Cursing Fate

by Brenda Drake

  “You are a fool to think Armand would leave with you.” Della stopped at a stand with barrels of nuts.

  Crina took Della’s elbow and pulled her away from the stand. “Be careful what you say,” she hissed. “He loves me. You shall see. We will be gone from here soon.”

  “I hope so. For yours and your baby’s sake.”

  Crina’s eyes widened, and her hand went to her belly. She didn’t have a baby bump as far as Iris could tell, but then again, the layers of her skirt could easily hide one.

  “How did you know?”

  Della smiled. “We share a bed. You are my sister. I know well your changes. I do hope your Van Buren marries you. I doubt that he will. There is still time, though. You could bed with Tomas. Say it is his child. He would take good care of you.”

  Crina’s gaze went to a goofy-looking man, tall and lanky with large ears and curly dark hair, selling animal skins. “I cannot imagine a life with him. I’d rather die.”

  Some sort of excitement broke out in the crowd. People rushed around, whispering among one another. The movement was like a charging stampede coming for them.

  A short woman with a crooked back and salt-and-pepper hair stopped in front of Crina and Della. “Did you hear? Such horrible news. The Van Buren heir was thrown from his horse. He is dead.” She rushed off to tell someone else the news.

  Crina stumbled and Della grasped her arm, helping Crina to stay upright. “What is wrong? It’s Phillip not Armand.”

  “Armand.” Crina’s voice sounded dry and painful, and she grabbed her stomach. “Now the heir. He will never leave with me.”

  Nausea burned Iris’s throat as darkness choked out the images of Crina, Della, and the market.

  It was another warm day for October. It almost felt like spring. Fall decorations adorned the school windows and doors. The courtyard was crowded with students eating outside to enjoy the last of the warm days before the predicted cold front moved in.

  Iris crossed the yard to Wade. Dena, Violet, and Carys were with him. He stood as she approached.

  “You doing okay?” he asked, his brow furrowed with concern.

  “You keep asking me that. I’m great,” she said. She was anything but great. Her vision blackened at the edges. Crina was up to something. An intense pressure squeezed Iris’s mind, pushing her back into the darkness. It was like watching her friends through a fogged mirror.

  Iris glanced at the others. Dena and Carys avoided making eye contact with her. Rightfully so, since they had almost killed her sister with their dumb mistake.

  Violet must’ve noticed their uneasiness. “Did I miss something? What’s going on?”

  “Nothing,” Crina-as-Iris said. “But I thought it would be fun to have a tarot card drinking game at the party.”

  Dena turned her head in Iris’s direction. “I love that idea.”

  “Iris, can I have a word with you? In private.” Violet stepped away from the group and Iris followed her. When they were out of earshot, she turned to face Iris. “We are not having tarot readings at the party.”

  “Why not?” Crina-as-Iris crossed her arms.

  Violet glared at her. “You know why not.”

  Chirping birds overhead competed with the loud voices in the courtyard.

  “Neither one of us can change fates. It’s perfectly safe.”

  “Why do you want to do this?” Violet gave her a questioning look. “I don’t get it.”

  “Well, I found out that Josh is having a haunted house at his Halloween party, too.” Iris searched the courtyard, making sure Josh’s spies weren’t nearby. “You know everyone is going to go to his party, not ours. So I started a rumor that we were having a new drinking game.”

  “Exactly how is this drinking game going to work?” Violet huffed.

  “Those in the game take turns flipping over cards until someone ends up with the Death one or whichever other ones we choose to make wild. That person then has to drink. Simple as that.”

  No, no, no, no! Iris wanted to scream at Violet. Please don’t agree to it.

  “I’m not sure I like this idea,” Violet said.

  Oh good. Iris should’ve trusted Violet would never do something involving tarot cards, or binge drinking for that matter.

  Crina-as-Iris exaggerated a pout. “Come on. We can’t change fates with them like Aster. Nothing will happen.”

  Violet glanced around as if the answer were in the wind or something. “All right. If you think it will attract more people to our party.”

