“May I?”
He smiled, holding out the deck. “They are irresistible. Painted by some gypsy artist, according to their history. I always find the history of objects so fascinating. Don’t you?”
“It depends on the object.” She thought of the box she trapped a homicidal fire elemental in. No desire to know the history of that box. At all. “These really are . . .” Her voice faded when she touched the cards. They felt warm, and—welcoming. She learned tarot as a favor to Claire, so they could share the duty in the store. But this deck called to her, made her want to lay out a complex spread, just to see what it could do, what secrets it held. “Wow.”
“I felt the same.” J.J. gave her a charming smile. “There really is a pull with them. I never cared one way or the other about this kind of thing,” he waved at the store, “until I first received the cards. Now, I can’t seem to learn enough fast enough.”
“I know what you mean. I developed my power at a late age—why am I telling you that?” She looked over at him. “I never tell anyone about that.”
“Guess I just have one of those faces. People want to reveal all to me.” He smiled again, touching the edge of the deck. “You are a practicing witch.”
“Not at the moment, but yes.” Because she couldn’t stand the need, the itch in her fingers to work these cards, she started laying out a Celtic Cross. “Damn—these are gorgeous. Like portable works of art.”
Her wedding ring flashed at her, red flaring through the usually clear, rich blue. Just a trick of the light—it had to be. She caressed the card she just laid down. The Queen of Swords. A proud woman sat on the throne, blonde hair curling around her face. A face that looked like—
Like her.
“Annie—what is it?” The card blurred, then sharpened until it looked three-dimensional. Heat shot up her arm. With a gasp she jerked her hand away, panic choking her. It faded as soon as J.J. touched her. “Annie?”
“Did I tell you my name?”
“Of course you did. Let me help you down.” He moved around the counter, one arm on her waist as he got her off the stool and on her feet. Her giant stomach brushed him. “You are close to your time. Women are so beautiful just before they give birth.”
She shook her head, sure she didn’t hear such a ridiculous statement coming out of his mouth. Hormones—again. “I can’t wait. I feel like a refrigerator with legs.”
His laugh drove into her, warm and icy at the same time. “No one would ever mistake you for anything but a beautiful woman, in the prime of her life. Can you get the cards for me? We can set up at the table in the back, where you will be more comfortable.”
The panic returned. “How do you know there’s a table?”
“There is always a table in these places. It’s almost like a requirement.”
He sounded odd, angry and pleasant at the same time. Annie felt dizzy, trying to pull away even as he gathered her in closer. She had never been so vulnerable, and she did not like the feeling.
With a grunt she jerked herself free, stumbling against the counter. “Hands off.”
J.J. ignored her, kept reaching. “I only want to help you, Annie. To learn what you know.”
Now that he no longer touched her, she felt her head clear.
“I did not tell you my name.” Her fist shot out, caught him in the chin, snapping his head back. She took the seconds she had and ran for the door. His hand grabbed the back of her sweater.
Protecting her baby with one arm, she spun, elbowing him in the face. He let out a furious shout. Annie followed up with a sharp jab to his nose. Instead of dropping or covering his face, he lunged for the counter. For the cards.
Too late, sparks danced across her ring—a warning she didn’t need.
She pulled the door open, taking in a breath to scream. And he touched her back.
Pain and heat surged through her. She felt her power coil, and gathered it, ready to take him out.
“Annie.” Every thought of retaliation slipped out of her. His hand slid up, closing over her shoulder, turning her around. “Your power is so pure. So beautiful. I’ve never seen anything like it. And there is this—spark. A tiny, silver spark. Your child,” he whispered, spreading his hand over her stomach. “She has your power in her.” He closed his eyes, swaying, a low hum hypnotizing her.
After taking in a shaky breath, he looked at her, his brown eyes glowing. “Gorgeous, just gorgeous.” He opened her hand, placed the deck in it. “Tell me my future, beautiful witch. Tell me our future.”
She nodded, clutching the cards like a lifeline. Dark, edgy power flowed through her, and she drank it in, feeling invincible, worthy, alive. For the first time ever. Red sparks gathered over her ring.