Seeking Crystal Read Online Free

all?’
    I flapped my hand at her. ‘Hey, I’m still here you know. No hospitals.’
    Trace put his arm around Diamond, standing behind her as if he already owned the spot at her side. ‘My brother’s a healer. He’ll let us know if we need to take her to ER.’
    A loud tap at the door interrupted their deliberations.
    ‘That’s probably him now.’ Trace went to let him in. ‘Hey, Xav, thanks for getting here so quickly.’
    ‘Ah, well, you know I charge double for house calls.’ A tall dark-haired boy strode into the room, eyes scanning as he took note of the situation. What I noticed was about a mile of denim, wolf T-shirt and unbuttoned dark grey peacoat. Trace was about my height, but this brother had a few more inches. Where Trace was broad-shouldered and rugged featured, this brother was lean and whipcord strong, an athlete in the way he moved. His hair flipped every which way in a casual cut I’d seen on dedicated surfers, what I thought of as the ‘hey-I’ve just-ridden-the-wave-and-now-ready-to-party’ look. He was one of those boys too handsome for their own good, doubtless having had his ego fed with constant female adulation since kindergarten. His money must go on his clothes unless the stores begged him to model—yeah, I could well imagine that.
    ‘This is my little brother, Xavier, or Xav,’ said Trace, introducing him to Diamond. ‘Xav, I’ve got some amazing news: meet my soulfinder.’
    When Xav caught sight of Diamond, he pretended to be knocked back a step. He clutched his heart dramatically. ‘Awesome. Trace, you’re one lucky son of a … very lovely mother.’ He kissed Diamond’s hand in a continental gesture I’d last seen practised by a real count, but with him it was part self-mocking, part just for the fun of it. ‘Happily, I can announce that you’re fine, Diamond. No harm done.’ So he did his diagnosis by touch, did he? ‘Except for that little detail of being attached to this loser, of course.’ He thumped Trace on the arm, beaming with delight for his brother’s good fortune. ‘I’ve got no cure for that.’
    ‘And I don’t need one, Xavier.’ Diamond smiled up at him.
    He pulled a face. ‘Have I done something wrong? Only our mother calls me that and then I know I’m in trouble.’
    ‘Xav.’ Diamond was already charmed. ‘But it’s my sister that took the knock to the head.’ My sister gestured to where I lay. I gave him a finger wave, wondering if I would disgrace myself by being sick on his trendy boots.
    ‘Oh yeah, Crystal.’ He winked at his brother. ‘Noticed her name on the list. My age, isn’t she? How’re you feeling, darlin’?’
    ‘I’m OK.’ I got up; British instilled reserve demanded that I not show weakness in front of strange boys.
    Xav reeled theatrically with a second dose of surprise. ‘Whoa, you’re one big lady. I mean tall lady. I bet you never had any problem making the basketball team in school?’
    How many things about that little speech did I find offensive? Let me count the ways.
    ‘I’ve never played.’ I tugged the robe tight. ‘I’d prefer not to be examined, if you don’t mind. There’s nothing wrong with me that a good night’s sleep won’t put right. My sister is just over-reacting.’ No way was I going to let this tactless wannabe doctor put his hands on me.
    I felt a buzz against the walls I erected in my head against telepathic assault. I pressed my hands to my temples. ‘Stop that.’
    ‘You’re one prickly lady-patient.’ Xav put his hands on his hips, grinning at me. ‘Won’t let me help you.’
    Diamond pressed me to sit back down. ‘Crystal doesn’t do telepathy.’
    ‘She’s not a Savant?’ Xav’s expression filled with disappointment.
    ‘Not much of a one,’ I muttered.
    ‘She has a gift but it gets in the way of telepathy. Can you check her over without it?’
    ‘I don’t want him anywhere near me.’ Bile rose in my throat. I was feeling desperate and not minding my