The bottom of Aphrodisia, Day 98 A.F

I huddled in the back corner of the musty, unlit cell. The fresh sea air became stale and briney as it filtered to the lowest part of the vast ship. There was no light, not even a flickering candle. Perhaps that was for a reason. While protesting the lack of illumination, Tybira had expressed a desire to use any lanterns there might have been to burn through the wooden planks of the boat. I doubted her idea would have worked even if we'd had a flame. We were below the surface of the ocean. Water would pour in, extinguishing the light and drowning us. Tybira had relentlessly searched for an escape, desperate to be reunited with the wolves that had been taken gods know where. Her drive was likely the reason she'd been taken away first.

Simply a day after leaving us in this chamber, without any food or water, Scraggly-Beard had opened the heavy wooden door, claiming that The Nōachs had requested Fauna's presence. Tybira had fought like a wildcat, clawing, biting and thrashing. Enki did his best to aid her, but he was unable to muster a single illusion. It took six mortal men to drag Tybira away. She'd yet to return, but Enki insisted she was still alive.

Cyprian had been taken away next. After Tybira's failed struggle, Cyp walked calmly out of the chamber when asked. He knew better than to waste energy fighting mortals when it would be better spent on the twins. I knew that if Cyprian were to die, he'd want it to be here, on an Atlantian ship as he'd been meant to before Matthew had whisked him away.

The Fool had wasted no time escaping, even to offer aid to any of us. He'd docilly followed Cyprian's so-called brothers, so well behaved that they hadn't even bothered to restrain him as they led us to our holding cell. However, as soon as they stepped away, Matthew vanished into thin air. He'd astral projected, as Enki called it, moving through the many planes of the universe and arriving wherever he wished. I didn't care how The Magician described it. The Fool had abandoned us. There was no way to phrase his desertion that would make it seem to be anything other than a cowardly betrayal. I'd tried numerous times to contact Matthew through whatever mental link we seemed to share, but to no avail.

Matthew? Answer me, Fool! How dare you leave me here?

"Those lunatics don't even need to take me out of here. This is torment enough," Enki moaned, leaning his head weakly against the wall of the ship. Although my eyes had adjusted greatly, I needed to squint to focus on The Magician. Even through the dark, I could see how pale he was. It might have been Tybira who'd never stepped foot on a boat, but it was Enki fairing the worst. He'd fallen seasick shortly after arriving, and had been in a nauseated daze ever since, hardly able to open his eyes, let alone produce an illusion.

The darkness was suffocating, choking me with the shadowy memories of Amire's laboratory. The ocean scent often morphed into the unmistakable odor of death, or burning acid and strangled me. There were times when I was certain I heard the ominous rattle of Shiva's wings, or could feel the cold bite of metal against my neck. If ever I managed to drift off, my exhausted body forcing sleep upon me, I'd be thrown awake by Lalita's scream.

The first time my eyes had snapped open and I hugged my knees to my chest, panting, Enki had attempted to soothe me, murmuring comfort between his own pained groans. Cyprian had yet to be summoned, so The Hanged Man rubbed my back gently. I knew he remembered that time he'd helped me fall asleep the night before I'd found Matthew, that spinless deserter. Shiva's whispering voice still haunted my ears. I was caught in a constant state of blind panic and debilitating grief, rendering any hope of sleep impossible. I wondered deliriously if I'd die of dehydration before The Lovers came for me. My stomach told me that would be less painful, but Lady Lotus begged to go down fighting, taking my enemies with me to the afterlife.

I'd considered reaching out to Enki in our isolation. Conversation might improve both our sanities. However, Lady Lotus took advantage of my weakened state, tugging harder on the reigns of my mind.

He's already weak, she complained. It would be so easy. One flick of a claw. He couldn't even fight it. Show The Lovers you won't back down.

There were moments, when the darkness was thickest, that Lady Lotus almost got her wish. There were moments when I became so desperate to silence the echoes of Lalita's screams, that the vengeful part of my mind inhabited by the witch considered replacing them with Enki's agonized yells. But betraying my ally would only prove Myra and Melville correct. I couldn't allow their vows of my deceit to become reality. Lady Lotus might betray her allies, but Ayesha Akhdir did no such thing.

Although I certainly wouldn't harm Enki, I was hesitant to speak to him. I wouldn't consider us friends. It was clear he only tolerated me for Tybira's sake. He never spoke to me, despite groaning to himself at times, so I never spoke to him. His apparent distrust kept me ever wary of The Magician.

The door creaked open, shuddering as it moved. Red held it open as Tybira returned to the cell. She walked into the shadows briskly, chin jutted forward. Her aggression was palpable.

