Page 7 of Choosing Stella

I focused on the cards.

The room seemed to tighten around the small pool of amber light above the table.

The Tower pointed to conflict, a structure failing from inside.

The Three of Pentacles reversed suggested people who were supposed to be building together pulling in different directions.

The Five of Swords warned of a victory that cost too much.

I swallowed against the first hint of nausea.

“You asked what you should watch for.”

“Yes.”

“Your foundation.”

Antonio tipped his chin toward the cards.

“That’s vague.”

“You asked a vague question.”

“What do they actually say?”

I touched the edge of the reversed Three of Pentacles.

“Something around you isn’t as stable as you think it is. The problem doesn’t look external.”

Antonio’s amusement faded by a fraction.

“Business?”

“Possibly.”

“Money?”

“Possibly.”

“You’re very committed to not being useful.”

I raised my head.

“You want useful? Pay attention to the people you already trust.”

That silenced him.

The pressure behind my eye pulsed harder.

For one second, the penthouse blurred.

Another image slid over it.

A flash of silver.

A hard vertical line.

Something breaking.