Touching Fate

by Brenda Drake

  Now Reese was checking the time frequently, and the minutes ticked by excruciatingly slowly. He got to his feet, smoothing his pant legs down.

  “Shall I check on the girls’ progress?”

  “Yes, dear, that’s a good idea,” her grandmother said.

  “I’ll aid in the hunt,” Jan said.

  Reese scaled the stairs to the upper level of the house with Jan on his heels. Shuffling and banging came from Aster’s room. Hesitating before knocking, he gave Jan a curious look.

  Jan shrugged. “Either they’re being attacked or there are large rats scavenging in there.” He pounded on the door.

  Leah opened it, wearing a white graduation cap and gown. “Come in. We have a situation.” She stepped aside to let them enter. Jan shadowed Reese in.

  Reese shoved Jan back. “I don’t know who hovers over me more, my mother or you.”

  “Hey, I don’t hover,” Jan said. “It’s more like lingering.”

  Aster was on her knees, searching the bottom of her closet. “I can’t find my tassel.”

  “That’s what the stripper said,” Jan joked, then responded to Leah’s disapproving groan, “I thought that was quite clever.”

  “You would,” she said. “Jan and I will look downstairs.” She grabbed Jan’s arm and led him out, as if she were a mother dealing with a disobedient toddler.

  Aster sat back on her heels and sighed.

  “When’s the last time you saw it?” Reese asked once they were alone.

  “Um…an hour ago?”

  Reese spotted something white sticking out from under the window seat cushion. He tugged it out and held it up. “Could this possibly be it?”

  “Yes, thank you.” She popped up and started for him, kicking something that slid across the floor and stopped at Reese’s foot. Her eyes widened. “My tarot deck. How…how did it get here? I threw those cards away. Did you bring them?”

  He rubbed the back of neck. “No. I didn’t. You have to believe I wouldn’t.”

  “I do believe you,” she said. “But how did they get here, then?”

  Reese didn’t know what to say. Possibly Jan had brought them with him. He’d beat him senseless if he had.

  And as if on cue, Jan walked back into the room. “Your mother said you’ll have to do without the tassel. And, I will say, she got my stripper joke. At least someone has a sense of humor around here.” He noticed the look Reese and Aster were giving him.

  The smile slipped from his face. “What? I’m not lying—she actually did laugh at it.”

  Aster held up the tarot deck. “Did you bring these here?”

  “I believe I’m missing an entire piece of this conversation.” Jan looked from Reese to Aster. “Why would I have them?”

  “Never mind,” Aster said, tossing the deck on her bed and picking up her cap and gown. “I thought I threw them away. Guess I didn’t.” She sounded just as unsure as he felt.

  The entire drive to the convention center, Reese couldn’t keep his thoughts off the tarot cards. He worried about Aster. About the cards and what kind of connection Aster had with them. Miri was able to use Aster’s fate card to do a calling on her. Did that mean anyone could control Aster with them, as well?

  Reese slid his hand over hers. She smiled up at him before resting her head on his shoulder. He kissed the top of her head. Hell, he’d be damned if he’d let that happen. He pulled out his phone.

  “What are you doing?” she whispered.

  He leaned closer to her. “Texting Miri. She has to know how to break your tie to those cards.”

  A hopeful look crossed her face and she nodded.

  Whatever it took, Reese was determined to protect her, just as she had been there to save him.

  …

  During the entire graduation commencement, Aster’s thoughts remained on the tarot deck. She fidgeted in her chair, crossing and uncrossing her legs. How did the cards get there? She didn’t remember taking them out of the wastebasket and putting them in the suitcase. And Jan and Leah had sworn they didn’t retrieve them. Maybe a staffer at the castle had.

  Her line stood and shuffled toward the stage.

  Tillie’s voice haunted her. Learn to live with your tarot deck. It will never leave you.

  A shiver crept down her spine. No. The deck couldn’t have followed me. Could it?

  The line stopped and moved, stopped and moved, along with Aster’s thoughts. It does have magic. Why do I keep forgetting that? It found me. Magic can’t be explained. It was hard for her to put her belief in it. Her scientific mind always searched for answers. There had to be a way to cut the connection between her and the cards. She hoped Miri had answered Reese’s text.

  “Aster Dawn Layne,” the deep voice of her school’s principal called.

  Aster mindlessly stepped over, took her diploma, and shook his hand. She passed Leah on her way to the stage and her friend mimed for her to transfer her tassel to the other side of her cap. Aster slid it over and spotted Violet, Iris, and Daisy jumping up and down in the stadium-like seats yelling for her. Her mother snapped pictures while Gram recorded the event. Aunt Roselyn bounced baby Nathan on her lap, trying to ease his cries. Aster sat back in her seat.

  She was so focused on her thoughts, she didn’t realize the ceremony was over until the graduates jumped up and threw their caps in the air, cheering. She made her way through the crowd, searching for Reese and her family. Reese found her first and gave her a tight hug.

