Page 32 of The Rise of Saint (The Sins of Saint 1)

“Fine. But this is the last time, Elena. I mean it.” I huffed and closed my eyes, taking a few seconds to clear my thoughts. My fingers touched the deck of cards, and while I tried to think of my father, my mother, my life, the only image that came through strongly was that of Mila’s face. Her lips, her green eyes. Her tears. I saw every contour of her face, long strands of curls touching her cheeks. But before I could banish her from my thoughts, I had already cut the deck in three parts.

“Good.” Elena pulled the top card of each deck. “Past, present, future,” she murmured, her voice soft and calm.

She remained still a second before turning the first card from the left. “Five of Cups,” she muttered, and I glanced down at the card depicting a man with a black coat.

“What does it mean?”

“Shush.”

My glare cut to her, but she continued to ignore me, fully focused as she turned the second card.

“King of Pentacles.”

“King. I like the sound of that.”

“Shush!”

“Jesus Christ.”

Elena reached for the final card, but this time she closed her eyes as she put it down next to the others, taking a breath.

She looked at the card. “The World.”

“What does all that mean?”

Elena’s gaze found mine, and she pointed to the first card. “The Five of Cups. Your past is filled with grief. Sorrow. Pain.”

I shifted. “Well, I don’t think that’s exactly a revelation, now, is it?”

“It’s also what set you on the path you are on today.”

“Again, Elena. Not a revelation.”

She dragged her finger to the second card. “The King of Pentacles. You are about to achieve great success, get something you’ve wanted for a very long time.”

“Now,that’sa revelation.” I grinned. “I like that card.”

“It’s not just about worldly things or long-pursued vendettas.” Her eyes softened, and so did her voice. “It can also hold meaning in love. It is your present card, Marcello. It is most likely something you have already found, something you have right at this moment.” Her lips turned up. “Or perhaps someone to whom you will become a king and a lover.”

I scowled at her. “I know what you’re insinuating, Aunt Elena. But I can assure you, that card does not symbolize anything other than my success of finally getting what I’d been working toward this whole time. Revenge.” I swallowed another mouthful of bourbon. “Love will never be in the cards for me.”

“Never say never, Marcello.”

“I say never.” I got up. “I’m tired. I’m going to bed.”

“There is still one more card, Marcello.”

“Don’t care. Make sure Mila gets something to eat.”

“The World.” She raised her voice, and I stilled. “Your future card is The World.”

Intrigued, I turned to face her. “And that means?”

She tapped on the card with a single finger. “New beginnings.”

“That sounds promising.” By now, I was no longer able to hide the sarcasm in my voice. My annoyance level had reached a point where it was probably slapped all over my face.

Elena kept her finger on the card. “Marriage.”

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