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I T WAS A STRUGGLE TO get any private time for the next few days. To say my brother and my group of friends hovered was an understatement. But it was nice to be enveloped in their care, which I definitely needed in order to cope with the aftermath. I was just terrified my friends would go away when they realized that I wasn’t clairvoyant anymore. That I had been transformed back into normal Cam.

My parents had succeeded. At least I thought they had.

When I finally had a moment alone, I texted Kaci.

She came over right away.

We sat across from each other on the carpet of the coven house lounge. Fall had come and settled in. A small, cheery fire flickered in the fireplace, casting warmth and light into the room. Electric candles floated around the ceiling above us, while Lenore watched from a mounted bust above the entryway. Kaci’s hair was in a ponytail, and she wore a flannel shirt and jeans. She pressed her knees into mine.

“I haven’t glimpsed,” I said softly. “Not since… that night. I want to try and see if I can.”

Kaci held out her hand. “I’ve lowered my blocks.”

I slid my palm into hers and closed my eyes. But there was nothing. No familiar tug. No tunnel or blackout into another scene. Nothing.

I sighed and opened my eyes. I shook my head. “There’s nothing,” I said, tears tracking down my cheeks. “It’s gone.” I angrily dashed them away. “They did it. My parents managed to make me… normal . Like they wanted.”

Kaci smiled sadly. “It’ll be okay, Cam.”

“How?” I demanded. “How? I have no ability. I have no way to help anyone. I have no reason to—”

She squeezed my hand, cutting me off. “You still have us.”

I inhaled sharply. “How did you know I was worried about that?”

“I’m psychic,” she said with a giggle. She leaned toward me, her smile wide and bright. “Don’t worry. I promise you—your friends are here for you. And we’re not leaving. Whether you are clairvoyant or not.”

“Thank you.”

She nodded. “You’re welcome.” She stood gracefully from the floor. “I brought cookies from Edith. She made them just for you.”

“I bet it was only an excuse so she could steal a bunch of them. I didn’t even get one at the Guild meeting.”

“Alma says Edith is always thinking about cookies—especially chocolate chip ones.”

Wait. Edith could see auras. Alma could read thoughts. They might be able to see what was wrong with me. They might have answers. They might be able to help. I scrambled to my feet. “Can we visit them?”

Kaci grinned and looked down at my pajamas. “Yes. But you might want to change first.”

Edith and Alma were not surprised by our visit to their assisted living facility. In fact, they were waiting for me, despite both claiming they could not see the future like I used to be able to.

I sat with them in the welcome room around a small table. Kaci left, claiming she wanted to talk to the ghosts there, but I was sure she just wanted to give me privacy. A staff member brought a plate of cookies and three cups of juice.

My hand shook as I took a sip from the paper cup.

“Is it gone?” I asked softly.

Edith stared at me with her piercing blue eyes. She squinted and tilted her head, her puffy silver hair framing her face. “You have no aura,” she said, her words breathy and awed.

“Is that bad?”

“ Everyone has an aura.”

My heart sank. That didn’t sound good.

“Don’t scare him, Edith.”

For a quick, hopeful second, I thought Alma had read my mind, but she shook her head. “Your expression gave you away,” she clarified. “But let’s see. Give me your hand.” She took my hand in hers, her forehead crinkling as she focused.

“Cam,” she said after a few seconds of tense silence. “When the spell was cast, what did you do?”

I frowned, thinking back on that night. I had fought. That was what I had done. As hard as I could. “I tried to use my blocks. I focused on as many locks and defenses as I could imagine.”

“Ah.” She pursed her lips in concentration, then patted my hand and released me.

“Oh,” Edith echoed.

“Yes. That explains it.”

“It certainly does,” Edith said with a nod. She grabbed a cookie and took a bite.

“What?” I said, looking between them. “What explains what?”

“You were under great distress, and you protected yourself the best you could.”

“Which was by creating immensely strong psychic blocks.”

“They must be, if Edith cannot read your aura and I cannot read your thoughts.” Alma smiled. “You just need to let go,” she said fondly. “Though I understand it might be difficult for you right now.”

My mouth dropped open. “Are you saying I did this to myself?”

