Whispering Hills by Taryn Browning (Excerpt)

Goodreads Description

For as long as she can remember, 17-year-old Alexis Forbes can hear the thoughts of others. Most recently, she is disturbed by the dark, unfamiliar voice of a frightening killer: callous, cunning, charismatic…and dead.

She hears his every sinister thought. But she can’t tell anyone. No one would believe her. Alexis is suddenly being haunted by a terrifying past she doesn’t remember, and a ghost with a serious score to settle. Even Chance, the gorgeous new guy she’s falling for, has his own ghostly secret. He’s definitely not like any guy she’s ever met. Alexis soon discovers she has a connection to the dead and it runs much deeper than she could ever imagine. And if the sociopathic entity has his way, she’ll finally be sentenced to the fate she escaped thirteen years ago.  

EXCERPT

I retreated to the serenity of the courtyard. Stepping out onto the stone pavers, the stagnant smell of the brick building’s stale, recycled air was replaced by the fresh scent of turning foliage, blooming mums, pansies, and the faded mulch bedding the outdoor garden. With each step forward, the sun’s rays surrounded me, the thick branches of the old oak no longer providing me with shade.

Summer sat on the same picnic table smoking a cigarette. Her Doc Martins rested on the seat. Instead of fishnets, she had on a pair of black tights ripped at the knees. Her tight black T-shirt said, “Don’t F*!# with me!” I guessed students could wear profanity to school as long as the word wasn’t actually spelled out. Either that or no one noticed Summer’s attire, or cared.

‘Last puff or I’ll be late to stupid Algebra, where I’ll undoubtedly be picked on, and all for learning something I’ll never use anyway…man, school sucks.’ Summer threw the butt onto the ground and dismounted from the table. She squished the cigarette under her boot and looked up. She sighed, noticing me standing in front of her, staring. She plucked the flattened butt off the ground and disposed of it in the dumpster.

“What do you want?” Summer rolled her tongue ring around in her mouth. “Are you like obsessed with me or something? How did you find me anyway?” She looked over at the dumpster blocking the view of her and her smoking habit. The school frowned upon students smoking. Immediate suspension was the penalty. Not that Summer appeared to care. At least she did her best to hide it.

I lowered my shoulders, still pinned up next to my ears after the influx of voices in the lunchroom. It was nice to hear only Summer’s voice. “I’m sorry it looks like I’m always staring at you. I just…”

“Hear my thoughts,” Summer finished. “Can you hear what I’m thinking right now?” From the scowl on her face, I figured nothing positive. Not that I expected anything else.

“It doesn’t work that way.” I covered my mouth with my hand. I only trusted Brooke with my ability. I certainly wasn’t going to tell the school Goth I could hear people’s thoughts.

“You can remove your hand.” Summer relaxed her stance. “You’re like me. You’re different. I already know.”

“How are you different?” I appraised her outfit. “Other than the obvious.”

Summer climbed back on the table. “That’s not something I’m about to share with you.”

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