tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-83615452230230930002024-02-20T04:27:34.294-06:00Ensorcelled - A Sims 3 Love StoryLydia is a witch with one goal - to bring her dead sister, Ebony, back to life. Lydia believes that Ebony was murdered and is determined to resurrect her. But when a handsome stranger comes into the picture and tempts her emotions, she becomes sidetracked. Loving him means forsaking her powers and who she truly is. Which path will Lydia take? Which magic is more powerful: witchcraft or love?Tender Wolfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13874882716131293841noreply@blogger.comBlogger24125truetag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8361545223023093000.post-83310945969989788232013-11-18T20:48:00.000-06:002013-11-18T20:48:26.018-06:00Ensorcelled (download)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab164/Kenzie_Howell/The%20Sims%203%20-%20Ensorcelled/coverpic1_zpsf3e3c842.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab164/Kenzie_Howell/The%20Sims%203%20-%20Ensorcelled/coverpic1_zpsf3e3c842.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.thesims3.com/assetDetail.html?assetId=7803641">Download here!</a><br />
<br />
<b><u>Description:</u></b><br />
From my 18+ story Ensorcelled, this is the witch Lydia Brewster with her boyfriend Dominic Taylor and her younger sister Ebony. Lydia has worked for the past two years to bring her sister back to life. Along the way, she meets Dominic and the two form a strong relationship. But that affair comes at a price, for a witch can't love a mortal without dire consequences. But Ebony has secrets of her own. Will Lydia follow her blood or her heart? Which magic is stronger - love or witchcraft? CC-free (all outfits are official EA ones based on the custom content ones I used in the story, while some are official ones seen throughout)!<br />
<br />
<b><u>Lydia Brewster</u></b><br />
<img border="0" height="400" src="http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab164/Kenzie_Howell/The%20Sims%203%20-%20Ensorcelled/Lydiaheadshot1_zpsab7e22c9.jpg" width="323" /><br />
<br />
<b><u>Traits:</u></b><br />
Brooding<br />
Dramatic<br />
Gatherer<br />
Night Owl<br />
Perfectionist<br />
<br />
<b><u>Favorites:</u></b><br />
Food: Potato and Truffle Torte<br />
Music: Dark Wave<br />
Color: Purple<br />
<br />
Sign: Aries<br />
Lifetime Wish: Mystic Healer<br />
<br />
<b><u>Skills:</u></b><br />
Alchemy: 8<br />
Athletic: 7<br />
Charisma: 9<br />
Cooking: 8<br />
Gardening: 4<br />
Logic: 8<br />
Spell Casting: 10<br />
<br />
<b><u>Wardrobe:</u></b><br />
<br />
Everyday:<br />
<img border="0" height="640" src="http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab164/Kenzie_Howell/The%20Sims%203%20-%20Ensorcelled/Lydiaeveryday1_zpsfe6ff816.jpg" width="204" /> <img border="0" height="640" src="http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab164/Kenzie_Howell/The%20Sims%203%20-%20Ensorcelled/Lydiaeveryday2_zps01bb3d20.jpg" width="210" /><br />
<img border="0" height="640" src="http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab164/Kenzie_Howell/The%20Sims%203%20-%20Ensorcelled/Lydiaeveryday3_zps279c84e1.jpg" width="206" /><br />
<br />
Formal:<br />
<img border="0" height="640" src="http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab164/Kenzie_Howell/The%20Sims%203%20-%20Ensorcelled/Lydiaformal1_zpsa00af29d.jpg" width="204" /><br />
<br />
Sleepwear:<br />
<img border="0" height="640" src="http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab164/Kenzie_Howell/The%20Sims%203%20-%20Ensorcelled/Lydiasleepwear1_zps75500682.jpg" width="202" /><br />
<br />
Athletic:<br />
<img border="0" height="640" src="http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab164/Kenzie_Howell/The%20Sims%203%20-%20Ensorcelled/Lydiaathletic1_zpsf09b2c13.jpg" width="198" /><br />
<br />
Swimwear:<br />
<img border="0" height="640" src="http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab164/Kenzie_Howell/The%20Sims%203%20-%20Ensorcelled/Lydiaswimwear1_zpse23e4c36.jpg" width="204" /><br />
<br />
Outerwear:<br />
<img border="0" height="640" src="http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab164/Kenzie_Howell/The%20Sims%203%20-%20Ensorcelled/Lydiaouterwear1_zps5543ad0e.jpg" width="216" /><br />
<br />
Tattoos:<br />
<img border="0" src="http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab164/Kenzie_Howell/The%20Sims%203%20-%20Ensorcelled/Lydiatattoo1_zps192377e6.jpg" /> <img border="0" src="http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab164/Kenzie_Howell/The%20Sims%203%20-%20Ensorcelled/Lydiatattoo2_zps14cf0e28.jpg" /><br />
<img border="0" src="http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab164/Kenzie_Howell/The%20Sims%203%20-%20Ensorcelled/Lydiatattoo3_zps982c5b17.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<b><u>Dominic Taylor:</u></b><br />
<img border="0" height="400" src="http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab164/Kenzie_Howell/The%20Sims%203%20-%20Ensorcelled/Dominicheadshot1_zps5c41c5b8.jpg" width="351" /><br />
<br />
<b><u>Traits:</u></b><br />
Athletic<br />
Daredevil<br />
Great Kisser<br />
Irresistible<br />
Vehicle Enthusiast<br />
<br />
<b><u>Favorites:</u></b><br />
Food: Cheesesteak<br />
Music: Rock<br />
Color: Spice Brown<br />
<br />
Sign: Leo<br />
Lifetime Wish: Perfect Mind, Perfect Body<br />
<br />
<b><u>Skills:</u></b><br />
Athletic: 10<br />
Charisma: 7<br />
Cooking: 9<br />
Fishing: 8<br />
Gardening: 4<br />
Handiness: 8<br />
Logic: 8<br />
<br />
<b><u>Wardrobe:</u></b><br />
<br />
Everyday:<br />
<img border="0" height="640" src="http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab164/Kenzie_Howell/The%20Sims%203%20-%20Ensorcelled/Dominiceveryday1_zps2275c222.jpg" width="212" /> <img border="0" height="640" src="http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab164/Kenzie_Howell/The%20Sims%203%20-%20Ensorcelled/Dominiceveryday2_zpsa23d5876.jpg" width="216" /><br />
<img border="0" height="640" src="http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab164/Kenzie_Howell/The%20Sims%203%20-%20Ensorcelled/Dominiceveryday3_zpsd637591f.jpg" width="206" /><br />
<br />
Formal:<br />
<img border="0" height="640" src="http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab164/Kenzie_Howell/The%20Sims%203%20-%20Ensorcelled/Dominicformal1_zpscc0a6cfa.jpg" width="204" /> <img border="0" height="640" src="http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab164/Kenzie_Howell/The%20Sims%203%20-%20Ensorcelled/Dominicformal2_zps55f63990.jpg" width="202" /><br />
<br />
Sleepwear:<br />
<img border="0" height="640" src="http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab164/Kenzie_Howell/The%20Sims%203%20-%20Ensorcelled/Dominicsleepwear1_zpsa83dfeb4.jpg" width="198" /> <img border="0" height="640" src="http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab164/Kenzie_Howell/The%20Sims%203%20-%20Ensorcelled/Dominicsleepwear2_zpsffbc614f.jpg" width="202" /><br />
<img border="0" height="640" src="http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab164/Kenzie_Howell/The%20Sims%203%20-%20Ensorcelled/Dominicsleepwear3_zps357db5e4.jpg" width="198" /><br />
<br />
Athletic:<br />
<img border="0" height="640" src="http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab164/Kenzie_Howell/The%20Sims%203%20-%20Ensorcelled/Dominicathletic1_zps849b0717.jpg" width="228" /><br />
<br />
Swimwear:<br />
<img border="0" height="640" src="http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab164/Kenzie_Howell/The%20Sims%203%20-%20Ensorcelled/Dominicswimear1_zps39028f87.jpg" width="200" /><br />
<br />
Outerwear:<br />
<img border="0" height="640" src="http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab164/Kenzie_Howell/The%20Sims%203%20-%20Ensorcelled/Dominicouterwear1_zps424d3a73.jpg" width="212" /><br />
<br />
Tattoos:<br />
<img border="0" src="http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab164/Kenzie_Howell/The%20Sims%203%20-%20Ensorcelled/Dominictattoo1_zpse4b3cb25.jpg" /> <img border="0" src="http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab164/Kenzie_Howell/The%20Sims%203%20-%20Ensorcelled/Dominictattoo2_zps4223c45e.jpg" /><br />
<img border="0" src="http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab164/Kenzie_Howell/The%20Sims%203%20-%20Ensorcelled/Dominictattoo3_zps3cc85b86.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<b><u>Ebony Brewster</u></b><br />
<img border="0" height="400" src="http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab164/Kenzie_Howell/The%20Sims%203%20-%20Ensorcelled/Ebonyheadshot1_zpsf189dace.jpg" width="332" /><br />
<br />
<b><u>Traits:</u></b><br />
Daredevil<br />
Diva<br />
Evil<br />
Flirty<br />
Night Owl<br />
<br />
<b><u>Favorites:</u></b><br />
Food: Aloo Masala Curry<br />
Music: Dark Wave<br />
Color: Red<br />
<br />
Sign: Libra<br />
Lifetime Wish: Zombie Master<br />
<br />
<b><u>Skills:</u></b><br />
Alchemy: 8<br />
Athletic: 6<br />
Charisma: 8<br />
Cooking: 5<br />
Gardening: 5<br />
Logic: 8<br />
Spell Casting: 10<br />
<br />
<b><u>Wardrobe:</u></b><br />
<br />
Everyday:<br />
<img border="0" height="640" src="http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab164/Kenzie_Howell/The%20Sims%203%20-%20Ensorcelled/Ebonyeveryday1_zps1220b5ed.jpg" width="212" /> <img border="0" height="640" src="http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab164/Kenzie_Howell/The%20Sims%203%20-%20Ensorcelled/Ebonyeveryday2_zpsf398777c.jpg" width="206" /><br />
<br />
Formal:<br />
<img border="0" height="640" src="http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab164/Kenzie_Howell/The%20Sims%203%20-%20Ensorcelled/Ebonyformal1_zpsaca34dcf.jpg" width="212" /> <img border="0" height="640" src="http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab164/Kenzie_Howell/The%20Sims%203%20-%20Ensorcelled/Ebonyformal2_zps651bf027.jpg" width="202" /><br />
<br />
Sleepwear:<br />
<img border="0" height="640" src="http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab164/Kenzie_Howell/The%20Sims%203%20-%20Ensorcelled/Ebonysleepwear1_zps6c3ec943.jpg" width="208" /><br />
<br />
Athletic:<br />
<img border="0" height="640" src="http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab164/Kenzie_Howell/The%20Sims%203%20-%20Ensorcelled/Ebonyathletic1_zpsdf0f03fc.jpg" width="214" /><br />
<br />
Swimwear:<br />
<img border="0" height="640" src="http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab164/Kenzie_Howell/The%20Sims%203%20-%20Ensorcelled/Ebonyswimwear1_zps882c4504.jpg" width="208" /><br />
<br />
Outerwear:<br />
<img border="0" height="640" src="http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab164/Kenzie_Howell/The%20Sims%203%20-%20Ensorcelled/Ebonyouterwear1_zps255fdbfc.jpg" width="214" /><br />
<br />
Tattoos:<br />
<img border="0" src="http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab164/Kenzie_Howell/The%20Sims%203%20-%20Ensorcelled/Ebonytattoo2_zps8c211afc.jpg" /> <img border="0" src="http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab164/Kenzie_Howell/The%20Sims%203%20-%20Ensorcelled/Ebonytattoo3_zpsd1bb6631.jpg" />Tender Wolfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13874882716131293841noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8361545223023093000.post-63800689049505032932013-11-17T19:14:00.000-06:002013-11-17T19:14:08.420-06:00Chapter Twenty-Three<span style="color: #990000;">WARNING:</span> This chapter contains strong language and violence.<br />
<br />
“No!” I screech at the top of my lungs. I can’t believe what I’m seeing.<br />
<br />
