Whispering Suits

Cyrus seems to consider what I have said for a long time, that or my perception of time is just fucked because I'm sick and just really want to lie down. He brings his hands together, clasping and unclasping them, the motion seems an anxious one. I find myself slightly fixated on his hands, a part of me longs to know how it feels to touch them. To be touched by them. I shake the thought out my head and remind myself that this is just his glamour, it's designed to suck you in. He finally settles and I watch him take a deep breath. “Before I offer terms, you'll need to clarify what you expect from this deal. I ask you to be exact, I wouldn't want you backing out because you recall later on something you forgot to ask for”. He says, his eyes glinting with life again. He thinks he has me, perhaps he thinks his charm is still affecting me, but the one good thing about this cold is I feel too awful to really focus on Cyrus or how beautiful he is. I can feel the deck in my pocket, and despite the definite risk this move poses, I feel it calling to me. It wants me to show it to him, and before I know it my hand has moved into my pocket and pulled the deck out. I place it gently on the table, I can't hide how precious it is to me, but a part of me doesn't care. I don't raise my eyes to look at him, but I can feel his gaze swap from me to the deck. “I recently…obtained this Tarot Deck. I know it isn't a normal Tarot deck, and I know that Faeries can use these cards to do magic. I want you to teach me how it works. I want you to teach me everything you know, about Faeries, about your world, about magic, and about The Tarot. I want to know the risk, the cost, of using magic. I want to understand…that is why I am here. For answers”. As I talk, I feel a weight lift off my shoulders. It feels strangely freeing to finally confess what it is I've been after. Cyrus doesn't seem surprised by my request itself, but when I finally lift my gaze to him I can see immediately that his sights are still firmly set on the Tarot deck. His eyes seem to be filled with flames, and his glamour seems to flicker for a moment. The first thing he finally says is “Where exactly did you obtain this deck?”. It's obvious from his tone, the cards truly are special. And, they have done their job. If the allure of securing me in a deal wasn't tasty enough, this deck has sealed the bargain as too good to pass up on. I don't respond, but instead tap my nose in a ‘that’s for me to know’ movement. Cyrus finally raises his eyes from the box on the table to me and grins. “Very good, Indigo. For one who seems to know so little about Faeries, you certainly knew how to capture my interest”. He stands up and walks to the edge of the sofa, turning so I can't see his face. “Here is my offer” he begins, still with his back to me. “Twice a week, we will meet for lessons. These lessons will be held here, in my home, unless otherwise specified. During these lessons, I will answer any questions you ask of me about Faeries, The Tarot, and Magic. I will agree to hold these lessons for, oh, let's say six months? In return, you will let me observe your Tarot deck. You will agree to show me any card I wish, with a minimum of one card per lesson. And, you will answer any questions I have on mortals, and the mortal world. I will also retain the existing debt you owe me, as such, I will specify if the question I ask you requires a truly honest and truthful answer. Although..”he says turning back around “It would be nice if you would answer any question I ask truthfully”. He leans against the sofa arm, seemingly satisfied with his offer. I think about the deal, I think six months will take us to May and wonder if there is any significance in this. But, regardless, it doesn't seem like a bad deal. And he isn't asking for more than the chance to look at the cards. Then I realise three key details that I nearly missed, things he clearly left out intentionally. “I expect amendments are acceptable? Firstly, you must make a Faerie Vow that you will not take the Tarot deck, or any of the cards in it, from me, and you will also protect me and it from any other Faeries. Secondly, you will agree to not use any Faeries charms, or wiles, on me during the course of our time together. And, finally, me and my family will be kept safe. You cannot touch them, and you are to do your best to keep them and me safe from any other parties who may pose a risk to us”. Cyrus sits back down across from me, and retrieves a Tarot card from his pocket. The card looks different to my own deck, the back of the card has a pattern of flames swirling around a sunflower. He places the card down, it's the 10 of Coins. The ink is a bright copper colour, glinting to an almost gold tone in the flickering light of the fire. He slides the card towards the middle of the table. “The terms are agreed. To seal the deal, I will give you your first lesson by using a Binding spell. However, in the interest of fairness, I should warn you that an oath made over this particular Tarot card cannot be broken. You stake your soul, I stake mine, if either party fails to meet their end of the bargain…well, you get the picture. So, Indigo, is it a deal?” He holds his hand above the card, and it begins to glow faintly. I reach out and slip my right hand into his grip. Cyrus’s skin is warm, and soft, and he playfully rubs the back of my hand with his thumb as he focuses his eyes on the tarot card. Then he begins to speak. “Ten Of Coins, Manifest! These souls be bound, this deal be sealed. By the Life Within, by the Arcane’s might, bring forth your essence into the light!”. The red ink on the card rises, and wraps around our hands snaking up our arms. It feels red hot on my skin, and I wince slightly at the pain. Then there is a bright blinding light. I let go of Cyrus's hand, and look at my arm. There's a red band around my wrist, almost like a tattoo. I rub it, and the skin is hot and sore to touch. So that is magic, I just witnessed my first real Faerie spell. I'd feel excited, but the room is spinning and though I can tell Cyrus is speaking, his voice doesn't reach me. I try to steady myself by leaning on the coffee table, but there's this awful ringing in my ears and I feel like I've been jolted with electricity. I feel myself fall, and my head hits the edge of the sofa, then everything goes black.