“What kind of test?” I asked, my voice smaller than I wanted it to be.
“We don’t know exactly,” Freyja said. “But it’s about Julien. The energy is all around him. Something big.”
“Something he’ll have to face,” Phoebe added. “Something that will challenge everything he believes.”
I closed my eyes.
No.
No, we just got here.
We just found each other.
“Athena?” Freyja’s voice was soft. “Are you okay?”
“I need to pull cards,” I said. “I need to see for myself.”
“We thought you might,” Phoebe said. “That’s why we called. We didn’t want you to be blindsided.”
“When?” I asked. “When is this test coming?”
“Soon,” Freyja said. “Weeks, not months. The energy is building fast.”
“Pull your cards,” Phoebe said. “See what the universe wants you to know. And then call us back.”
“Okay,” I whispered.
“Athena?” Freyja said. “Whatever’s coming? You and Julien can handle it. The universe wouldn’t have brought you together if you couldn’t.”
“The alignment is real,” Phoebe added. “Don’t forget that. Whatever happens, the alignment is real.”
“Okay,” I said again.
“We love you,” they said in unison.
“Love you too.”
I hung up and sat in silence.
The candles flickered. The crystals hummed. And the golden energy that had been singing through everything just minutes ago felt... different now. Still there, but muted. Like the universe was holding its breath.
Okay.
Okay.
Pull the cards.
See what’s coming.
I picked up my deck, held it against my heart, and closed my eyes.
“Universe,” I whispered. “I’m listening. Show me what I need to know. Show me what’s coming. Show me how to help him.”
I shuffled.
Once. Twice. Three times.
The cards felt heavy in my hands. Weighted with meaning.
