Winter Solstice in St. Nacho's (St. Nacho's #5) - Z.A. Maxfield Page 0,63

probably why she’d offered. Minerva interested me. Besides the shop, she managed Tug’s living arrangements, and apparently, she’d helped him get a job. I felt like I owed her. Maybe I’d buy a book or something.

“Normally,” she said, “I do readings in private, but because it’s a holiday, I’m having fun. Getting to know people.”

“How do you do? I’m Luke.”

“Hello, Luke.” She had me shuffle the deck and then she turned over my first card. “I’m going to call this your past card. Ooh. Judgement. This is the beginning of your story. This card isn’t as ominous as it seems from the image. I’ve always believed it refers less to judgement by others and more to how we see ourselves and the world around us. When it represents the past, this card could be about how you see who you are, deep within yourself, and whether you like the person you see. At any point in our lives we can take stock of how we’re living and evaluate how we got there. Of course, in all good stories the past is prologue. Now we need an incident—something or someone—that changes the story’s trajectory.”

“Help me Obi Wan Kenobi,” I said. “You’re my only hope.”

“Exactly!” Her laughter jingled like her bracelets. “I see you’re familiar with the hero’s journey.”

“Little bit.” I admitted

“Hm. You’re a wily one, I think.” She turned over the second card. “Ace of Wands. This is wonderful. The wands represent fire and transition. In the present position, the Ace of Wands is pure potential. There’s huge momentum here. Life is offering you a gift, a new beginning, a transformation. It’s something that may not come around again, so you must make a choice: accept the opportunity or let it pass you by.”

“But no pressure. Ace of Wands. I’ll remember that.”

“When I’ve turned over the next card,” she said, “you should take a photo and get a feeling for what the cards mean to you. I get a very strong sense that research is in your nature. You’re… inquisitive, open minded, a devourer of knowledge.”

I raised my hand. “Librarian.”

“Ooh.” Minerva’s patrons said as if fireworks had exploded above us. “Ahh.”

“And finally—” She turned over the third card. “Wands again. This time, the Queen of Wands. Oh gosh. The Ace of Wands speaks to potential. It encourages us to follow our hearts, make our dreams come true, work where our passions lie, and love who we love without fear or doubt. The Queen of Wands often represents a strong female figure who is influencing your life. If that’s me, mea culpa.” Minerva laughed modestly. “Ahem. Wands are strong, passionate, unpredictable, and energetic. They represent sexuality too. In this case, I believe the Queen of Wands represents your strength of purpose. Believe in yourself. Make your choices without fear. You have everything you need in order to do what is necessary to care for yourself and those who matter to you.”

While I processed her words, I took out my phone and snapped a picture of the cards. “You’re very good at this.”

She laid her hand over mine. “I’ve done it for a very long time. Tell me again how you came to be in St. Nacho’s?”

“I came to help my friend Tug move here. He’s staying in town. I think you helped him find a job?”

“Oh, Tug. That explains all the wands.” She nodded fervently. “He’s made of fire. Small world.”

“Yes, it is, isn’t it?” I rose. “I should probably let you get back to your customers.”

She gave me a serene smile. “I’m so glad I met you. We’ll see each other again, I’m sure.”

“I hope so. Thanks for the reading.” Despite being a skeptic, I’d been enthralled while Minerva read my cards. She was such a character. While she read, she pulled an aura of mysticism around both of us like a heavy curtain.

I looked around the shop while she read a couple of the more adventurous tourists. I finally settled on a great looking female-centric tarot deck and guidebook for Echo and a miniature kaleidoscope for Gayle.

After Minerva rang up my purchase, she patted my shoulder. “I’m sure Tug will tell me how things work out.”

I hesitated at the door. “Would it be too much to ask you to look out for him?”

She softened her gaze. “I look out for everyone. It’s my curse and my pleasure.”

“Thank you, Minerva.”

When I left the shop, the jangle of the bell on the door seemed to break the spell I’d been under inside.