The Magical Tarot Deck

by Marieke Lexmond

‘They’re torturing her?’ Gwen can’t hide her horror. ‘Who are these people? Witches don’t do that.’

  Tara’s heart sank; this is going too far. ‘Ceri, get the kids out of here, they don’t need to see this.’ Tears are silently flowing down her cheeks. Ceri ushers the kids outside. Everybody is quiet.

  ‘Honey, can you hear me?’ Wes tries to get through to her. ‘What do they want?’

  ‘The Dagger,’ Tara answers for her. ‘She wants the Dagger.’

  ‘Tell her.’ Wes urges.

  ‘Never.’ sounds the pained voice of Bridget.

  ‘What do we do?’ Maeve looks at Tara, who has no answers. Ceri absentmindedly fingers her vine around her finger; it has grown thorns which are stinging her. Bridget must be in agonizing pain.

  ‘We can only hope Luna and Tom find them fast.’

  ‘That could take days.’ Maeve is terrified. Nobody should have to endure this. Let alone for days.

  Another groan escapes Bridget.

  ‘B?... Tell them. This is not worth it.’ Maeve can’t handle it.

  ‘Don’t say anything.’ hisses Bridget through her gritted teeth. ‘Don’t you dare say anything!’

  Now all eyes are on Maeve. It’s clear now that they both know where the Dagger is.

  Maeve looks at Bridget. In her mind, Bridget screams but manages to project that she shouldn’t reveal where the Dagger is at any costs. ‘Promise me,’ she screams in her head.

  ‘I promise.’ says Maeve out loud, and the house reacts. No escape now.

  Bridget folds into her mind in a desperate attempt to drown out the excruciating pain. Her dogs keep circling her, sensing her agony, but unable to reach her.

  UTAH

  Lucy stares at Bridget, willing her to talk but she’s withdrawn into herself to be able to handle the pain.

  ‘Should we put some more pins in her?’ wonders Lucy.

  Mara walks over and looks at the balled-up Bridget. On this side, the card half bulges, and it has a mangled look to it. ‘We don’t want her to pass out. Trust me. This is the right amount.’

  A wicked glimmer in Mara’s eyes betrays her dark nature. Her granddaughter is a worthy successor. For the first time since this all began, Lucy feels sure that it will all end well and that her family will have a glorious future. Mara is smart and very powerful. It’s a miracle that her son managed to produce two such different children.

  ‘She’ll cave, we just have to be patient.’ Mara turns back around, confident in her work.

  Patience is not Lucy’s strong point. With a big sigh, she also turns her back on Bridget and decides to go upstairs for a while.

  NEW ORLEANS

  Wes sits on the swing, staring at Bridget. The dogs have taken up positions around her and refuse to leave her side. Bridget’s sub-conscious is vaguely aware of him. The red-hot searing pain running through her body is taking over everything. She turns deeper and deeper inside herself. Wes feels so helpless; all the weird things that have been happening seemed fun at first. The magical paint and this extra-ordinary family, it fascinates him. He had always known that there is something different out there. His artistic soul sought it. This has exceeded his wildest dreams. When he had first set eyes on Bridget, she was walking around with a glass of wine at a party, looking both captivating and lonely. Nobody was talking to her, and the air around her seemed to keep people at bay. Except him, he felt drawn in. When he had mustered the courage to talk to her, he instantly felt complete. Touched on such a deep level, he didn’t know existed. Love at first sight. He had always made fun of that. Now to see her in so much pain and unable to do anything tears his soul apart. He jumps up and walks over to her for the tenth time, trying to touch her. Again, his hand passes through her. Frustrated, he moans. Bouncer, Bridget’s Lab, rubs against his leg. Wes sinks to the ground and hugs the dog tight.

  That’s how Maeve finds him, his eyes still fixed on Bridget, sitting on the ground and the dog silently comforting him.

  ‘Wes, please get up.’ Maeve gently shakes him. Dazed, he stares at her—tears in his eyes.

  ‘I know.’ She fiercely hugs him. ‘Come—’

  ‘I can’t leave her.’ He doesn’t move.