  Violet, no!

  “Yep. Here, look at the flier I made.” Crina-as-Iris reached into her backpack and pulled one out.

  When did you draw that?

  You were in some sort of trance while I used your skill, Crina answered her.

  Crina had made Iris create a Victorian carnival with a tarot reader and partygoers dressed in the period’s clothes drinking from red cups. In the background was a creepy haunted house.

  Violet took the paper from her and studied it.

  Dena came over and looked over Violet’s shoulder. “That is some serious talent. It looks like a fun carnival.”

  “Thanks,” Crina-as-Iris said, pulling out one of the tarot cards and holding it out to Dena. “Here’s what the cards look like.”

  No! Iris shouted. What are you doing? Don’t give that to her.

  Hush, Crina hissed. I am in control.

  Dena took the card. “Ouch.”

  Iris watched in horror as the vines on the back of the card went from black to green.

  “What’s wrong?” Violet gave Dena a worried look.

  “Nothing. Just some intense static,” she said. “This is a cool picture. The Hanged Man card.” The image on the card was of a man hanging upside down by his feet. He looked like he was straight out of a Shakespearean play with red tights and a flouncy blue shirt.

  What does that card do? Iris asked Crina.

  It is time Violet knows what Dena did. Time for Dena to be caught. Accept responsibility for her actions.

  Stop it. Iris pushed to take control of herself. You think you’re helping me, but you’re not.

  I do not wish to help you, Crina responded. I merely want to play the game. I cannot stop until the ultimate price is paid.

  What ultimate price? What are you planning?

  Hush, Crina warned. The other girl approaches.

  Carys stopped at Iris’s side. “Wow, those fliers are beautiful.”

  “We’re doing a tarot card drinking game. See,” Crina-as-Iris said and handed her a card.

  Grasping the card, Carys flinched. “Your bag must carry static or something. The card shocked me.”

  Violet’s stare met Iris’s gaze, a suspicious look on her face.

  “The High Priestess,” Carys said, holding up the card for everyone to see. “I love these. It’s such a great idea.” She handed the card back to Iris and walked off for their picnic table. “Come on, guys. Let’s eat so we can pass out the fliers before lunch break is over.”

  Why did you give her that one? Iris felt defeated.

  Crina cackled in her head. She will know loss. Others will mistrust her.

  Are they all evil? Why? Iris wanted to cry, but she wanted to keep Crina distracted more. Her fingers inched for the bottle Miri had given her.

  All the cards you touch and give to someone are cursed. So that means the reverse, or rather, the bad side of the card is given as a fate to your victims.

  They’re not my victims. They’re yours. Iris grasped the bottle, quickly undid the top, and doused her tongue with a dropperful.

  Sneaky. Sneaky. I am impressed. But it was my error. I should have hidden that bottle. You hurt my feelings, Iris. Haven’t I helped you with grades, especially in the sciences? If you try to stop what I have put into motion, I will kill Violet. Do not try me. I will be back.

  Kill Violet? Tears stung Iris’s eyes. How could she continue? Violet was in danger. Everyone was in danger. She tried to swallow, but
it was like there was cotton stuffed in her throat. She wanted this to end. She needed this to end. Her heart hammered against her chest. She had never felt so helpless before.

  But she wasn’t helpless.

  She would fight. First thing, she had to hide the drops.

  Her fingers shook as she fumbled to return the dropper to the bottle, almost spilling the liquid inside as she twisted the cap closed. Iris couldn’t stop fighting. If she did, Violet would be lost and so would anyone else in Crina’s path.

  Bit by bit, Iris could feel herself gaining control of her body, but it was too slow. The others had passed out the fliers and were heading for their next classes. Iris texted Daisy before reaching her classroom, asking her to meet in the bathroom during their next passing period. Daisy could hide the drops for her. And hopefully Miri and Daisy had found a way to get rid of Crina.

  Chapter Twelve

  Wade

  Wade pounded on the front door of the Laynes’ house. It was a perfect afternoon, and there was no school today to allow for teacher conferences. Iris had texted him that her dad got great reviews back from all her teachers. His tutoring had paid off.

