My card was associated with longing. No more. I was sick and tired of not having friends to talk to, not having a boyfriend, not doing any of the normal stuff teenagers got to do. Resolved, I shook my head. “I’m going.” I pushed past them out the front door.
They followed, stopping short at the sight of my new black Tahoe. Sharon snapped, “Where did you get that? You don’t have access to your trust fund for years.”
Shoulders back, I said, “I traded in Dad’s bikes.” God, I’d agonized over that decision. He’d won some of his most famous motocross races on them. But I figured he and Mom would’ve wanted me to use them to get out from under Sharon and Wanda’s rule.
I tossed my bow case inside the SUV, then headed back toward the house. I only had a one more trip.
Sharon followed alongside me, the breeze ruffling her long dark hair. “We forbid you to leave.” Wanda trailed, wringing her hands.
I laughed. “I’m eighteen.” And stronger than a dozen women put together. “You can’t forbid shit.” I stopped at the front door and asked them, “Why would you begrudge me this when we all know I’m probably gonna die soon?”
Die meant lose. That kind of thinking was blasphemy to them.
Sharon’s expression turned fierce. “No, you will win!”
And if I did, what would immortality do for me? Just bring me more longing. Endless helpings of it.
In a firmer tone, I said, “The game will begin soon.” I’d already started hearing the calls, and some of my powers were blooming (otherwise I never would’ve believed these two about the game). “If some disaster is about to strike, I plan to experience real life before then.”
Though we lived in a mansion and they’d taken me all over the world, I didn’t have a single friend to text. I’d never been on an official date.
“Yes, a disaster is coming!” Wanda cried. “That’s why you need to stay close to us. We’ve prepared for every possible scenario.” The two were secret preppers.
“You’re not listening to me! Just forget it.” I went inside and jogged up the steps to my room. Snagging my suitcase, I took one last look around, then returned to the landing.
They hovered at the foot of the stairs. As I bounded down, Sharon said, “Just think about what you’re doing.”
I’d thought of little else, from the day I’d turned eighteen.
For the past nine years, I’d obeyed their orders blindly—mental and physical training for ten hours a day, following a strict diet, never socializing—but in the last year, I’d started to wonder about them.
When I was nine, I’d heard them arguing with my mom. They’d wanted more access to me, but my parents had limited my visits to their home to one night every few weeks. On one of those nights, my family’s home had burned down.
With my parents in it.
When I shimmied past them, Wanda said, “Very well. If you must go to college, we’ll move there with you. We can get a house prepared—”
“Half of the reason I’m leaving is to get away from you!” I kept walking.
“People out there aren’t like us.” Sharon dogged my heels. “They won’t care about you. We’re the only ones who will always have your back.”
I faced them. “Like you had my parents’?” There. I’d said it.
I’d adored my folks. I’d adored my childhood with them. If my aunts had stolen them from me . . .
Wanda and Sharon were Arcana fanatics—one a chronicler, one a Tarasova. They worshipped the game, worshipped my place in it. My parents had stood in the way of my training.
Sharon smoothly asked, “What on earth are you talking about, Lena?”
With my enhanced hearing coming online, I detected the slightest change in her breath and tone. Was this because my accusation had shocked her? Or because she was lying? I turned to Wanda. “Did the two of you burn down our home?”
“Of course not!” Her eyes went wide. “Do you really think we could murder our sister?”
The idea sounded so ridiculous when she said it like that. So why couldn’t I shake my suspicion?
“This is all moot,” Sharon said. “You can’t afford tuition without your trust fund. Your father’s bikes will only take you so far.”
“Then it’s a good thing I got an archery scholarship.” Their faces paled at that. “Really, duh. As soon as I expressed interest, the school took care of everything.”
Wanda’s gaze darted as she cast about for something to say. “You think it’s easy to make friends and fit in? You’re a goddess among mortals; they will want to hurt you. It’s easier not to put yourself in their sights.”
I rolled my eyes. “So I should never make a friend—just because you two decided not to put yourselves out there? Just because you’ll never have relationships or lives of your own?”
In a tone ringing with finality, Aunt Sharon said, “If you go, you will fail.”
“Will I? Don’t you two get it? You will never make the Moon Card doubt herself.”
_______________
Six days ago
“You’re Selena, right?” some chick asked me after history class.
I drew up short. “That’s me.”
She smiled widely. “I’m Candy Sanderson. Really great to meet you.” We shook hands.
It’s happening! I’d only been in school for two weeks, already dominating discussions and turning in extra credit, and now I might be about to make a friend. Be cool, Lena!