Pandora and the Prison Deck

By Elise Hoffman

The worst souls that have ever lived in the universe are trapped in my tarot deck, and I'm their warden.

 

Everything is fine. I'm minding my own business, living my best life of avoiding people and hiding from the world, then I feel the magic in the deck change. When I search out what's happened to my cards I discover one of my prisoners is missing. Not just any prisoner. Nope. It's The Emperor, and he's the worst of the whole bunch. I have to get him back, but my magic is limited and I have no idea how to look. No one has ever escaped the deck before.

 

With few options, I'm forced to take up the offer of The Magician, a soul who loves nothing more than to needle and flirt with me. He's gorgeous, and perfect, and the most infuriating person I've ever known. He can't be trusted. But I have no choice but to try, because if the escaped soul remains free… the world will burn.

 

My name is Pandora, and I am so completely screwed.

 

**Pandora and the Prison Deck is a complete short story which takes place in the same world as the Magic in Stone series. Her story specifically takes place in between Magic in Stone books 2 & 3 (Changing Medusa & Claiming Medusa).**

• Language: English
• Publisher: Elise Hoffman
• Release date: Mar 7, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223593317

Book preview

Dear Reader,

Depending on how you came to find Pandora, you may or may not be aware of where she falls within the greater scheme of my story universe. With that in mind, here are some things you should know.

If you are totally new to my writing, you may want to read my other series, Magic in Stone, when you’re finished. If you do, you’ll need to start at the beginning of it with Courting Medusa. This story takes place toward the end of the second book, Changing Medusa, and bridges the gap into the third book, Claiming Medusa, which will hopefully publish within the next year. You do not have to read that series. This novella is its own thing, but the ending is slightly cliffhanger-y in that Pandora and her love interest’s story is complete, but their adventures in the greater world I am building are not. If you get to the end and you're okay with being finished with a happily ever after between the couple, then you’re all set! If you want to know how they affect the rest of the world they’re in... well, you’ll want to read my other books.

If you’ve started Pandora’s story because you found the link to it at the end of Changing Medusa, then you’ll really enjoy this, as it fills in something that happened in that book, as well as starts the setup to Claiming Medusa.

All of my published books at this point are connected. They are all living in the same world, at the same time, and the character’s stories overlap and crossover. You’re not obligated to read everything I write, but if you want the full experience, it’s a good idea to read them all. Hopefully, you like my writing enough to do that! If not, no hard feelings. I’m writing each series so that it can be read, and be complete, all on its own—but there are little things dotted throughout my other books that make it even better. Make sense? I probably explained that poorly. My brain is sort of like a highly caffeinated squirrel was set loose on solving a conspiracy and given way too much red thread to connect the dots with. It’s a mess.

I have two other series that are set in this world where Pandora will show up from time to time, but they are not currently published. They’re coming soon though! Real soon!

Thank you so much for reading my books. I hope you love these characters as much as I do, and that you find this particular story to be a quick and fun romp.

Sincerely,

Elise

Chapter 1: A Really Bad Reading

A tingle ripples through the air, raising the small hairs on the back of my neck. I sense a shift in my magic I can’t quantify, a subtle roll of energy that ebbs away, leaving a hollow pain behind my rib cage.

I pluck the deck from my tattered bag and sit down in the middle of the frigid sidewalk without caring about the looks I receive from strangers passing by. It’s late enough that few people are on the street, anyway. This is an emergency. They can deal.

Heat radiates off the cards, and the tang of arcane energy hits my tongue—a bad sign. I fan the cards out in my hand, paying little attention to the moving figures painted on them. It’s already clear that they are as agitated as I’m feeling without checking on them.

As I scan through them, one stands out, glowing hot with magic. I pull my sleeve over my fingers to pluck it from the deck, praying to any deity listening that it won’t be the one I think it is.

I know better, but you can’t blame a girl for trying to avoid the worst possible outcome.

I drop the searing card with a hiss, the fabric of my shirt not enough to keep it from burning the pads of my fingers.

Shit.

The Emperor lies face up, but only the name of the card is left. The illustrated figure inside is missing.

How the fuck did that happen?

These souls are supposed to be contained in the impenetrable prison of the cards. The only way out should be if their time has been served, or if I release them. Even then, I can’t release release them. They have to go back in after they complete whatever task I give them. They cannot escape.

Panic cinches my throat shut. This can’t be happening. It’s impossible.

I shuffle the remaining tarot cards without a second thought. They may be a prison, but they still function as a guide and oracle. In fact, these are better than your average deck. The inhabitants of these cards can illuminate the meaning behind the draw, give direction, and even use their power to aid me if I find myself in a tight spot.

I pick a standard three-card spread, each one representing what is happening, a key to moving forward, and a potential outcome. I take a deep breath and pull the cards, laying them face down. I fist my hands for a moment, trying to quell the shake. Bracing myself, I flip the first card.

The Tower, upright. Upheaval and disaster.

No shit, Sherlock.

Next, The Magician, reversed. The figure winks up at me as he waves his wand at the sky in his portrait. This represents illusion and trickery. I don’t think I’ve ever drawn this card in the upright position. He never seems to want to be helpful, just mischievous. I roll my eyes and turn it back over, annoyed with the soul inside.

Last is The Hanged Man, upright. Sacrifice and release. The figure of this one keeps climbing over himself to look at me, as though trying to reverse its placement.

Interesting.

I pinch my bottom lip between my forefinger and thumb as I think. The Hanged Man’s movement suggests that while the card has been drawn upright, the future is still flexible. He might represent sacrifice and release but could also indicate a stalling of fate that leads to a needless sacrifice.

I gather the cards up again and shuffle them, then pull a single card to clarify things. I’m hoping it will throw everything off and