Braithe nodded. “Yeah, that’s him. My mom went to see him before she married my dad. There was this other guy before my dad and I guess she was unsure about which man to go with. So she went to see the psychic and he said stuff about her that no one knew. Freaked her out, but it gave her such clarity. She said he changed her life. I just think it’s cool.” She dipped her head, laughing, and Rainy marveled at how beautiful she was.

Rainy sidestepped a wad of gum. She was starting to feel the exhaustion; it was tag-teaming the alcohol, making mush of her thoughts. And then they were there, the shop a blur of neon and incense and pastel crystals that looked like candy. She ran her hands over the lip of the shelves, listening to the others talk to a man who introduced himself as Luc.

“Is that your real name?” she heard Mac ask. She didn’t wait for Luc’s answer; she ducked behind a display of shirts and pretended to look for a size. Places like this freaked her out: people claiming to hear from other beings, relaying messages. She was chilly, the night had dried uncomfortably on her skin and her buzz was a faint hum now. Had she really been dancing beneath a ceiling of bubbles only an hour ago? She eyed the door, wondering if she could slip out and send them a text saying she wasn’t feeling well. Peeping around the display, she saw that Tara had taken a seat at Luc’s little table and he was laying cards in front of her. The words came back to her.

Do not be deceived by liars and manipulators. Astronomy, psychics and mediums are signs of a nation perverted by the idea that they can control their futures. They are evil manipulators of truth.

She tugged her phone from her pocket, hoping to see a text from Grant. Nothing, but there was a text from Viola.

I’ve got heartburn. You up?

The Tigers are getting their cards read and I’m here, too, she wrote back.

Viola’s text came back at record speed.

Say what? And don’t try to act like you’re not a Tiger, okay? I saw you in Tara’s story and you looked like you were having the time of your life.

Rainy rolled her eyes, trying to squeeze the smile off her face.

That part was fun but now they’re acting weird and I want to leave!!!

Whoa, whoa, you never use excited punctuation. How bad is it?

She bit her lip, thumbs paused. It wasn’t that bad, was it? Things had been weird, then great, then weird again. She decided to say exactly that to Viola.

Weird in what way? Viola asked.