And that is my little sister driving a knife through Dominic’s chest, over and over, as he tries to strong-arm her away from him.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFlpT970_AL5MYP57v8ZRWtDD7rRsH_etF6Z5u1N_vliTSAYywpsdZtxe9sdG4KDvI4icmGrapkSjt_NIQGzS-fN8tiQPL3OVzLKnhCgTyTJYissg3rcK5CD1mp5Ul1dbuIidTt2m4Leo/s1600/Ebony+&+Dominic4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="614" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFlpT970_AL5MYP57v8ZRWtDD7rRsH_etF6Z5u1N_vliTSAYywpsdZtxe9sdG4KDvI4icmGrapkSjt_NIQGzS-fN8tiQPL3OVzLKnhCgTyTJYissg3rcK5CD1mp5Ul1dbuIidTt2m4Leo/s640/Ebony+&+Dominic4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
“Stop it you fucking bitch!” I bellow at my sister. I drop the bag of groceries and barrel toward them, careening into Ebony. She drops the knife and Dominic slumps against the counter, blood spurting from his mouth.<br />
<br />
That’s definitely not a good sign.<br />
<br />
“What the fuck is wrong with you?!” I demand of my sister as I shove her against the fridge.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIL3TIEPVI7c39boPqgnyLMC1uXlT4PB0A6KWsNr4I5J_6zK_ltIaYalOCquRPdngtomjiy8UPJFU6aaA0GETUe16C6NY_g_NwN0pxky6nzl12trcCXlARKlw-MAHqLWbeUY6iJPl-wyo/s1600/Lydia+&+Ebony41.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="634" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIL3TIEPVI7c39boPqgnyLMC1uXlT4PB0A6KWsNr4I5J_6zK_ltIaYalOCquRPdngtomjiy8UPJFU6aaA0GETUe16C6NY_g_NwN0pxky6nzl12trcCXlARKlw-MAHqLWbeUY6iJPl-wyo/s640/Lydia+&+Ebony41.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
“First, get your hand off my boob. Second, you gave up your powers, took mine away from me, and all for him!” she spits in my face. “You don’t deserve to have some big happy, bullshit fairy tale ending! You’re a disgrace to the entire Brewster family!”<br />
<br />
“It was my decision, not yours! I wish I’d never brought you back!”<br />
<br />
“Well, you did, and now you’ll have to live with it forever!”<br />
<br />
“This is murder! I’m calling the cops you fucking psycho bitch!”<br />
<br />
“Go ahead! You can call the cops and have me arrested, or you can try to save your dickhead of a boyfriend down there who’s bleeding like a pathetic pussy!”<br />
<br />
With that, Ebony shoves past me, making me momentarily lose my balance. I start to chase after her, but I see that Dominic needs me more. Blood is pooling from his wounds and forming a puddle on the floor, most of which is trickling its way under the counter. I kneel down next to him and grip his head tightly between my hands.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5lqy2lLp7oMD-7hPmkgwiClSsQ_QKXjtWXvGJiRhXtSdssYwTYpg5okLFWUv8NMCxLYp7S_7QEKT_QYN3TEfGUdF81VfAYDlCjtw61CrNECJ-o3Q-lDu6PV5p06J-3aTeRPnGgttXHbs/s1600/Lydia+&+Dominic128.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5lqy2lLp7oMD-7hPmkgwiClSsQ_QKXjtWXvGJiRhXtSdssYwTYpg5okLFWUv8NMCxLYp7S_7QEKT_QYN3TEfGUdF81VfAYDlCjtw61CrNECJ-o3Q-lDu6PV5p06J-3aTeRPnGgttXHbs/s640/Lydia+&+Dominic128.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
“Oh my God!” I cry as I hastily scan his face for signs of life. “Dominic, talk to me!”<br />
<br />
Dominic opens his eyes and offers me a frail smile.<br />
<br />
“Hey, sheila,” he says.<br />
<br />
“Don’t talk,” I command. “I’ll call the ambulance!”<br />
<br />
“It’s too late for that.”<br />
<br />
“No! It’s not! You’re gonna be okay, Dominic. You’re gonna be okay.”<br />
<br />
Tears start falling from my eyes as I say that over and over again, as though it were a chant that might magically come true.<br />
<br />
But I no longer have that ability.<br />
<br />
Dominic somehow manages to prop himself up and look at me squarely.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQlI7R81Ayj1wPhyphenhyphenayOZAjv_tVqHFLQ8AvfC5jfZF0kJRpCtkdHBHAmtNCpXciGhkePNOUJmqrc-zFhyphenhyphenG4wNlwNucmE9cc2eknulTlFsDDSQx8RUKhf0quYKxmvXMUN4mBjFZNthJPxKk/s1600/Lydia+%2526+Dominic129.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="606" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQlI7R81Ayj1wPhyphenhyphenayOZAjv_tVqHFLQ8AvfC5jfZF0kJRpCtkdHBHAmtNCpXciGhkePNOUJmqrc-zFhyphenhyphenG4wNlwNucmE9cc2eknulTlFsDDSQx8RUKhf0quYKxmvXMUN4mBjFZNthJPxKk/s640/Lydia+%2526+Dominic129.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
“How did she even get in here?” I ask, briefly forgetting about his condition.<br />
<br />
“I have no idea. She just came up behind me and literally stabbed me in the back. She hit my spine, so I could hardly move to fight her off. She snuck in and I had no idea she was even here.”<br />
<br />
Damn! Because I’m no longer a witch, the seal I had on the house has worn off. But even if I still had my powers, the seal only prevents other witches from coming inside. Ebony would have come in either way because she no longer has her powers.<br />
<br />
I knew she was filled with spite and resentment toward me. But I never thought she’d take it this far.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiROF_-5iYuvawh-wgxrOCj7MJLJZGDbCYx6OFLh2mdgzUCXCsG94CPUvh3uuKW5XnmhWy1rMAdK-FOpy_PQkKAXAi8xAQBc6BthkDxbKlHBu6EbFuj1fnkjc0ligul4XuBCkB_jZwPOd4/s1600/Lydia+%2526+Dominic130.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="552" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiROF_-5iYuvawh-wgxrOCj7MJLJZGDbCYx6OFLh2mdgzUCXCsG94CPUvh3uuKW5XnmhWy1rMAdK-FOpy_PQkKAXAi8xAQBc6BthkDxbKlHBu6EbFuj1fnkjc0ligul4XuBCkB_jZwPOd4/s640/Lydia+%2526+Dominic130.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I shake my head in frustration, unwilling to believe this. Dominic’s body is becoming limp in my arms, and he’s struggling to hold his balance on his knees.<br />
<br />
“Dominic, please…there must be something, anything, I can do. Let me call the ambulance, please.”<br />
<br />
“No, I want to be in your arms. But there is one thing you can do for me, sheila.”<br />
<br />
“What is it? I’ll do anything!”<br />
<br />
“Just promise me that you won’t do anything drastic. Promise me that you’ll live the life you’ve always wanted. You told me you didn’t always want to be a witch, and that you’d like to be normal. Now is your chance. Start over at life and live the way you want. Oh, and promise that you won’t try to bring me back like you did Ebony, even if you were to get another witch. The whole zombie thing creeps me out.”<br />
<br />
“Dominic…”<br />
<br />
“Promise me, Lydia.”<br />
<br />
It’s his dying wish. I can’t say no to him. With tears in my eyes, I whimper, “I promise.”<br />
<br />
He leans up to kiss me.<br />
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<br />
As our lips touch, I can taste the salt from my tears in my mouth, and I’m sure they’re going into his as well. He holds me tightly and we savor this kiss. For it will be our last one.<br />
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<br />
Suddenly, Dominic pulls back, breaking our connection. I grip his hand tightly and clutch it against my chest as he slumps to the floor.<br />
<br />
“I love you, sheila,” he tells me weakly.<br />
<br />
“I love you, too,” I reply, my vision rapidly blurring.<br />
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<br />
Dominic’s body slumps on the floor in full, and his eyes flutter closed. His hand goes limp in mine and his head hits the floor with a thud, his neck no longer able to support it.<br />
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I look up and scream in blood-curdling agony, not giving a shit that I’m sitting in Dominic’s blood.<br />
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<br />
Tears cascade down my face in full ferocity as I desperately look into Dominic’s eyes, searching for any signs of life. But I find none.<br />
<br />
I cradle Dominic in my arms, smoothing back his hair. I slap his face a few times to maybe spark some feeling back into them. I begin performing CPR. I tip his head back, clear his airways, and blow into his mouth. His chest moves up and down, but it’s only from the air I’m trying to transfer from my lungs to his. I push on his torso, so hard I fear that I’ve cracked his sternum.<br />
<br />
I do this for what seems like hours, though it’s only about five minutes, before I finally give up. There’s nothing more I can do for him. Dominic Taylor is dead. Feeling defeated and dead inside, I collapse on top of his body and let the rest of the tears spill over.<br />
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<br />
The curse didn’t take Dominic’s life, but Ebony made sure that I still wouldn’t have him. I’m surprised she didn’t try it sooner, considering he knew she was also a witch. I guess she assumed the new moon would take him anyway, or that since he’d never actually seen her cast a spell, she was immune to the curse.<br />
<br />
When the tears finally subside, I sit up and wonder what the hell I’m going to do now. My first instinct is to kill Ebony. I gave up my powers, sealed hers, did everything that was required of me, and still I’ve lost Dominic. All because of my bitch of a little sister that I have officially disowned. I’m ashamed to say that I share her flesh and blood.<br />
<br />
If I were still a witch, I would be able to perform a resurrection spell on Dominic. I’d risk my magic going dark and consuming me to accomplish that.<br />
<br />
But it can’t be done. Since I’m not part of a coven, I don’t know of any other witches. We – or should I say they – don’t exactly make the status of being a witch public. I wouldn’t even know where to begin looking. Besides that, Dominic made me promise not to do that. And considering Ebony’s memories were intact, Dominic’s would be as well. He’d think I betrayed him and broke my word if I got another witch to bring him back.<br />
<br />
Amazingly, I’ve often daydreamed of what it would be like to not have to worry about magic and keeping it hidden from humans. Now that I’m one of them, I’d give anything to have my powers back.<br />
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<br />
But there’s no point in even doing the research. No witch has ever gotten her powers back after they’ve been taken from her, unless they were sealed and the witch who sealed them away gave them back.<br />
<br />
Which reminds me. I still have the crystal skull hidden in the secret room above the garage. Ebony’s blood has been absorbed into it, and inside the gem is her magic. My original plan was to keep it in this skull and, if her soul became light and she could truly be saved, I would give it back to her. But I can’t give it back without magic. So there’s no point in even keeping it.<br />
<br />
I need to smash it. If it’s destroyed, her magic will be lost forever. But I just can’t bring myself to destroy it. Maybe she’ll change for the better. The skull will forever be in my possession, and though she hates me now, my little sister may come around one day. But her magic will always be sealed with me, even if I can never bring it back.<br />
<br />
Besides, I see no point in trying to sugarcoat the inevitable – my sister’s soul will be dark for eternity and she’ll never come around, never able to be saved.<br />
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<br />
What I want most right now is to find a gun, put it to my temple, and pull the trigger. But I promised Dominic that I wouldn’t do anything drastic. Doing that and killing Ebony would break that promise. So I can’t do it.<br />
<br />
But then I realize something. I realize that ending my own life won’t help anything. It won’t salvage my soul either. Ebony will still have won if I do that. And I won’t let her have the satisfaction. To her, living means nothing without magic. She thinks magic defines her. And for a while, I thought the same thing about myself.<br />
<br />
But that’s not true. Not for me. I may not have it anymore, and I may not have the love of my life anymore, but I still have hope. I may one day learn to love again, and I won’t have to be bound by some ancient, fucked-up curse. I won’t be restricted on what I can and can’t do in any situation.<br />
<br />
