A Season of Miracles by Heather Graham Read Free Book Online Page B

as readings?” Joe suggested.
    â€œNo, young man, I do not do card tricks. You’re a good man, you’ve made good choices.”
    â€œThe best of men,” Connie said loyally, slipping her arm through her husband’s.
    â€œYou’re passing through a rough time. Only your own courage and determination will show you the way to go. They will bring you through to triumph or success.” She stared at Jillian again. “I don’t want to read your cards.”
    â€œWhat!” Jillian said, astonished, and dismayed by the little chill that swept through her.
    â€œI’m sorry, I’m tired.”
    â€œMadame Zena, she’s been in line for nearly an hour,” Tip protested.
    Joe and Connie had risen already, and Tip was ushering Jillian forward. She sat, and Madame Zena stared at her, then handed her the cards. Jillian felt as if a rush of electricity jumped into her flesh. “We are all part of our own destinies, you know,” Madame Zena said. “The soul can be very old, and the soul can learn. A good soul remains so. Sometimes there are second chances.” Madame Zena’s strange hazel eyes were hard on Jillian. “In life and in death. Energy does not die. God is great. Hand me the cards.”
    Instead of the three cards, Madame Zena laid out more, creating a cross on the table before her. She had Jillian turn them over, then was silent for a long time.
    â€œYou’ve had tremendous upheaval, tragedy.”
    â€œOf course,” Joe said. “Her husband died.”
    Madame Zena asked, “Violently?”
    â€œCancer,” Connie supplied softly.
    Madame Zena shook her head. “No, something worse, far worse. There was a lack of faith, a terrible betrayal…there was a fire.”
    â€œNope, no fire,” Jillian said positively.
    â€œYes, there was a fire,” Madame Zena insisted. “Betrayal. And the night. There was one who came and enticed and laughed and…betrayed. And there you see the Moon. Rising in Pisces…You are in danger. You have enemies.”
    â€œWell, she’s a big shot, rich executive. Of course she has enemies,” Joe said.
    â€œReally?” Tip asked, looking Jillian up and down all over again. “Cool,” he said. “And I just thought you were one sexy redhead.”
    â€œThanks,” Jillian murmured.
    â€œNow you’ve gone and told half the world who she is,” Connie murmured.
    â€œEnemies,” Madame Zena murmured. “Enemies.”
    â€œI still don’t know who she is,” Tip told Joe. He gave Jillian a charming smile, and she tried to respond, but by then Madame Zena was beginning to get to her.
    â€œBeware…”
    Madame Zena’s voice was suddenly so low and husky that it seemed to reach out and touch her with fingers of ice, running along her spine, her nape.
    â€œBeware…”
    Jillian leaned forward, forcing her lips to move. “Of what?”
    â€œChristmas…Christmastide…”
    â€œOh my God, this is going too far,” Joe said impatiently. “Beware of Christmas? Of what? A psychopathic Santa? Come on, Jillian…”
    â€œBeware, take warning.”
    â€œJillian, come on, get up,” Joe urged, but she couldn’t seem to move.
    â€œWitch, witch, witch, witch…” Madame Zena said.
    â€œWhich? Which what?” Jillian murmured.
    â€œW-i-t-c-h,” Madame Zena whispered.
    Dear God, but she sounded so weird and looked so spooky. Scary. Maybe it was a holiday act.
    Madame Zena leaned back, gripping the table. They all stared at her blankly as she fell silent, her eyes closed. When she opened them, they had rolled up into her head until only the whites showed. “Witch,” she murmured. “Witch.” The cry grew louder. “Witch.” Louder still, and different, as if several voices were speaking through the woman. Her voice rose so high that Jillian, staring at her,