I force a wry grin and wipe my tears with the back of my hand. “On that, we agree.”
With a final shuddering breath, I turn away from Kane.
“I will miss you, Little Fawn,” he says softly, his words falling against my back.
I stop, my chest squeezing at the familiar nickname. But I don’t look at him. My heart is shattered, the pieces too sharp to handle.
I motion for the guard and trail him down the dank, cold corridor. I clench the card in my hand, its magick symbols pulsing rhythmically against my palm, a faint steady heartbeat in the silence.
The guard opens the door, and I walk out into thealley. The door creaks closed behind me. Once again, I’m outside the palace, in the dark, by myself.
“Back where I started.”
As if answering my mutterings, the sky quakes, and lightning splits the air, unleashing a deluge that soaks me to the skin.
“Fuck off!” My voice cracks, swallowed by low rumbles of thunder. I don’t know who I hate more—myself or Kane. Either way, I’m getting out of here.
Rain streams down my face, mingling with the tears I no longer hold back, and plasters my dress to my body. I shiver, cold needling through my arms as I hold the card out in front of me. The ancient symbols Kane wove into the tarot card’s magick pulse—the Empress alive and listening.
“Take me—”
My heart squeezes, and I bite the tip of my tongue to keep the words at bay. There’s nothing left for me here, but a part of me still wants to stay, to hope.
How many times can I let this happen? How many times will I repeat this same sad pattern? I’m stuck in the lowest part of a movie, when everything sucks and there’s absolutely no hope. Unlike the movies, tomorrow won’t bring a new day, a new opportunity, a fresh start on my way to a happily ever after. All I’ll get is more shit.
“I can’t keep living my life like this. I won’t.” And, this time, I mean it.
I clutch the card between my thumb and forefinger. Energy pops along my skin like bubbles on champagne. The symbols glow brighter, and I squint, locking eyes with the woman on the card. She seems different now, bolder, more intense. Or maybe it’s just me.
“Take me home,” I command.
The world around me tilts and swirls. I take one last look at the palace. Then, with a rush of wind and light, it’s gone.
Twenty-Six
The world around me is a blur of neon lights and distant sirens before everything snaps into focus. My knees buckle, and I land hard on the concrete, my palms scraping against the cold sidewalk. I gasp as I stand up slowly, legs trembling. Cool gusts bite through my dress, bringing with them the smells of exhaust and fast food. Two scents I hadn’t realized until now that I could have gone the rest of my life without smelling.
I still clutch the card in my hand, but it no longer pulses. The vibrant glow and magickal symbols Kane bespelled the Empress with have vanished. His magick is gone. Kane is gone.
“I’m home.”
A sharp, startled inhale draws my attention, and my gaze swings to the bus stop. A woman sits up from the metal bench. She blinks at me and pulls her thin blanket up around her shoulders.
“Where’d you come from dressed like that?” sheasks, her bushy brows furrowing beneath a stained and tattered beanie.
I tuck the card into my bodice and look down at the elegant velvet dress, sparkling silver chalices stitched into its hem. Obviously, there were some things I didn’t think through. “A party?” I grimace. “A costume party.”
“Why you so wet?” Doubt barbs her question, and her eyes narrow as she scoots deeper under her blanket.
I shrug like being soaking wet in an authentic Renaissance gown in the middle of the city is an everyday occurrence. “Just one of those nights.”
She purses her lips and nods. “Say less.” Satisfied with my answer, she settles her head back against her bag and closes her eyes.
I pat my sides, and my stomach sinks. My dress wasn’t the only thing I didn’t think about. Once again, I’ve left my purse behind. I don’t have my phone, wallet, bus pass, keys, or anything that belongs to me, to this world.
Anxiety churns in my stomach, and I force myself to take a deep breath. There’s only one place I can go.
Fucking Chad.
