Tell me a story #1

“Tell me a story” 5 card spread. Card 1 is the Protag, card 2 is the antag, 3-5 are plot points. Using the Book of Shadows Volume 2(also known as So Below) deck by Barbara Moore, Sabrina Ariganello, Alessia Pastorello

Sage quietly shifted through the papers in the file. She could feel the hair on the back of her neck standing on end.

“Shhhhhhhh.” She whispered urgently to the small sprites flickering around her. “You’re supposed to be keeping watch.”

The sprites pulled out papers from the filing cabinet. Sage sighed as the the papers slowly began smoldering from their touch. Shaking her head sage focused her attention on finding the papers she needed before the sprites destroyed it. “Gotcha.” She whispered pulling it out. She carefully folded and tucked it away into her pocket. She swatted at the small sprites while closing the filing cabinet. Sage glared at the sprites. “I’ve got it. Begone.”

Sage waited until the other fae were gone before turning to leave the dark damp basement. She trotted up the rickety stairs at a fast clip and when she came out from the basement nearly ran into Charlotte.

“Sorry, Charlie.” Sage smiled in apology to the other woman.

“You’re fine.” Charlie laughed with her too bright smile. Sage felt the strange flips in her stomach at the smile but, as had become her custom, pushed it away. Charlie flipped her long, curly, black hair over her shoulder.

“Why were you down there?” The smile never left Charlie’s face.

Sage hoped her smile didn’t feel as forced as it felt. Years of fake smiles and practice lying to people’s face had never been difficult until Charlie came into the picture.

“Just filing a folder of rejected applications.” Sage shrugged.

Returning to her desk Sage curled her legs under her petite frame and typed into the computer. Pretending to work until she had cloaked her system from the security and fire walls and then accessed the hidden message board.

‘I’ve got the file. Your sprites are useless.’

‘They’re not mine.’ Was the instant response. Sage waited for more, but as she expected nothing else came. Sighing she rolled her eyes.

“So…” Charlie’s voice had Sage jumping. She felt her heart in her throat as she stared wide eyed at the other woman.

“You scared the hell out of me.”

“Sorry.” Charlie’s cheeks appeared warm as she rubbed the back of her neck. “I was just wondering if you might be interested in possibly going to get drinks with me after work?”

Sage smiled in return. “I would love to.”

***

Three months, two weeks, and five days had passed since Sage had gotten the file for the resistance. Three months, two weeks, and five days and since the first night she had spent with Charlie. Three months, one week, and three days since their first kiss. Less than twenty-four hours since they had been intimate with one another for the first time.

Sage hated herself.

Unable to stand another moment longer laying next to the other woman pretending to be asleep Sage rolled from the bed. She grabbed undergarments and sweats that she pulled on before walking out of her own bedroom.

Crossing her arms Sage glared at the coffee pot, willing it to brew faster. Anything to avoid thinking about her suddenly split desires.

Charlie’s hand was soft and questioning when it laid over Sage’s shoulder.

“I don’t regret last night.”

Sage laughed before whispering. “You barely know me.”

Charlie shrugged. “I know enough.”

Sage ran her hand through her hair, ready to refute that claim.

“Your favorite color is fuchsia. You can’t stand instant coffee, or preground coffee for that matter.” Charlie hesitantly slipped her arms around Sage who instinctively leaned back against her. “You work hard, you have to cut all your fruit into bite sized pieces. You are terrified of water but you love storms. You probably don’t know what your natural hair color is any more, and might need a wig if you don’t slow down dying it, aren’t a fan of most animals, but you love bugs.” Charlie’s arms tightened. “You never talk about your family or past. And I meant it when I said I love you.”

Sage swallowed heavily. “I did too.”

***

“You can’t be here!” Sage frantically whispered as the fae stepped out of the shadows. His glowing red eyes unflinching. “Charlie could have caught you.”

“That’s why I’m here.” Aischos nearly growled. “You need to move. This human attachment is problematic. You have a job to do.”

Sage crossed her arms and looked away. The past year and a half she could nearly forget about the storm brewing, the war approaching. All that mattered was how happy and whole she felt with Charlie.

The fae sighed. “We need to know if you’re with us or out.” He held up his hand before she could say anything. He held out two orbs. One blue one gold. “This one,” he tossed the blue one lightly. “Is her life with you. This one,” he tossed the gold orb. “Is with you.” He then tossed both orbs to Sage. “The choice is yours but I will only give you another week.” He turned away and shadows rushed to engulf him.

Sage swallowed heavily as she stared down at the orbs. It was a gift to get them from the Fates and she knew it.

***

“You’ve made the right decision.”

“Not for myself.” Sage countered as she accepted her new assignment. She and Charlie could have been happy together. They would have led a wonderful life. One where Sage would have had to reveal her secret when Charlie began to age and Sage remained ageless. But they would have been happy. However, Charlie had a chance for a family. A partner she could grow old with. Complete with a son and daughter-in-law and three grandchildren she would adore.

Telling Charile she was leaving, and that they would never see each other again had felt horrible. When Charlie had cried and asked why, all Sage could do was turn her back as her own heart shattered. At least she would be able to check on Charlie’s wellbeing once this damn war was over.