“She’s saying,” Edith said, waving her cookie around, “that once you feel safe enough, you’ll allow the blocks down, and then you’ll have access to your powers again.”

“Do you want to try it now?” Alma asked. “You’re safe with us, you know. And Kaci is nearby.”

I was safe with them. I liked them both. And I did want to try. I nodded.

“Good. Close your eyes.”

I closed my eyes. I inhaled and exhaled at Edith’s command, and then with Alma’s gentle presence on one side, and Edith’s strong one at my other, I imagined the portcullis rising and the drawbridge falling. When Alma touched my wrist, there was the slightest pull. Not the strong yanks I’d felt before. But it was there.

“I see your aura, Cam,” Edith said.

I snapped my eyes open. “You can?”

“Yes. It’s flickering, but it’s there.”

“That’s a good sign,” Alma said. “Don’t force it.”

“And don’t overextend yourself.”

“Give it time.”

My eyes watered. I’d been crying a lot over the last few days while everything around me was a whirlwind, so I wasn’t embarrassed when the tears dripped down my cheeks. “I will.”

“Good,” Edith said, handing me a cookie. I took it without question and bit into it. “I’m a little surprised, to be honest. When you visited us the first time, you were so unsure, but now you’re confident. You’ve grown.”

“He has,” Alma said, sipping at her cup of juice. “And I imagine that touch telepathy will not be the limit for you. If you can create strong enough blocks to keep that spell out and your spirit intact, I can only imagine the depths of your abilities.”

I spun my empty cup in my hands. “Really?”

“Yes.”

That was interesting news and something I wanted to explore. Later, though. Much later. “Can I get through sophomore year first?”

“Of course.”

Edith tapped her fingers against the table. “Anything else, young man? Or can we get back to our thrilling day of television watching?”

I bit my lower lip and nodded. “Yeah. If you had to choose which faction to ally with, who would you choose?”

“It depends on what I would want to do with my powers.” She narrowed her eyes and studied me. “What do you want to do, Cam?”

I knew I couldn’t change the future. But Alma was right that I could be prepared for it. I had so much to learn, but at the end of the day, I think what I wanted most was to be unafraid. I wanted to help those who needed it. I wanted to be normal Cam in a paranormal way. “I just want to be myself. I want to be happy. And I want to do good.”

“Then be yourself, be happy, and do good,” Edith said simply. “It’s not always easy, but I think you’re capable.”

And that was a relief. I looked between both women. “Thank you, really. Thank you so much.”

Edith winced at the gratitude, but Alma’s expression turned soft. “You’re welcome, Cam.” She patted my hand. “Now, the serious stuff is out of the way. Can I interest you in a game of checkers?”

My first day back at school, I perched on the steps outside the main entrance and watched as Kaci talked with Dennis, standing beneath the large tree right next to the sign announcing CENTRAL SHADY HALLOW HIGH SCHOOL, HOME OF THE SAINTS . Reese stood next to her, arms crossed in a menacing way, just in case.

Mateo sat next to me, his knee pressed to the outside of my thigh, his fingers tangled with mine.

“I wonder what they’re discussing,” I said as Kaci gestured to her side, and Dennis just looked so confused.

“She’s explaining that his stepsister has a few things to tell him.”

“Wow,” I said, swiveling to look at him. Mateo had cut his brown hair recently, and it looked so good on him. I tugged on my own, my roots having grown in while I debated if I was going to dye it again. In the sunlight, Mateo’s brown skin glowed, and his eyes reflected a bright amber. “I forget you have great hearing.”

He smirked. “I know. A lot of people do. It’s handy.”

“Yeah, about that. You haven’t told me what it was like to be able to shift into and out of a huge wolf form. How cool is that?”

Mateo’s ears turned red. “I’m just happy that I was able to help you. I was really worried when we couldn’t find you in the parking lot. I shifted without even thinking about whether I was going to be able to shift back.”

I nudged him with my shoulder. “Thank you.”

“I’m just glad you’re okay.”

“I’m getting there.” I took a breath. “You know,” I said, leaning into his side, “we never did get to go on that date. We should plan that.”

“I was waiting until you were more settled.”

I shrugged. “I think I’m as settled as I can be right now.”