  Mr. Layne opened the door. His dark hair was grayer since the last time Wade had seen him. He’d forgotten Iris said her father was down from Baltimore to keep an eye on the girls while their mom and gram were out of town. Iris had told Wade once that Mr. Layne’s job was flexible. Benefits of working for his new wife.

  “Hey, Wade, good to see you.”

  “Hello, sir. I’m here to pick up Iris.”

  “Yes, she mentioned you two were going out to celebrate,” Mr. Layne said. “I’m quite pleased with her progress. Her science teacher said she’s done a one-eighty with her tests. Aced every one so far.” He pulled out an envelope. “Iris said you didn’t want to be paid, but I’m insisting you take this.”

  “I can’t do that,” Wade said.

  Mr. Layne never backed down. “Take it or I’ll just go to the trouble of getting it to your mom so she can put it in your account.”

  There was no winning that battle.

  “Besides,” Mr. Layne added, “I hope you’ll take me out on that boat of yours sometime.”

  Wade accepted the envelope. “Okay, thanks.”

  Mr. Layne stepped aside. “Go on in. I have to meet with Violet’s teachers.”

  “Thank you,” Wade said, passing him as he entered.

  “See you later.” Mr. Layne closed the door behind him.

  The house was messier than Wade was used to seeing. The flowers in the vases around the living room were wilted, blooms bowing over their stems. There wasn’t the scent of Gram Froggatt’s baking in the air as usual. All definite signs that Iris’s mom and gram were gone.

  Iris pounded down the stairs, wearing jeans and a pullover hoodie. “Ready? Let’s go,” she said.

  She was at the front door before he had a chance to register her presence.

  “What’s your hurry?” He trailed after her.

  “I need to be back in a few hours.” She skipped down the porch steps.

  He closed the door and picked up the two helmets he had placed there before knocking on the door earlier. “You going to lock up?”

  “Oh, I almost forgot.” Darting back up the steps, she retrieved her keys from the front pocket of her jeans and locked the door.

  “You don’t have to rush,” he said. “I’ll have you back in a few hours. I promise.”

  “Sorry. I just have a project due tomorrow.”

  “Safety first,” he said and slipped a helmet on her head.

  She looked cute in the helmet, buckling it as she headed for his motorcycle. “Where are we going?”

  Wade put on his helmet and straddled the bike. “To the marina.”

  She got on behind him and wrapped her arms around his waist, her thighs squeezing against his. Her touch always excited him.

  When he steered the motorcycle into the parking lot of the marina, Violet, Dena, and Carys waited by Dena’s Ford Focus. He parked and waited for Iris to get off before unsaddling the bike.

  She removed her helmet. “I thought we were going to be alone.”

  “It’s a special day.” He opened the seat and put his and her helmets inside.

  “Special? How?”

  “You’ll see,” he said, crossing the parking lot to the others.

  After saying their hellos, the group trekked over the docks until the second-to-last row where Wade’s boat was kept in a slip. After they were all on the boat with life jackets secured, Wade motioned for Dena to untie it from the dock while he turned on the motor. The others found seats around the deck.

  “So we’re actually taking it out?” Iris said, standing beside Wade in the cockpit.

  “Yep.” He steered it through the marina to the open ocean, only having to avoid a few boats on his way. The harbor was nearly empty, with it being a workday.

  Iris adjusted her feet to stay balanced with the rocking of the boat. “This will take longer than two hours.”

  “We’re just going to head out a little ways for the big reveal,” he said.

  “Is the reveal that the boat won’t sink?” Iris laughed.

  He flashed a smile at her. “Funny.”

  The farther the sailboat moved away from the marina, the more excited Wade got. He couldn’t believe that the boat was almost ready. He spent so much time with Dena and Carys fixing it up. This first run was for Iris. For the big reveal.

  When he’d picked a perfect spot, he turned off the motor and looked over at her. “Want to take the helm?”

