PRINCE OF PENTACLES

A person points you in the right direction, do you choose to follow the path or would you let the opportunity slip you by? We make choices all the time in our lives, meager, strong, and sometimes illogical. Our business can thrive based on the choices we make—it’ll harvest, bear fruit. Every choice starts with an idea—a message hinted by someone, they are loyal and pragmatic. You can’t wait for something to happen, to fall on your lap. Go and get it done.

* * *

—Gio—

The thorns in the garden coiled and raptured the home of tinted glass windows. Its luminescent blooms rustled in the wind, carrying an incandescent scent of rose. Their roots settled and grew new buds. Perhaps, this was the place of sanctifying peace—the one which nudges at the heart without having to break it. It was here I was raised; here I broke my legs the first time; here I bled; here I lost him to the shadow. I traced the indents carved into stone, brushed it clean till I could breathe their name. Mother, how do you fare so, sucked into the ground beneath my feet? I’m sure it’s cold down there, all alone.

At a leisurely pace, I sauntered, crunching sounds of gravel picked at my shoes. A couple of fresh recruits stood a few meters away, guarding the gates of my home. They tried to hide their whispers. Murmuring about changing shifts and keeping straight faces to appear serious and brave in front of their lord. I wonder if they lost one or two of their loved ones in the last war. They most likely did, so willing to sacrifice their subtle youth. Brave. Foolish. Brave. Their eyes glowed, full of brimming life. They’ve never witnessed death staring back at them. The bodies of our kin drained of their time, tainted with the corruption. The skin of their flesh crinkling, sinking until only their bones were left. Fiery flames blazed high to the sky; bright, beautiful, fearsome. The young guards' fingers twitched at the sight of me. They straightened their backs, held the sword firmly, trembling slightly. Those hands have never killed anyone—innocent. I wanted to protect this place—him more than anything.

Earlier we had heard Sid’s report on the delivery of the gift. The young man had laughed on his way out of his house, dancing, cheering without a care of who saw him. It didn’t matter if they thought him strange, jeered at his mood—no person abled, rained on his happiness. His cute dimple, a skip in step for sure, and his amber eyes beaming for me. All the goodness one could reach into walked and danced around him. He was my blazing grass, the rush in a storm, the calmness in Winter. Maybe, I could skip Spain. I’m sure Julio wouldn’t mind me missing the meeting today if I were to see my love. I had this gaping ache in my chest for so long. Over time I’ve drowned in the deep end, seeing no way out of the abyss. If he were by my side, breathing would come easier, even as I sink—he’d pull me back up, break the tide, and set me ashore. It was time to give back, return to what it was. The puzzles had started to shift into place. He would return home, to me, to the Otherworld.

“Sire, there you are!” Calius shouted a few feet away from the garden gate.

When will he ever stop calling me Sire, we’re brothers for goodness sake. So, formal. Calius ran and heaved. He folded to his knees, waving his hand for me to stop. His nearly white-platinum-blonde hair glued to his forehead. He must have run for miles. Why didn’t he teleport? He swatted at the will-o-wisps buzzing on his nose and ears. I chuckled at his persistence. Those little buggers had attached themselves to him since birth, protecting him from being whisked away by fairy folk. He rasped and garbled his words—I caught the word detected.

“Breath. I can’t understand a word you’re saying.” I patted his shoulder.

Hopefully, he’ll speak clearly. The willowy vines wrapped around the gates twitched, agitated, ebbing a surmountable purple aura. I furrowed my brow and measured up the hard to grasp barrier over the land—it didn’t crackle or waved. Something in my gut repeated, wrong, wrong. Aunt Chiron should be arriving in Venice soon, perhaps she could take a look. I gave my brother a once-over, nodded. He breathed deeply and collected himself, rather clumsily.

“Aren’t you in a hurry, what’s up?” I asked—a hint of amusement in my voice.

He inhaled, hand on his chest, eyes closed.

“We’ve detected an anomaly,” Callus said, releasing a big breath.

“Another one. Where?” I firmly asked, my eyes blazed in gold.

The air rippled, nipping, and burning the blood through my veins. Whatever sign of amusement was gone. Control it, Gio. The number of cases happening across the world was increasing and our strength continued to dwindle in the last few years. I pinched my chin, brow-raising. It couldn’t be. I shook my head, sighed, and shook again. Could it be they discovered him?

“An old woman. We sensed her near a small populated area,” Calius gasped, kneeling down in ceremony, “I’m sorry. We missed it.”

Calius yanked on his damp hair and his clothes. He had a habit of staying clean and cut. I’ve never seen him this shaken since Sid stitched the seams of his favorite coat inside out. We disappeared, came back two weeks later. Apparently, he had his tailor fix him a new coat—one Sid couldn’t tamper with.

He pinched the bridge of his nose. Each time I tried looking at his face, wouldn’t meet my eyes. His mind was stuck in a pit of guilt. We couldn’t save the last one, who's to say we can save the next. This time it could be a child, being ensnared by the shadow, pushing him to hurt the ones he loved. The ground wailed, drummed—it was calling for him—bring home. This place grew impatient. The wave of its energy inhaled and exhaled, its heartbeat shuddered for its other master. He’ll be here soon. I need more time.

“Have you told father?” He nodded, then shook his head.

My brow furrowed. What wasn’t he telling me?

“He told me to come to you, seeing as you are the head of the clans,” He said, biting the bridge of his lips.

“Who is it, Calius? Who has been in contact with it?” I demanded, hands into fists—a sharpness in my voice.

“It’s the neighbor.” He finally made eye contact.

“Who? Give me a name.” I clicked my tongue.

Something wasn’t right. My chest ached at the underlying dread. I didn’t want to be right about this feeling. They couldn’t have found him so quickly. Impossible. Unless….

“Mrs. Hatchet.”

My back stood stiff. I turned, facing down. The ants lifted objects twice their size, and they could still make it to the other side. Even as a child who told his father they could lift a ton of weight, struggle through long and dangerous ventures, why couldn’t I do the same for the people who mattered to me the most in this world and the next. Failure wasn’t an option, not ever, most especially him.

“Pick up Sid and bring a few guards with you,” I ordered.

“Yes, sire!” Calius nodded and headed to the guardian centri.

I picked inside the pocket of my suit. The beeping of Julio’s cell number came from my phone, followed by the ringing tone.

“Hello? Gio! Finally! Are you on your—”

“Listen, Julio, I don’t have time. I have to cancel the meeting.”

“What! Gio this meeting was arranged months ago. The Underworlders—”

“He’s not safe anymore.”

“What do I need to do?” Julio asked.

“Meet up with Sid and Calius at home, they’ll get you up to date. I have to go.”

“Wait, Gio—” I hung up.

My shaking fingers failed to snap. I huffed and rubbed my face. Calm down. Calm down. At my final attempt—a card rested on my palm.

“Work your magic, my gifted Star.”

The figure of a woman in blue, wavy black hair, laid resting. She opened her eyes, her hand and gaze shifted to the crescent moon lying above the stars in a circle. Two great nymphs— familiars—roared and curled around her feet.

“Inanna,” I called her name.

My Goddess, guardian Inanna’s power flowed inside me. I glowed, blinding the guards at the gates who gasped, calling out to me.

“Take me to him. Take me to Ray,” I savored his name in kindness, love, and spirit.