Sinister Magick- Chapter 4: Sinister Reading

Chapter 4: Sinister Reading

I’m aware that I shouldn’t be making deals or bargains with entities. But, when you’re sixteen, and your brother is the only friend you had, are you just supposed to let them die? In my case, I couldn’t let that happen. Also, I remember feeling enchanted by Hecate’s presence, not scared. Like she was someone to trust, so why wouldn’t I agree to that bargain? But now that Keenan and I don’t talk anymore, it seems like a waste of magic.

I watch as Rosalie starts lighting the candles on the table, one by one, as she takes out her tarot cards. She stacks them on the side of the table and then spreads them out in one smooth motion. No wonder she gets a lot of clients, she seems to know exactly what she’s doing. Then again, she’s a real witch, and around here, it’s hard to not find a fake. You have to do some research or have connections to the magic realm.

Rosalie looks over at me, “So let me get this straight, are you the one that did the spell, or Hecate herself?”

I study her, “I did the spell to summon Hecate, but she brought back my brother herself.”

“I see,” She hums, closing her eyes and moving her hand above the cards.

I’ve always been fascinated by tarot cards, but I never learned or understood how to use them. I suppose I should’ve, given the circumstances. I find comfort in knowing you can tell someone’s future, or your own, and what path they need to take to avoid or get there. It’s somewhat of a life hack. Today, though, we’re using them to give us some idea of where Keenan is.

“Pick three cards,” Rosalie opens her eyes, “And only flip over one.”

I gently pick up three random cards from the spread and lay one of them down face-up on the table in front of me. It’s a picture of a hand holding a lantern, with the star in the middle.

“Ah, The Hermit,” She keens, caressing the side of the table, almost seductively. There’s something about this woman that’s angelic and calming, similar to Hecate, “Self-reflection, caution, vigilance… It seems your brother is… well, hiding.”

“Hiding?” I questioned.

“Yes, young one… hiding. He is afraid of himself, in some way…” She purrs once again, closing her eyes and breathing in loudly, “Maybe even afraid of you, but it’s hard to tell. Flip over a second card, please, darling.”

I hesitate but flip over the second card.

This time I’m looking at something that appears to be right out of a law textbook.

“Justice,” Rosalie starts, “Virtue, honor, balance. He craves balance. He may be in town.”

In town. That means he’s most likely staying at a hotel. He doesn’t talk to anyone here anymore. I wonder if he’s hiding here. For what reason though? Hiding from what?

I flip over the last card without Rosalie telling me to. It’s a picture of two people intertwined.

“The Lovers,” She coos once more, “Trust, optimism, bonding… not necessarily always a romantic card. In this case, I suppose, he’s looking for you.”

I stand up and all the candles suddenly go out. It’s now completely black in the room except for the twinkling light from the fireplace in the other room.

“Unfortunately, my dear, you may be too late,” Rosalie starts laughing, almost hysterically, as if her body is no longer her own. Nina runs out from the other room and grabs her mother from the chair, dragging her upstairs by her arms.

“You’re too late, you’re too late, you’re too late,” She sang as she got dragged, still laughing in between words. My heart, at this point, is beating at almost one hundred miles per hour. Edris bursts out of his chair and takes my arm, pulling me through the door. I can still hear her even as I go outside, Rosalie singing the chime.

As we get in the car, I let out a deep breath, and a tear runs down my cheek.

“Don’t listen to her,” Edris starts pulling out of the driveway, “She’s always been bonkers.”

I look in front of me as he drives back home. It’s now 3am. We’ve been at this for almost three hours. My eyes are now droopy, red, swollen, and my skin dry; all I want to do is sleep. I need sleep. I need to clear my brain and start looking for Keenan tomorrow. It’s not too late, I can still feel my son’s soul. It’s light, but it’s still there. We have time.

When we pull into the driveway, I notice Sybil’s car is now in the driveway. She must’ve gotten in a fight with her friend and came back early.

Still shaken up, Edris and I walk inside to see our daughter sitting at the dinner table, her arms crossed and a smug expression on her face. Her blonde hair is tied back in a tight ponytail and she’s still wearing the clothes she went out in.

“I know everything already, don’t worry,” she says.

Edris and I both pause. She stands, “I felt Malachi’s energy fade from this city, and I knew it wasn’t either of you with him. So, I traced it. Through the sibling witchy bond or whatever. And I found him.”

“You found him?!” I burst out.

“But he’s not here, mom. That’s the thing. And when I say here, I mean in this realm. I can’t sense his physical body, only his vibrations, energy… things like that.”

I know exactly where Malachi is.