I know at once these cards are talking about actual people rather than personality traits or situations, and again I’m reminded of the verse Professor Maddox shared with me about the Queens.
First, the swords, which correspond with the air element:
Fear not the evasive Queen of Air
Though her manner is coarse, her outcome is fair
By thought or by deed, by word or by blade
Her sacrifice can’t be unmade
And then the Pentacles—the earth element:
By the Queen of Earth, you may be vexed
But trust you must her diligence
Sisterhood too, you’ll find within
But only when it’s welcomed in
“So who are the Queens supposed to be?” Carly asks.
“I’m not sure yet,” I say, “but something tells me whoever they are, they’re on our side.”
Carly sighs. “Great. More new friends. Can’t wait.”
“Would you rather more new enemies?” Isla gives her a shove, but it’s playful and good-natured, and Carly shoves her right back. Nat chucks a tortilla chip at Carly, and with that, the cards disappear.
“Wait, that’s it?” Carly asks. “She goes through all the effort of reaching out from the great beyond, and that’s all we get? Why didn’t she just leave a note or something?”
“It doesn’t work that way,” I say, and the room falls into silence once again.
“Okay, team. We’re not going to crack this mystery tonight,” Professor Maddox finally says. “We need more information from Casey, first and foremost. She’s the missing link.”
“Yes, but can we even trust her?” Doc asks.
“I don’t appreciate her sneaking out on us tonight, but my gut says her intentions are pure and her instincts are good. For now, I’m willing to extend my trust a little longer, but not by much.”
“One day,” Doc says firmly. “If she doesn’t check in by tomorrow night, she’s on the enemy list, and I’m breaking her cloaking spell and replacing it with one that keepsherout too.”
“Fair enough, Cass.” Professor Maddox yawns, then slowly rises from the chair, her knees creaking. “Okay, guys. I’m going to check on Kate and Ani, then I’m turning in. I’ll see you all… well, perhaps morning is a bit too optimistic. Let’s plan on brunch.”
With a soft pat on my shoulder and a quick nod to Doc, Professor Maddox heads out.
“What should we do in the meantime?” Carly asks, looking to Doc as if our illustrious mental magicks professor has all the answers my mother’s cards couldn’t deliver.
“Find a bedroom,” he says. “Goddess knows the house is big enough for an army.”
“And then what?”
“I don’t know what tomorrow holds, but I do know this—things are likely to get a lot worse before they get better. So if I were you, Miss Kirkpatrick, I’d probably get some rest.”
He glances my way for no more than a heartbeat, then turns his back, dropping the last mug in the dishwasher and heading upstairs without another word.
Seven
STEVIE
