by Etta Faire
“That’s okay,” I told Syliva. “I don’t need to see it now. I know where to reach you if I ever need to blackmail Jackson.”
“Well, it’s a very sad day when I’m the most moral person in the car,” he added.
Rosalie and Jean were already waiting for me when I entered the Purple Pony. I was supposed to watch the store while Rosalie drove her cousin to the bus station. Jean’s late husband was hovering right behind her again, waving his arms around like he was flagging down a taxi. He knew this was his last chance.
“Welp,” Jean said. “I gave it a shot. Guess we both found out the hard way that the rumors about passing out in the Dead Forest were right. “ She rubbed the back of her head, making her frizzy jet-black hair poof out even more. “And I’ve got the bump to prove it. Heard you passed out too. Wonder what makes you pass out in the Dead Forest.”
I shrugged. “Something paranormal.”
Rosalie rolled her eyes from the cash register. “I’m sure it’s the power of suggestion, is all,” she said.
“You passed out too when we were kids, fishing,” Jean reminded her.
“It’s because we all heard the rumor and expected to pass out if we went off the Dead Forest’s path. Simple psychology. Self-fulfilling-prophecies are a thing, you know?” Rosalie grabbed her humungous handbag. “You ready to go?”
Jean grabbed her duffle bag, stopping by me on her way to the door. “Thanks for your hospitality. The frozen pizza. The place to stay. Seance was interesting. Still don’t believe in ghosts, though.”
Jean’s husband coughed from his spot behind her, and I knew I had to say something.
“Your husband is here again, Jean. He has a message for you,” I said.
She looked behind her, moving her hands around. “You know, I do feel something. I feel his presence…”
“Really,” Rosalie asked.
“No. Of course not. That was a joke. Wooooooo,” she added in a ghostly tone.
“Okay,” I said. “He really does have a message for you, though.”
“Maybe I have one for him too. He probably doesn’t want me to avenge his death. He probably thinks I’m wasting my life chasing vampires, looking through our old wedding album a thousand times a night, trying to smell his pillow from 30 years ago. And maybe he’s right. Maybe I am. But, if he really is here, please remind him that he knows me better than this. I’m gonna do what I want to do. And that’s that.”
He smiled at Jean, and I could tell he still adored her.
She opened the door, and Rosalie followed her out. “One more thing,” Jean said, pausing in the doorway. “I saw you pushing a concealed remote to open the hatch at the seance. Thought I wouldn’t notice, huh?”
She and Rosalie left just as Justin came in. He was carrying a bag that smelled garlicky and perfect. My stomach rumbled. Standing on tiptoes, I threw my arms around his neck and kissed him lightly. His cheek was scratchy and warm. “You are the best boyfriend,” I said. “Ever,” I added loudly so my ex would hear.
“Thought I’d surprise you with lunch,” he replied, holding out the bag. “Garlic shrimp.”
“Well, it’s no frozen pizza in old, discolored tupperware, but it’ll have to do.”
I hurried into the back and grabbed a few of the paper plates and plastic utensils Rosalie always kept in the storage cabinet.
He was right behind me, unpacking the containers he’d brought and placing them on the desk back there. “Just wanted to let you know they identified the assailant and you were right. Jay Hunt.”
“Gathering the suspects for a big murder reveal party probably wasn’t my best idea,” I said, opening one of the containers. The smell of garlic shrimp took over the room, making my mouth water. “I’m just happy the elders were there to get the guy.”
“You’ll probably be happier to know the elders are leaving today.”
I smiled. I was happier. “What’d they figure out about the signs?” I asked, raising an eyebrow at him. I knew there was no way he was going to tell me anything. I spooned some pasta onto my plate, splashing a little sauce onto my pinkie in the process. Licking my finger, I sat down on a nearby chair.
“I guess we’ll find out soon enough,” he said. “Which was why my mother wanted me to study up. It affects the whole clan now. The elders have to make decisions in accordance with the prophecy when the signs point a certain way.”
“Ohmygod, it’s like you’re speaking an ancient shifter language. What does that even mean? What is this prophecy thou is suddenly talking about?”
He shook his head as he grabbed a plate. His brown eyes smiled at me under the fluorescent lights of the back room. “It’s nothing.”
“Just tell me the damn prophecy already. You know you want to.”
“I wish I could,” he replied. He opened his mouth then closed it again. After grabbing a piece of garlic bread, he sat down on one of the chairs by the desk and began eating like we were done with the conversation.
I stared at him until he turned to me. And I saw in his eyes that he was questioning everything he knew about me. He didn’t trust me again.
I felt my cheeks growing warm with anger and I reminded myself not to fight on an empty stomach. I took a deep breath and tried to see things from his perspective. “I don’t know why I can read those books or go into the forest without feeling disoriented, or why there are growling birds following me around.”
He coughed on a piece of pasta.
“I know there are a lot of reasons why someone like you wouldn’t trust someone like me,” I went on. “But you’re not just someone, and neither am I. We’re us.” I looked away. “I mean, you did say you loved me. And you wanted me to meet your mother, again…” I gulped because the only other time hadn’t gone very well. “Sounds like we’re getting serious enough to trust each other.”
He caught my eye. “I don’t know, Carly. The last time I thought we were getting serious, you dumped me for a rich jerk.”
Jackson appeared by my side. “Awww, he likes to reminisce about the good old days too. Best boyfriend ever. I heard.”
I ignored my rich jerk of an ex. “We’ve all changed since then. Some more than others. I just hope someday you’ll trust me.”
“You’re making me feel guilty.”
“Then my plan is working,” I said, rubbing my hands together.
He put his plate down. “I guess I can tell you a little, but only the generic stuff.”
I sat up. “I’m totally okay with generic. My mother never even bought name brand.” I slowed my voice down, remembering I shouldn’t look too eager. “And you have my word I won’t tell anyone.”
“I’m trusting you,” he said.
“Oh please,” Jackson said by my side. “Just get on with it. Hard to believe I’m second best around here.”
I didn’t tell him he wasn’t even close.
“I can’t believe I’m doing this,” Justin said to himself then took a long inhale. “There are actually two separate prophecies. Neither is good. The bird shifters have one that, of course, outlines a course of events that benefits the birds. We bears have our own prophecy too. Most of the bird shifters on the lake are hidden and unknown. They’re very secretive, but we’ve interviewed the known ones here.”
So that’s why Knox was at George’s barbershop. I knew he couldn’t have been there for a ten-dollar haircut. I decided not to say that part out loud.
Justin continued. “All of the known birds seem to vehemently believe their prophecy has begun. And by that, I mean they’re all denying it way too much. Theirs begins with the return of a sparrow.”
“And yours?”
He didn’t say.
“Let me guess,” I said. “The disappearance of three brothers.”
Justin didn’t confirm anything, not that I expected him to.
“And… what about the grouse pin? The bear skins? Where do they fit in?”
He didn’t answer. He went back to his shrimp and I went ba
ck to mine, both of us losing just a little trust in the other. Me thinking he needed to tell me more, and him wondering why I needed to know so much.
“My, my. All this for three bears?” Jackson said, breaking the silence. “I hear they’re coming back as soon as their porridge cools.”
I knew then and there I was going to find out the details of both prophecies, with or without my boyfriend’s trust. Probably without because Rosalie was right. Self-fulfilling prophecies were a thing. And most times, they were a thing to avoid.
The End
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