  Wade and Dena rushed around hoisting the main sail. Next, they raised the jib. Carys and Violet clapped and whistled. Wade glanced back to see Iris’s reaction. She squeezed the wheel tight, her hair whipping around her head as she looked up, her mouth wide. On the main sail was a dragon Iris had painted for him. The maker had copied the image and transferred it to the sail.

  “What do you think?” Wade yelled over the wind.

  Iris held her hair away from her face. Her expression excited Wade. “I love it!” she shouted over the crashing of the waves.

  The wind was perfect—not too weak and not too strong—and the boat went out for a bit before Wade brought it back to shore. After the sails were lowered and secured, he turned on the motor and maneuvered it to its place in the marina.

  Dena and Wade went about tying the boat to the dock. Wade snuck glimpses of Iris as she took off her life jacket. Her back arched and her breasts pushed up, turning Wade on.

  You’re only torturing yourself, Diaz. He shook his head and finished off the knot he was tying.

  A rope hit him in the face.

  “Pay attention,” Dena said, towing the rope back to her.

  “I was,” Wade said, grabbing the other end.

  Dena shot him a knowing smile. “Not the kind of attention I meant.”

  When the boat was secured, Dena urged everyone into the cabin, where she opened a bottle of champagne and poured it into five clear plastic cups.

  The last time Dena and he had champagne, they were celebrating her coming out. Dena’s parents weren’t too pleased with her admission about her preference for girls. Her mother cried and her dad gave her the silent treatment. It wasn’t until Dena’s heart condition knocked her on her ass that they came around. After her surgery to fix a faulty valve, Dena’s parents told her they only wished her happiness.

  “To Wade,” Dena said, holding up her cup, “congratulations on finishing this boat.”

  “Congratulations,” Violet and Carys said in unison.

  Iris rose her cup. “It looks amazing. Cheers.”

  “That sail is beautiful,” Carys said and slipped into the booth. “It’s from the painting Iris gave you, right? At a birthday or something?”

  Violet and Dena scooted in next to Carys.

  “Yeah, she gave it to me on my thirteenth birthday.” Wade leaned against the counter and took a sip of the cheap champagne.

/>   Iris leaned close enough to Wade that he could smell her floral shampoo. “You are so talented,” she whispered, her breath tickling his ear and sending a spark through his body. He wished they were alone. He had an intense urge to kiss her.

  He swallowed a big swig of bubbly. “Look who’s talking. You have mad painting skills.”

  “So when are you taking your dad out?” she asked.

  “Halloween morning. He’ll be back this week sometime.”

  “Oh,” she said. “What about the haunted house? We were going to set up that day.”

  “Don’t worry.” He brushed her hair away from her cheek and quickly brought his hand back.

  She leaned away from him, a startled look on her face.

  Why did I do that?

  It was as if he were on autopilot. There was no thought behind it. “We’re going early in the morning,” he said, looking down at his cup. Bubbles popped in the golden liquid. “I’ll be over in plenty of time to help out.”

  “Wade,” she said so quietly the others couldn’t hear her over their own conversation.

  He looked at her.

  She touched his arm. “You don’t have to be afraid of me. I’m still Iris. I just made a mistake. I won’t hurt you again.” And then she mouthed, I’m sorry.

  He wished he could forget, but he hadn’t thought she would hurt him the first time. It was that fact that kept him from giving them another chance.

  “Let’s see the pictures of the sail,” Violet said to Carys, causing Iris to break her gaze on Wade.

  Carys slid her phone across the table. “I took a bunch. Tap All Photos so you can choose which ones you want to view.”

  Violet dragged her finger across the phone, scanning the pictures. She tapped one. “Oh gosh, this look on my face is horrible. Please delete that one.”

  “I don’t delete pictures,” Carys said. “They’re memories. I promise not to post any you don’t like.”

  “Let me see,” Iris said, leaning over the table.

  Wade couldn’t help checking her out in those tight jeans.

  “Nice view?” Dena said, smirking at him.