THE STAR

"This is the key of meditation, showing us that meditation modifies and transmutes the personal expressions of cosmic energy that pour down upon the maiden. If we will but listen, the Truth will unveil itself to us in the silence. From the record of nature's memory, symbolized by the scroll of the High Priestess, we gain wisdom, out of which meditation develops specific powers by controlling the animal forces in human personality[…]"

—Eden Gray, The Complete Guide to the Tarot

"Divinatory Meaning: Insight, inspiration, hope. Unselfish aid. Good health. The gifts of the Spirit. Great love will be given and received.

Reversed: Pessimism, doubt, stubbornness, lack of perception. Chance of physical or mental illness."

—Joan Bunning, Learning the Tarot

—

UNKNOWN

A sharp trill broke the silence of the forest.

The noise only sounded for a fraction of a second before a man lifted a phone to his ear. He inhaled slowly and exhaled faster.

Then, he spoke: "Is it time?"

The still, snowy forest came alive. Fresh mounds of snow fell and shifted as people moved forward, arranging themselves carefully. Frost-tipped eyelashes did not blink. Blue lips did not speak. White-dusted shoulders held steady. Red eyes all stared forward, set and ready to move to their next location.

Ready for the signal.

The voice on the other end spoke in confirmation, the sound clear to all: "It is time."

The signal was given.

A phone was pocketed, a hand was raised, and the bodies began to move.

Blood was promised. A fight was ahead. Salvation was before them.

They ran.

—

A crack in the distance forces her concentration to sharpen.

The woman stands on a balcony, leaning forward so that her forearms rest against the wood of the railing. The snowy mountains beyond them are freshly coated, and small flurries fall silently.

She stares into the distance and frowns as the echo of the noise fades into oblivion. The quiet stillness of winter is usually not this quiet or this still. On a usual night, the snow is soft and does not feel like a usual night.

She pushes the accumulating snow across the railing, and watches it fall to the ground several meters below.

Still… quiet…

Her eyes snap back toward the mountains. No noise emerges. Nothing stirs.

Strange…

The sound of a door opening makes her jump, and she swears under her breath as she quickly collects herself. No heart is beating within her but that doesn't stop a hand from lifting and pressing itself against her chest.

"Oops," a voice apologizes as they approach. "I didn't think I'd find you so lost in thought." He stops just behind her to wrap her in an embrace, and leans forward to rest his chin on top of her head. "I can wait inside if you need a break from me."

She hums and leans back into his embrace. She places her own arms overtop of where his rest around her ribs. "I'll come back inside in a moment," she smiles softly even though he can't see it. "I'm just contemplating a hunt."

He makes a curious noise in response. "Will you also contemplate extending me an invitation?"

"Not sure. It might be an exclusive event." Her eyes continue to stare out into the forest. It continues to be quiet. She isn't truly contemplating a hunt; the mountainside is too still. Too bare.

Too empty somehow.

He lifts a hand to brush long, blonde hair back behind her shoulder. He leans down to kiss the now-exposed neck. "My name might be on the guest list. Go check."

She huffs out a laugh and lifts her hand to tangle in his hair. "Maybe later."

Another noise jerks her attention forward. A squeak of some sort. Not a natural sound to hear on the mountainside. Something that is not from a bird or some other sort of animal.

"God, you're jumpy." The man mutters as and straightens up. He moves to stand at her side, his gaze flickering between the mountains where her attention is locked and her face, which is stoic. Still and quiet, just like the forest. "What's up?"

The woman continues to stare, and her golden eyes are unsure. "Something doesn't feel right."

"Temperature-wise?"

She smacks his arm lightly and then holds it closely against her. "I'm serious." She pauses again, listens, looks, and then leans back into the man's embrace. "I'm not sure how, but something is off."

In the distance, something moves. Both occupants of the deck freeze.

"What is that noise?" The woman's voice whispers as she leans forward, ever-so-slightly. Her hand tightens around the man's forearm.

He begins moving them both backward. "Feet," he whispers.

They both turn back toward the house and—

—

With a gasp, Alice stumbled, feet catching on each other clumsily. Her hand moved barely in time to brace her weight against a shelf. In half of a second a familiar pair of hands were wrapped around her waist from behind. Another hand yanked her elbow to pull her upright.

"Call Tanya," she gasped the words and then repeated them a second time, her voice rising with acute hysteria. She reached out to grasp at the arm that steadied her as she yelled, terrified. Alice's attention shifted toward the arm she clung to, and met bright red eyes.

Maria stared back, her gaze steady, and when Alice could see dozens of futures shift and sort and lock themselves into place ahead of her, she released a long, heavy breath.

"Thank you," she whispered and she didn't care that her voice shook. She did not care that she sounded desperate. The only things that mattered were that Tanya and her family were in danger, and Maria had made up her mind. "Thank you."

Maria said nothing. Jasper pulled Alice back and out of Maria's firm grasp, and Alice shuddered out another breath, fear and relief at war within her.

Hopefully, they would stand a chance.

A/N: Yeah, updates have been sporadic. You'll be getting another one this week to make up for the delay. Hope you're enjoying yourselves. Let me know what you think.