Al’s moms had offered me a place to stay with them until Aiden finished his semester at the university in New Amsterdam and could transfer to the local college. It was nice staying with them in their spare room and having Al just down the hallway. We were closer than ever, and Amy was now a part of that too. It also helped that Amy had mad magic skills, and chores were a breeze. Al’s moms were also really cool. They had always been kind to me, but I think they’d kept their distance because of my parents. Now they doted on me, and it was wonderful to be with a family that hugged one another, listened to one another, spent time together, and basically took care of one another.

Mateo squeezed my hand. “Okay. But no parks this time.”

I laughed. “No parks. How about a movie?”

“Sounds great.”

“And hey, since my psychic blocks are now literal fortresses, when you kiss my cheek, we don’t have to worry about any sudden glimpses.”

Mateo’s smile widened. “Then I might try to kiss more than just your cheek.”

I flushed. “Sounds like a plan.”

Before the flirting could escalate any further, Kaci bounced over, followed by Reese. Her hair was in braids today, and her skirt flounced as she walked. She was in high spirits.

“How’d it go?” I asked.

“Great,” she said, the apples of her cheeks pink. “Dennis didn’t make fun of me, and he listened.”

Reese cracked his knuckles. He puffed out his chest, which had CSHH CROSS-COUNTRY emblazoned across it. “Of course he listened. I was right there.”

Mateo snorted. I refrained from rolling my eyes.

“What?” Reese asked, his voice cracking. “I totally would’ve used my swampiness if needed. You know I will now.”

I couldn’t help but laugh fondly. “Yes. You will. And that’s amazing. I just wouldn’t make it a practice to use it against other students.”

Reese grumbled in acknowledgment and crossed his arms. “Noted,” he mumbled.

“But thank you,” Kaci said, touching Reese’s bicep. “You were very helpful.”

His whole face turned red as a tomato. His throat bobbed. “Really? Great. That’s cool.”

“Anyway,” Kaci continued excitedly, “Zoe went on her way at the end.”

“Zoe?” I racked my brain but for the life of me couldn’t remember a Zoe. “Who is Zoe, exactly?”

Kaci giggled. “The ghost, silly. I helped her.” She beamed.

“That’s incredible, Kaci,” Mateo said, hugging her. “I’m so proud of you.”

I grinned. “You’re awesome, Kaci.”

She twirled in place. “I know!” Then she grabbed my hand and tugged me from my warm spot by Mateo. “Come on, Cam. I want to introduce you to the ghost in our math class.”

“Wait!” Reese asked, jogging after us. “There’s a ghost in your math class? I want to come!”

Val eyed me over the top of the wobbly tripod she’d set up with her phone positioned in the clip. Gemma sat beside me at a table in Drip, the interior brick wall our backdrop.

“Are we centered?” Gemma asked.

Val gripped the bottom of the phone. “I think so? You know I’m not good at this, Gemma.”

Gemma rolled her eyes. “Just make sure we’re both in frame. This is important, Val. ”

Val stuck out her tongue. “Yeah, I think it’s good. Ready when you two are.”

Gemma poked me with her pink sparkly fingertip. “You good?”

“I guess?”

“What’s wrong?”

I ran my finger through the wet ring of condensation my iced pumpkin spiced latte had left behind. “Do I really need to do this right now?”

Gemma blinked. “I guess not. But I thought you wanted to?”

I sighed. “Yeah. I mean, I do. But no?”

“Look, I know we’ve been around each other a lot the past few weeks, but I’m not fluent in Cam like Al is. Can you explain?”

I fidgeted on the stool. “I just—don’t want to let anyone down. And I feel like I will if I don’t have anything definitive to say yet.”

Gemma’s blue eyes were huge behind her glasses. “Cam, you’ve been through several traumatic events in a row. It’s okay that you don’t have answers. I think everyone will understand.”

“You won’t be upset?” I gestured to the camera. “This was all your work. It was your thing.”

“Me?” Gemma squeaked. “No. Of course not. You’ve done so much for me already. I have friends, and I just need one more for—”

“Do not say ‘paranormal bingo,’?” Val shouted.

“Fine,” she said with a whine. “But no worries, Cam. We’re good. We can do whatever you want.”

I took a breath. “Okay.”

