Page 11 of Desperately Seeking Vampire
“Gotcha. Well, if you will move your fancy big-ass Microsoft mobile phone, I’ll do a spread for you.”
He was mildly shocked until he realized that it was the cards she would be spreading.
“So, what I generally do is shuffle the cards a few times, then cut them until you’re happy with them. If you want, you can cut them yourself. I don’t mind if others touch my cards. Some readers do, but eh. They’re bits of paper and ink, you know? And the lamination has peeled off of some of them, so they’re glued back together, but it’s what they say that matters, not what they are, if you get me.”
Ivo listened to her with part of his attention, the rest of his mind wondering at the fact that he found her so enticing beyond her hair. He studied her as she shuffled the cards, noting a heart-shaped face that was heavily freckled, a frame that was in no way delicate, but pleasing in its curves, and breasts that he could not help but approve of. He wondered about her hips, ass, and legs, but he was a gentleman, and gentlemen did not ogle those who were reading their fortunes.
No matter how tempting they were.
“You want to cut, or should I?” she asked, holding the deck of well-used cards.
“I’ll do it,” he said, a tiny voice in his head warning that she might well be sharking him. He took the cards, the brush of her fingers against his hand sending a streak of heat so great that he jerked his hand back.
“Ow,” she said, laughing and shaking her hand. “That was a hell of a static shock, huh? Go ahead and cut them as many times as you like.”
He laid four piles of cards in front of them, then gathered them back in a random order before setting the stack on the table.
“I can do a simple three-card spread, or a more detailed five-card that goes into specific concerns you might have. Which would you prefer?” she asked, her hand poised over the cards.
“Five cards,” he said, picking it simply because he assumed it would keep her speaking the longest. He liked her voice. It was lilting despite the American accent. They spoke in English, but she definitely had a way of pronouncing some words that had him wondering if she’d spent time in Ireland.
“Here we go, then. First card, four of cups. This stands for your past, and it represents a withdrawal, or refusal. It says you may be overthinking something, that you might be stuck on a choice, and are spinning your wheels.”
“Spinning my wheels,” he repeated, thinking of his visit to Christian’s garage. “My friend’s uncle has a motorcycle. I liked it the best of all his vehicles. I rode a Triumph motorcycle when I was in France, and enjoyed it greatly. My friend said I could try his uncle’s motorcycle, although I understand it is much more powerful.”
“I’m not much for anything beyond a Vespa, but you do you,” she told him.
He realized then that he had not inquired as to her name. “I am Ivo.”
“Yeah, I heard the woman say your name.”
She laid another card down in front of him. “The Emperor.”
“What is your name?” he asked, since she didn’t seem to take the hint.
“Minerva Goldstein. The Emperor in the present spot is more or less a sign that your mind needs structure. It says that you might be feeling powerless, and you will continue to do so until you stand your ground, and reclaim your authority.”
“Do you know Finch?” he asked, suspicious.
“The little birds? Sure. They’re cute.”
“Finch is a person. My friend.” Ivo thought for a few seconds. “My closest friend.”
“Ah, your partner?” The look she flickered his way seemed to be somewhat disappointed. “I’m afraid I don’t know anyone with that name.”
“I thought you might. He is a strong believer in an ordered mind. He’s writing a book about that.”
“Good for him. Right, the card in your future spot is three of swords. Ouch. This is kind of a mental-housecleaning card, but it can also mean that your heart has been attacked, but you are still strong, and you can heal and move past that stage. I like to think of it as a card that says that the skies are clearing, and the worst is over.”
“That would be nice if it was so, but I doubt if it can be true. Not unless you happen to know of a woman around a hundred years old who used to live in France,” he answered, his heart glum.
She shot him an odd look, but placed down another card. “This is the first of two cards that explain what the universe is trying to tell you. It can be a warning, a hint, or even a commentary of something going on in your life. Your card is the queen of swords. That says to me that you are pretty strong-willed and don’t tolerate fools gladly, but you may be allowing yourself to be influenced by the past. You won’t be happy until you can let that go.”
“You seem to be focused on events in my past,” Ivo said, wondering if she wasn’t pulling some sort of con after all. It seemed unlikely, but the memories of the soldiers in the trenches were all too strong. “Is there a reason for that?”
She frowned at the cards for a moment before her gaze met his. He noticed that what he’d first thought were dark brown eyes were actually blue, a midnight blue with little flecks that seemed to glitter in the artificial light. “That’s odd. I didn’t realize I was doing that, but you’re right. It’s as if the cards are focused on your past, and not anything else. Odd. Well, let’s go on to the last card. This is a second sign from the universe, more something to think about than an action that’s being demanded of you. Oh.”
Ivo looked with interest at the card. It was a woman holding an odd-shaped goblet, with several others below her, and a figure in a cloak moving away in the distance. “Is it bad?”