I don’t know when or if I’ll love again, but the possibility is there now with no strings attached. It will be hard to find someone to replace Dominic, though. Perhaps he never truly will be replaced. No, I’m certain that he won’t. He’ll always hold a special place in my heart. He was my first real love. I don’t think any of the other guys I’ve been with before genuinely loved me, and I know I didn’t feel as strongly for them as I did Dominic.<br />
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I just hope this feeling of pain subsides before it kills me faster than my own hand would.<br />
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**********</div>
<br />
I decide my first step will be moving out of this house that’s haunted with memories of something I’ll no longer have. I’ll get another apartment, but a better one this time. And not one with a shady landlord.<br />
<br />
The light at the end of the tunnel is that the police finally proved that I had nothing to do with the deaths of Abel and Carter. Apparently they found some surveillance footage of someone else committing the crimes, though I strongly suspect that Ebony had something to do with that. But at least it’s not me they’re pinning the crime on. I couldn’t care less about anyone else right now. I have my own problems.<br />
<br />
An even bigger light at the end of that long and treacherous tunnel surfaced after I called the ambulance about Dominic. Ebony had been stupid enough to forget one thing – she still has fingerprints, and when I described the person I saw killing Dominic and told the cops her name, they hauled her in and matched her fingerprints to the ones on the knife’s hilt. She’s now behind bars for murder. So at least there will be justice for Dominic’s death. She can’t get out without magic.<br />
<br />
A huge shock came to me the other day when Dominic’s lawyer called me. Turns out, he filled out a will before he died. I guess when I told him about the curse, he took action. He left the house, his money, and everything to me. He had no one else to leave it to, anyway. I almost fell out of the chair when I heard that news.<br />
<br />
But it’s too painful to live in that big estate, not to mention lonely to live there by myself. So I’ve got it up for sale now, and I’ve got myself a cozy little house nearby, but not close enough to bring up repressed memories.<br />
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<br />
It needs some fixing up inside, but that will keep me busy at least, in between working. I’m currently waiting tables, and the money isn’t that great, but I’m not hurting for money anyway thanks to Dominic’s generous bequest. The job is mostly to keep my mind occupied when I’m not renovating.<br />
<br />
I didn’t have a familiar before, but I did find an adorable cat that I’ve adopted. He keeps me company on my lonely days, which are quite often. I named him Dundee, which may not be appropriate considering I’m trying to get over Dominic, but it just seems to fit him so perfectly considering he looks like a little Bengal tiger, which is very exotic, like Australia.<br />
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<br />
The job front is also pretty good. Carter’s death did mean that he couldn’t give me a bad reference, and everyone knew the place burned down, so no prospective employers could really call for a reference anyway.<br />
<br />
I also heard from Angel, and she’s all right. Thank God it was her night off when the Poppin’ Cherry burned down. She wasn’t sorry to hear about Carter, and she isn’t entirely sure what she’s going to do now (she declined my offer to move in with me, saying she “don’t wanna be anybody’s burden”) but we’re still in touch.<br />
<br />
I’ve also decided to give school another try. I’m taking a few classes at the local community college. Maybe I’ll get a degree in psychology. God knows I’ve been through enough shit to give advice about it. The work isn’t easy, but it’ll be worth it. I’ll hopefully have a better chance in the career department than before, which landed me in a strip club.<br />
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<br />
My life is starting to come back together again, but parts of it are still crumbled at the foundation. It will probably be a long time before I get over the traumatic events of the past two years and few months, but I have realized that I can truly be normal. I don’t need magic. It never defined me, and even if I still had it, it wouldn’t. I’m glad I gave Dominic my word to live the life I’ve always wanted. It’s exactly what I need.<br />
<br />
So in a way, he saved my life. Had I not given him my word, and had I not sincerely meant it, I’d probably be burning in hell right now. But instead, I’m getting along fine on my own, without magic, and with no risks of exposure.<br />
<br />
I’d like to say that I miss Ebony, but after what she did to Dominic, I don’t. I despise her, and even if she wanted to seek me out and make amends, I would be more likely to throw her in front a speeding bus than listen to her. I hope she burns in hell, again – once for killing herself, and again for killing the man I loved.<br />
<br />
I don’t know what the future holds for me, but I didn’t even as a witch. A witch can’t tell the future. And contrary to what some people believe, I don’t think psychics and fortune tellers are real, either. No one can predict the future or what outcome your life may have. But the important thing you must do is be yourself, whoever that may be. Don’t let anything or anyone define you. Just be you.<br />
<br />
And remember, true power isn’t what’s found in a spell book or comes from your fingertips. It’s what’s found inside and comes from your heart.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">THE END</span></b></div>
Tender Wolfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13874882716131293841noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8361545223023093000.post-65544549599147913982013-11-13T17:48:00.000-06:002013-11-13T17:48:54.574-06:00Chapter Twenty-Two<span style="color: #990000;">WARNING:</span> This chapter contains very explicit sexual content (could be classified as erotic), including pictures with full nudity, and strong language.<br />
<br />
The cemetery isn’t that far from the house, but it feels like a hundred miles as my feet pound the ground.<br />
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<br />
When I arrive at last, I barrel into the house and call out for Dominic. I get no answer.<br />
<br />
“Dominic!” I shout louder, my pulse banging in my ears. I steal a quick glance at the clock and see that it’s half past midnight.<br />
<br />
Oh no. Am I too late?<br />
<br />
“Dominic!” I scream at the top of my lungs. Where the fuck <i>is</i> he?!<br />
<br />
“Lydia?” I hear him call suddenly. His voice is coming from above. I fly up the stairs and still hear him one level up. I race up to the third level rec room and find him…<br />
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<br />
...standing up and coming toward me with a frazzled face, but otherwise unharmed.<br />
<br />
“Dominic!” I cry as I dash toward him and throw my arms around him. “Thank God you’re all right!”<br />
<br />
“I’m fine. Lydia, what’s wrong? Are you all right? How did it go?”<br />
<br />
“I did it, Dominic. I stopped her.”<br />
<br />
“I knew you could.”<br />
<br />
“And it’s after midnight and you’re okay. I made it in time. The curse didn’t take you.”<br />
<br />
Dominic holds me close as he gazes into my eyes.<br />
<br />
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<br />
“Thank you,” he tells me sincerely. “You literally saved my life. I don’t know Ebony that well, but I do know that she’s, no offense, a huge bitch. I...”<br />
<br />
“You doubted me?”<br />
<br />
“No, that’s not what I meant. I’m trying to tell you that I was prepared to die. I didn’t think Ebony would give in so easily.”<br />
<br />
“It wasn’t easy. I was so afraid that I would be too late. But I just kept thinking of how I couldn’t imagine living life without you. I refuse to do that. I love you, Dominic.”<br />
<br />
“And I love you, too, Lydia. Thank you for keeping me safe.”<br />
<br />
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<br />
I’m overwhelmed with an intense feeling of relief. I must admit, I had my doubts as well. It’s a huge burden lifted off my shoulders knowing that I succeeded in my quest.<br />
<br />
But Dominic suddenly cuts into my thoughts with a slight hint of guilt.<br />
<br />
“Jesus Christ, Lydia,” he says, “I’m so sorry you had to sacrifice your powers, but I’m even more relieved that you put an end to Ebony’s ability to do shit like that.”<br />
<br />
“So am I. Losing my powers is a small price to pay to stop her and to have you.”<br />
<br />
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<br />
Dominic closes the gap between us and clasps my hands in his. “So, you’re not a witch anymore?”<br />
<br />
“No, not anymore. But I guess it’s a good thing. I don’t have to worry about hiding anymore.”<br />
<br />
“True, but it means I’ve got the upper hand when it comes to power.”<br />
<br />
“Oh? Why don’t you put it to use, then?”<br />
<br />
“Is that a challenge?”<br />
<br />
“No, more like a request.”<br />
<br />
“So be it.”<br />
<br />
Dominic wastes no time to smother me in kisses, and I eagerly return them, in celebration of the fact that we now have forever to be together. He begins tugging on my hair, transforming into his dominant side. Considering I’ve just exhausted all my power, I’m happy to let him take on that role right now.<br />
<br />
As our make-out session intensifies, so do our desires. We migrate behind the desk, once again on the floor. I’m growing moist at the anticipation, of the knowledge that there are no longer any restrictions to keep us apart.<br />
<br />
“So, you want me to tell you what I want?” Dominic huffs. I nod as I lick my lips seductively.<br />
<br />
“All right, then. Sheila, I want to fuck you with my mouth.”<br />
<br />
“Is that so?”<br />
<br />
“Oh yeah.”<br />
<br />
He quickly whips his shirt off over his head and slips off his pants and boxer briefs. His taut erection is waiting for me, already oozing the first signs of distinct arousal.<br />
<br />
I shed my clothes as well and prepare to lean over him, but he surprises me yet again. He pushes me back down on the floor and climbs over me, thrusting his elongated dick in my face.<br />
<br />
“Like this?” I ask him, baffled.<br />
<br />
“Yeah, just like that, sheila. It’ll go deeper that way.”<br />
<br />
Thank God I don’t have a very sensitive gag reflex. I reach around him and grab his perfectly taught ass as I insert his cock into my mouth.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2NlXEWaRy3ycGb_h6lHAR9AOxkS7qJgxZ0IKOX2B4qeNrzmPupmimA7vCa2q4bOrN76r_iUpCnZx9UsxUHvELdo9xqQ_7-9tGAjR5KyYKEqLAuUc4lBJUBXahwAKH6euXDSOjgIYm0Qc/s1600/Lydia+%2526+Dominic120.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2NlXEWaRy3ycGb_h6lHAR9AOxkS7qJgxZ0IKOX2B4qeNrzmPupmimA7vCa2q4bOrN76r_iUpCnZx9UsxUHvELdo9xqQ_7-9tGAjR5KyYKEqLAuUc4lBJUBXahwAKH6euXDSOjgIYm0Qc/s640/Lydia+%2526+Dominic120.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
He’s right – it <i>does</i> go deeper. I can tell he enjoys this as his panting increases. His hands dig into the rug as he grits his teeth, sucking in his breath.<br />
<br />
“That’s it, sheila,” he moans. “Oh, fuck. Your mouth is like magic.”<br />
<br />
I giggle at the analogy. He grins too as he looks down at me.<br />
<br />
“Now that’s a hot sight,” he says. “Looking down and seeing you with my cock in your mouth. That’s so fucking hot.”<br />
<br />
I suck while he’s staring at me and he lets out a groan.<br />
<br />
“You’re playing with fire now,” he says. I suck a little more while he gyrates his hips, moving himself in and out of my mouth considering I can’t bob my head while it’s against the floor.<br />
<br />
Then, he suddenly withdraws and instructs me to sit on my knees.<br />
<br />
