Page 62 of Magic in His Arms

He began slowly, but it turned out he could draw, was good at it, and was making money illustrating children’s books.It was a strange situation for him because he had fallen in love with a brownie whose parents said that being an illustrator was not enough.

“So, will she defy them for you?”

“She would, but I don’t want to cut her off from her family.My family has turned to you for the last four decades, so Grandfather said you were the one to talk to.”

“I see.And yet, I don’t get free food.”She smiled.“I have a few ideas for you, and we can see what the possible outcomes would be.”

He nodded.“Please, but how is this different from a seer’s predictions?”

“This is a view of living pathways in time.I am just going to take a look at them for you.”

“Can anyone else see?”

“We are a large shimmer in the lot.Now, the first option is that you do nothing to please her family.”She looked at the possibility and reported what she saw.She went through one scenario after another.She was surprised at the most favourable selection.

“Okay, so if you go for your graphic design degree while producing an online comic about mixed-race marriages, you will have them on your side forever.”

“Really?”

“Really.They just want you to have options to support your family.They worry for their daughter, and they have not seen you successful on your own terms.The trust fund that your grandfather gave you will not stretch far with three little ones in the house.”

He blinked.“Three?”

“And take a course on financial planning.That gets you to five children.”She chuckled.“When you are ready, my sister knows a great real estate agent.”

He was grinning, and his sharp teeth were visible now.He looked much more like Dem-rah’s relative.

“So, if I do this, it will come to pass?”

“If you set your foot on this path and follow it, everyone will relax, and you can plan your own future.”

“You are sure?”

“I see the way that living things move through the world.I don’t deal in folly; I deal in fact.The undead give me a headache.”

He laughed and took her hands, squeezing them.“What clan do you belong to, so I can send them a gift?”

“None, but thanks for the thought.”She grinned.

“Wait.Seriously?”

“Seriously.I think the speaker at the picnic table is plotting something, but everyone assumes I have been asked to join a clan, and it just hasn’t happened.Shamans are too long-lived around here.”

He blinked.“Right.One per clan or enclave.”

“Yup.All right.Do you feel you have your path?”

“Yes, Shaman Kibra.”

“Then, stand up.The boulder is about to disappear.”She got to her feet, and when he did the same, they returned to the visible world.

Tam-or was sitting there talking with two other men.She recognized the psychic imprint on them.Three speakers.

She looked at her client.“What are you doing?”

“Looking up those courses.”

She chuckled.“Good.I am going to go score some more lemonade.”