Total pages in book: 247
Estimated words: 248926 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1245(@200wpm)___ 996(@250wpm)___ 830(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 248926 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1245(@200wpm)___ 996(@250wpm)___ 830(@300wpm)
I walked over to the desk. “This could be considered a fire hazard.”
“I would know when the fire was going to happen.” Baba walked around the desk and lowered into her chair.
“Good point.” I sat down.
She gestured to the cards. “Shuffle them.”
“No, tarot cards this time?”
“The tarot cards never came for you, so we must work with the cards that picked you.”
I picked them up and shuffled. Once I finished, I lay them close to her.
Baba didn't touch them. “Pick one.”
My nerves flared.
“Go ahead, Emily.”
I rubbed my hands together and then reached for the deck. Back in Moscow when Baba did my reading, I picked from the bottom of the deck. During that reading, I had learned a lot. Kaz and I were the King and Queen of hearts. Baba also explained that I was having a boy that would be the King of Hearts while my lost daughter would the Queen of Diamonds.
What will she say now?
This time, I chose the first card and placed it on the side of the deck.
Baba stared at it. “This will represent Kazimir to you. Let's see if he has changed his card.”
I flipped it over. “The King of Hearts.”
“He is still very much in love with his mouse.” I bit my lip.
Kazimir saw the monster within me and didn't walk away. Due to that, I would always stand by his side and love him with all my heart.
“Pick the next card.” Baba put her attention on the deck. “Are you still the Queen of Hearts?”
Swallowing, I pulled from the center of the deck and flipped it over. A shiver ran through me when I saw it.
Baba nodded. “Queen of Spades.”
My voice grew hoarse. “We don't match anymore.”
Baba looked at me. “Do you think that matters?”
“I liked it when we were both King and Queen of Hearts.”
“Now, your dark side has been revealed, but do you think the Lion cares?”
“No.”
“Then, do not worry about matching.” She picked up the cards and shuffled them. “Now we check your present and future.”
Terror filled me.
She lay the deck on the desk and spread them out into a fan. “Pick seven cards.”
“Anywhere I want?”
“Anywhere.”
I grabbed two on the left, three in the center, and two on the right. Then, I put all seven close to her.
Baba pushed the rest of the cards to the side. Then, she moved her attention to the seven cards.
It might have been my imagination, but she looked just as nervous as me to turn the cards over.
As if stalling, she pulled out her drawer and took out a stick that had some sort of odd jewel on the end. “O-kay.”
I raised my eyebrows.
“Who or what will keep you safe?”
I widened my eyes. “Because. . .I'm in danger?”
She held the stick in mid-air. “Are we not still in a war?”
“Fair point.” I gazed back at the cards.
“Who or what will keep Emily safe?” She flipped over the first card.
The Joker stared back at us, wearing a green jester cap that made his head look like an upside-down teakettle. He actually looked to be holding a cigar. Smoke rose around him while a huge grin covered his face.
I leaned back. “Max.”
“Correct.” She tapped the jeweled stick against the card. “Keep him as close to you as possible. Listen to him. Love him. Touch him.”
I fisted my hands in my lap. “Touch him?”
“Our bodies remember what our minds can't. Through touch our thoughts and memories remain stagnate within our flesh. Through touch they can rise up.”
“Listen.” I shook my head. “We don't touch.”
“If you do not release the trauma from your body, it will remain locked in your flesh. Pain has no concept of time and space.”
“But. . .”
“Emily.” She set the jeweled stick down. “I am not telling you to be intimate with Maxwell. However, the gentle squeeze of a hand could do so much.”
I trembled.
“Our bodies can communicate to each other more words and healing than our mouths ever could.” She said as she studied me.
I remained silent.
Sighing, she picked the stick up. “Let's see what the next card says. Who or what else will keep the baby and you safe?”
The King of Hearts showed up again.
The first time she did a reading, it shocked me to see repeated cards. Now I knew that anything was possible with Baba's deck.
“While the Lion may be a living nightmare to the world, for you he is your strength and loving foundation.”
I swallowed. “He is.”
“Then, I do not have to tell you to keep him close.”
“Not at all.”
She turned the other card over. “King of Diamonds.”
“Jean-Pierre.”
“It seems that the Butcher may be nervous about your dark side, but will still remain loyal.” She turned the next one over. “Ace of Hearts.”
I thought back to the last reading. “That's Boris.”
“It is. Your bonds to these men are stronger than ever. They will see you through victory against any enemies.” She put the four cards to the side and touched the final three. “But, what is your future?”