I suspect that he wants me to continue that way, but he surprises me again by positioning himself in front of me on the floor.<br />
<br />
“What are you doing?” I ask him questioningly.<br />
<br />
“You’ll see. Just be quiet and enjoy this.”<br />
<br />
On that last word, he touches his tongue to my most sensitive area.<br />
<br />
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<br />
“Oh my God,” I gasp. This positioning allows fuller access for his tantalizing tongue. He grips the back of my thighs with an iron grip, thwarting my attempts to start thrusting about uncontrollably. It’s just too good. It feels so incredible, so amazing, and yet so intense that I realize I should have established a safe word.<br />
<br />
“Dominic, what’s the safe word?” I hiss.<br />
<br />
He looks up. “Seriously? You need a safe word?”<br />
<br />
“It’s so good.”<br />
<br />
“Sheila, I hate to break it to you, but I’ve never had to deal with a safe word before. Plus, I’m the one in control here. So here’s the deal – you cum for me once, really intense, and I’ll stop.”<br />
<br />
“I want to cum, Dominic.”<br />
<br />
“Say it, sheila. Tell me what you want.”<br />
<br />
“I want you to make me cum.”<br />
<br />
He teases me at first, even moving me to the other end of the carpet as though that will affect the pleasure. At last, he resumes his licking and sucking, covering my entire nether regions with his hungry mouth. I start screaming at the top of my lungs, so loudly that if we had neighbors, they’d think I was in some sort of physical pain.<br />
<br />
“Oh God, Dominic, don’t stop!” I squeal. One final lick sends me careening over the cliff of ecstasy. I explode in Dominic’s mouth, and he thirstily laps it up.<br />
<br />
“Now that’s what I’m talking about,” he says, obviously pleased with himself as he reaches up to grasp my breasts.<br />
<br />
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<br />
Then, he reverses his prone position and sets me on top of him.<br />
<br />
But he doesn’t have me facing him. Instead, he faces me toward his feet and puts his tongue to work again.<br />
<br />
“Fuck!” I gasp. I thought he was done with this teasing cunnilingus. This position allows for an even more intense sensation, especially since my clit is so sensitive.<br />
<br />
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<br />
I decide to pay Dominic back. I’m no stranger to the sixty-nine position, but it’s been a while since I’ve engaged in it. So while he’s swirling his tongue around, I bend down and fuck him with my mouth some more.<br />
<br />
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<br />
I can tell that he enjoys this considering his reaction. He starts moving his hips again, allowing his dick to go further into my mouth, almost to the point of angering my gag reflex.<br />
<br />
I find my release once more, and again he laps it up. I start to climb off of him, but he holds me in place.<br />
<br />
“I want you on top of me, sheila,” he orders me. “I want you to ride me.”<br />
<br />
I start to turn around, but he retains his firm grip.<br />
<br />
“No, no. We’re gonna try something different.”<br />
<br />
He leaves me in the position where I’m facing his feet. Then, he helps guide his erection inside me.<br />
<br />
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<br />
“Holy shit,” I gasp. This is yet another first for me. I’ve never had sex reverse cowgirl style before. Now I can see what all those women in Cosmo magazine are talking about.<br />
<br />
“You like this, don’t you?” Dominic asks as he bounces me up and down.<br />
<br />
“Yes.”<br />
<br />
“Don’t be afraid. You take control.”<br />
<br />
Dominic stops moving. I take the reins, so to speak, and begin moving on my own. He’s still letting me have some control, even though he’s playing the dominant here.<br />
<br />
It’s kind of gentlemanly, in a kinky sort of way.<br />
<br />
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<br />
My boobs are bouncing around like two basketballs as I pick up momentum and he matches the rhythm. I can’t believe I’ve gone for twenty-six years without knowing how good sex could feel.<br />
<br />
I feel like I’m about to have another earth-shattering orgasm, but Dominic stops and spins me around again. Now I’m facing him and we resume our carnal activities.<br />
<br />
Seeing our faces mirroring such pleasure is a turn-on for both of us. It adds to the sensation when Dominic grasps my neck with one hand and holds my legs apart with the other.<br />
<br />
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<br />
It doesn’t take long for me to explode around him once more. He simultaneously finds his release. We call out each other’s names in ecstasy as we collapse even more into the rug.<br />
<br />
As I lay there next to Dominic in my post-coital bliss, I realize how truly blessed I am. I had my doubts about many things, but now I know things are going to be fine.<br />
<br />
Despite all that I feared and all the shit I’ve endured, I still have a happy ending.<br />
<br />
At least, that’s what I think for another month. Because one day, as I’m returning home from grocery shopping, I discover the most traumatizing thing I’ve ever witnessed in my life.<br />
<br />
And considering what I’ve been through, that’s really saying something.Tender Wolfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13874882716131293841noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8361545223023093000.post-50752598323014514222013-11-10T12:26:00.000-06:002013-11-10T12:26:04.898-06:00Chapter Twenty-One<span style="color: #990000;">WARNING:</span> This chapter contains strong language and sexual references.<br />
<br />
It’s time. The night of the new moon has finally arrived. I have everything I need in the same backpack that I brought to the same graveyard to bring my sister back. Now I’ll be using what’s inside to bring her down.<br />
<br />
Funny how things works out.<br />
<br />
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<br />
I survey the area and determine that Ebony hasn’t arrived yet. Surely this is a good sign. Unless she really is performing this ritual somewhere else.<br />
<br />
But I can’t imagine where. Hillridge is a big city, and there aren’t many secluded areas around. This would have to be the ideal place for whatever she has in mind.<br />
<br />
As if on cue, I hear leaves and twigs crunching under the weight of someone’s shoes. I’m concealed behind a bush, and I see Ebony appear at last. She looks the same as the last time I saw her, but that doesn’t make her any less formidable.<br />
<br />
I waste no time. I don’t even want her to have the chance to summon the totem pole. I jump out from behind the bushes, causing her to start.<br />
<br />
“What the hell are you doing?!” she demands fiercely.<br />
<br />
“I’m putting a stop to this evil,” I declare with vehemence. “Thanks a lot for murdering two guys I hated and having the cops show up because I’m a suspect, by the way. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate that.”<br />
<br />
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<br />
Ebony actually has the impudence to look shocked and innocent. This just makes me even more enraged.<br />
<br />
“What are you talking about?” she asks in an irksome tone. “The cops are trying to arrest you?”<br />
<br />
“Yes, because you’re framing me for murder now! We both know you killed Abel and Carter. But, according to the cops, I had a falling out with both of them, so I had a motive to kill them. I’m practically under house arrest because they don’t want me leaving town until they clear me.”<br />
<br />
“Are you taping this or something? Are you trying to get me to confess?”<br />
<br />
I wish I’d have thought of that. But then again, Ebony will undoubtedly say something about her being a witch, so that wouldn’t do me any good anyway. And if she was smart enough to come to this conclusion, she wouldn’t say anything incriminating against herself either.<br />
<br />
“No, I’m not,” I retort. “Ebony, this is going to stop. Tonight.”<br />
<br />
“What’s going to stop?”<br />
<br />
“For one, your innocent act. But I was referring to your reign of terror. I know you killed those guys, but worse than that, you’re planning some fucked up spell to basically wipe out all humans. I found your little bookmark in the grimoire. You’re planning to cast some spell on the night of the blood moon and cast every human into some sort of madness. Then they’ll be subdued enough for you to do God knows what to them.”<br />
<br />
“You catch on quick, Lydia. So far my plan’s working like clockwork.”<br />
<br />
“What?”<br />
<br />
“Seriously? You haven’t figured out yet that I’m smarter than you, and more powerful? I planted that stupid bookmark there for you to find. I wanted you to think I was going to cast that totally pointless rain spell to make you hurry up to stop me. I knew you’d be freaking out because of tonight what with the curse and all, so you’d do anything you could to save your fuck buddy. It’s pretty fortuitous that the spell had an extra step in place that could only happen tonight. That way, you’d have to leave Lover Boy home alone to come here.”<br />
<br />
“What are you saying?”<br />
<br />
“Duh. Lydia, just like with the fire, I planned this whole thing. You’re away from Dominic now, and I was waiting for you to show up here to sacrifice your powers for him, because I knew you’d be so weak and feeble-minded to do just that. I didn’t plan on you getting here before me, but that’s just a tiny flaw in my otherwise perfect plan.”<br />
<br />
I extend my arm and hurl a flurry of black sparkles in her direction. She goes flying and lands on her perfectly petite ass.<br />
<br />
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<br />
This seems to surprise Ebony, but not enough for her to waiver. She stands right back up and looks arrogantly smug.<br />
<br />
“Is that the best you’ve got? I figured that dark magic would have consumed you completely by now.”<br />
<br />
“It won’t get me that easily, because my soul isn’t a corrupted piece of shit like yours.”<br />
<br />
“Ooo, that stings. I should get the ointment because I just got burned.”<br />
<br />
“Quit joking around. I’m not here to play.”<br />
<br />
“No, you’re here to try to kill me or something to save your pathetic boyfriend. Who, FYI, is only using you. Hell, I can’t believe he’s still even with you considering he knows all about you.”<br />
<br />
“You planned that out, too. You planned everything out! I went through hell for you to bring you back, and you’ve just turned my life upside down this whole time!”<br />
<br />
“It didn’t have to be that way. If you weren’t so stubborn about that Aussie, if you had just listened to me, we wouldn’t even be in this mess. But oh, no. You had to listen to the wrong head. I thought only guys made that mistake.”<br />
<br />
“Shut up!”<br />
<br />
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<br />
As I shriek at my sister, lightning cracks across the sky. That’s not a good sign.<br />
<br />
“Bravo,” Ebony says in response to the lightning flash. “Looks like your magic is getting darker by the minute. I guess the new moon might cause that, too. Or maybe it’s just the curse.”<br />
<br />
“Maybe it’s just you. I can’t believe this, Ebony. We were best friends as kids, I went through hell to bring you back, and now I find out that you’re evil.”<br />
<br />
“Evil is a little harsh, but whatever.”<br />
<br />
“I just don’t get what you’re trying to do. What are you even trying to accomplish? You can’t just get rid of all humans!”<br />
<br />
“No, and I don’t want to. I just think it’s time for us to stop living in hiding. Don’t you get tired of that, Lydia? You can’t even truly be yourself without some sort of consequence. I don’t want to kill all humans. I want to destroy the curse, and I want humans to know that witches exist.”<br />
<br />
