Two of Wands
“Why are youback?” Nina asks as I slink my way into the house, shutting the door behind me.
My shoulders slump as I drop the bag to the floor with a harrumph.
“He got called away to a homicide.” It’s all I offer, and neither one of them presses.
“So…no sleepover tonight with the hot cop?” Lanie purses her lips, pouting for me.
I shake my head. “Nope. That is on hold until further notice.”
“I’m sorry, Ally,” Nina says, rushing toward me to give me a hug.
I chuckle into her shoulder. “It’s all good. I get to spend my night with you two now.”
Nina pushes me to arm’s length, inspecting my face. “You’re allowed to be disappointed, Alyssa. Own your feelings so you can actually have a chance at a good night.”
I huff. “Thank you, Dr. Nina. I shall endeavor to own my dissatisfaction.”
She purses her lips, narrowing her eyes at me. “Sarcasm is not a good look for you.”
I stick my tongue out before leaning forward and placing a kiss on her cheek. “I’m honestly good, Nins. If my plans were going to fall through, I’m happy to have you two here.”
Lanie claps her hands together. “Great. We have another accomplice,” she says to Nina, who raises her eyebrows and gives me a look that screamsYou’d better run.
“What are you needing an accomplice for? Do I even want to know?”
“Lanie had a dream,” Nina says, widening her eyes for effect.
I turn to Lanie, whose head is lowered as she rocks back on her heels. “It was a nightmare. One that’s going to come true if I don’t heed its warning.”
“You’re shook by adream?”
She glares at me, apparently picking up on my incredulity.
“It was more than a dream, Alyssa. It was a warning.”
In all the years I’ve known Lanie, she has never been easily shaken. If anything, she’s poked fun at Nina and I for acting the very way she is now.
“What was this dream about?” I ask, taking the cursed shoes off my feet and throwing them off to the side, happy to be done with them. Lanie takes a seat on the floor, and I make my way to the couch.
“I was tasked with completing a list of New Year rituals, and if I don’t do it, my year will be catastrophic.”
I smother a chuckle because Lanie is dead serious. It’s as though Corinne or some other mystic told her these things personally and she’s taken them to heart.
“Lane…it’s not real,” I say, trying to quiet her nerves. “It was a dream.”
She throws her hands up in the air. “Exactly. Dreams can spell doom.”
I pull my upper lip into my mouth and turn to Nina, hoping she can help calm our distressed friend. She shrugs, and I know she’s leaving it for me to work out.
I huff, settling in for a whopper of a story. “What did these rituals include?” I say, opening myself up for a long night if Lanie’s superstitious panic is any indicator.
“I don’t remember,” Lanie says, voice pitching. “I only recall that a scarecrow was involved. I have to burn it.”
I can’t help it. I laugh. “A scarecrow? Seriously, Lanie, are you hearing yourself?”
She shoots daggers at me with her eyes. “I know what I sound like, Alyssa. I’m scared. It’s real. I can feel it.”
