Madame Merlina gave one nod, and then slumped, her eyes still closed.
She remained silent, unmoving.
Mia and Lilly looked at each other, both afraid to speak.
“Now what?” Lilly mouthed.
Mia shrugged, having no idea whether they should get up and leave, or wait till the woman woke up, if she was asleep.
Was she asleep?
With a jerk, Madame Melina sat up straight and opened her eyes, startling them.
She looked around the tent, before her gaze landed on Mia. “You sent a strong request,” she said. “I trust you received answers. I never remember what is said when channeling.”
“Yes,” Mia spoke quietly. “Thank you. It was much more than I expected.”
Madame Merlina nodded. “Now if you will hang out my closed sign.” She pointed to it.
“You’re closing early?” Lilly said.
“No more tonight,” she said. “I must rest.” She stood, holding onto the table but was clearly exhausted.
“We need to pay you,” Lilly said.
She shook her head. “No.”
“Oh, but we really should,” Lilly started digging in her purse.
“Tomorrow,” she said, and then stepped behind a red curtain in the back of the tent.
“Let’s go,” Mia said. “Can’t you see how exhausted she is? That took a lot out of her.”
“Well, yes, but I don’t feel right not paying her for our readings,” Lilly said.
“We can come back tomorrow, like she wants,” Mia said. “I don’t know what time it is, but we don’t want to miss your cousins show.”
“Right,” Lilly put her money away, and then went to hold the tent flap up for them to slip outside. “My mind is full of the things she told me. Wow, she knew all about my family.”
“She’s the real deal,” Mia said. “No wonder your cousin insisted we get readings.”
“I just wanted to know about a boyfriend,” Lilly laughed. “Those readings got deep.”
“Yeah, a lot to think about,” Mia said. “I’m ready for Finn’s fire breathing, but let’s freshen up first and get some water. I’m parched.”
“Sounds good.”
They started walking back to Finn’s tent.
The moon now up, and the sun long gone to bed, Mia and Lilly left the public area to explore the knight’s encampment on the way back.
“Do you think we’ll run into any of the knights?” Mia asked.
“I hope so,” Mia said.
Up ahead the encampment seemed to shimmer.
“It feels like there’s magic in the air tonight,” Mia said. “Do you see anything shimmering over there?”