Still obviously nauseous, Enki sat up to greet her, but Tybira didn't so much as glance at him. I assumed she didn't want to give the twins more to use against us. Tybira turned sharply back to snarl at Red.

"Save your breath, wolf girl," Red grumbled. "And don't get too comfortable. We'll be back for you in about a quarter of an hour. Lord and Lady just need to reset for round two."

"Then I guess I shouldn't keep you waiting," Tybira sneered. "Go on. Run back to your masters." She'd come so far from the young girl cowering in Amire's laboratory. With Enki's guidance, Fauna had truly grown into her powers, and into her confidence. She'd become the alpha of her own wolf pack, and didn't easily back down from a challenge.

"Where's Cyprian?" I demanded. I wished I could be as threatening as Tybira, but while her fangs gleamed through the darkness, I'd been completely unable to summon my claws. It was as if the darkness was draining me.

Red snorted, staring down his nose at me. "Entertaining the Lord and Lady. As he has been for the last day."

I frowned, glancing at Tybira. Her confused expression mirrored my own. "But I thought-"

The door slammed with a hollow thud, Red's footsteps fading away.

Tybira glared at the closed door, gaze unblinking until a moment far after I could no longer hear the clunk of Red's boots. Finally satisfied, she whirled on Enki. "How dare you lie to me?" Her growl ripped through the musty chamber.

"What do you mean? Did they hurt you?" Enki questioned, furrowing his brows in concern.

"Don't act as if you give a damn whether or not I'm hurt," she spat.

"Tybira," I mumbled, afraid this might segue to an instance similar to their first quarrel. Although I couldn't see them through the darkness, I could picture the small, white scars along Enki's ankle, memories of Freki's fangs. "You might need to elaborate a bit more..."

She whipped her head to me, eyes narrowed and feral. "Stay out of this. He knows what he did."

"Actually," Enki muttered, struggling to rise, "I really don't."

"Ugh! How could I have been so foolish?" Tybira fumed. "It was all just another one of your illusions!"

"Please," he begged, "Just calm down and explain. I'm sure whatever you're upset about isn't what it seems."

"Just like you?" she snapped, but sat down. "You were using me. You lured me away that day because you knew I was scared and confused. You gave me answers and made me feel powerful just so you could use me. You knew you could manipulate me and that's why you led me to you. Our entire meeting was a ruse."

I expected Enki to deny her claims. They didn't seem to have a ring of truth.

The Magician hung his head. "I'm so sorry."

Tybira stilled. Her eyes flew wider. Her lips parted around her fangs. "I... I thought you'd say it wasn't true..."

"I'm so sorry," he repeated.

The silence that hung in the air was deafening, so loud that it blocked out even the constant screams in my ears. The hush thrived until the door opened again.

This time, it was Nose who poked his head into the cell. "Let's go, Fauna. Lord and Lady are ready for you."

"How about you take me instead?" Enki insisted, standing shakily. "How long do you plan to keep torturing us anyway?"

"Don't worry, Magician." Nose snorted loudly. "You'll get your turn shortly. To answer your other question, should be obvious. We're keeping you here until every single one of you is broken. Only then will you stop coming back to this chamber, because only then will our merciful gods bestow upon you the death you will be so desperately begging for."

That didn't bode well for Cyprian. Why hasn't he returned?

Tybira stood sharply, crossing her arms over her chest. I was surprised to see her cooperate, so different than the snarling warrior that needed to be dragged from the chamber days before.

"Let's go," she snapped, shoving Nose and strutting out the door, "if only so I don't need to be in the same room as The Magician anymore."

Enki winced at her words and the slam of the door. He held his head in his hands sorrowfully.

I chewed my lip. Tybira was my friend, and if Enki had truly been using her, I'd certainly defend her. Still, he looked so guilty. I decided it would be better not to say anything. I doubted Enki would want to share anyway.

"I know you're on her side, so I know you two and Cyp will leave me if we somehow manage to get out of this," he whispered, "but for what it's worth, I never wanted to hurt her."

Great, now I'm a confidante. "I-"

"I just..." Enki interrupted, staring intently at my shoes. I wondered if he was even speaking to me anymore. "My Chronicles have made it clear that Fauna and The Magician always fall for each other. They are lovers throughout eternity. Even those psychotic Lovers know that. But... you can't win the Game if you've fallen for another Arcana... only one survives... Is it such a crime to want to be the one to survive? I didn't ask for these powers. I didn't want to play, but if I had to, does it make me evil to want to win, if only to stay alive?"

I was at a loss for a response. Enki's monologue was heartfelt, and although I didn't believe wanting to survive was a crime, I did believe that betrayal was, and Enki had planned to betray my friend.

And betray you as well, Lady Lotus reminded.

