Page 12 of Baldr's Secret Mate

Despite myself, I blushed, my cheeks burning. “He… He’s just a friend.”

“Of course he is,” she replied, her tone nothing but disbelief. “You already know the truth of your feelings and in time you’ll come to express them.” She traced another line on my hand. “But your head is full of doubt. And your fate is tangled and twisted. A life-changing event is marching your way and there’s nothing you can do to stop it.”

Then she paused, lifting my hand closer to her face before letting out a laugh.

“What?” I asked. “What is it?”

“You don’t have a sun line,” she said, shaking her head. Her eyes darkened as she focused on me. “But you do have a moon line, wolf.”

I couldn’t help the small gasp that escaped my lips.

“Don’t worry. I won’t tell anyone your secret.” She turned my hand over, looking at the back of it. “You’re not a full wolf, anyway. That’s easy enough to tell. Someone had to give you those visions, right?”

“Yeah,” I nodded, peppering in the truth again. “On my mother’s side.”

“I see.” She turned my hand back over once more. “Your lifeline is very short, dear child,” the old witch said, tracing a long claw down my palm as a cruel smile curled over her lips. “Very short indeed.”

“I know,” I replied, realizing all of this was getting me nowhere. I had no need for soothsayers, I could see the future myself. “My visions have told me as much.”

But then she stopped, grabbing my hand and pulling it close once more to scrutinize further. “Interesting.”

“What?” I asked, my brows furrowed in confusion. “What do you see?”

“Your lifeline isn’t short,” she corrected, looking up at me. “It’s broken.”

I shook my head. “No. It’s short. You’re right. I… I have seen my own end.”

“Yes,” she nodded. “But have you seen your beginning?”

I stared at her, my head tilted to the side. What the hell was she talking about?

She let my hand go, tilting her head in curiosity. “Let’s consult the bones, shall we?”

Standing up from the table, she went to one of the nearby shelves and pulled down a leather drawstring bag. She moved smoothly for someone her age despite her hunched and withered appearance. It made me think I might not be the only one putting on a facade. I expected as much, but still, it made me keep a closer eye on her.

“Hold out your hands.”

I did as she asked, cupping them together. She tipped over the bag and poured an assortment of bones into my hands. They were all sort of short and thick with a single rune carved into each one. They smelled musty and old, like they’d gotten wet a few times in their leather pouch. However, there was also the distinct smell of human hanging over them. It wasn’t until she took her seat again that I realized it was because they were human bones. Finger bones from the middle digit of each finger to be precise. It took every ounce of restraint not to wrinkle my nose up and curse in disgust.

“Cast the bones,” she said, clearing the table in front of me to reveal a circle of ebony inlaid into the wooden surface. “And think of your friend that needs help. They will point the way.”

Closing my eyes, I concentrated on Mist and shook the bones before dropping them to the table. The clatter was hollow and strange to ears, but it didn't stop my curiosity from pulling my eyes open once more. The old witch leaned toward, getting close to the bones and peering at each one individually. Then her head snapped up to me.

“Your mother's spell book,” she said. “Have you found it?”

“I… I didn't know she had one.”

“The bones tell me that the power to save your friend is in her book.” She picked up another, examining it closely. “They also tell me you haven't been entirely truthful with me.” Her cold gray eyes fixed on mine. “What did you say your name was?”

“I didn't.”

“It's only polite to give your name.”

“My name is my own,” I replied, nonplussed by her pathetic attempt at control. “And yours is not Madam Hecate.”

“Who are you, wolf?” she barked, sweeping the bones from the table with a huff. “And why did you really come here?!”

She was angry now, and I knew my welcome was officially worn out. I'd always assumed she'd figure it out eventually, but I'd hoped to get a little more information out of her first.

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