  ‘Of course not, but sit at least on the chair. You’ll get sick this way. That’s not what B would want.’ This time he lets himself be coerced into the chair. Bouncer follows and lies down at his feet, while Maeve puts a cup of calming tea in his hands. Now it’s her turn to stare at her sister. She can feel some of her pain. It’s incredible she can resist it. Maeve is not sure if she would be able to do that if she were in that position. Silently, she is imagining sending some of her strength to Bridget. It might help, part of magic is the ability to imagine things and manifest them.

  Bridget stirs. She feels a quiet boost of energy. Although she’s grateful, she lacks the energy to thank her twin.

  Tara moves next to Maeve. ‘How’s she doing?’

  ‘Oh, Gran, she’s in so much pain. How can they do such a thing?’

  ‘It’s terrifying that they’re willing to do things like this. At all costs, we must prevent Lucy from getting the Dagger back. Can you imagine what she would do with it? So much power in her hands…’ Tara shudders at the thought of it.

  ‘How can you say that? We can’t leave Bridget like this.’ Maeve angrily steps away from her grandmother.

  The sadness in Tara’s eyes almost makes Maeve feel sorry for her almost.

  ‘Gran, all this. It must stop.’

  ‘I would make it stop if I could.’ For once, it’s an honest answer, and that softens Maeve a little.

  Tara grabs Maeve’s hands, ‘My darling, you have been such a comfort to me the past couple of years. I’ve made mistakes, huge mistakes as it turns out. These past few weeks have been devastating. I wish I could crumble up and leave this earth, I’m ashamed, and words can’t express how sorry I am. I wish I could fade, like these cards.’

  ‘Gran, no!’ Maeve is torn between feeling extreme irritation and compassion for Tara. That, however, doesn’t mean she wants her grandmother gone.

  ‘We need to be strong. We need to rely on family. I know we have a lot to sort through. Most of it is my fault. And I will try. I don’t know how. But I will do everything I can to get us through this. I know you will have to play a big part in that. You’ve always been the glue in this family. Like Seamus brought us together. Your sister is the strength, but you are the heart of this family.’ Maeve is shocked, unable to respond; Tara seems spent and nods and leaves her standing there. Wes has been very quiet watching this intimate moment.

  He feels Maeve’s eyes turn toward him. He’s unsure what’s going on between them. His connection to Bridget’s sister is confusing. For now, she needs comfort. Hell, he needs comfort. He holds out his arm, an invitation to come and sit next to him. Maeve glides beside him on the swing. Gently, they hold onto each other while they keep an eye on Bridget.

  Somewhere else in the house, Ceri is tucking her kids into bed. ‘I’m too old for that, Mom,’ says Emily.

  ‘I know, but I missed you.’ Ceri kisses her on the cheek.

  ‘I want to know everything.’ whispers Emily.

  ‘There’s plenty of time.’

  ‘Will Bridget be okay?’

  Ceri looks away as witches aren’t supposed to lie. Who knows if Bridget will be okay? Being tortured will leave a mark, one way or the other.

  ‘I hope so.’

  ‘Me too. She’s been so nice. And I like her boyfriend.’

  Ceri smiles. ‘Go to sleep. I’ll see you in the morning.’

  When she pops her head into Liam’s room, he’s already asleep.

  She feels exhausted. This whole day has been an ordeal. Poor Bridget! The vine around her finger is pushing its thorns into it forming small droplets of blood. Without thinking, Ceri licks the drops of blood from her finger and whispers, ‘From my blood to yours,’ and imagines sending a boost of power to Bridget.

  Bridget’s eyes fl
y open from the boost of power she has received from Ceri. Quietly, she thanks her aunt. This will help her to deal with the pain.

  Ceri senses Bridget’s gratitude as she is opening the door to her bedroom. Bert is not there. Where did he go? She knows he’s not able to leave. Oh, my Goddess, what has she done?

  Too tired to dwell on it, she falls on her bed—fast asleep within seconds.

  UTAH

  Lucy, Mara, and Cal are staring at Bridget’s half transformed form, still curled up. Seamus is furious. He stands in front of Lucy, who’s unaware of his presence. ‘LET HER GO, you evil witch! How can you do this to another witch? It’s not allowed.’ Cal looks the other way as it’s actually kind of comical to see this ghost screaming in front of Lucy’s face with no reaction whatsoever. It’s hard to keep his composure. He was as shocked as Seamus to see that his sister and Grandmother had resorted to torture. That’s taking this whole Dagger thing a bit far. That poor woman!