“Great. Ready now?”

“Yeah. Let’s go.”

Gemma pointed at Val. Val touched the phone screen, then gave us a thumbs-up.

“Hello, all. This is Gem-Jam with Situation Paranormal. With me today is Cam Reynolds, Shady Hallow’s resident verified clairvoyant, and he has something to say.”

“Hello,” I said with an awkward wave. “I just want to thank the paranormal community for all their gifts and patience. It’s been an overwhelming journey up to this point. And I’ve been working on getting settled after… well… after what you all watched on the livestream.” I swallowed. “Anyway, I understand it’s tradition for a verified clairvoyant to ally with a faction for several different reasons. But I talked with two wise ladies who asked me what I wanted to do with my power. Honestly, I just want to be myself and be happy and do good for the paranormal community. And right now I think the best way to do those things is to ally with myself and my friends. Be a free agent, if you will. That might change in the future, but yeah, that’s it for right now.” I fiddled with the hem of my shirt. “Please send any inquiries to my advisor, Gem-Jam. Thanks.”

Gemma stepped in and added a few more details. I was glad she was at my side. For a while during the whole mess I was scared of being the main character, when I should’ve realized I wasn’t. I was merely part of an ensemble cast, and I couldn’t have done it without them.

“Anything else to say, Cam?” Gemma prompted.

“Yeah. I would like to thank a few people who have helped me immensely over the past few weeks. Especially my best friend, Al, and their sister, Amy; Mateo, Kaci, Reese; and my paranormal guide, Gemma, along with her sister, Val. I owe them my life. And I’ll be forever grateful to all of them.”

Val made a cutting signal with her fingers. And after a second, Gemma regarded me with huge, brimming eyes. “Thank you,” she breathed.

“No—thank you , partner.”

This time I was prepared when she launched herself at me for a hug.

“You doing okay?” Al asked as they arranged the snacks on the party tray. “The real answer, not the fake one. Embracing our true selves, remember?”

I huffed a laugh. “Yeah. I’m good.”

“Okay. Well, it’s about to get rowdy. Remember that, when they all get here, you can always step away.”

“I know.” I swallowed. “Thank you, you know. For being my best friend.”

They emptied a plastic container of cherry tomatoes onto the tray, which we both knew would only be eaten by Reese and Kaci.

“Best friend?” they scoffed. “I’m your ride or die.”

“Same, you know. Ride or die. Forever.”

Al smiled. They playfully smacked my arm. “Okay, enough mushy stuff. Cheer up, buttercup. It’s game night, and best friend rules are suspended. I’m destroying you at Trouble.”

“Oh, bring it on.”

They laughed as they hefted the tray. “Grab the plates, clairvoyant.”

We left the kitchen, Al with the tray and me with the plates. The pizza had already been laid out in the lounge on the low dining room table, and sodas were stacked on a folding card table by the wall. The doorbell rang, and Al crossed the lounge and opened the door.

Our friends streamed in happily, Gemma leading the group, followed by Kaci. Mateo and Reese entered next, deep in conversation as they crossed the threshold. They’d talked a lot of things out; Mateo had apologized for his misconceptions about Reese, and Reese had apologized for the fight in the hallway and his own prejudices. And while they weren’t best friends, they had grown closer. I was glad that the tension between them had eased as they worked toward better understanding each other.

More people arrived, and the lounge grew livelier. I sat on the couch and drank it all in.

I basked in the noise of Reese and Mateo arguing over their pieces on the game board while Gemma read from the rule book. Kaci and Al compared nail colors, while Aiden and Juana microwaved more popcorn in the kitchen as they discussed the creepiest movies for the upcoming All Hallows season. Javi and Astra took control of the music, playing increasingly weird songs on the speakers while Danny and Val attempted to dance to them.

I relaxed on the couch cushions, a piece of pizza on my plate and a soda in my hand. Mateo flashed me a shy smile and a wink as he moved his piece on the board while Reese wasn’t looking. I smothered a laugh.

The party continued well into the night, and it was chaotic and amazing as werewolves, witches, psychics, a sprite, humans, and even a faery mingled. It was more than I could’ve asked for.

And I didn’t need psychic powers to see that my future was bright.