Airess glanced at Taryn, who currently leaned against the wooden post, a hand over his mouth to cover his laughter. She bit back her own grin, his playfulness awakening something deeper within her, a heat that spread from her heart, down to her toes.
When Airess realized she was staring at Taryn, she faced Mara and cleared her throat with a timid smile. “I’ll go with the fortune, please.”
Mara nodded. “Very well. We’ll start with the palm reading first. Your hand, miss.”
The old lady grabbed her hand, her grip surprisingly strong for her age. She flipped Airess’ hand over to examine her palm, running a sharp fingernail down the center.
“Ah, this is certainly interesting,” Mara noted. “In the beginning, I see a golden chain–acage. There’s struggle and resentment. Not so happy in this area of your life, I see.”
Airess stilled, not particularly enjoying this being verbalized in front of Taryn.
“As we move down–oh!Thisline represents change, a new era of your life. This is where your growth begins and you find out your true self. But then…” Mara trailed off, frowning. A slight breeze picked up, bringing in a cold chill and rustling the tent fabric around them.
Airess sat up, her heart beginning to thrum. “What is it?”
“I see struggle and pain. I see anger–andpower!” Mara chuckled, enthralled, before her smile faded away slowly.
Mara’s eyes darkened. “Then… nothing. I cannot read beyond this point.”
Silence fell between them. Airess shivered. What did she mean,nothing? That certainly was… disheartening. Not at all what she expected to hear.
The woman decorated her face with a smile once more and waved her hand, dismissing the words. “Oh well! Our Fate changes with each choice we make. Who knows what that could mean! Now, time for the fortune. Give me your other hand.”
Airess obeyed, lifting her other hand from her lap and placing it in Mara’s steel grip. Mara closed her eyes and nodded, as if she were listening to something. Softly, she began to whisper beneath her breath, muttering incoherent words. Then–
The fyre from the candles flared, the heat from the flames licking Airess’ face. Mara’s eyes shot open, head tilting to the sky. The fortune teller’s blue irises had turned a milky gray, sending shivers down Airess’ spine. Her heartbeat quickened as the fortune teller spoke–as if the words weren’t her own.
“A stolen Death
A touch of Fyre
An earth rebirthed
To be made from desire
A soul of Mind
Brings forth the Storm
Is when the dawn of a new age
Shalt be born.”
Mara inhaled a sharp breath and fell back in her seat, eyes still closed. Her grip on Airess’ hands slackened. She began whispering rapidly again, her tone dipping and rising, speaking in a foreign language Airess had never heard before. At once, her head dropped. Mara brought a wrinkled hand to her forehead and pinched the bridge of her nose.
“What did you just say?” Taryn asked, suddenly interested, his brows raised. Recognition flashed in his eyes as he took a step forward and leaned over the table, mouth hung open.
“Ma’am, are you allright?” Airess asked softly.
When Mara opened her eyes, they were back to their original blue.
“Yes, I–I’m sorry,” the fortune teller said, yanking her hand away, looking between Airess and Taryn. “The – the shop is now closed for the day. You both need toleave.”
“Do you need any help–” Taryn started, before Mara stood abruptly, the chair scraping against the stone beneath them, cutting him off. Taryn backed off as Mara shooed him away. She grabbed her coin jar and looked directly at Airess.
“Be weary. The Vulture preys on the owl.”
It was the last thing she said before she scurried off, as if she was scared of them.