  ‘Hello? Can you hear me?’ Lucy moves forward, bending through Seamus to get closer to Bridget’s face.

  ‘You miserable woman, get away from her.’ Seamus does his best to push her away, to no avail.

  Lucy shivers. ‘It’s chilly in here.’ Pointedly, she looks at Mara, who immediately mumbles a spell to warm up the room.

  ‘Come on! Tell us where the Dagger is, and this will all go away.’

  ‘Never!’ Bridget hisses between her teeth.

  Lucy turns to Mara, ‘Are you sure we can’t add some pins?’

  ‘NOOOOOOO.’ Seamus tries to shield Bridget from the others in the room; he knows that it will do no good, but he has to try.

  ‘No, Ma’am, we shouldn’t do that.’ Mara is adamant.

  ‘Are you absolutely sure?’

  ‘The chance that she will pass out and not recover is very possible. There is only so much a human body can endure. My Gran, the other one, was always very adamant about that, and she knew.’

  ‘Hmmm. Have it your way.’ Lucy turns around and walks away. ‘Enjoy the night. We’ll see how you feel in the morning.’

  A moan escapes Bridget. Lucy’s laughter still echoes around the room long after she has left. Mara follows, but Cal stays behind, uncertain of what to do. Seamus has slumped down on the ground, next to Bridget’s face. Very softly, he rambles terms of endearment and encouragement to Bridget. For a split second, she looks straight at him and gives him the tiniest of smiles. He can’t believe it, that she can see him. Encouraged, he keeps talking to her, until Cal also heads out. Sadness overwhelms him when he feels his ghostly figure being pulled after Cal. He reaches out to Bridget and manages to touch her face. A little spark runs up his ghostly arm. Then he gets pulled after Cal. His heart sinking at the sight of Bridget’s half materialized form, clearly in pain and discomfort.

  AUSTIN, TEXAS

  ‘Here it is! STOP.’ shouts Luna.

  Tom hits the break in front of a two-story home in the suburbs of Austin, Texas. It doesn’t come more normal than that. A tricycle is turned over in the yard, surrounded by more little kids’ toys—an SUV in the driveway.

  ‘This doesn’t look like a place where a wicked witch lives.’

  Silently, Luna agrees with him. Deep inside, she hopes this is the home. Maeve had called her in tears. What Lucy had done to Bridget is despicable, and they might have their differences, but Luna’s maternal instinct is now working in overdrive. Her baby is hurting, and she will do everything she can to stop this as soon as possible. If this is the house, she can put an end to it. Quickly, she jumps out.

  ‘Wait here.’ Not waiting for a reply, she stands in front of the house, the yard stretches between them. Tom slowly does get out and touches his gun. It gives him comfort, and you just never know. Better safe than sorry.

  Luna spreads her arms wide; without hesitation, she throws out her witch sense. Disappointment quickly follows. She can feel the loud hum and ebb and flow of the ley lines; however, there are no wards or anything resembling the presence of witches. Even if they were hiding, she would sense a spell. Ordinary, these people are ordinary. Damn it.

  Without a word she gets back in the car, Tom doesn’t need any explanation, he can see the disappointment in Luna’s face and he hurriedly gets back in.

  ‘Where to next?’

  Luna bends over the map, ‘El Paso. There is another cluster just on the outskirts. Let’s go.’

  ‘Maybe we should sleep and leave in the morning.’

  Luna turns toward Tom, and the look in her eyes says it all. ‘Right.’

  He heads the car toward the freeway, while Luna tries to hide her tears. Tom squeezes her leg. Quietly, they drive on.

  NEW ORLEANS

  Wes and Maeve have fallen asleep together on the swing. His arm looped protectively around Maeve, while she snuggles up to him. The first sunbeams hit them when they clear the hedges. Birds are singing, and the air is already heavy with the scent of summer flowers and the air feels oppressive. A brave squirrel is rummaging around their feet. Bridget’s dogs keep a wary eye on it, unwilling to leave Bridget’s side. She’s still hanging, half-visible in her agony. Dried tear stains are on her cheek. Somewhere during the night, she had let them run free. Her eyes are still squeezed shut. The pain has overtaken everything. It consumes her. It takes all her strength to not give in. The night has seemed endless, but her resolve hasn’t wavered. She cannot, and she will not, tell Lucy where the Dagger is.

