Page 12 of Enchanted Hero (The Secret Enchanters #1)

I ncense and earthy spice scented the dim tent, lit by slivers of sunlight and tealight candles in colorful stained-glass lanterns.

Bright beaded tapestries lined the walls, matching jewel-hued pillows covering the grassy floor.

A diminutive woman with gray hair and emerald eyes set in a weathered face greeted them, “Welcome, my children. I am Madame Narissa. Are you here to have your fortunes told?”

“Yes.” Everleigh reached into her purse for a ten-dollar bill. “Here’s enough for both of us.”

Before she could give the money to the elderly woman, Alexander smoothed a twenty into the woman’s hand. “Just her,” he murmured.

Narissa paused, her gaze darting back and forth. She gave her head a little shake, turned back to Everleigh. “Please take a seat, Miss Lacey.”

Everleigh parted her lips. “You know my name?”

“Magic and…” The old woman smiled. “It’s on your VIP badge.”

“Of course.” Everleigh straightened the golden lanyard. “You could’ve used that to your advantage.”

“That would be deceitful.” Narissa smoothed out a large floor pillow. “When I read your fortune, it’s what I truly see, not some trick. Sit here.”

Everleigh sank down on the plush pillow, while Alexander stood to the side like a soldier on duty.

Narissa grasped her hand with surprising strength, maneuvering it with deft fingers.

She studied it carefully, tracing its lines and flattening its contours.

“You’re facing a drastic upheaval.” She smoothed the palm.

“Someone has come into your life who will change everything.”

Everleigh nodded at the true if vague statement, as Narissa continued, “He will challenge you, redefine your existence. He’s unlike any you’ve ever known.”

Alexander shifted in the background, but Everleigh didn’t look away from the woman’s piercing eyes. Though her words were still somewhat general, they fit her life perfectly.

“Don’t fight your destiny.” Narissa’s voice was strong. “It will only bring challenges, and not change the ending. Learn what is within your power to stop, and what you must accept.”

Everleigh swallowed a lump of heavily scented air. It was true, yet still likely a coincidence. Despite what she told Alexander, she was skeptical of people sharing fortunes at county fairs. Yet the old woman seemed genuine as she clutched her hand. “Not even the strongest can fight destiny.”

“I have no choice?” Everleigh cried unplanned words. “I have absolutely no control?”

The woman lowered her voice. “Of course, you do. All of us affect our future, but true destiny cannot be denied. You must learn to accept this.” She rubbed her hand.

“I see your turmoil, child, but do not despair. Your future is beautiful. You will have much happiness. Love, success–” She smiled. “Children.”

Despite a hundred misgivings, Everleigh softened. She’d always focused on her career, but lately she’d considered pursuing something of a more domestic nature, especially as friends and colleagues had attained boyfriends, fiancés and husbands. Children .

The old woman chuckled, looking upward as if she were actually seeing some sort of vision. “Rambunctious little children. It almost looks like they’re–” She stopped.

“Looks like they’re what?”

The woman turned pensive. “You’ll think I’m teasing you.”

“No, I won’t,” she promised. “What do you see?”

“Well, it almost looks like they’re flying.”

A cough sounded, and Everleigh turned. She assumed Alexander was trying to hold back laughter, yet by his serious expression, amusement was far from his mind. He looked startled, unsettled even. “Obviously, it’s a metaphor.”

“Of course.” Everleigh returned her attention to the fortune teller. “Do you normally see metaphorically?”

The old woman frowned. “Not usually.” She shook her head. “I think that’s all.”

Everleigh stood, then reached down to help the woman. “Thank you, child.” Narissa peered behind Everleigh. “And what about you, young man? Are you sure you don’t want your fortune told?”

“No, thank you, ma’am.”

Everleigh leaned in. “Come on, Alexander. Are you worried your life won’t end with global domination?” She nudged his shoulder. “Do you have something to hide?”

He gave no response as he turned to the fortune teller. “Thank you. It was very enlightening.” He held out his hand to shake hers. She grasped it, looked down and froze .

Alexander visibly stiffened. He tried to pull his hand away, but the old woman’s fingers squeezed tight. They stood locked, the woman studying him like an inscrutable mystery. “Ma’am?” he said softly.

The old woman gazed at Alexander, her face a mixture of awe and wonder. At that moment, Everleigh truly believed. If psychics truly existed, this woman was one. Now she was staring in astonishment at Alexander.

