They always say 'it's the eyes.' You can tell someone from their eyes and if you know them well enough, their eyes will give them away.

So, I should have known better, right? I should have been able to tell just by looking at him that something was off. That he had changed.

Into who? Who was this man that wore my Adam's body? Who had slipped into his place without me contesting it? Whoever it was had wormed their way into my thoughts, my heart, and my bed. Our bed...

Taking a deep breath, I stood m ground, never breaking eye contact, as I confronted the possessed flesh that was my husband.

***

"Eve, you've got no chance." The soft tone and chuckle that followed betrayed the attempt at bravado via trash-talk. "Just let me have the last throw and you won't have to embarrass yourself."

Scoffing, I tossed the plastic ring dead ahead of myself, in a graceful flick of the wrist, only for the darn thing to ping gently off the dark blue glass bottle set up as one of the carnival game targets. "Damn," I cursed.

"I think most people would say 'I told you so' right about now."

"You just did," I said, a pout overtaking my features. "I'm ready for sugar now."

With a kiss to my forehead, he spoke with a voice that was a true reflection of his person- comforting and steady. "Let's get you some consolation sweets."

Turning away from my failure, Adam and I walked through the carnival crowd in search of snacks that somehow always managed to feel nostalgic even though we made it a point to partake in them with annual regularity.

Hands clasped, we followed our noses in search of fried goodness but somehow made it to the edge of the fair.

"That's new." Adam was pointing to a dark, yet colorful, tent adorned with strands of bells and flickering lanterns. "Looks like a fortune teller booth," he mused.

Interest piqued, I quickly decided that the calories would wait for me. "Let's check it out."

As I took a step away, our hands disconnected; his feet not following mine. "Really?" An incredulous look overtook his features.

"Yeah," I started, curious of his refusal to join. We did everything together. "What's the problem?"

"It's a waste of money."

I frowned. "We just spent five dollars on a rigged game."

"Just because you lost doesn't mean it's rigged."

Though his tone was teasing, I couldn't help getting riled so I marched forward to avoid voicing my annoyance. There was a huff that echoed behind me before the crunch of begrudged steps resounded from weathered Doc Martens.

Warm, with a sweet, earthy scent, the fabric tent sat positioned away from the festivities with its opening facing the treeline. The night air had a sharpness this far removed from the hot grease and various confectioneries to almost make it feel like we were in a completely different location.

"Please enter," a pleasant female voice spoke, breaking the increasing silence.

I jumped slightly. "You startled me!" I said, catching my breath. My heart, reasonably elevated, began to slow as I took in a beautiful young woman. I was surprised to see someone so youthful but she portrayed the stereotype perfectly otherwise. Her headscarf attempted to tame long, dark curls and strong features were accentuated by red-stained lips.

Sitting myself in one of the two seats provided for patrons, I noted the quality of the seat and cushion; much nicer than I would have expected from a pop-up event. "We've never seen you here before. Are you new this year?" I asked, visually inspecting the assortment of crystals and cards and other accoutrement adorning the small table that separated us.

"I go where I am called." Hands moving swiftly over the splayed deck, she stopped just as suddenly as she started, a lone fingertip coming down to indicate a specific card.

Movement in my peripheral alerted me to Adam's presence. "Very ominous," he said, sitting and giving me a small smile, which I returned.

Without acknowledging him, the young lady flipped the card so that it sat face up in front of my reluctant companion.

"No, this is for her." He pointed at me but my eyes were glued to the card.

An intricately illustrated picture of a rider in a palanquin faced us, making the text across the bottom easy to read; The Chariot. "The cards tell me otherwise."

"Again, very in character, but I'm really not interested in this stuff." Adam looked to me for assistance but he was due payback for earlier so I shrugged and waited patiently for the mystic to continue.

"The Chariot, reversed, is a sign of great unrest. You are about to approach a critical moment in your spiritual journey that-"

"Uh-huh." Adam stood, obviously done with this experience, but I pulled him back down into his seat.

Ignoring the interruption, the prophecy of doom continued, "It's crucial that you take a hard look at yourself, deeper than you ever have, and address whatever it is that is threatening you. The outcome is... uncertain."

Without pausing for effect, she flipped a second card revealing a picture of a feminine looking angel. Further detail was out of reach as the card faced away from us.

"Temperance." A smile graced the young woman as she eyed me. "This card represents your role. You will create balance."

Looking back to Adam, she gestured to the remaining cards. "Choose the final card with your non-dominant hand," she commanded.

Annoyance fell away with the unusual request and Adam obliged, seemingly willing to do whatever to just get through the experience. Carelessly swiping his hand over the cards, he paused. With a minute tilt of his head, a sudden deliberation overcame his movements as he set his finger down.

Dexterous fingers removed it as the indicating hand retreated with great haste. As much as I didn't want to draw attention to my partner's reaction, I couldn't help but search out his gaze. Unfortunately, those hazel eyes eluded me.

"And the Magician, reversed." A deep sigh exited her as she looked over both of us. There was something in her eyes that spoke to me but it was in a language I couldn't understand. "There will be mistrust and for good reason. Don't ignore the signs."

"'Signs?'" I repeated.

Dark eyes narrowed on me. "You'll know." 

 I waited for her to elaborate but my patience was wasted. "Well, thank you for the reading. What do we owe you?"

"Nothing. Our exchange is complete." Nimble fingers gathered her cards as if to pack them up. Deciding to take the hint, I stood.

Adam was already making his way to the curtain doorway but I didn't miss the five dollar bill he left on the table. Once I caught up with him I slid my fingers between his. A smile played at my lips despite the ominous air of the fortune teller's tent. I had been hoping for something more whimsical but found value in the unique experience.

A flippant glance back quickly morphed into a double take but the short distance that we had traveled was just far enough for me to doubt the haunting image. My heart had jumped into my constricting throat for there was no shaking the piercing gaze of a gaunt elderly woman staring back at me.