|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ens' feet. Next to the door was a bench with a Mr. Coffee machine and a hot plate and in the center of the floor was a card table and four chairs. The only thing on the table was an oversized deck of cards. The woman pulled out two of the chairs and took a seat in the third. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cyrus pushed Kyna to the first chair and stared at her until she sat down. Then he sat between the women, winching slightly at Kyna's catlike smile. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Paula returned a seemingly sincere smile to Kyna and then turned her attention to Cyrus. "May I see your hand?" |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cyrus was newly sensitive about his hands, but he let the woman take one. She turned the palm up and traced the skin with long red fingernails. Then she turned the hand over and examined the back. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
At last! Paula thought. The man in my visions. She lifted her eyes to Cyrus's face. He radiated confusion and no small amount of fear, but his aura was pure. She glanced at Kyna. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
That's more than I can say for her. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
What is it about this woman? Paula wondered. Her aura was opaque. It was almost as if Kyna was shielding herself, but Paula sensed no psychic power in the woman. Caution seemed to be the most prudent course of action. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"I did not believe," Paula said. "It has been many years." |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"What?" The question exploded from Kyna. "Believe what?" |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Paula looked at Cyrus and asked a question with her eyes. He shook his head imperceptibly. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Ms. Rand, Mr. Trigg has a very unusual palm. Look for yourself." |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Ms. Rand, huh? I suppose the spirits told you my name." |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Paula grinned. "No. Mr. Mabuto told me when he called this morning." |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Kazie is . . . all right, then?" Cyrus asked. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Paula smiled and nodded. "Yes. We owe you a great deal." |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Kyna took Cyrus's free hand and flipped it back and forth. |
|
|
|
|
|