The Dark Society

19

The boys departed eagerly for the dorm, but Luis felt unexpectedly weary. It had been months since he'd seen Karen in a social setting, and he needed to contain his hostilities and remain cordial.

Recent events had prompted Imperial to place sanctions against the sect, and since many scholars defended the cause, they too faced scrutiny. Thus, such secluded gatherings became commonplace throughout campus.

This explained why the guest list for tonight's reading included only a select few, and despite demand, Lyndsey didn't alter Karen's arrangement. Besides, everyone wanted to see Sabrina, who had isolated herself from society for months without explanation. While friends didn't consider her behavior abnormal, Tatum often felt troubled by various past episodes.

Karen, Sienna, Lesley, and Dena arrived first, followed by Alex, Luis, Kyle, and Logan. Luis remained reserved despite Karen's enticing glances and gestures, while Alex stayed observant, knowing of his best friend's attraction to Sabrina.

Karen's subtlety masked her true intention: to shadow Luis and rebuild their lost connection. For leverage, she arranged everyone in a circular assembly and settled on the sofa, resembling the girl Luis forever adored. Seeing this, Luis groaned, recognizing that the woman he once knew was changing.

"Who's going first?" Karen asked.

"I will," Luis responded.

Karen was intrigued by his spontaneity. Whether driven by a renewed outlook or newfound honesty, Luis seemed eager to share her interests, so she gave Sienna a knowing wink as the tarot cards were arranged. There would be elements of performance, but everyone was enthralled regardless.

"What's next?" he asked.

"We learn your future," Sienna replied, drawing the first card.

Karen watched intently, hoping to revive their lost spiritual connection. However, tarot readings were generally speculative, whether favorable or ominous. But, a genuine occultist could interpret any literal meaning, so Karen remained alert, anticipating a positive reading. Meanwhile, Tatum frequently worried about the ever-changing narrative.

"The Emperor," Sienna announced, turning to Luis.

He smirked. "And?"

Dena leaned forward. "It symbolizes fatherhood."

Tatum suddenly appeared pale and struggled for breath, so Lyndsey seized her hand and stared.

"What's wrong?"

"They're connected," she whispered.

"Everything alright?" Dena asked.

Tatum nodded and brushed away the question.

"Can we continue?" Sienna asked.

"Of course," Karen insisted.

Sienna flipped the next card and placed it alongside the first.

"The Hermit," she stated. "It outlines a future quest for truth and self-discovery."

Finally, Sienna drew a third and decisive card as Tatum recalled past readings with Sabrina. She had felt relaxed during those sessions, but now appeared terrified. Nevertheless, she remained silent but observant.

"The Death card," Sienna revealed. "It foretells change or the end of a cycle."

"That's what Sabrina drew, except reversed," Tatum announced, trembling.

Kyle turned sharply. "You've had sessions with Sabrina?"

Tatum nodded. "She knows about this, but those readings were different, and the results were more specific."

Logan leaned closer. "Go on."

Tatum groaned. "Each card matched exactly, except one--the Emperor."

Lesley moved closer. "So?"

"Instead, she drew the Devil upright," Tatum continued. "The prophecy of corruption and blind revenge."

Karen stared at Luis, believing the prophecy was accurate and that Sabrina had captivated him for a reason. She turned toward Dena, and their eyes met in a cold stare. The coven had been obsessed with the revelation initially, but if Luen's teachings were correct, Sabrina was a master manipulator.

Hours passed, and Sabrina still hadn't arrived--a recurring pattern despite extensive attempts to remedy it. Unbeknownst to anyone, she had endured many physical and spiritual transformations, evolutions surpassed only by the persistent burdens of ascension. Thus, she sat nestled deep in her sofa, allowing the unknown forces to consume everything.

Later, Sabrina entered the bathroom and prepared for a shower. As steam rose, her tensions eased--an oddity for the moment, but welcomed nonetheless. However, while closing the door, her attention was drawn to a crimson smear on the handle. She started to scream, but instead smirked, because, though she didn't remember, the proof was clear.