Spells of Tarot & Tragedy by Harley Jane Rose

Author:Harley Jane Rose
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: fantasy romance books for women, fantasy romance books for adults steamy, books like fourth wing, tarot fantasy romance adult, fantasy romance for adults
Publisher: Harley Jane Rose
Published: 2024-02-14T00:00:00+00:00

14: THE EMERGENCY BRAKE

Mackenzie had expected a phone call in response, not a knock on the door hours after.

The first knock echoed through the house, and Mackenzie’s stomach tightened up savagely, making her fear it would bring up what remnants of food remained in her. She wasn’t sure who it was knocking, but none of the limited options were appealing to her. In fact, most—if not all—she wanted to avoid.

When the knock came a second time, she still made no effort to move, determined to stay nestled in the depths of the mattress forever, staring at the pieces her parents had left behind.

The metallic clunk of a key clicked the lock free and then the creak of the heavy front door opening sounded up the stairs. Mackenzie jolted upright in the bed, her skin cold without the comforter, prickling with alert nerves as she listened intently for the sound of the intruder.

“You know hiding a key under a pot plant is a real crappy hiding spot, KZ,” a melodic voice called from the base of the stairs.

At the sound of her childhood nickname and the tone of the one person alive in the world she wanted to see, Mackenzie bolted out of bed. She skidded to a halt at the top of the stairs, everything that had been weighing her down disappearing at the sight of the girl with the perfect golden blonde curls waiting by the front door with her suitcase in tow.

“Luce!” Mackenzie cried, bounding down the stairs and launching herself onto her best friend without a second thought.

Lucy caught her in the hug, barely staying upright as the full weight of the two of them went backward with the momentum.

“Oh my god, what are you doing here?”

“You’re kidding, right?” Lucy replied, pulling back out of the hug to check Mackenzie’s face. “I got your SOS.”

The two of them assessed each other slowly, having a moment of silence to study the state of the other.

“I expected a phone call, not a visit...” Mackenzie whispered as she looked at Lucy’s frazzled, haphazard state. Her clothing didn’t match, her hair while falling properly was not as perfectly kept as usual, and she was without the smaller touches of makeup Mackenzie had always known her to wear. It was very unlike her. She looked tired and as though she’d left New York the second her friend had messaged.

“Do you want me to go home then?” Lucy challenged with raised eyebrows.

“No!” Mackenzie said quickly. “Just surprised, that’s all.”

“Well, maybe next time you send for help, remember to leave your phone on charge when I call you, so you can brief me,” she responded with a grin.

Mackenzie’s face flushed.

“I’m so sorry. I completely forgot. I fell asleep and didn’t realize.”

“Fell asleep? Already? And did you plan on getting out of bed?” her friend questioned, losing all jokes and humor as she took in the living magic dress and the accompanying smells.

“Not until then,” Mackenzie admitted honestly as she met Lucy’s gaze. She hoped the tight frown told her that this was due to new events, not just an inability to move.

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