What had she seen?

The fortune teller still hadn’t moved. “Who are you?” she whispered.

Alexander set his jaw. “I’m Alexander Stone, just a businessman.”

“No,” The woman jerked her head back and forth. “You’re so much more. You’re… you’re–”

Everleigh leaned in, ignoring Alexander’s disapproving glare. “He’s what?”

“He’s…” The fortune teller stopped. Then she looked back and forth between the two of them, her vibrant eyes widening.

“What do you see?” Everleigh pressed.

But the old lady stepped back, whispered.

“I’m sorry.” As if suddenly aware of her actions, she snatched her hand back.

This time she almost did fall, but Alexander reached out and steadied her.

“Are you okay?” Genuine concern laced his voice, for the woman certainly, but for him, too? “Can we call someone for you?”

“I’m fine.” The old woman took a deep breath. “Sometimes this happens when I have a strong vision.”

Questions about the vision danced on her lips, yet Everleigh stayed silent. The woman was still shaken, studying Alexander with pale features.

The businessman wore a mask of granite. “We’ve taken enough of your time.

” He took Everleigh’s hand, holding firmly when she tried to snatch it away.

He ushered her to the front, but stopped right before the curtains.

“Are you sure there isn’t anything we can do for you, ma’am? I can’t leave you alone like this.”

The woman studied him for a second more, then a small smile came to her lips.

“Always taking care of others even at your own peril.” She cleared her throat, and her voice turned stronger.

“I’m fine. My husband will be here soon, so I’m not alone.

And incidentally, neither are you. Not if you trust your instincts and seize what is yours. ”

Silent communication passed between the two, locked gazes weighted with mysterious meaning. Before Everleigh could speak, an elderly man entered the tent, wearing a bright robe that matched the fortune teller’s billowy dress. “Hello.” He smiled warmly. “I hope I’m not interrupting.”

“Not at all.” Alexander visibly relaxed. “We were just leaving. Thank you so much, ma’am.” Before Everleigh could protest, he escorted her out of the tent.

The cadence of conversation was louder as they entered a fair in full swing, yet this time it couldn’t steal her focus. Everleigh escaped from Alexander’s hold, successfully, but only because he allowed it. She held up an accusing finger. “I wasn’t done.”

“Yes, you were.” His expression was solemn. “Didn’t you see how upset she was?”

A momentary stab of guilt pierced her. She straightened her shirt. “She was fine by the time her husband came back. Do you know why she was so shocked?”

He led her away from the tent with a firm hand on her back. “She probably just got off balance for a minute. I’m sure she’ll be fine.”

“What did she see?”

He stopped. “How would I know? Her job is convincing people to believe made-up fortunes. Her condition had nothing to do with any sort of vision.”

It made sense, far more than any fantastic explanation, yet every instinct clamored there was more. “I don’t think she fabricated anything, and by your behavior back there, neither do you. Why would she ask who you were?”

“Who knows? She’s not really a psychic. She’s either a confused woman or a clever performer earning a living.

I’d put money on the latter. Even your fortune could’ve applied to anyone.

” He gestured to the vendors hawking products and potions all around them.

“The fair is a fantasy. They give vague clues and watch your reaction. A little encouragement, and they delve deeper. Who doesn’t go through changes or meet new people? ”

His assessment was accurate, if imperfect. Yet the way she’d acted around Alexander was inexplicable. “What about her reaction toward you? She didn’t fake her distress.”

“No, but that wasn’t about me.” Alexander stood up taller. “She didn’t see anything.”

“You’re being purposely deceptive. I saw how you reacted when she questioned you. You looked like a criminal caught in the act.” Everleigh stepped closer. “Like she saw something you didn’t want anyone to know.”

He looked at her from under hooded eyes. “Miss Lacey, are you suggesting I have a deep, dark secret? Something only a fortune teller would see?”

It sounded impossible, yet this man defined the impossible. “Do you?”

For a brief moment, he stood perfectly still. His voice was low, dangerous, as it splintered the silence. “Everyone has secrets, Miss. Lacey, and I suggest you stay away from mine. As you know, I’m very serious when it comes to people invading my privacy.”

If he thought to deter her, he didn’t know the woman he was facing. He owned New Age Treasures, and anything that affected him affected her company. That made him – and his secrets – of interest. He was definitely hiding something…

And she was going to discover what it was.

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