Page 2 of All Hallows' Hex
“So, Aimee was just telling me about how she’s looking forward to seeing Lanie tonight.” Vera had an eyebrow arched when I looked over.Keep the conversation away from him.
“Yes,” I said, finding a questioning look mapping her face and a bit of soy sauce smudged by her mouth. I reached out and quickly brushed it away for her. “I messaged her the other day and she said tonight they have her working at a tarot booth. Thought we could go and get our cards read?”
“Wouldn’t that just be gimmicky?” Sienna asked.
“I guess it would be if they just put a random person in there, but Lane is spiritual and actually practices witchcraft. It won’t be a show with her.” I watched as Sienna nodded and came around to it.
“Fuck it,” she exclaimed, shrugging her shoulders. “I could use all the guidance the stars are willing to offer me right now.”
“That’s my girl!” Vera shouted, throwing her arm over Sienna’s shoulders and causing her to drop some broccoli from her fork. “Ooh, I’m sorry about that.”
“I think you guys are really going to like Lane. She’s super funny and is just the sweetest person I’ve ever met.” I took out my phone to check the time and see if I’d missed any messages from her. “She even said she could comp our tickets if we come back out soon.”
“Okay, I love her.” Vera bounced with excitement and Sienna walked off to throw her trash away.
“She’s pretty lovable.”
“So, are you . . . ?” Sienna started when she came back. “You don’t have to say anything right now. I won’t take it as an answer either way. I just want to know what tonight means for you and if there’s any way I can support you in that.”
“Same,” Vera promised with a sheepish smile.
“I wish I had a more definitive answer,” I said with an awkward grin. “I’ve never really explored those options for myself, you know? I just know that Lane makes me giddy inside and I really love it when my phone goes off and it’s a text from her.” I looked down at my shoes as I tapped my feet in no pattern.
“That could be many things, so you just tell us what you need when you need it, okay?” Sienna asked, extending her hand. I took hold of it and Vera added hers into the mix. “Now, let’s find a roller coaster and get those nerves out before we see her.”
“Deal,” I whispered.
These butterflies are permanent.
CHAPTER2
Lanie
I straightenedthe purple tablecloth sitting on top of the round wooden table. There were celestial symbols screen printed in metallic silver. I looked over the items placed on the table and fidgeted with their placements. The large glass sphere that was supposed to imitate a “crystal ball” was my manager’s doing, despite my protests that it was unnecessary for my services. I moved it to the side where it was mostly out of sight and out of mind. There were three tarot decks lined on one side and an array of crystals I cleansed overnight. The incense I burned to keep the area neutral was going strong.
“Anything else you need, Lane?” Matt asked, peeking his head in through the back entrance of my booth. Everett moved into frame beside him. He and Matt moved the big table into place for me since my ass of a manager declined to find proper assistance. Everett had an exhausted smile in place as he took in the finished settings.
“I think that’s all, Matty.” I flashed him an appreciative smile.
“Do good tonight. I know all of that,” he said, gesturing to the costume and exaggerated displays, “is to please Shelly for the Halloween theme, but your readings are fantastic.”
“Thanks, that means a lot. Do you guys want a reading before I open up completely?” I asked as the two boys exchanged looks of uncertainty before shrugging.
“Fuck it, I won’t deny the stars a chance to guide me.” Matt stepped inside, ducking to accommodate his frame. Everett followed the same movement and took the seat next to him on the other side of the table.
I sat in front of the two and laid out the deck options for them.
“Okay, so I don’t want you to make a quick decision. Look at the decks and really try to connect with one. Follow your intuition,” I instructed the boys.
“So like, which one is calling to me kind of thing?” Everett asked, and I looked at him with surprise, considering he didn’t seem ready to jump in.
“Yes,” I answered. He didn’t react to me or my answer as he stared at a single deck. His hand shot out and he placed a quick finger on the purple, more subtle deck in front of us. “Are you sure?”
“I’m positive,” he responded as Matt glanced between the remaining two.
“I keep going back to this one,” Matt said, pointing out a black deck with a silhouetted image of a sun and moon embracing for an eclipse.
“Perfect.” I cleared the table and picked up the deck Everett chose. “What question would you like to ask the deck, Everett?” I inquired as I began to shuffle, keeping Everett at the forefront of my mind.
