Page 79 of Veil of Dust

She eventually shifts beneath me, soft now, more breath than voice.

“This fixes nothing.”

I nod. “I know.”

She rolls to the side. I follow.

Her head rests against my chest.

Her fingers trace the raven tattoo across my ribs.

I close my eyes.

“It’s enough,” I whisper.

And for now, it is.

Chapter 19 – Vespera

I sit cross-legged on the floor, bare knees touching the worn wood.

The map lies beside me—still scorched at the corners, still smeared with blood and fingerprints. I haven’t moved it since I brought it home.

The cards sit in front of me. Face down.

One stack. Sharp edges. Clean feel.

But the deck isn’t clean.

It’s heavy.

Tired.

Like me.

I shuffle slowly. My fingers know the rhythm. The deck talks through weight. Through slide. Through snap.

I exhale.

The candle beside me hisses in the wax puddle it made hours ago.

Leon’s locket rests against my chest: warm, not burning, not heat.

Just there.

I close my eyes.

Pull the first card.

Flip it.

The Star.

Hope.

Rebirth.

Guidance.

---