This is news to me. I agree with her about the curse and removing it, but it doesn’t justify the consequences that all witches would face. History would repeat itself like in the Salem witch trials.<br />
<br />
“Oh, and by the way,” she continues, “I never once said I wanted to annihilate all humans. You came up with that fucked up story on your own.”<br />
<br />
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<br />
I try to think back to when Ebony first revealed her true intentions to me. Unfortunately, I think she’s telling the truth. I remember referring to her as Sarafine from <i>Beautiful Creatures</i>, but that’s about it. And her only reaction to that accusation was to assert that she was hotter than the fictional character.<br />
<br />
Still, the exposure she’s planning would be at too high a price.<br />
<br />
“That’s what you think,” Ebony chastises. “Lydia, times are different now. People will accept us. And if they don’t, we can just change their minds by turning them into frogs or something.”<br />
<br />
“You’re crazy. And I won’t let you do this. And I’m not losing Dominic, either. Ebony, I didn’t just come here because you apparently set a trap for me, though I don’t know why.”<br />
<br />
“Oh, that? Yeah I did that so you’d be away from Dominic tonight. You’re still my sister and I didn’t think you’d want to see him die.”<br />
<br />
“He won’t die. I won’t let the curse take him.”<br />
<br />
“The curse may not be your biggest problem. I don’t think he’s any good for you, Lydia. Mark my words, he’ll hurt you, just like he did when he was banging me.”<br />
<br />
“Fuck you!”<br />
<br />
I’ve had enough. I lunge for my sister, momentarily catching her off-guard, as I yank strands of her dark hair out of her bitchy, disturbed head as I start to drag her toward my backpack, not unlike what she did to me at Dominic’s house so recently.<br />
<br />
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<br />
“Let me go you bitch!” she screams. As if I’d be that stupid. Plus I’m starting to feel a sense of deja vu considering I had the same reaction when she pulled mercilessly at my hair.<br />
<br />
“Ebony, I told you that I came here for a reason, and that’s to stop you.”<br />
<br />
“What are you gonna do? Kill me? Your magic will be completely corrupted then, and I bet you won’t even recognize yourself. Besides, you don’t have the guts to kill your own sister.”<br />
<br />
“Bullshit. I could easily kill you if I wanted to. But I have something better in mind.”<br />
<br />
As my sister squirms and attempts to escape from my grasp, I extract the knife from my backpack.<br />
<br />
“You just said you weren’t gonna kill me,” she states firmly. I look at her and say, “I’m not going to kill you.”<br />
<br />
Then, I take out the bloodstone skull. Upon seeing it and realizing my intentions, Ebony raises her hand and shoots a shard of ice directly into my thigh. I wince at the pain and release my grip on her hair. She stands up and goes into a battle stance.<br />
<br />
“You want to strip me of my powers?” she demands hotly. “I’d like to see you try.”<br />
<br />
“Careful what you wish for.”<br />
<br />
And now the real battle begins.<br />
<br />
The fireballs, ice shards, sparkles, and smokes fly, along with incantations and even more cracks of lightning and some thunder rumbles. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again – the sibling rivalry between me and Ebony is never pretty, and it’s never miniscule.<br />
<br />
The battle is so heated that we both levitate off the ground, which only happens when a witch is practically exhausting herself spiritually and her powers are in full force.<br />
<br />
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<br />
It seems like hours that we stand there, hurtling spells at each other, when I realize that time is running out. I dodge another attack as I grab the knife once more. Then, I start for my sister, dodging more attacks along the way.<br />
<br />
By sheer willpower and determination, I cross the distance between us. Ebony may be stronger spiritually, but I’m stronger physically. I grip the back of her head and hold the knife to her throat.<br />
<br />
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<br />
“You wouldn’t dare,” Ebony growls as the metallic object glints in the dim light provided by nothing more than stars.<br />
<br />
“Oh, I would,” I reply, “but I won’t. Because killing you would be too easy, plus it would just make my life an even bigger mess.”<br />
<br />
“I’d rather die.”<br />
<br />
“Then that’s what you <i>won’t</i> get.”<br />
<br />
“You bitch.”<br />
<br />
“You’re one letter off.”<br />
<br />
I drag Ebony toward the bloodstone, but she fights me the whole way. She even sends more icy daggers my way, but it’s like I’m immune to them. I don’t even notice them, I’m so focused on the task at hand.<br />
<br />
Maybe it’s because of the whole good versus evil thing. Maybe Dominic’s right in that regard.<br />
<br />
Ebony claws at my arm, bites my hand, and spits incantations at me, but still I don’t halt. I proceed to my destination, until at last I make it.<br />
<br />
Now for the fun part. I have to draw blood from her and it has to fall onto the skull. But she manages to break away just as I’m about to pierce her palm.<br />
<br />
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<br />
“Get over here!” I demand, the skull now in my hand. Ebony just starts another spell.<br />
<br />
“Enough!” I holler. I jump toward her and manage to pin her down and set the skull beside her. As she struggles against me, she actually does the work for me. In her attempts to break free, her forearm comes into contact with the sharp knife. She screams and writhes in agony as the blood makes its appearance.<br />
<br />
But it’s not going onto the skull, and I still have to cast a spell. I glance up at the sky. It must be nearing midnight. At that point, I’ll have failed my quest.<br />
<br />
Time to stop dicking around. It’s time to get serious.<br />
<br />
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<br />
I grab Ebony’s arm and twist it, hard enough to dislocate it, if not break it. I hold it over the skull and prepare to begin the recitation.<br />
<br />
“No!” she protests. Whatever spell she was casting has fizzled out, but she begins another one. It’s getting old fast. And when I hear the words to this particular incantation, I know I have to hurry – this was one of the other evil spells in the grimoire, one that could harm Dominic worse than death. It could paralyze him, make him go blind, or whatever the castor wishes. And I won’t allow that to happen, just as I won’t allow the curse to take him.<br />
<br />
“Shut up you fucking bitch!” I shriek as I send my fist into the back of Ebony’s skull as hard as I can. This halts her words, thus causing the spell to fail. I squeeze her arm and let more blood flow as I begin the chant. Ebony protests again, but I ignore her. As the last word escapes my lips, a strange aura surrounds Ebony. It’s as black as the magic that’s been coming from my fingers lately, and it ravels my sister hungrily before changing into a myriad of other colors.<br />
<br />
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<br />
My own body begins to glow with an odd radiance, and so does the skull. Although its glow is more ominous.<br />
<br />
The lights grow brighter until at last, in one brilliant flash, they vanish. The crystal skull is staring at me with its maniacal grin, and I see Ebony trying to cast more spells but failing.<br />
<br />
I dive for the skull and snatch it up before she can. It wouldn’t do her any good even if she did have it; only the witch who seals another witch’s powers may unseal them.<br />
<br />
And, if all went according to plan, that will be impossible.<br />
<br />
I attempt to cast a spell, but nothing happens. I hold out my hands and try to summon an apple, but to no avail. Not even a spark.<br />
<br />
It means that the spell worked. I have sacrificed my powers, and in turn, have sealed Ebony’s away. And there’s no way she’ll be able to get them back.<br />
<br />
“I’ll never forgive you for this!” she snaps at me. Then she stalks toward me and backhands me hard across the face.<br />
<br />
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<br />
The pain stings, but not as badly as the fact that my sister has officially disowned me. I can tell that by the threats she’s spouting off now. And yet, I don’t care. This girl isn’t my little sister anymore. Not the one I remember. We’re better off apart.<br />
<br />
“I hate your guts, Lydia! Everything I did, I did for you! And this is how you repay me?! I hope you choke to death on that Aussie’s dick and burn in hell! Fuck you!”<br />
<br />
I ignore her tirade, because I realize that I have to get back to the house. Ebony’s final spell should have fizzled out,but with tonight being the new moon…it’s imperative that I return to Dominic.<br />
<br />
I don’t listen to the rest of Ebony’s temper tantrum. I just grab the skull, stash it in my pocket, and take off running, forgetting about my backpack. I hope I’m not too late.<br />
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Tender Wolfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13874882716131293841noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8361545223023093000.post-88453064428986350332013-11-06T19:42:00.000-06:002013-11-06T19:42:53.929-06:00Chapter Twenty<span style="color: #990000;">WARNING:</span> This chapter contains strong language and graphic sexual content with nudity/pictures.<br />
<br />
I know where Ebony will be. It makes perfect sense. She knows me, but I know her just as well.<br />
<br />
To perform a spell like this, even if she’s eventually going for exposure, she’ll need a secluded, abandoned area. And I inadvertently showed her just the place when I brought her back.<br />
<br />
She’s going to be at the old cemetery that I brought her back in. And that’s where I’ll go. Fortunately, this spell also requires one preliminary step during the night of the new moon, which is imminent. That will be my trophy card. I’ll have to stop her on that very night. Timing will be of the essence, but there’s nothing else I can do.<br />
<br />
I’ve been going to that abandoned cemetery for the past several days. But so far I’ve had zero luck. She hasn’t been there. I feel like a private investigator, or a stalker, staking out the place. Maybe I’m wrong. Maybe she’ll be somewhere else.<br />
<br />
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<br />
Sadly, I’m about to give up hope, because tomorrow night is when the new moon will make its appearance. Or, to be more literal, it won’t make any appearance. The sky will be dark tomorrow night, and that’s when the inevitable will happen. It’s when the curse will take hold of Dominic and take him from me.<br />
<br />
It’s a terrible thought to cross through my mind. I can’t let this happen. I know where Ebony will be tomorrow night, but the timing sucks. If I don’t execute this plan flawlessly, everything will be fucked up forever.<br />
<br />
“Can’t you just drop a house on her?” Dominic asks me.<br />
<br />
“I wish it were that simple.”<br />
<br />
“Lydia, you can do this,” he tries to reassure me. I think he’s started to realize that I might actually have a chance at stopping my little sister, so he’s even become more optimistic.<br />
<br />
Which will make the situation even worse if I fail.<br />
<br />
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<br />
“I’m just so afraid, Dominic,” I break down. I don’t like to show weakness. It’s not becoming to me. But I can’t help it. I guess I’ve been underestimating the severity of this whole ordeal until now. I’ve been telling myself that everything will be fine, that I’ll beat this curse and my sister, and that Dominic won’t be harmed at all.<br />
<br />