  “Congratulations,” he said, bending over and giving her a passionate kiss.

  She kissed him back with just as much passion. She’d never been kissed like this before Reese. His kisses were unlike the rough, forceful ones of boyfriends past. They were gentle, yet full of need at the same time. His lips were soft and warm and tasted like Gram just gave him one of her peppermints. The crowd moved around them, and she didn’t care who watched. His arms tight around her, his tongue lightly brushing her mouth, they were fated to find each other. And now that the curse was broken, they’d have many more kisses and private moments to look forward to.

  And then it hit her. She pulled away from him. The green vines on the card had turned black. Seepage from the charge coming off the crystal had hit the cards. That’s why they flew up in the air. The charge contained the curse. Did her tarot cards get cursed?

  Learn to live with your tarot deck. It will never leave you.

  Aster felt sick. “Any word from Miri?”

  “Yes. She said the answer to breaking your bond to the deck is in the old notebook she gave you.” He cupped her face in his hands and kissed her again. “It’s going to be all right. Tell your mother you have to get something from your house and that we’ll meet them at dinner.”

  …

  Back in her room, Aster sat on the floor beside Reese, reading the yellowing pages of the notebook. Her tarot deck looked menacing from its spot on the carpet in front of them. The black vines reminding her of death. She had to break the bond between her and those cards.

  “Here it is,” Reese said, stabbing the page with his finger. “You have to make a rope with a lock of your hair by braiding it, use it to bind your deck with your fate card on the top, and smudge the deck.” He looked up at her. “That doesn’t seem like much effort. I’d have thought you’d have to give some of your blood.”

  “Very funny.”

  “Well, there is the bit here that says you can reclaim the deck by unbinding it and using it to change someone’s fate.”

  “Yeah, I’m never doing that again. I’ll get some scissors,” Aster said, shooting to her feet. She grabbed a pair from the penholder on her desk and stood in front the mirror attached to her dresser.

  Reese came up behind her. “Let me do it.” Before he took the scissors from her, his hand lingered on hers for a few seconds, causing tingles to rush across her skin. Would she ever get used to his touch? She hoped not.

  “Cut from the middle,” she said to his reflection in the mirror. “I don
’t want it to be noticeable when I have my hair up.”

  He parted her hair and slid the cold metal blades against her scalp, and she shivered. “How thick do you think we need it?”

  “Enough to hold the deck tight,” she said.

  It was a slow snip, and Aster had a sense of relief at the sound. She would finally have control over her unwanted gift. Reese handed her the lock of hair. With nervous fingers, she braided it. When she was done, she grabbed one of the bundles of sage, picked up the tarot deck, and sat on the floor. She winced at a sharp pain that seemed to swirl around her infinity scar.

  Reese gave her a concerned look, placing the scissors on the dresser. “What’s the matter?”

  “It’s nothing. Can you grab the matches by the candles on my desk?” she asked.

  Reese retrieved the box and joined her, pulling his legs up. He slipped his arm behind her back as she searched the deck for her fate card—strength. She smiled then, knowing she was strong. The last few months were proof of it. She studied the image of the woman taming the lion with an infinity symbol above her head. She had thought taming the lion referred to Reese, but it didn’t. It meant the fates. And the only way to tame them was to take control.

  “I hope this works,” Aster said, putting her fate card on top and wrapping the hair rope around the deck.

  Don’t do it. Think of all the power you possess.

  Aster stopped before tying the ends together. “Did you say something?”

  “No,” Reese said. “You don’t look well.”

  He wants to control you. Get rid of him.

  “What the hell? You did say something.”

  “Nonsense. I haven’t said anything.” Reese eyed her suspiciously. “What’s going on? Why are you stopping? Finish it.”

  “I can’t. What if I could do good with this gift?”

  Reese sighed deeply. “Nothing good has come from you changing fates.”

  “You’re just jealous,” she snapped.

  “Where is this coming from?” He took her shoulders and searched her eyes. “The cards are doing something to you. Tie the knot.”

  As Aster glanced at the deck, the black vines moved across the top card like slithering snakes. She quickly knotted the ends.

  NO! The haunting voice scraped against her mind.

  She picked up the sage and lit one end. The pungent scent of the burning herb filled the room. As the smoke engulfed the bundled tarot cards, the faint pink infinity scar on her wrist shimmered. The voice was silent. The pain in her wrist gone. And she knew then that she had tamed the lion.

  Reese raised an eyebrow at her. “Is it finished?”

  “Yes. It feels like it worked. See my scar?” She held her wrist out for him to see. They watched it as the shimmer faded. “It was so scary.” She leaned into his chest, and he wrapped his arms around her. “There was this voice…and snakes on the card…”

  “It’s all over. I’m here.” He stroked her hair and kissed the top of her head. And she let the warmth of his body and the smell of his cologne soothe her.

