Page 23 of Enchanted Hero
“Well, it almost looks like they’re flying.”
A cough sounded, and Everleigh turned. She assumed Alexander was trying to hold back laughter, yet by his serious expression, amusement was far from his mind. He looked startled, unsettled even. “Obviously, it’s a metaphor.”
“Of course.” Everleigh returned her attention to the fortune teller. “Do you normally see metaphorically?”
The old woman frowned. “Not usually.” She shook her head. “I think that’s all.”
Everleigh stood, then reached down to help the woman. “Thank you, child.” Narissa peered behind Everleigh. “And what about you, young man? Are you sure you don’t want your fortune told?”
“No, thank you, ma’am.”
Everleigh leaned in. “Come on, Alexander. Are you worried your life won’t end with global domination?” She nudged his shoulder. “Do you have something to hide?”
He gave no response as he turned to the fortune teller. “Thank you. It was very enlightening.” He held out his hand to shake hers. She grasped it, looked down andfroze.
Alexander visibly stiffened. He tried to pull his hand away, but the old woman’s fingers squeezed tight. They stood locked, the woman studying him like an inscrutable mystery. “Ma’am?” he said softly.
The old woman gazed at Alexander, her face a mixture of awe and wonder. At that moment, Everleigh truly believed. If psychics truly existed, this woman was one. Now she was staring in astonishment at Alexander.
What had she seen?
The fortune teller still hadn’t moved. “Who are you?” she whispered.
Alexander set his jaw. “I’m Alexander Stone, just a businessman.”
“No,” The woman jerked her head back and forth. “You’re so much more. You’re… you’re–”
Everleigh leaned in, ignoring Alexander’s disapproving glare. “He’s what?”
“He’s…” The fortune teller stopped. Then she looked back and forth between the two of them, her vibrant eyes widening.
“What do you see?” Everleigh pressed.
But the old lady stepped back, whispered. “I’m sorry.” As if suddenly aware of her actions, she snatched her hand back. This time she almost did fall, but Alexander reached out and steadied her. “Are you okay?” Genuine concern laced his voice, for the woman certainly, but for him, too? “Can we call someone for you?”
“I’m fine.” The old woman took a deep breath. “Sometimes this happens when I have a strong vision.”
Questions about the vision danced on her lips, yet Everleigh stayed silent. The woman was still shaken, studying Alexander with pale features.
The businessman wore a mask of granite. “We’ve taken enough of your time.” He took Everleigh’s hand, holding firmly when she tried to snatch it away. He ushered her to the front, but stopped right before the curtains. “Are you sure there isn’t anything we can do for you, ma’am? I can’t leave you alone like this.”
The woman studied him for a second more, then a small smile came to her lips. “Always taking care of others even at your own peril.” She cleared her throat, and her voice turned stronger. “I’m fine. My husband will be here soon, so I’m not alone. And incidentally, neither are you. Not if you trust your instincts and seize what is yours.”
Silent communication passed between the two, locked gazes weighted with mysterious meaning. Before Everleigh could speak, an elderly man entered the tent, wearing a bright robe that matched the fortune teller’s billowy dress. “Hello.” He smiled warmly. “I hope I’m not interrupting.”
“Not at all.” Alexander visibly relaxed. “We were just leaving. Thank you so much, ma’am.” Before Everleigh could protest, he escorted her out of the tent.
The cadence of conversation was louder as they entered a fair in full swing, yet this time it couldn’t steal her focus. Everleigh escaped from Alexander’s hold, successfully, but only because he allowed it. She held up an accusing finger. “I wasn’t done.”
“Yes, you were.” His expression was solemn. “Didn’t you see how upset she was?”
A momentary stab of guilt pierced her. She straightened her shirt. “She was fine by the time her husband came back. Do you know why she was so shocked?”
He led her away from the tent with a firm hand on her back. “She probably just got off balance for a minute. I’m sure she’ll be fine.”
“What did she see?”
He stopped. “How would I know? Her job is convincing people to believe made-up fortunes. Her condition had nothing to do with any sort of vision.”
