His big shoulders rose and fell in a casual shrug. “I could, but theory has it
that post-cogs like you, can recreate the past by re-energizing the echoes of what
happened. If the theory is right, it means while you’re reliving the past, the energy signatures should be stronger than if I read whatever is currently left in
the room.”
“How does having a stronger picture of psychic signatures help us to
determine what happened to Kelsey?”
“Think of it like a power boost. If we’re lucky, maybe your silent films will
develop a soundtrack.” His fingers tightened on my knees. “Sometimes, with a
strong enough signature, I can get a glimpse of what someone is planning on doing next. So, if this is Ellery…”
My mouth dropped open. “You can see the future?” I squeaked.
“What?” Startled, he shook his head. “No, I don’t see the future, only seers hold that ability.” Before I could process that, he continued, “Think about it, Cyn. When you were on a mission, did you plan your next move or stay focused
on the task at hand?”
I opened mouth to answer, only to stop and think. A glimmer of
understanding rose. “We always went in with a set plan, but things change at the
drop of a hat. If you kept running various scenarios in your mind, you could adjust your actions instinctively.” I studied the man kneeling in front of me.
“You think that if it is Ellery, and that’s what he’s doing, you might catch an echo of his plans. That’s a hell of a lot of maybes.”
Kayden’s gaze didn’t waver. “Probably, but it’s better than doing nothing.”
That was debatable. “So, a power boost, uh? And we have to touch?”
Under his goatee a small smile appeared. “Pretty much. Physical touch has proven to increase psychic connections. Once I have all three signatures, it’s just
a matter of separating yours and Kelsey’s out so I can focus on the last one.
Hopefully, together we’ll get a better picture of what happened and confirm who
attacked her.”
I bit my lip, considering. “You’re not seeing what I’m seeing?”
He shook his head.
It still didn’t make sense, but he seemed to believe it would work. He had me
go back over everything from my earlier trip down memory lane, then he
suggested we concentrate on the last scene, explaining he hoped his presence would trigger more details. That explanation made me wonder if I was missing
something. I searched his face and the studied calm he gave me. “What aren’t you telling me?”
Something too quick to read flashed across his face. “I’ve never tried this with anyone else, so I’m not sure what will happen.”
“Can we hurt each other doing this?”
“I don’t know,” he said. “But if it helps find Kelsey, does it matter?”
Nope, not one damn bit. I sighed and gingerly laid my hands on top of his.
Heat curled through my palms as my pulse picked up speed.
Obviously catching it, he said, “I’ll be right here, Cyn.”
I appreciated his attempt at comfort, but he couldn’t understand. Reliving things left me open and vulnerable. Having him witness what was about to happen was akin to standing in front of him naked.
Unexpectedly, a whole other type of heat rose, and mortification had me
closing my eyes in a vain attempt to block out the dangerously good-looking man at my feet. What the hell was wrong with me? Yeah, it had been a while, but there were reasons, good reasons not to let this edgy awareness sink its teeth in.
Not now, and if I was smart, not ever again.
Shoving the distraction far, far away, I took a deep breath. Then another. The
feel of Kayden’s hands under mine helped me to center. Within minutes, my hastily rebuilt mental wall resembled a pile of rubble. Nerves trembled. If this worked as he expected, Kayden would see the psychic signatures loud and clear