But have I been living in a false sense of reality all this time? Am I truly that deluded?<br />
<br />
“Of course you’re afraid,” Dominic tries to reassure me. “You have a lot at stake here.”<br />
<br />
“Dominic, that doesn’t help.”<br />
<br />
“Sorry. Look, whatever happens, just know that I love you. Okay? Fuck this other bullshit. Fuck this witchcraft crap. Just focus on the good stuff.”<br />
<br />
“If this doesn’t work, there won’t be any good stuff left.”<br />
<br />
Dominic grasps my shoulders, bringing part of his dominant nature to the surface as he stares me in the eyes.<br />
<br />
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<br />
“Don’t think like that,” he commands. “If you think something bad will happen, then it will. So stop worrying about it. Do what you can and give it your best shot. That’s all anyone can do for whatever they’re trying to accomplish.”<br />
<br />
I know he’s right. I know the incantation by heart, I have the bloodstone, and more than that, I have the determination. And I have the power. Ebony’s magic is evil, but if my powers are equally as dark, then maybe I have an even better shot at bringing her down.<br />
<br />
“I’ll do this,” I say with renewed determination. “I won’t let her win. There’s no way in hell I’ll give her the satisfaction.”<br />
<br />
“That’s the attitude I like to see, sheila.”<br />
<br />
“Thanks, Dominic. For everything. For sticking by me after finding out what I am, for being so supportive, not to mention when you helped me with Abel.”<br />
<br />
“Hey, I always stick by my girl.”<br />
<br />
“I wasn’t your girl then.”<br />
<br />
“No, but I always hoped you would be.”<br />
<br />
With that, Dominic sweeps me into his arms and plants a kiss on my lips.<br />
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<br />
I eagerly return the kiss, savoring the delectable taste. I also savor every touch Dominic gives me, which begins as passionate and turns to erotic.<br />
<br />
Before I know it, we’re back in the bed. Dominic hovers above me, his expression one of pure arousal.<br />
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<br />
I hold onto his shoulders as I return his gaze. He leans down and kisses me again, and I can feel him pitching a tent through his pants. We shed our clothes and gaze tenderly at each other once more in nothing but our underwear, his hands interlacing with mine, sliding slightly down the bed.<br />
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<br />
“I love you, sheila,” Dominic utters to me as he suckles against my neck. “Forever.”<br />
<br />
“Forever,” I whisper back.<br />
<br />
“And I really mean that,” he says, suddenly solemn. “I don’t want us to be just this anymore. I don’t want us to be just boyfriend and girlfriend and bang. I want us to be life partners.”<br />
<br />
“Dominic, are you…?”<br />
<br />
“Lydia, I want you to be my wife.”<br />
<br />
I nearly topple off the bed.<br />
<br />
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<br />
Is he seriously <i>proposing</i> to me? In the sack? Where we’re half-naked? When he may die tomorrow?<br />
<br />
And I thought I’d heard everything.<br />
<br />
“Should I maybe not have said that?” he asks.<br />
<br />
“No, it’s just…it surprised me, that’s all.”<br />
<br />
“Well, you know I’m direct. So what do you say?”<br />
<br />
“I say…I love you, Dominic. But that’s a big decision, and it’s not one I can make right now.”<br />
<br />
“Not while we’re in bed together.”<br />
<br />
“Not under these circumstances. Not with all the shit that’s going on.”<br />
<br />
“If I die tomorrow, I’d like to at least know what your answer would be.”<br />
<br />
“Damn it, you aren’t going to die!”<br />
<br />
The lights flicker angrily as I push myself off the bed. I’m tired of hearing him talk like that. I was just starting to see the silver lining in this gray cloud, and he has to cover it up again with his pessimism. One minute he’s sanguine, the next he’s the opposite. His mood swings are starting to give me a whiplash.<br />
<br />
“I’m sorry,” Dominic says as he comes up behind me, spins me around and cups my chin. “I guess I shouldn’t have even asked.”<br />
<br />
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<br />
“That’s not it. Please, just…don’t talk about dying anymore. And let me deal with my sister before I do anything else.”<br />
<br />
“Fair enough. But right now, I’ve got something I need to take care of.”<br />
<br />
“What?”<br />
<br />
“I need to finish ravishing you.”<br />
<br />
With that, he pushes me against the wall and smacks his mouth against mine once more.<br />
<br />
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<br />
I greedily kiss him back and reach down to grab his throbbing member, pleased that it didn’t go flaccid at my outburst. He groans against my mouth as he picks me up and carries me over to the bed. He tosses me down on it and hungrily strips me of what little clothing I have left.<br />
<br />
We’re done beating around the bush. Our foreplay lately has been a heavy make-out session. Now, Dominic removes his own underwear and enters me while I’m lying supine on the side of the bed. Another new position. This guy never runs out of ways to surprise me.<br />
<br />
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<br />
“Oh my God,” I moan in ecstasy. “That feels so good.”<br />
<br />
“You’ve missed this, haven’t you, sheila?”<br />
<br />
“So much.”<br />
<br />
“How much?”<br />
<br />
“A lot.”<br />
<br />
“Tell me, Lydia. Tell me how much you’ve missed my huge cock inside you.”<br />
<br />
“I’ve missed it, Dominic. I love having you inside me. Now please, put that big bad boy to use!”<br />
<br />
“How do you want it this time?”<br />
<br />
“I think slow and passionate is great, but I need it rough right now.”<br />
<br />
“Your wish is my command.”<br />
<br />
He thrusts deep inside me, burying himself in so far that it feels like I might tear apart. I scream, begging him to go faster, yet at the same time wishing he would stop. It’s a mix of pain and pleasure, a lethal combination.<br />
<br />
“Cum for me, sheila,” Dominic grunts as his balls slap noisily against my butt cheeks due to his relentless pummeling. Something about him commanding it in that sexy accent, especially with his huge cock buried inside me, always sends me over the edge. I let go, a wave of pleasure crashing over me as I feel my release.<br />
<br />
But Dominic isn’t finished yet. He positions me fully on the bed now and resumes his earlier position on top of me. He spreads my legs wide and enters me again.<br />
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<br />
“Jesus Christ,” I pant as I grasp the duvet. It’s been so long since we’ve been this erotic. I’ve honestly missed it. This man can give me pleasure in any way that I need it – slow and sensual or rough and exotic. But that’s not the only thing he’s good at. He’s a good person and a perfect gentleman. He’s the epiphany of perfection.<br />
<br />
And I refuse to lose him.<br />
<br />
“Don’t stop,” I beg, as much for what he’s doing to me as for his loving me. I can’t even begin to imagine life without this man. Now, more than ever, I’m determined to stop my sister.<br />
<br />
“Fuck,” Dominic grits his teeth as he lifts one of my legs even higher and also reaches his climax.<br />
<br />
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<br />
We’re both gasping for breath as we wrap our arms around each other in a cocoon of post-coital passion. Even with my sister hanging in the balance, plus the cops undoubtedly still trying to pin two murders on me, I know without a doubt what I want. I do have an answer for Dominic.<br />
<br />
“Dominic,” I say to him. “I’ve made a decision.”<br />
<br />
“And what would that be?”<br />
<br />
I turn to face him. “Yes.”<br />
<br />
“Yes what?”<br />
<br />
“Yes, I’ll marry you. I’ll be your wife.”<br />
<br />
Dominic leans over and touches his finger to my check.<br />
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<br />
“You’ve just made me the happiest man in the world.”<br />
<br />
“And you’ve made me the happiest, and luckiest, woman in the world. No, not woman. Person.”<br />
<br />
“I don’t know about that.”<br />
<br />
“I do.”<br />
<br />
Dominic smiles as he wraps his arms around me. I can’t remember the last time I’ve felt so content, so peaceful. I only hope the feeling lasts.<br />
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Tender Wolfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13874882716131293841noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8361545223023093000.post-76892595384078627472013-11-03T12:20:00.000-06:002013-11-03T12:28:36.992-06:00Chapter Nineteen<span style="color: #990000;">WARNING:</span> This chapter contains strong language and brief sexual content.<br />
<br />
This isn’t going to be easy. Stopping a witch is no menial task, and since Ebony’s powers are stronger now that she’s been resurrected, she’ll be even more formidable.<br />
<br />
But I’m determined to end both of our problems. I won’t kill her. Even if that was the only option, I still couldn’t because she’s still my little sister. And as long as she has her powers, she’ll be stronger than me.<br />
<br />
But if she didn’t have her powers, that would provide an advantage for me. And that’s how I’m going to stop her.<br />
<br />
I lean against the window in my room, going over it in my head.<br />
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<br />
Like I said, I can’t kill my own sister. I went to so much trouble to bring her back. But there <i>is</i> something I can do.<br />
<br />
I can seal her powers. She’ll never again be able to use them. She will no longer be a witch. But I’ll still have her, if her soul ever turns pure, and if she can truly be saved. Besides, if I kill her, I’ll be no better than she is. If anything, that would corrupt my magic further.<br />
<br />
But this spell is as complex as the resurrection one. In order to prevent any witch from doing this to an enemy, certain restrictions are in place.<br />
<br />
For instance, a witch’s powers can only be sealed inside a crystal skull comprised of a bloodstone. A bloodstone is just as hard to conjure as a moonstone, if not harder. To obtain a bloodstone, a witch must, of course, cast an incantation, but it takes a great deal of blood to summon the stone. The blood has to flow in time to the incantation, and if the amount isn’t just right, the spell could backfire or fail.<br />
<br />
After the bloodstone is conjured, it must be shaped into a crystal skull via yet another incantation. Once that process is complete, I’ll be ready to seal Ebony’s powers away. But that takes some sort of sacrifice.<br />
<br />
Fortunately, I know exactly what I’m going to sacrifice – my magic.<br />
<br />
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<br />
As I lay on the bed and continue to stare out the window, I know that I’m making the right decision. I have to abandon my magic anyway to save Dominic. I might as well do it by performing a good deed and stopping Ebony’s reign of terror (even if no one else knows about it).<br />
<br />
So tonight, just seven days away from the new moon, I’m going to begin this long and meticulous process. I’m on my way now, once again at the abandoned graveyard. Its seclusion is perfect for any spells I must cast.<br />
<br />
I withdraw a knife from my pocket. Dominic was in bed when I left, and hopefully he stays there until I’m done with this ritual. I poke my head around a tree to ensure that I’m alone.<br />
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<br />
I squeeze my eyes shut and slice my wrist with the knife. Not enough to actually kill me, but this will secrete the most blood. And I need as much as I can get.<br />
<br />
