Cresent Prophecy by Axelle Chandler (great reads TXT) 📕

about that,” she said, sheepishly eyeing the cards.

“Didn’t Aileen ever draw one for you?”

“Never.”

“Then considering the change in climate, go for it.” I gestured to the spread. “Pick one that calls to you.”

“That’s it?” she asked while Lucy watched on with a smile. “Just pick one?”

“Yep.” I nodded. “It’s that simple.”

Mairead held her hand out over the cards and moved it back and forth a few times before she plucked a card from the left-hand side of the spread. Turning it over, she scowled.

“The Fool?” she exclaimed, sounding offended. “That’s the card I get?”

“Calm your farm,” I said, swatting away her flailing arms. “It doesn’t mean you’re an idiot.”

“Then what does it mean?”

“The Fool is a card for new beginnings, which is rather apt, don’t you think?” I took the card from her and set it on the counter. Tapping it, I coaxed her to focus. “University, finding out about magic… Hmm?”

Mairead nodded and started to calm down a little.

“It means you’re ready to start a new journey, one that is filled with possibility. It can sometimes mean there’s a choice you need to make, so think about what it could be. Maybe about going back to Trinity, or changing your career, or about you coming back to Derrydun. Right now, I would say it’s showing you the world is at your feet but to carefully consider your path. The Fool is telling you to trust yourself.”

Mairead had fallen completely silent, and for the first time in her life, she was rendered speechless. She picked up the card and stared at it so intently I thought it might burst into flames. Glancing at Lucy, we exchanged a knowing smile.

It was exactly what she’d needed to hear.

After an eventful day at Irish Moon, Mairead and I walked back to the cottage, dead on our feet.

Everyone was surprised to see the Goth girl back behind the counter. First, Mary Donnelly made a fuss asking all sorts of questions, and then we watched her through the window as she spoke to Mrs. Boyle, then accosted Maggie as she was opening Molly McCreedy’s. In T-minus five minutes, the whole village knew Mairead was back.

I had no doubt in my mind that after a good talking to from Beth, the story would morph into that Skye Williams has been a negative influence on that young girl’s mind, and look out before she casts a spell on you! If only they knew the truth. I made a mental note to see what I could do about that toad spell or, at the least, warts on the nether region part. Imagine getting the local doctor to burn those off with dry ice.

“So, what’s Boone?” Mairead asked, scowling when I put a steaming microwave meal in front of her. I was such a good parent.

“Boone’s a shapeshifter,” I replied, handing her a knife and fork.

“No way!”

“Way.” I grimaced and stabbed at a soggy roast potato.

“Like a werewolf?” she asked, chattering excitedly. “Or somethin’ else?”

“He’s a tabby cat,” I said with a smirk.

“Stop messin’ with me.”

I waved my fork in the air. “Next time you see Father O’Donegal’s tabby cat, it mightn’t be the cat but someone else, is all I’m saying.”

“Stop pullin’ me leg,” she complained. “That’s really lame. I bet he’s somethin’ way cooler.”

“You’ll just have to ask him when he gets home,” I said with a cheeky smile, leaving out all the other shapes he was fond of on purpose. “But I’m not lying. He’s a tabby cat.”

Mairead began to sulk as she ate her dinner, originally impressed her crush had turned out to be badass…until she found his shapeshifter shape was a house cat.

“I’m going to have to work out a roster for Irish Moon,” I said. “I can’t leave Lucy without too much work. Nor can I kick her out just because you’re back. I’m not exactly made of money.”

“Now I’m here, I can mind the shop while you learn how to use your powers,” she said, looking pleased with herself. “I don’t mind.”

“I’m not a superhero, you know.”

She shrugged and smiled sweetly.

“It’s not fun and games,” I went on, my scowl deepening. “Or have you forgotten about the dudes looking for my blood to complete their creepy serial killer ritual?”

Mairead paled and shook her head. “Of course, I haven’t forgotten. I was kidnapped and tied to a chair!”

I groaned. “Sorry. There goes my mouth again.”

“I know everythin’ now,” she said. “You may as well explain it to me. I could help. At least with the shop.”

She was right. Maybe if she knew, then she would be able to protect herself or help in some way. I didn’t like her being messed up in this, but it was done now. No going back.

“There’s someone who wants to get back into Ireland,” I explained. “She was kicked out a long time ago and is majorly pissed.”

“Who?”

“A witch named Carman.”

Mairead made a face. “Carman from the myth?”

“I suppose so.”

“In Irish mythology, during the time of the Tuatha Dé Danann, Ireland was invaded by a Celtic Witch named Carman,” Mairead rattled off, signaling she’d learned something at university after all. “She was a Greek warrior who invaded with her three sons. They had destroyed all of Ireland’s crops before they were stopped. You’re talkin’ about that Carman?”

“She had three sons?” I made a face and rolled my eyes. “Great. No one told me about the demon spawn.”

“I dunno.” Mairead snorted. “It’s just a story. What does she want anyway?”

“She’s stealing magic and saving it up so she can unlock the doorways to the fae realm,” I replied. “Probably so she can lay waste to Ireland again.”

“The fae realm?”

I nodded. “Sounds completely bonkers, but it’s the truth. The doors were shut a long time ago, and people from both sides were stuck. Fae were trapped here, and magical human types were trapped there. She’s stealing magic, but there are things here that need it to survive, too. Things that have become evil and twisted. That’s why