Wild Men of Alaska 03 - Dreamweaver

slowly reached for the picture. “Is this him?” she whispered.
    “Yes, when he was in Africa,” Tern said. “Right after he climbed Kilimanjaro.”
    Lucky and another man stood together with grins that were big enough to bring one to Gemma’s lips in response. They looked like they had just conquered the world with their hair tossed in the wind, and cheeks and lips red and chapped by the elements.
    She knew his face though this was the first she’d laid eyes on an image of Lucky. But she’d drawn her hands over his cheekbones, his strong jaw, kissed that smiling mouth. His soft, warm bedroom eyes were so happy. So alive. An ache spread, enveloping her heart.
    “Who’s the other guy?” she asked, trying her best not to trace Lucky’s image with her finger. That would give away too much in front of her mother.
    “Hansen. He was a climbing buddy of Lucky’s. He was killed not long after that picture was taken.”
    “How?”
    “Climbing accident. Lucky had a hard time dealing with his death. I don’t know if he ever came to grips with it.”
    “Let’s get started,” Siri said. “The mood is shifting in the room. Rosie, would you please light some Frankincense to help clear and calm the air?”
    Rosie moved to the old drawer-stacked desk in the corner. It was full of little cubbies that were filled with all kinds of incense, aromatherapy oils, herbs and dried flowers, and little things her mother collected. Rosie pulled out the incense and lit it, resting the stick on a piece of pottery made just for that purpose. A twist of smoke curled upward.
    Scents of balsamic and sharp pine with hints of lemon filled the air. Gemma found it strong and offensive, but breathed deep hoping the aroma would calm her.
    Siri picked up the deck of Tarot cards and handed them to Gemma to shuffle. She did not want to do this, but one look from Tern had Gemma taking the cards and shuffling them. She gave them back to Siri who spread them out onto the table.
    “Pick.” Siri pointed to the perfect fan of colorful cards.
    “Why do I have to do this?” Gemma asked.
    “You know why,” Siri said. “You’re closest to the Dreamweaver.”
    “Wouldn’t that be Tern?” They’d been lovers and friends. Gemma hadn’t even met the physical Lucky.
    Tern prodded Gemma. “He sought you out, and I’m not the one having astr—”
    “Okay, fine,” Gemma said quickly. She swallowed, gathered her courage, and picked the first card, right from the middle.
    The Six of Wands.
    “Balance and harmony is the Sixes.” Siri indicated Lucky’s picture. “An illustrious career as an adventurer, but he needs to let go of the past in order to achieve spiritual victory. He has been adored by many, but needs to beware of staying too long.”
    “Staying too long? What does that mean?” Gemma asked.
    Siri flicked a glance at Gemma from under her lashes. “I don’t know, but I’d wager the longer he stays on this plane, the more chances he’s taking of being stuck there and unable to move on. Pick another card, and we shall find out more.”
    “Fine.” She picked the next card, trying to tap down the trepidation she’d felt since last night.
    The Hanging Man.
    Both Tern and Rosie gasped, even Gemma knew this card was a biggie.
    Siri drew in a deep breath and slowly released it. “This card represents his conflict. He dangles between the mundane world and the spiritual one. He is caught between them, and time is running out. Something must happen soon or the time for action will be lost.” Siri sat back in her chair. “Sacrifices he has made in the physical world give him freedom and power in the spiritual world. He’s been blessed and sees things with new eyes.”
    “Seriously?” Are you freaking kidding me? Goose bumps shivered over Gemma’s skin.
    “You know how this works,” Siri said. “You are guided to draw the cards. I merely explain what they mean. There is no cloak and mirrors here, Gemini.”
    Gemma strengthened her resolve, and studied the cards, p icking from the left this time.
    “The Two of Swords.” Siri paused taking the card from Gemma and lay it down for everyone to see.
    There was a striking image of a woman blindfolded with her arms crossed and holding a sword in each hand.
    “There are two sides fighting. He is faced with a decision, and if he waits too long it will be made for him,” Siri said. “Or he is fighting with himself because of something he didn’t finish while on earth.” She