Page 12 of A Fool's Game

Two of Wands.

I laugh out loud and shake my head. Two of Wands would be what I was offered here. The card shows a person standing on the rooftop of a castle, looking out over the vast world beyond, holding a globe in one hand and a wand or staff in the other. This card is often looked at as representing the decision to stay in your comfort zone, safely behind castle walls, or to venture out into the unknown.

And I guess that crossroads is exactly where I am right now—in more ways than one.

Feeling bolder, I flip the second card.

Seven of Swords.

I don’t laugh this time.This card often suggests secrecy, strategy, and sometimes self-preservation. It indicates a deep, unspoken yearning to pursue your desires—even if it means going against the expectations of others or resorting to clandestine measures. If that all wasn’t spot on for my current situation in life, the card carries an even darker shadow side—the fear, or knowledge, of the consequences waiting if you get caught in the lie.

I can’t help but stare at the sneaky thief on the card. He doesn’t seem all that upset about his deception, even as he carries off the treasures of those he left behind. I’ve heard it said that he seems justified in his actions, signalingthat this card shows you ways in which you feel like deception is your only option to get the things you really want in life.

With a sigh, I flip the third card, both apprehensive and excited to see where the deck suggests I look for support in this new journey and these new decisions.

The Magician.

A not-so-subtle reminder from my guardian spirits that I already have a very good support system in place. I have everything I need to make decisions and be successful, happy even, right at my fingertips.

If only I was brave enough to tell him the truth.

Suddenly exhausted, I scoop all the cards into a neat stack and slump backward on the floor, spotting my phone laying just a foot away.

Sweet dreams

The Magician : I’ll be howling at the moon for you, witch.

Chapter 5

Ainsley

Ispin at the gruff voice coming from right behind me, and my heart sinks.

It’s three guys, all wearing dark coats and hats pulled low. With the downlight from the street lamps, their faces are nothing but ominous shadows. The dim lighting does nothing to hide the gun pointed at me, however.

“Yeah, okay.” I pull my thin wallet out of my pocket and hold it out. I know the drill here. Give them what they want. Stay calm.

“That watch looks pretty nice.”

I start unbuckling it. “It’s fake, but you can have it.”

“Doesn’t look fake to me.”

“That’s kinda the point.”

The guy turns the watch over and over in his hand, then gives me a long look. I pray to whatever gods are listening that this street criminal isn’t smart enough to tell the difference between my twenty thousand dollar watch and a knock off, but just to be sure, I try to distract him.

“That’s all I got,man. Can I go?”

“You live around here?”

I snort. “In Portage Bay? No way. I live in Everett.” I hope my lie was convincing enough.

I may have joked to myself about kidnapping and ransom before with Gem, but it’s actually a very real concern—one I’ve been warned about my whole life.Locks that require keypads as well as keys, and identification with our lawyer’s address instead of our own are just some of the many precautions I’ve gotten used to over the years.

“What are you doing down here?”

“I had a date at The Waterfront.”

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