A Perfect Storm Read Online Free Page A

already and had lit the candles and drawn the shades. I smelled something cinnamony, with a hint of sweetness.
    A resigned sigh escaped me, which I hoped only I heard. I moved into the room and sat down at the round table with Lily and Lady Azura.
    Lady Azura reached out and grasped one of each of our hands. Lily and I grasped each other’s.
    â€œLily, is there anyone in particular you would like me to reach? Or shall I just cast a wide net and see who’s available?”
    Lily’s eyes were as wide as saucers. “You can dothat? Just see who wants to come hang out and they’ll just join us?”
    I started to protest, to tell Lily that was most definitely not how it was done, but Lady Azura silenced me with one of her looks. “Of course I can do that. Close your eyes. Empty your minds.”
    â€œYou must not set up any barriers, either of you,” she continued. I knew she was speaking mostly to me. I tried to empty my mind. Not to block. It wasn’t easy. Like being in a dodgeball game and being told not to try to ward off the balls that get thrown at you.
    Several long minutes passed. Occasionally Lady Azura would mumble something, but it didn’t seem to me like whatever she was doing was working. Lily’s hand was warm and dry in my left hand. Lady Azura’s felt tiny, papery, but her old fingers still grasped mine firmly.
    After a few more moments, Lady Azura cleared her throat and started talking. Her voice sounded even huskier than usual. “I would like to invite our spirit friends that are in our midst to come join us. We are seeking any famous thespians or musicians from the glamorous eras. My lovely young companions wish to delight in the company of the true stars,those of yesteryear. Will anyone oblige us? Marilyn? Elvis? Johnny? Is there anyone there?” This sounded different from what Lady Azura usually said when we were conjuring spirits, but I thought maybe she was putting on a little more of a show for Lily than she did for just me.
    I tried to keep my mind open, but this all felt very silly. Stars of yesteryear? Who was going to respond to that?
    â€œFred?” whispered Lily. “Ginger?”
    I opened my eyes. Lily had opened hers as well.
    Lady Azura was humming quietly. “I am sensing Irene Dunne. Frederick Arnault. Ella Chase. Please, come through. We would love to have the pleasure of your company if you would care to appear.”
    I had never heard of those old-time celebrities, but that wasn’t all that surprising, as Lady Azura and I were three generations apart, and I didn’t watch a lot of old movies.
    My eyes were drawn to something in the corner of the room. A silvery glimmer. As quickly as it had appeared, it faded away again. Then, out of the corner of my eye, I thought I saw another shimmery shape,but as soon as I looked at it straight on, there was nothing there. Was I imagining it? I remembered one evening last summer, sitting on the porch with my dad and Lady Azura, watching the fireflies. As soon as one lit up and your eye went to it, it went dark again. I’d had to stare at a dark spot near the hedge and just wait for one to flit by and light up.
    I tried this technique now. Looked at a dark corner of the room. Waited for the silvery shimmer. Nothing happened. We were alone. There were no spirits here.
    Lady Azura opened her eyes. “Sara,” she said in her regular voice, “are you intentionally blocking them?”
    â€œWhat? No!” My answer came out more forcefully than I had intended.
    I took a deep breath and continued. “I don’t think there are any spirits here.”
    Lady Azura dismissed what I had said with a wave of her hand. “They are teetering nearby. I can sense them. But they are not coming through all the way. It is as if they are being blocked.” Her eyes met mine.
    â€œWell, if I am blocking them somehow,” I said, looking away, “I’m not doing it on