The pain is rigorous, and it seems to never end, as blood oozes out of my wound. But I can feel the spell working as I struggle through it, spluttering the chant as the blood pours from the wound in my wrist.<br />
<br />
At last, it congeals and blobs itself into the shape of an enormous stone the color of my blood. I didn’t expect it to be this immense.<br />
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<br />
I press my other hand against my wrist to halt the flowing blood. I hope I don’t pass out, but fortunately the crimson liquid seems to be ceasing its materialization.<br />
<br />
I gaze upon the bloodstone fiercely. Then, I begin the final chant to morph the bloodstone into the shape of a skull while remaining seated on the ground.<br />
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<br />
The wind picks up velocity, and I think I almost hear a distinctive and eerie cackling in the back of my head. Is it the spirit of a dead witch? Maybe even the emerging skull? Or is it something far more sinister?<br />
<br />
Finally, the winds disperse and I open my eyes. Upon the ground sits a glowing skull the color of blood.<br />
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<br />
I pick it up, turning it over and over in my hands carefully as though the tiniest touch will break it. My heart is hammering inside my chest. I went through a great deal of trouble to bring Ebony back. Now I’m going through a great deal to put her back down.<br />
<br />
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**********</div>
<br />
Unfortunately, sealing Ebony’s powers isn’t as easy as conjuring a bloodstone and saying an incantation. In addition to those two steps, Ebony herself must be present, and her blood must also flow onto the bloodstone in time to yet another incantation.<br />
<br />
This isn’t going to be a simple task. For one, she’s avoiding my calls and any other attempts to get into contact with her. And worse yet, time is running out. The new moon is only a few days away now. If I don’t perform this undertaking before then, Dominic will die.<br />
<br />
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<br />
Dominic can tell that something is weighing heavy on my mind. He still thinks he’s going to die. I can’t convince him otherwise. The only fortunate aspect of this is that the love we’ve been making has been even more passionate and meaningful. It’s like he knows we don’t have much time left to be together, and he wants to savor every moment.<br />
<br />
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<br />
I’m happy to say that we’ve finally managed to make love in a bed. I’ve even moved fully into Dominic’s bedroom. What’s the point of sleeping in separate rooms now?<br />
<br />
That isn’t all we’ve been doing, though. We’ve been spending every waking moment together. When I’m not hunting down Ebony (and failing at it), we’re swimming, dancing, dining, laughing...being in love.<br />
<br />
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<br />
I refuse to give up hope. Sooner or later, Ebony will have to face me. What’s shocking is that she’s not one to be cowardly. It befuddles me that I can’t find her. I always seem to just miss her at her job (though she’s probably hiding if she sees me coming in), and I don’t even know where she’s living now. I’m about to put her face on a milk carton.<br />
<br />
“Sheila, please don’t worry,” Dominic tells me as he sits down next to me at the dining room table. “You’ll stop Ebony someday.”<br />
<br />
“I don’t have until someday,” I reply. “I have a few more days.”<br />
<br />
“I already told you that I can’t ask you to give up your powers for me.”<br />
<br />
“You’re not asking me, Dominic. I decided to do that all on my own, way before you ever even knew about me. It was always in the back of my mind just in case you ever did find out.”<br />
<br />
“Lydia, were you going to spend the rest of our lives lying to me? Keeping your secret from me?”<br />
<br />
“Of course not. I was going to get rid of my powers before you ever could find out. That’s what my mother did. But the feelings just came on so suddenly , and then so much shit started happening at once, that...”<br />
<br />
“You basically forgot.”<br />
<br />
“That’s a stupid thing to admit, but yes.”<br />
<br />
Dominic wraps his arms around me and holds me close. “You’ve had a lot on your mind, sheila.”<br />
<br />
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<br />
I snuggle against Dominic’s comfortable chest. I wish I could freeze time in a whole other way. I wish moments like this could last forever.<br />
<br />
But life isn’t a fairy tale. It’s not a storybook where every protagonist has a happy ending. No matter how I look at it, I lose. I’m going to lose my sister and my powers, but the alternative would be losing the only man I’ve ever truly loved.<br />
<br />
And I won’t allow that to happen.<br />
<br />
“I love you, Dominic,” I state instead with ferocity. “There’s no excuse for procrastinating.”<br />
<br />
“But if you’d gotten rid of your powers already, you’d have no chance of stopping Ebony. Maybe it’s a good thing.”<br />
<br />
I sigh resolutely. I feel torn, like I’m being pulled from two different directions. I know what I must do, and it’s the same thing that I want to do.<br />
<br />
I just hope, as Dominic kisses me tenderly, that it’s something I physically and spiritually <i>can</i> do.<br />
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<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
**********</div>
<br />
I’m now in my hidden chamber above the garage, though I guess there’s no point in it being hidden anymore. But I’d rather do this on my own. Dominic shouldn’t be exposed to any more witchcraft than he has to be.<br />
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<br />
I’m reading the warning regarding the resurrection spell again, and it still befuddles me.<br />
<br />
<i>And thus the dark shall consume ye, lest the soul is once again pure and light.</i><br />
<br />
Pure and light? How can I become as such again? I didn’t even know I turned dark, thanks to deceit on my sister’s part. But I can tell that the darkness is spreading through me. Even the smallest little spells seem to have an adverse effect. The evil is growing inside me, and I fear that I may not recognize myself if I don’t quash it.<br />
<br />
I’m hoping that, by sealing Ebony’s powers, I’ll not only stop her and save Dominic, but I’ll also turn my powers light again (until I sacrifice them anyway) by eradicating a dark witch.<br />
<br />
I’ve been trying, and struggling, to keep my emotions in check. I don’t want to do anything that would make my predicament worse than it already is.<br />
<br />
But my efforts are becoming more and more futile.<br />
<br />
I take a quick break and practice a simple spell. Child’s play. One of the first spells a witch ever learns. I conjure an apple.<br />
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<br />
It’s supposed to be a simple spell. Unfortunately, it comes out a tainted mulberry-type color. Deadly. Poisonous.<br />
<br />
“Fuck!” I exclaim as I throw the rotten fruit to the ground. I am so fed up with this shit. Is it so much to ask to want to stop my evil younger witch sister and live happily ever after with my half-Australian, half-British boyfriend?<br />
<br />
Yeah. I guess it is. This isn’t Snow White. No kiss could cure the effects of the poison apple I just summoned with my inadvertent dark magic.<br />
<br />
Not wanting to endure more disappointment, I flip the grimoire open again. I don’t even know what I’m looking for. Maybe a back door, or some sort of loophole. Any way out of this curse. That would be the best, and easiest, solution.<br />
<br />
The words start to blur together until I find something that catches my eye. There’s a yellow sticky note between two of the pages, like it was meant to be a discreet bookmark that got torn out hastily.<br />
<br />
The words on the pages look vaguely familiar, like something I’ve skimmed over before but never paid any attention to because the information didn’t pertain to me.<br />
<br />
But it would to Ebony.<br />
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<br />
There are two pages worth of one spell, one that requires some sort of odd totem pole. But this spell’s purpose is literally utter madness.<br />
<br />
It states that if this spell is performed by using the totem pole, an ominous rain will fall, causing anyone touched by its droplets to go mad.<br />
<br />
It sounds asinine, and pointless enough, but to someone like Ebony, it’s perfect. Rendering humans powerless and insane would be just what she needs to do, well, whatever she plans to do.<br />
<br />
As I read further, it becomes even clearer. This spell can only be cast on one night, and it can’t be a coincidence that it’s the one Ebony would choose for her malevolent plot.<br />
<br />
The night this spell must be cast is on the night of the blood moon. A blood moon is the red color during any eclipse.<br />
<br />
But it doesn’t occur until after the new moon.<br />
<br />
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<br />
That can’t be a coincidence. The spell, asinine as it may be, is enough for her to accomplish whatever it is she’s planning. She chose this one because of the timing.<br />
<br />
Because she knows me. She knows me better than anyone else. And she knows I’d do anything to save Dominic from the curse. So she knows if I was serious about forsaking my powers, I’d do so, and it would have to be before she cast this spell so that I would be unable to stop even a stupid spell that she cast.<br />
<br />
At this realization, I clench my fists and jaw together in unison. She may be my younger sister, but sometimes I think she’s much more intelligent than I am. The lights flicker at my spike in emotion, as if to confirm my assumptions.<br />
<br />
My only hope now is to stop Ebony before the new moon. If I do that, I’ll eliminate all my problems. She won’t have her powers, Dominic will be safe, and no one will be hurt.<br />
<br />
I only hope that I’m not too late.<br />
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Tender Wolfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13874882716131293841noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8361545223023093000.post-36423464864051440772013-10-30T17:22:00.000-05:002014-09-07T12:40:05.271-05:00Chapter Eighteen<span style="color: #990000;">WARNING:</span> This chapter contains strong language, explicit sexual content, and nudity.<br />
<br />
I thought we sealed our love with that kiss three days ago. But in my blissful state, I’d almost forgotten one dire and inevitable detail – the new moon.<br />
<br />
The night where the moon is black will be here in a little less than two weeks. That means I only have that long to decide what I want more – Dominic or my magic.<br />
<br />
Obviously I want to choose Dominic. In fact, I did tell myself that if the time ever came for me to make the choice, it would be him. But there lies another problem with that. If I choose him, I’ll forsake my powers. Under normal circumstances, this wouldn’t be an issue.<br />
<br />
But as I stare out the window at the distant city of Hillridge, I know that Ebony is still out there, and she’s still wreaking havoc on innocent people, planning God knows what.<br />
<br />
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<br />
I guess “innocent” might not be the appropriate term for the latest victim I’ve seen on the news. But it’s still unnerving.<br />
<br />
I remember when I told Ebony how much I loathed Abel and all that he’d done to me. But he wasn’t the only man I told her about who hurt me in some sick way. Carter, my former boss, was also mentioned. How he tried to exploit me and parade me around butt-naked onstage like a cheap whore. And how that led to my resignation. She was equally pissed off at my lack of rebellion regarding him.<br />
