The Ravens (The Ravens #1) - Kass Morgan Page 0,30

reminded Vivi of a faded oil painting in the back of a shadowy church—a forgotten masterpiece lost to the world.

“The Queen of Wands, the Fire sign,” Dahlia said with a smile. “Welcome to Kappa Rho Nu, Bailey.”

What just happened? Had Bailey been accepted because her card bore an uncanny resemblance to the image in the candle flame? But how was that possible? And how could such an extraordinary thing happen more than once?

“Sonali, your turn,” Dahlia said. An elegantly dressed South Asian girl who’d been fiddling nervously with her gold bracelets ever since she sat down nodded with surprising assurance. The moment she chose her card from the deck, the candle’s flame reappeared and started to grow, just as it had before. But this time, instead of a phoenix, the flames formed a glowing cloud that drifted through the darkness toward the ceiling.

That’s impossible, Vivi thought, blinking rapidly. But no matter how many times she refocused her eyes, the glowing image remained the same. After a few seconds, a lightning bolt made of flames shot through the cloud, and it turned to a shower of sparks.

“Place your card on the table, Sonali,” Dahlia said calmly. The girl turned her card over and Vivi suppressed a gasp. The card featured another beautiful woman, although this one was dressed all in white and held a glowing blue sword. In the tarot, each suit was connected to one of the elements. Swords were associated with air, hence the thundercloud. But how on earth could someone have arranged that? Even if the candle was some sort of hologram, how could the Kappas have known which cards the girls would choose?

“The Queen of Swords, the Air sign. Welcome to Kappa Rho Nu, Sonali.”

Vivi’s heart had begun to race, and she braced herself for a rush of fear. But to her surprise, tingling excitement filled her chest instead. Her fingers practically itched to pick a card.

The chatty, dark-haired girl who’d been talking to Jess was next. Hesitantly, she reached for a card, and Vivi leaned forward so she could see better. But the flame didn’t appear when the girl touched her card. Nothing happened.

After a long, tense moment, Dahlia broke the silence. “Well, that’s a shame.” She stood, practically snatched the card out of the girl’s hands, and shoved it at Mei. “Come with me, honey.”

In a daze, the girl rose shakily to her feet and allowed Dahlia to lead her out of the room. Vivi looked from Mei to the other Kappas, but none of them appeared particularly concerned. A minute later, Dahlia returned and sat back down. “Who’s next?”

“What happened to her?” asked Bailey.

“Don’t worry about her,” Dahlia said airily. “Once she stepped through the door, she lost all memory of tonight. She’ll be none the wiser. Now, let’s continue . . . go ahead, Ariana.”

Ariana seemed paralyzed by fear until Vivi nudged her and whispered, “You can do it.” Although she had no idea in hell what “it” meant.

Ariana chose a card, her fingers trembling. A few seconds passed, then the candle flame grew into a cresting wave.

“The Queen of Cups, the Water sign,” Dahlia said after Ariana turned over her card. “Welcome to Kappa Rho Nu, Ariana.”

The process was repeated three more times for girls who also failed to create a flame. With each exit, Vivi felt her excitement and dread grow in equal measure.

“You’re up, Vivi,” Dahlia said, nodding at her.

Vivi stared at the cards on the table, arms at her sides. She didn’t want to be shunted into the night and leave all this behind. She didn’t want to forget what she’d seen. But that’s impossible, she told herself. A sorority president can’t wipe someone’s memory. She inhaled deeply, then extended her hand toward the table and let her fingers hover over the cards.

She hesitated, unsure how to decide. But then she felt something tug on her wrist with such force that she thought someone had grabbed her. Vivi looked up, but all the other girls were in their seats. No one had moved.

Vivi relaxed, letting the force pull her like a magnet until her fingers brushed against a card. The moment she touched it, the tugging sensation disappeared. Her hand trembling, Vivi grabbed the corner of the card and pulled it from the fan.

A second later, a flame shot up from the candle’s wick, nearly reaching the ceiling. Vivi gasped as her skin began to buzz. It felt like a current of energy was rushing up her arm, almost