"I didn't plan to even meet Fauna. I wasn't going to seek her out, because even if we weren't the Fauna and Magician of the past, it felt wrong to play upon the connection," he continued. "When I heard her Call I tried to leave. I wanted to get out of range... but there was just something stopping me... Fauna was supposed to be my soulmate... she was so close... I just wanted to see her... just once. I wanted to know what she looked like."

"The fact is, Enki," I stated, before he could go on. I was in no mood for his tale of anguish. It might make me feel sorry for him, and I didn't want to hold sympathy for the man who'd deceived us, "you tricked her. You lied to her after she's been betrayed, more than once before. No matter how sorry you feel, you deserve it. I assume Tybira told you how we met? She was sold to The Hermit for marriage. She was supposed to marry a rich, handsome medic, only to find she'd been lured into his shell. Did your Chronicles tell you what The Alchemist likes to do to his victims?"

Enki didn't speak, and I didn't give him a chance to. I took a breath and went on. "And then after escaping a madman who did gods know what sort of experiments on her, she meets you, the charming, flattering answer to every question she has about the broken world she's living in. Of course she'd fall for you. Who wouldn't fall for the first man who's given her some semblance of stability, making her feel like she has some control over her life? But it was all just another one of your Illusions. She was lied to yet again. Even if you meant no harm by it, you broke her trust when it's a struggle to trust anyone. She's right to hate you."

The Magician's lips parted. He flinched visibly at my words as if I'd struck him. The mischievous, endearing twinkle in his eyes was nonexistent. He shook his head slowly, as if attempting to dispel my words. "Fall for me? Who wouldn't fall for her?"

I opened my mouth to fire back another insult. Enki ought to save his breath. Then again... if his remorse was truly sincere... This time, when Lady Lotus once again caressed my spine with lazy fingers, urging me to surrender my being to her, I yielded. I passed the reigns of my marionette body to the witch, expecting her to silence The Magician's whimpering more effectively than my forgiving nature could. Tybira deserved better than to risk me offering him a second chance.

Yet, the witch curved my lips into an agreeable smile. "Hey, maybe Tybira will give you a second chance. If it helps, I could even put in a good word for you."

Enki glanced up, light green eyes narrowing, then widening. "You'd do that?"

"Of course." Lady Lotus's breathy voice flowed from my throat. "In exchange for some information."

The Magician eyed me warily. "Ayesha..." He deliberated for a moment, but nodded. "Fine. What do you want to know?"

"Everything." The witch who'd captured my lips had a point. Enki knew everything about the Arcana. Everything about me. I knew he'd kept secrets from me, and if he truly wanted my help with Tybira, he'd start talking.

"Fine," Enki sighed. "I already told you we represent the cards of a Tarot deck. But that isn't exactly true. More accurately, the Tarot Cards represent us: the twenty-two major Arcana."

"How would the cards represent us?"

"Not us in the literal sense," he explained. "Centuries ago, gods of all realms and religions—Greek, Roman, Egyptian, Norse and so on—grew bored."

"Those gods can't all exist."

"No, they all exist, sharing the duties of their respective fields," Enki corrected. "So, the Egyptian goddess, Isis, proposed a game. The gods chose twenty-two mortals to represent them, all ages fifteen through twentyfive. The mortals were transported to an alternate realm, Ta Ro. Ta Ro was a magnificent battle arena in which the game would be played. To raise the stakes and motivate the players, the gods created a prize for the victor; the winning tribute would cease aging, living as an immortal, for a time at least.

"Each wanting glory, the gods cheated, granting aid to their selected representatives. A magic god blessed their human representative with the power of illusion and formed an alliance with a goddess of the wild. Greek goddesses, Demeter and Aphrodite, joined forces, blessing a mortal girl with both mesmerizing beauty, and command over all that roots and blooms. Soon each of the twenty-two mortals were far from human."

"But where do we come in?" Lady Lotus demanded.

"As gods do, they eventually grew bored with the game they created. They weakened significantly, as the ranks of humans began to choose gods to worship. The population no longer believed in all the immortals, and gods thrive on a concentration of prayer. Disenchanted with the species they created, they withdrew from Earth," he explained. "But just like the rising of the sun and changing of the seasons, what was once controlled by the gods continued on without them. Roughly every five centuries, twenty-two mortals are born with the abilities of the first gladiators of Ta Ro. Havoc is wreaked on the earth, scattering the surviving mortals so that The Game can be played without notice. Of course, rumors of the Arcana still spread through humankind, and thus we are figured on a deck of playing cards."

"But The Fool-"

"The Fool was the representative of Isis. The Goddess took the brightest human she could find, striking him mad with foresight. He sees many paths, and every possible outcome," Enki stated. "He also sees the past. While we are born different each Game, The Fool remains the same."

