Page 25 of The Runner
Cara studied the image. ‘How apt.’ She paused and considered the vivid picture of The Magician standing behind some kind of altar. ‘Tarot scares me—I much prefer the Angel cards,’ she said carefully.
‘Don’t be scared. The card is with us to help you. You chose it and it chose you. What do you think it desires you to know?’
‘Is the magician supposed to be Eddie?’
The skin around Sylvia’s eyes crinkled into fine lines and her eyes glowed. ‘Seems so, doesn’t it? And just look at the sign above his head.’
‘It’s the symbol of infinity.’ Cara’s words tumbled out.
‘I’m not sure there could be a more suitable card to answer your question. The meanings are not always as straightforward to understand as this, but this looks like a no-brainer.’
‘As though it’s telling me to follow Eddie’s lead into infinity?’
‘Yep. In addition, The Magician is all about fulfilling one’s potential, so I’d say you’ve got a green light from the cards to enter the wormhole under Eddie’s guidance.’
‘I almost wish I didn’t! Who knows where it will lead?’
‘Shall we answer your next question?’ asked Sylvia.
Cara inclined her head and Sylvia continued flipping over the cards. ‘One, two, three… Remember to hold the question in your mind and tell me when to stop,’ she prompted.
A card slipped from Sylvia’s hand, almost as if it had a will of its own. ‘Here we go. We’ve got a runner,’ she said. ‘Better see what this one has to say. The wild cards are often the most enlightening because they are determined to be seen and heard.’ Sylvia laid the card down so they could see it.
‘Ah, lovely, an angel card,’ said Cara. ‘I like these the best.’
‘Adriana is an oracle card from one of my favourite Doreen Virtue packs. I’ve noticed this card appears when someone is trying to run the show. Consider whether your karmic memory question is about you logically trying to gain control of the future, and in your case, your past too, rather than following your inner guidance.’
Cara sat up straight and stared at Sylvia. ‘Oh God, I’m doing it again, aren’t I? I never learn… I’m always trying to steer the ship by force on my own desired route.’
‘Angel Adriana communicates through intuition, thoughts and dreams, so it’s fitting for your question, although it doesn’t give you a definitive answer like the first card. It’s more an important reminder that you’re not in control.’
‘I’m always amazed at how I lose sight of it and fall back into my old habits.’
‘Easily done, my dear. It’s a side effect of being human,’ said Sylvia, her tone light.
‘Right, before I leave you in peace, is there anything else I should know?’ said Cara.
‘Let me just have a few minutes and see what comes up,’ Sylvia said, closing her eyes and holding the cards as though she were communing with them. She began to sway gently once more, and the room heated up again, as Cara shifted in her seat.
After a few moments, Sylvia fell into a deeper trance. ‘You are being called to relive the Georgiana timeline. We don’t know why, but what you need to know will be revealed as you step forward into the unknown.’ Then her body jerked, and her eyes opened wide as if in surprise. ‘Everything happens for a reason. It might change nothing, or it might change everything,’ she said cryptically. She took a sip of water from a bottle she kept on a side table. ‘Was that any use to you?’
‘I’m not sure,’ replied Cara. ‘It didn’t answer my question about the dreams, but I feel calmer… as though a weight has lifted from my shoulders, and I don’t really need an answer. You’ve reminded me again—that it’s not all on me. I can just take it one step at a time as the path becomes clear.’
Sylvia smiled. ‘And if that was all you ever understood, it is all you will ever need to make your remarkable journey easier. The challenge is in remembering it.’
‘I’m realising that,’ said Cara. ‘Thank you so much for making time for me today. I know you’re busy.’
‘It’s always a pleasure to fill in a piece of your magical, mystical puzzle. Please give my love to George and Eddie. And let me know how it goes. I can hardly wait to hear more about your adventures through the wormhole.’
‘I will. And you must come and visit us. The grand opening will be soon, so look out for your invitation in the post.’
Cara left the office, feeling light, as though she had grown wings.
Willow Manor,York - Present day
When Cara got backto the house, she found George and Eddie eating buttered toast and drinking tea. ‘Ooh, that smells gorgeous.’ She took a bite of George’s. ‘I’m ravenous, I forgot to eat.’
‘Let me pop a slice in for you,’ he said.
