Page 7 of Twisted
“Well, it depends on how you look at it,” I say, but in my experience, the Tower is never a good sign.It was the last card I pulled, and Gia didn’t shuffle the deck.“It means a sudden change that’s usually disruptive and changes pretty much everything.But then it can lead to new beginnings, which is good!But…you forgot to shuffle.”
“Oh, shoot, you’re right.”She presses the cards to her chest, thinking of her question.“Does Aiden G like me?”She shuffles the deck and pulls out another card.
I smile and try not to chuckle as she puts down the Ten of Cups.“Ohh, this one means a favorable outcome and emotional fulfillment.”
“Does that mean he likes me?”Her face lights up.
“Maybe.But you know you don’t need a stinky boy to make you happy, right?”
She rolls her eyes, sick of hearing me tell her that.“I know, Wren.And just because you don’t want a boyfriend doesn’t mean I don’t.”
“You’re eleven,” I deadpan and raise an eyebrow.It takes everything inside of me not to glance up at Ryder, who’s still over at the bar, getting more drinks.I know better than to admit out loud that I want a relationship.I’ve been raised as a hunter, told my focus and purpose in life is to kill as many demons and monsters as possible, sacrificing my own happiness for the safety of others.
But really, I would kill for a partner again.Life is hard, and not having to do the hard things alone makes it so much better.I know having a boyfriend isn’t going to solve all my problems, but it would make it a hell of a lot easier to navigate.There’s something so fundamentally lonely about being the only witch in a group of hunters, of knowing I’m never going to be fully accepted by the people I consider family.
Because, at the core, I’m not family.
I’m some little orphan girl a compassionate hunter took in, finding me alone in an apartment in Italy after demons killed my parents, devouring them until there was nothing left.I like to think they gave their life to save me, but I guess I’ll never know.
“Mom’s here!”Gia exclaims and I look up, seeing my adoptive parents—and Antonio, Leo, Larissa, and Gia’s biological parents—walk into the tavern.
“Let’s put the cards away,” I tell my youngest sister.I give them a quick shuffle, letting them rest without any questions weighing on them, and quickly tie a ribbon around the deck before slipping it back into my bag.
Vivian and Marco Russo are well respected hunters, and make their way over to us after getting stopped by people along the way.
“Excellent job,” Vivian says, sitting down across from us.Her eyes light up and she smiles as she looks at me.“I just read Antonio’s report.”
“Oh,” I say and sit up a little straighter.Did he include what the demon said?
“We’re not the only ones who are impressed,” Marco tells me.
“Who else is?”Gia asks, eyes widening.The kid should be posting cringy dances on TikTok that we can look back on in a few years and laugh at while she dies of embarrassment.Not worrying about things like demons.
“The higher-ups,” Vivian whispers and Gia gasps with excitement.“They want to meet with you.”
“Really?”I ask incredulously.
“Yeah, kid,” Marco says.“They finally see what we see: a superior hunter.”
I force a smile, a weird feeling starting to grow inside of me.
“When do they want to meet?”Inhaling, I fold my hand on the table, careful not to let my emotions get the best of me right now.
“Soon.I should get more info soon.”Marco gives me a curt nod.“Good job, kid.”
I force a smile.“Thanks.”
Before they can give me any more details, Leo and Larissa join us at the table.Ryder and Antonio come back a few minutes later with a round of drinks for the adults and a Shirley Temple for Gia.I sit and finish my beer, listening to the others talk and laugh.I understand what they’re saying but sometimes it’s like they’re speaking a different language because no matter how hard I try, I just don’t fit in.
I’m a witch.I have powers they never will.And at their core, they’re scared.
Or worse…jealous.
I get up to use the bathroom and consider going to a different bar full of normies.Dressed in a tight black tank top, black leggings, and my go-to black boots, I look like a hunter here.There…there I look like I’m hunting for something else and it’s easy to find a semi-good-looking guy to go home with.Sometimes someone is better than no one.
“Sorry,” a drunk hunter says after bumping into me after I leave the bathroom.My bag slips down from my shoulder and hits the floor.
“It’s okay,” I reply and reach down to get it.My tarot cards tumble out and my heart skips a beat when I pick up the deck.It’s still tied together with the same purple ribbon, but one card is facing up when it wasn’t before.