"And you learned all this from your Chronicles?" The words passed my lips sharply.

"Yes," Enki confirmed. "We are all reincarnations of the original Arcana. Chronicles illustrate past Games, written to offer aid to the newest player."

"And is that all your Chronicles said?"

Enki shrugged marosly. "They focus primarily on The Magicians of the past. In every Game, I have formed an alliance with Strength and it always turned to romance. No Magician has ever won, and I wondered if the reason was his unwavering loyalty to Fauna. I didn't want to die. And I certainly didn't want to fall for a woman simply because our patron gods had predetermined our alliance. But curiosity wouldn't let me walk away when I heard her Call. I just wanted one look at the woman I would supposedly fall for. So, I stayed nearby, hoping my Call would lead her out by herself. And then I met her... she's wild and spontaneous and passionate... And absolutely gorgeous, fangs and all."

Lady Lotus rolled my eyes. How revolting. The witch had no sympathy to love, but winning... that appealed to her. That was what she wanted. "And why didn't you tell me this?"

"I told Tybira, but convinced her not to tell you," he admitted. "Two Games ago, Fauna and The Magician, called Haydee and Elymas, were allied with an Empress. She was a terrifying witch whose hair never altered from the red of The Empress. Lady Lotus reveled in inflicting pain, much like The Hermit. She had backed the The Magician and Fauna into a corner, declaring she'd offer them three winters of her immortality should they help her win. They agreed, deciding that any time together was better than their inescapable death should they refuse. But Lady Lotus broke the arrangement and offed both Elymas and Haydee. Lady Lotus won the entire game. I wanted to make sure you were different than the witch."

Lady Lotus laughed silently, her haughty chuckles roiling through my mind. The Magician has no idea. "And how exactly does one win?"

"Isn't it obvious?" Enki asked. "You've seen enough Icons claimed. Whichever Arcana is the last alive, wearing every Icon, wins the Game, gaining immortality until the next reincarnations are born and the world is ravaged once again."

The witch purred. She'd won before, she'd win again. I struggled to regain control, but Lady Lotus resisted relinquishing the reigns. Although I was furious at Enki, winning this game wasn't high on my priorities. That would mean becoming Lady Lotus completely, not simply allow her to temporarily wield my body. That would mean killing Tybira and Cyprian.

Enki frowned. "Is that all?"

"Yes," I answered smoothly, finally repressing the growling witch. "That's all I need to know at the moment, Magician."

He furrowed his brow, eyes pleading. "And you'll put in a good word with Tybira?"

I tilted my head, letting Lady Lotus's smile grace my lips. "I did say I could... but I won't. But thank you, Magician. Your information was helpful."

"You—what?" Enki shook his head in disbelief. "But you... and after I told you... And you said I was deceitful."

"Just what we were waiting for," mused a lilting female voice from an area of the cell cloaked with thicker shadows. "Don't you think so, Mel?"

"I do indeed, sister," a male voice agreed. The Nōach twins emerged from the darkness, hand in hand. "The Magician lays his soul bare, revealing information that could risk his own survival, all in hopes of regaining the affections of the one he loves."

"And what does The Empress do?" Myra simpered. "Play upon his vulnerability for her own gain, giving him hope, only to crush it."

"Exactly what we were waiting for," Melville said.

"How long were you hiding here?" Horror seized my being. Still, I couldn't deny the flush of relief. If the Lovers had been eavesdropping on Enki and me, that meant that they weren't torturing Tybira and Cyprian.

"The entire time," Myra giggled. She tossed a glance at Enki. "Don't be too hard on Ayesha sweetie. It's not her fault her negative, deceitful emotions were running rampant."

"That's just part of being The Empress," Melville explained. "And of course, we helped coax her a bit."

"We are ready for you, Magician," Myra informed, motioning to the heavy door as it creaked open.

The Twins walked out, not offering a glance to a wide-eyed Tybira.

My friend seemed to have shrank. Her eyes were puffy and pink, yet faded. The hostility she'd previously shown Enki had vanished. I noticed something red clinging to her fingers. She slunk into the corner silently, not looking at Enki or me.

Tybira is back, but where is Cyp? My concern for the Hanged Man hadn't lessened.

"You're up," Nose called, motioning to Enki. "The Lord and Lady are waiting."

"Tybira..." Enki whispered, but she didn't stir. The Magician made a move towards Fauna.

"Now!" Nose ordered. "Or we'll kill the corpse she died in."

Enki lifted his hand subtly in Tybira's direction, but finally turned away. He let Nose guide him out of our cell, the door slamming behind them.