  Maeve stirs, unconsciously snuggling deeper into Wes’ embrace unaware of where she is. The warmth and safety feel good. Slowly her mind wakes up, and the horror of her sister’s situation comes back to her. Her eyes snap open, and the first thing she sees is Bridget’s agonized state. Quietly, she tries to untangle herself from Wes, feeling all of a sudden guilty for snuggling up with Bridget’s boyfriend, however innocently and accidentally it had happened. Her movement wakes Wes, and slightly disoriented he looks from Maeve to Bridget.

  ‘No change?’ The pain in his voice is evident.

  Maeve gently touches his knee. ‘I’m sorry. It looks the same.’

  ‘It drives me crazy not to be able to comfort her. What are they doing to her?’

  ‘I don’t know. They’re evil, but that sounds so childish. This looks like some sort of Voodoo to me. I don’t know much about that. The witches’ code says, “Harm None”.’

  ‘They’re harming Bridget.’ Wes waves his hands, distraught.

  ‘I know. They don’t care about the consequences. It’s unbelievable.’

  Tara steps out, and one look at Wes and Maeve confirms nothing has changed. Depressed, she turns back into the house.

  When Tara walks into the kitchen, it’s eerily quiet. Now that Maeve is staying with Bridget, the kitchen feels empty. No smell of muffins in the oven, no kettle boiling. Has she been taking her granddaughter for granted? These days she seems to be constantly second-guessing herself. For years, she has known that Maeve was struggling with something. Why has she never encouraged her to talk about it? No use in going down that road.

  With a big sigh, she grabs the kettle and gets to work; soon the others in the house will be waking up.

  Liam and Emily burst into the kitchen a half-hour later.

  ‘Have you seen Mom?’ inquires Emily, quickly scanning the kitchen.

  ‘She disappeared again,’ says Liam, unable to hide his disappointment.

  Although Tara’s witch sense is setting off alarm bells in her head, she tries to put her grandchildren at ease, ‘She’s probably running an errand or something. You know your mother. Not good at sitting still.’

  This seems to calm the children down.

  ‘Here, have a sandwich.’ Tara slides a plate full of sandwiches to the middle of the table.

  Only now do the children realize Maeve is not in the kitchen. Disappointed, Liam eyes the bread. ‘No muffins today.’

  ‘Not while Bridget is…Uhm…is not well. Maeve is staying with her for the time being.’

  The kids grab a sa
ndwich and head back upstairs.

  FAIRY

  Ceri is slowly awakening out of a slumber. She was so tired. The power she had sent to Bridget must have drained her. It was so good to see her children, although they have a lot to sort out. The scent of…What is it she’s smelling? She jerks upright. When she looks around, she realizes she’s not in the Madigan home in her old bedroom but back in her fairy home. The sun shines through fluttering curtains, and the flowing room resonates with the gentle sound of a harp. The colors are a soothing green, and she usually would be thrilled. Today, however, she feels like throwing up. How did she end up here? ‘WHY?!’ she screams the rhetorical question into the void.

  ‘You’re connected to Fairy now. When you need energy, or the Land of Fairy needs you, you will always return here.’

  A little yelp escapes her, how could she have forgotten about Sparkle, the voice in her head.

  ‘You scared me.’ She scolds him.

  Ignoring her, Sparkle keeps talking, ‘the reunion with your family drained you emotionally, so when you fell asleep, Fairy pulled you back in to replenish your energy.’

  ‘Great.’ She can’t hide her sarcasm. This is so not what she wants. She wants her kids, her family. Only then does she remember she might not have her whole family anymore. Bert! Oh, my God, what has she done to him? She needs to get back home as soon as she can. Hopefully not too much time has passed. Quickly, she gets out of bed, puts on some clothes, and rips a doorway through into the Madigan home.

  NEW ORLEANS

  Ceri runs up the stairs and pulls the door open to Emily’s bedroom. She’s not there. Same for Liam’s room. Dread is settling in the pit of her stomach; this can’t be happening. Finally, she has her family back. She can’t lose them again. The house is tranquil. Even more quiet than usual. Without hesitation, she throws out her witch sense and feels Bridget’s agony. Right, I almost forgot the whole situation that is going on with Lucy. She feels Bridget’s boyfriend’s bright shining aura, and Maeve’s cautious aura is there too. There’s only one other witch in the house, just the one person on whom she can unleash her frustration.