Page 80 of Unruly
Farnsworth
First things first: find Calex. I head to downtown Salem, where I’m certain someone will know who I’m talking about, but before I even make it there, my attention is pulled to an unusual house on the corner. It’s a white colonial with a sign that says Psychic Readings in the window, and something about it calls out to me. Not one to ignore my instincts, I cross the street and enter the house.
Inside the foyer, the scent of incense tickles my nose. “Hello?”
To my left, a drape parts and a man appears. He’s dressed sharply in tailored slacks and a soft sweater. His dark skin is absolutely flawless and his light brown eyes shine like warm honey.
“Here for a reading?” he asks brightly.
“Perhaps. I’m not exactly sure what drew me in.”
I study the man’s face. There’s something unusual about it, something… otherworldly.
“Tarot is always a good place to start,” he says. “I’m Raden. You are?”
“Farnsworth. Pleasure.”
“Come.” Raden gestures for me to follow him into the room.
There’s a round table in the center of the space, and many candles around the room. I note the deck on the table as well.
“You’re a psychic?”
Raden shakes his head. “No, just intuitive.”
I sense the deception in his words. He’s not used to people understanding his nature, and he’s rightfully guarded.
“Raden, I’m not like most people you interact with.”
He turns slowly toward me. “I’m aware. You already know what I am, don’t you?”
“I only know what you’re not.”
His energy shifts slightly, his guarded demeanor increasing. “What is your business with me, sir?”
“I told no lies. I was drawn here. Perhaps, you know something that can help me.”
“With?”
“I’m looking for a witch called Calex.”
Raden literally flinches as I speak the name. “Why?”
“I don’t know entirely, but I suspect they’ve done some magic that’s preventing me from doing my job.”
He lifts his gaze to me. “Calex is bad news. He uses black magic for ill purposes. I don’t associate with him.”
“Fair warning. Do you know where I can find him?”
Raden studies me for a moment. “May I see your hand?”
“Yes.” I offer my left hand and watch as Raden drags his finger over the lines on my palm.
He visibly shivers and nods, as if hearing words I cannot. “Very well. Please sit.”
I sit across from Raden, watching as he shuffles his deck of cards. I don’t know how tarot can help, but I get the sense that Raden uses them in a unique method.
He flips several cards, his brow creased as he studies them. “Hmm. Well, isn’t that interesting.”
