Oracle.

Just.

In.

Case.

Only, Julian saw who it was, and there was no reason to be worried. It was most definitely friend.

Not foe.

“It’s my sister and brother-in-law. They’re safe,” he said, reassuring them.

As they came in, Beckett looked worse for the wear, as his wife was holding his hand.

His bare hand.

That told them all they needed to know about Beckett's gift. It was most definitely gone.

As for the couple, when they saw the armed strangers, Claire put herself in front of her husband, protecting him.

“Who is this?” she asked.

Julian explained.

“It’s a long story. First, are you guys okay?” he asked, approaching Beckett.

The man shrugged.

“My brain feels like it’s fried from the inside out,” he stated. “It’s all blank in there. I feel like I ran face-first into a wall a few freaking times with my brain to cushion the blow.”

Well, likely because he had. The asshole behind this had wanted to burn out the man’s gift, and he’d managed to do just that. They no longer had their psychometrist.

Beckett could have found the man using it, so this monster had to stop that, and did.

From her spot on the couch, their guest spoke up, trying to reassure them.

“He’ll be okay,” Avalon stated.

The second he heard her voice, Beckett jumped.

“Jesus,” he stated.

That made her laugh.

“No, Oracle.”

Julian saw how he reacted.

“You’ve met her before?” he asked, seeing that reaction, and it took a lot to scare the man. He’d been a cop at one time and didn’t frighten easily.