CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY TWO - UNEXPECTED TURBULENCE

Their impromptu shopping spree came to an abrupt halt when Clarissa gasped dramatically, clutching Mara's arm. "Darling, look! It's a fortune teller!" Sure enough, tucked away in a corner of the market was a small tent draped in rich fabrics. An elderly woman with a weathered face and knowing eyes sat at a small table, shuffling a deck of ornate cards. "Absolutely not," Mara said firmly. "Clarissa, we don't have time for-" But Clarissa was already ducking into the tent, leaving Mara no choice but to follow. The interior was warm and dimly lit, scented with incense that made Mara's head swim. The old woman looked up at them, her gaze unnervingly sharp. She said something in Russian that Mara couldn't understand, but Clarissa nodded eagerly, sliding into the seat across from her. "Clarissa," Mara hissed, "we really shouldn't-" "Shh!" Clarissa waved her off. "This could be important. What if she predicts something about our meeting tomorrow?" Mara wanted to point out the absurdity