Mystical Circles Read Online Free PDF

he’d prefer them not to be aired to a radio audience.
    She remembered Llewellyn’s words: The only way to prove something true or false is to suspend disbelief, and agree to conduct an experiment, as if it were true . She didn’t think she wanted to live that out herself.
    “Well, well, well,” said the big man in a soothing bass. “Media hound or not, you don’t look at all like we imagined you.”
    “Although we did guess you’d look a little like Zoe,” said Laura.
    Fixing Juliet with a luminous gaze, the man continued. “Same gorgeous red hair, same green eyes. You look more controlled than your sister. Neater. Zoe’s a little wild.”
    Juliet laughed. “You are an American, aren’t you?”
    “Sure am. Born in New York. Raised in the Berkshire Hills around Pittsfield, Massachusetts. Alan Beckert. Call me Al.” He thrust his hand out. It was large and well-muscled, and nearly cut her blood supply off. Fortunately he didn’t maintain his grip too long.
    “Pleased to meet you,” she said, flexing her fingers. “What are you doing here in England, Al?”
    “Touring. At least I was. Now I’ve wound up here. And I’m staying put.” He cast a quick glance at Laura. “I’m hooked on you Brits. Love your hang-ups.”
    “Thank you. On behalf of British people, I’m flattered,” she said. Though, when it came to hang-ups, no doubt a rich treasure store of them lay waiting to be found here. But she had yet to meet the other members of the group to confirm that.
    “Irony,” said Al. “There’s something else I love. You’ve all got it. But back to the hang-ups. Some of you people say I put my finger straight on your problems. That’s great. I’ll stay just as long as I’m needed.” He gave a genial grin.
    Wasn’t it supposed to be Craig sorting out everyone’s problems, not him?  She noticed Al wore his shirt with most of the buttons undone. This exposed the silver medallion nestling among his chest hairs. He looked like something left over from Woodstock. She’d be none too happy to trust him with her problems.
    “You haven’t put your finger on mine yet, Al,” observed Laura.
    Al gave her a lingering look. “I’m pretty much ready to get going soon as you let me, honey.” Then he turned to the youth. “You going to introduce yourself to our visitor?”
    “Sam. Sam D-D-Dorling. I can’t t-tell you about myself, Juliet. I can n-n-never do anything in f-f-front of anybody.”
    Al looked at Juliet again. “Sam has a bad time of it with his nerves.”
    “Enforced separation from his twin brother,” said Laura.
    “His GP green-lighted it,” added Al. “Get the picture?”
    Juliet didn’t really, and took the nearest vacant seat at the table. She was beginning to glimpse what she’d let herself in for.
    “So,” said Laura, “how do you find us so far?”
    Juliet played for time by fiddling with the silver bracelet on her left wrist. Though she was here to check up on her sister, and hopefully to rescue her, she could still feel the attraction of the place.
    “I’m not here to judge,” she said. “But one thing’s for sure. The house is out of this world. It seems to have a personality of its own.”
    “I was sure you’d feel it before you’d been here long.” Laura’s face glowed. “Craig wants people to see what he calls the true reality , which isn’t like the outside world at all.”
    “But don’t you think living here for several months tends to make people not quite real themselves?” asked Juliet.
    “No. Why should it? Look at me. I’ve been here since January,” said Laura.
    Juliet remained silent.
    “Go on,” urged Laura. “Say what you think. We can take it.”
    “Please don’t misunderstand me, Laura,” said Juliet. “But I already have a feeling that it might be a glass bubble, too good to be true.”
    “Stuff and nonsense,” said Laura. “Trust me. It’s real, all right.”
    The door opened, and another group member came in. “Ah, food.