“Your choice,” she stated with a small shrug. “Whichever cards grab your attention first, whether it’s three all together or apart.”
I looked at the line of cards in front of me, thought of my past, and touched the first card that caught my attention. I paused and lifted my eyes to Savannah. “What now?”
She reached forward and took the card, placing it face down in front of her. “Choose two more. Think of your present for the second and your future for the third.”
I selected two more cards by touching them and she laid them next to the first. When I was done, she gathered the rest of the cards, stacked them, and set them to the side.
“A three card spread can represent many things. The past, present, and future, as we’re doing right now. Or body, mind, and spirit. A particular situation, action you wish to take, and potential outcome. There are several other ways to apply a three card spread, but those are the three I use most commonly.”
She enthralled me as she spoke. It wasn’t just her words, but the way her aura pulsed with white light and color from her excitement and love of the subject. Her conviction and her enthusiasm were visible in the prism of light and color that shrouded her.
“Again, none of what we’re doing here is to tell you what to do, only to make you think about what you’ve done in the past, what you’re doing now, and give you something to think about when you deal with the future.”
I nodded and watched as she flipped over the first card, revealing a heart pierced by three swords.
“This card represents your past,” she began. “It’s the three of swords, upright.”
“But it’s upside down to me, right?”
The corner of her mouth lifted. “Yes, but I usually read the cards facing toward me since I’m acting as the interpreter. Some readers do things differently, but this is what feels right to me.”
I nodded, but my curiosity wasn’t assuaged. “So the cards have different meanings based on whether their upright or not?”
Savannah leaned forward slightly, another small smile playing on her lips. “Every reader does it differently. Some don’t consider their position, merely the overall meaning of the card. I prefer to think of them as upright or reversed because it does change the meaning somewhat. Now, the three of swords in this position usually represents some kind of loss or separation. A severing of ties or suffering. There’s a lot of emotional conflict associated with this particular card. Maybe disputes with your family or friends.” She glanced up at me and her face softened. “But all the pain is often followed by an opportunity for something new. A fresh start.”
“And if it were reversed?” I asked.
“Then that would suggest you weren’t learning or growing from the pain you endured. That you’re stuck because you’re hanging on to a grudge. It’s similar to the upright, but there are small differences. The reversed indicates that you’re approaching a situation with a closed mind rather than a willingness to learn.”
I thought about everything that had happened in the last centuries. About Gaius, my master and then maker. About my brother, Cornelius, and his black soul. Suffering. A single word would never be enough to explain everything I’d experienced at the hands of Gaius and Cornelius. But I wasn’t sure I would ever be able to let go of the past as Savannah suggested.
She seemed to be waiting for some sort of response from me, so I forced myself to nod my head. I wasn’t willing to bare my soul to someone with so much beauty within her own. She didn’t move to the next card right away, her eyes focused on me with an intensity that was nearly uncomfortable, as though she sensed the direction of my thoughts and didn’t approve.
Finally, she flipped over the next card. “Temperance, upright,” she stated. “This card in the spread represents your present. In the upright position, it means that you’re trying to find a balance, reconcile two opposing sides of yourself. You feel pulled in different directions, but you’ll be able to bring them together. It will be difficult, but if you persevere, you’ll achieve something greater. You’ll be stronger. The two halves of yourself will blend to make you better.”
Her words struck a chord within me, resonating in my heart. Since my maker had taken part of my humanity from me, I’d often wondered if I was more a monster or man. But I seriously doubted I would ever be able to bring together those two sides of myself. Even if I wanted to, which I wouldn’t. I didn’t want to be a monster, even if it was only half of me.
Savannah’s soft voice pierced my thoughts. “Are you okay, Rhys?”
I blinked and cleared my throat. “Yes, I’m fine. Please continue.”
“Are you sure?” she asked. “You’re welcome to discuss anything bothering you.”
I lifted my eyes to hers. “I’m sure.”
Her dark eyes were gentle as they moved over me and I could feel her compassionate heart reaching out to me. It took everything I had not to take what she offered so selflessly and without thought. But she didn’t even realize Icouldtake that from her. If she did, I knew she wouldn’t be looking at me the way she was right now. There would be no softness in her gaze, no sweetness. Only fear and disgust.
“Let’s just do the last card,” I insisted, my voice rough.
She didn’t argue, but I knew she was fighting the urge.
“The third card represents your future,” she explained as she turned over the last card. “The Moon,” she murmured. “That’s strange. It’s upright also. I haven’t done a reading in a long time that had all three cards upright.” She fell silent, staring at the card with concern on her face.
“What does it mean?” I prompted her.
“The Moon has many meanings,” she began. “It can be a sign that things will be elusive, confusing, or in a state of flux in your life. The moon has a dark side, the side that remains unseen, which can symbolize that there are unknown forces or influences at work. But the moon also has phases and cycles, so it’s important to think carefully before you take action because the next phase could be coming and your behavior could be detrimental rather than helpful. Since this last card represents your future, I would suggest that you verify facts and take a lot of time to consider the possible consequences for your actions.” Her gaze rose to my face. “It’s a mysterious card, one with many meanings but also many possibilities.”
A chill of foreboding crept up my spine. Somehow the card felt like a threat or a warning. But a warning of what? I thought of the dreams I’d been having recently, only I wasn’t so sure they weren’t actually memories. If they were memories, they were Cornelius’ and not my own.
