Page 114 of Savior
“This man.” she says, tapping again. “I asked the cards for clarity on pinpointing your enemy. Is there anything in the symbolism that brings one you might know, to the forefront of your mind?”
I lean in a bit closer to get a better look at the card. The artwork depicts a man with a rusty beard, struggling to carry seven swords. Letting out a sigh, I tell her that, “I don’t know. I’m not sure what I’m supposed to see here.”
“The Seven of Swords commonly presents itself as the enemy disguised as a friend.” She replies. “It represents lies, ill-willed behavior. It also represents escaping consequences of your actions.”
Legion tried the enemy disguised as a friend route. He certainly is ill-willed. I sigh with a little frustration. No wonder Vanna veers towards pushing card readings off to Laura. They don’t exactly give straight answers. They pose more questions.
“For all I know, it could be myself, if we’re talking about that last possibility. I’m not a saint. Though everything I’ve done, I’ve done for a reason.” And from where I’m standing, the right ones.
“No… I don’t think it’s you. Are you an air element?”
“A what?”
“This card is associated with the element of air. Are you a Gemini? Libra? Aquarius?”
“Scorpio.” I reply, trying not to sound like the skeptic I still am in a lot of ways. “And I have no idea what Legion is.”
“Legion?” her dark eyes flick up to meet mine.
“Yes. Do you know him?” Maybe this trip wasn’t a waste of my time after all.
She gathers her cards with haste and places them back inside the velvet bag, no longer meeting my gaze. “You must go.”
“Wait… You know of him?”
She places the velvet pouch down and stands, moving around the table to exit this small room through the black curtains. I grab her wrist as she passes, though I try to do so gently. “Marie, please.”
“I do not wish for that creature to darken my door.” She looks at me sternly, though I can see the slight flicker of fear behind her eyes.
“You’re afraid of him. He’s been here.”
“I have no intention of making him my enemy.” She replies. “Let go.”
I immediately release her. “I’m sorry… I-”
“You must leave.”
“Look, I don’t want to be presumptuous, but if you fear him, if you know where I can get to him, I’ll make sure he never bothers you again.”
“This is the third time I’ve asked you to go, Mr. Keegan. Do not force my hand.” She warns me.
I have no idea what that threat entails.
Fuck.
“Alright…” I back away from her towards the curtains. “At least let me pay off Vanna’s debt. What does she owe you?”
“The debts been paid. Now go.”
I turn from her, swiping the black curtains aside as I step through to her little shop, making my way towards the front door. Though I halt just short of it, turning to face her again. When I do, she’s got two taller men standing on either side of her. Her sons, maybe? There is a resemblance. I wonder where the hell they came from. This shop’s too damn small for them to have been lingering about, unnoticed. There must be another room here. Perhaps a staircase to the apartments above, hidden behind another tapestry.
“You won’t find him here.” She says, sensing my apprehension to leave without answers. “You’ll find him, when he wants to be found.”
“He’s a threat to everything I hold dear.” I try once more to appeal to her.
“You have many enemies, Dean Keegan.” Her eyes narrow as she reminds me of her earlier words.
“Where is he? Tell me something.”