  “I should put this thing out.” She stood and dropped the smoking sage into a glass half filled with water on her nightstand.

  “Now what?”

  “We hide the deck,” she said, removing a panel in the bottom of the window seat.

  Reese picked up the deck and brought it to her. “Nifty hiding place.”

  “During hide-and-seek games when I was younger, this is where I’d hide. No one ever found me. Don’t tell anyone. My family doesn’t even know it exists.” She retrieved Tillie’s hatbox from within the space, lifted the lid, and dropped the deck inside. “I’m so done with tarot cards,” she said, replacing the box and sliding the board back in place.

  Reese held his hands out to her. “Come here, you.”

  She took his hands and he helped her to her feet. “You know what?” Aster said, smiling up at him. “I think we should ditch the family dinner and find someplace to be alone.”

  He winked at her. His beyond-sexy, mischievous grin ignited a flame in her. “I couldn’t agree more, but I think we should at least make an appearance, since the dinner is for you,” he said, his voice deep and wanting.

  She wrapped her arms around his neck, and he pulled her up to meet his kiss. Balancing on her tiptoes, she got lost in him.

  And nothing mattered anymore. Reese was saved, and he was all hers.

  Did you love this Entangled Teen Crave novel? Check out more of our titles here!

  Acknowledgments

  There are several chances in life, some taken, some overlooked, but the ones we act on determine our fate. There have been many people who have taken a chance on me, and I’m grateful for each and every one. I have met tons of friends and have come across some special people on this crazy publishing journey and thank you just doesn’t seem like enough, but…

  I want to thank my family and friends, at home and on social media, for being so supportive and reminding me each day what really matters. And a special thanks to Kayla, Tarah, Annika, and Fallon, for keeping me young at heart.

  To my fabulous agent, Peter Knapp, for holding me up when I was sure I couldn’t keep going, for believing in me, and for helping to make my dreams come true. Thank you for always having my back. Your compassion for others, and how you work tirelessly to make a difference in your clients’ lives, is endearing.

  To my amazing publisher and editor, Liz Pelletier, I’m at a loss finding the right words to express my gratitude, but thank you for helping me find the right ones to tell my stories. You make me a better writer with your wisdom. Your jokes and laughter always brighten a conference or a meeting. Your talent is beyond compare, and I feel blessed that you found something in me to make you want to add your magic touch to my work.

  To Candy and Erin for tweaking my words and finding my mistakes, to Heather for the beautiful book cover, to Meredith for getting the word out, and to the rest of the incredibly talented team at Entangled Publishing for making books pretty and doing what you do to get our book babies out in the world. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

  To my crazy talented critique partners, Shannon Duffy, Katie Hanna, and Jami Nord. Thank you for helping me get this book in the best shape possible. Your notes and comments were spot-on and I’m in awe at the dedication you each have in helping other authors.

  To my Entangled Publishing sisters who helped me hash out the plot for Touching Fate in the elevator of a Las Vegas hotel, Stacey Trombley, Rebecca Yarros, Tonya Kuper, Tamara Hughes, and to my best friend for life, Joannine Martinez, who was also there. A big hug and thanks to you all. And this time, what happened in Vegas, didn’t stay in Vegas.

  To my first readers, Paula Ashmore and Julie Diercks. Thank you for your support and encouragement. Your enthusiasm meant so much to me and was greatly appreciated.

  To Erica Chapman, for being there whenever I needed to bounce ideas around, read a scene, and for telling me that I could do it when I was pretty certain I couldn’t. Thank you for being tough on me.

  To Nikki Roberti, a big hug and thank-you for assisting me and keeping me from going crazy with everything I have to do. You make things so much easier for me.

  To my writer pals who meet for coffee whenever we can, which doesn’t seem nearly enough lately, Veronica Bartles, Maggie E. Hall, L.G. Kelso, Sofia Embid, Jennifer Lewis, Katharine Simmons, and Mandy Pietruszewski. Thank you for keeping me company and just for being genuinely awesome.

  A heartfelt thank-you to Rachel Harris because you just rock the kindness all the time and I want to be just like you.

  To you, dear reader, thank you for reading Aster and Reese’s story. I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed writing it.

  And because you always save the best for last, thank you to my husband, Richard Drake, for supporting me as I chased my dreams, for doing “cereal nights” (too many times to count) during edits, and for helping with all the science and physics stuff. I will love you until 2 + 2 = 3.
/>   About the Author

  Brenda Drake grew up the youngest of three children, an Air Force brat, and the continual new kid at school. Her fondest memories growing up is of her eccentric, Irish grandmother’s animated tales, which gave her a strong love for storytelling. So it was only fitting that she would choose to write stories with a bend toward the fantastical. When she’s not writing or hanging out with her family, she haunts libraries, bookstores, and coffee shops, or reads someplace quiet and not at all exotic (much to her disappointment).

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