<br />
I saw the report yesterday. Dominic was making us some lunch when it came on the TV. The anchorman spoke of yet another murder. Then, it showed Carter’s photo, and stated him to be the owner of the Poppin’ Cherry, which has burned to the ground.<br />
<br />
There’s still no word on any of the employees, including Angel.<br />
<br />
I remember when I told Carter that I hoped his strip club burned to the ground. I was momentarily horrified by the prospect that I was responsible. Because my magic is turning dark, did my threat to Carter come true?<br />
<br />
But no, it couldn’t have. I didn’t cast the resurrection spell that brought Ebony back until after I quit. My magic wasn’t possessed then.<br />
<br />
Bringing my sister back is what ignited that inferno.<br />
<br />
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<br />
Speaking of infernos, is it just coincidence that the strip club burned because of what I’d said? Or had Ebony planned it that way? I can’t even remember if I told her my retort to Carter’s order or not.<br />
<br />
Suddenly, the doorbell rings from below. I scamper to it, not opening it until I ascertain that it’s not Ebony behind it. Even if she tried to fool me by changing her appearance, it wouldn’t work. The spell she used with Dominic in making him believe he was in bed with me doesn’t work on witches.<br />
<br />
But it’s not Ebony that I see behind the door. I’m shocked to see two police officers, one man and one woman, the latter of which who appears to have had a few too many donuts. I answer the door and they greet me with stern faces. I step out onto the porch.<br />
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<br />
“How can I help you?” I ask them. The man replies, “Lydia Brewster?”<br />
<br />
“Yeah?”<br />
<br />
“I’m Officer Oswald, and this is Officer Goodrich. We’d like to ask you a few questions.”<br />
<br />
“What’s this about?”<br />
<br />
“Abel Penrod and Carter Sullivan.”<br />
<br />
I almost fall off the porch. I did <i>not</i> see this coming.<br />
<br />
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<br />
“What about them?” I ask carefully and somewhat defensively.<br />
<br />
“May we come inside?” Officer Goodrich asks. I have nothing to hide, but this isn’t my house. I know my rights.<br />
<br />
“I’m sorry, no. Dominic, the owner of the house, isn’t here at the moment, so I can’t legally grant you entry.”<br />
<br />
Take that! I knew watching all those <i>CSI</i> episodes over the years would pay off.<br />
<br />
Officer Goodrich frowns, and Officer Oswald has a similar look on his face. But I won’t budge. This is still Dominic’s house, even if I’m living in it too. Oswald seems to regain his senses and finally answers my question.<br />
<br />
“Miss Brewster, are you aware that both Mr. Penrod and Mr. Sullivan were murdered in recent days?”<br />
<br />
“I saw a report on the news.”<br />
<br />
“You were clients of both of them, right?”<br />
<br />
I bite my lip. I can’t lie about this. That will make me look even worse than I already do given the circumstances. Still, I don’t like where this is going.<br />
<br />
“I wasn’t really a client,” I reply. “I worked for Carter, and Abel was my landlord’s son.”<br />
<br />
“And you recently cut ties with both of them, correct?”<br />
<br />
“Well, yeah. Dominic is my boyfriend, and he asked me to move in here with him. So I informed Abel and did just that. Carter pushed me too far with the job, and since I was moving here anyway, I just walked out. I quit, but that’s it. That’s the last time I saw either one of them. I moved here with Dominic the very next day.”<br />
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<br />
The officers don’t look convinced. I want to ask them what the hell their beef with me is, when Officer Goodrich answers the inquiry before I can ask it.<br />
<br />
“Miss Brewster, we have witnesses that say they saw you arguing with Mr. Sullivan. And we understand that you were behind on your rent. Mr. Penrod could have legally filed a lawsuit against you in order to collect the debt owed to him. But he never got that chance, because he was murdered.”<br />
<br />
“Wait, are you saying you think <i>I</i> killed those two men?”<br />
<br />
A light comes on in my head. These cops obviously came here to apprehend a suspect. I’m their prime murder suspect.<br />
<br />
How did I not realize this until now?<br />
<br />
“I didn’t kill anyone!” I burst out, louder and more fierce than I intended. “Yes, I had an argument with Carter, and yes I owed rent, but I didn’t kill those guys! Look, Abel’s the landlord’s son. It was his dad I owed money to, not him. So killing him wouldn’t do me any good anyway. And since I didn’t work for Carter anymore, why kill him? What motive would I have?”<br />
<br />
I never thought I’d have to apply all the information I learned on crime shows to real life. And I must say, I don’t like it one bit.<br />
<br />
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<br />
They’re both staring at me, and it’s starting to make me agitated. I must remember to control myself. I can’t let the dark magic coursing through my body consume me. Especially not in front of the cops. How would I explain my way out of that one?<br />
<br />
“Well, Miss Brewster,” Oswald replies to my outburst, “can you tell us where you were four nights ago between the hours of ten p.m. and twelve a.m.?”<br />
<br />
Oh. That must have been when Carter was killed.<br />
<br />
“Yes, I was here. With Dominic.”<br />
<br />
“Can anyone verify that?”<br />
<br />
Normally Dominic would, but he’s not here. Plus, they probably wouldn’t believe him anyway. And Ebony, well, she’s the one responsible for all this, so there’s no way she’d confirm my alibi.<br />
<br />
“I don’t need it to be verified,” I retaliate instead. “I didn’t do anything wrong. But while you’re here, if you’re so interested in investigating crimes, I’ve got one for you. I should have reported it before, but I figured no one would believe me. Abel took advantage of me. He made me have sex with him in exchange for an extension on my rent. And then he didn’t give it to me, so he came back and tried to rape me.”<br />
<br />
The officers exchange a glance. Maybe this wasn’t the wisest thing to say. It makes me more guilty to them, because now I have a motive for one of the murders. More of a motive than I had before.<br />
<br />
Why can’t I keep my damn mouth shut? I get myself into more trouble with it than I do my magic. That’s pretty sad.<br />
<br />
The officers don’t take a report of my allegations, since the accused is deceased. They instruct me not to leave town (where the fuck would I go?) as they leave.<br />
<br />
And after they leave, I bolt into the house, slam the door shut, get down on my knees, and let out a cry of fury.<br />
<br />
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<br />
Ebony has gone too far. I don’t know where she is, but I swear to God that I’m going to...<br />
<br />
...to what? Kill her? I can’t do that. If I kill her, my powers will be completely overtaken by darkness. I probably won’t even recognize myself, just like the grimoire stated. I’m not a dark witch. I don’t practice black magic. I didn’t know that bringing Ebony back would cause such calamitous circumstances. If I had, no way in hell would I have done so.<br />
<br />
I’ve never felt so belligerent in my life. I can’t explain the wrath I feel, threatening to boil over in an erupting volcano.<br />
<br />
This, of course, causes the lights to flicker and one bulb even pops and goes out completely.<br />
<br />
Wonderful.<br />
<br />
Dominic returns moments later and meets me in the living room. I haven’t told him about Ebony and how she’s evil and responsible for the deaths of Abel and Carter. But I can’t contain my agony as I throw myself into his arms and start sobbing uncontrollably, telling him all that’s transpired.<br />
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<br />
Dominic holds me tightly, hanging onto every word. His posture changes to one of utter rage, but it won’t do either of us any good if he goes to the police with my alibi.<br />
<br />
When I finally calm down and stop blubbering like a child, he tilts my face up and stares at me as I touch my fingers to his cheek. Whatever he’s about to say is very serious, and I’m not entirely sure I can handle it.<br />
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<br />
“I’ve been thinking about something you said when you first told me about yourself,” he begins. “You told me that you’d have to choose between me and your magic. And you have to do it before the next new moon.”<br />
<br />
I nod, not liking where this is going.<br />
<br />
“Well, you’ve been a witch your whole life. And you’ve only known me for a very short time. Lydia, I can’t ask you to sacrifice your powers for me.”<br />
<br />
“Dominic, please...”<br />
<br />
“Besides. You’ll need them if you want to put a stop to your sister.”<br />
<br />
I jerk my head up so fast I bang the top of it on Dominic’s strong jaw. “What?” Dominic kisses my forehead.<br />
<br />
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<br />
“You think I don’t know?” he says with a grin in an attempt to lighten the mood. “Who else could be responsible for the deaths of the two men you abhorred more than anyone in the world? You told your sister about them, and until she showed up, they were alive and well. But I still don’t understand how she even randomly showed up at my house.”<br />
<br />
“It’s a long story.”<br />
<br />
“I’ve got time.”<br />
<br />
I sigh, but surrender. I tell him everything. The fire on Ebony’s twenty-first birthday party that led to her death. My obsession over the past two years to bring her back. The spell that brought her back and turned my magic dark. The realization that she was actually evil all along. I don’t leave out a single detail.<br />
<br />
I even add the part about her disguising herself as me and banging him.<br />
<br />
“I told you no sex on the first date,” I remind him as I brave a smile.<br />
<br />
But this just pisses him off as bad as it did me.<br />
<br />
“Ugh!” he bellows. “I can’t believe she...oh my fucking God! I was there with <i>her</i> the whole time?! She’s not even hot! I hate girls like her! She has that weird look to her that just says, ‘I am not what I seem.’ No shit! And that cocky attitude, you can tell that she’s just thinking, ‘I’m better than everyone else and I can get any guy I want.’ Lydia, I can’t even begin to tell you how sorry I am. No wonder you weren’t in the mood the next time I made a move.”<br />
<br />
“It’s not your fault, Dominic. I forgive you.”<br />
<br />
Dominic collapses on the floor in disgust. I sit down next to him and cup his chin in my palm.<br />
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<br />
“Look at me,” I request. “What Ebony did was unforgiveable. But I don’t hold you responsible. And if it makes you feel any better, I did manage to get her to stop. I froze time and that shattered her illusion.”<br />
<br />
“That would explain why I woke up with a boner and no one there.”<br />
<br />
“Yeah, time freezing spells can sometimes alter memories. You didn’t remember having sex with anyone. I was counting on that, because there’s no actual spell to completely erase someone’s memories, and definitely not just certain parts. I didn’t know how else to explain what happened. But I hate this. I hate that I’ve been so deceiving this whole time.”<br />
<br />
“You had a huge risk to take, Lydia. And now you have a high price to pay. And like I said, you’ll need your powers.”<br />
<br />
“But I need you more. Besides, my magic is no match for Ebony’s. I told you, she’s stronger now because of the whole fucked up suicidal death spell thing.”<br />
<br />
“You’re her older sister, and you’re not evil. Pardon the cheesy cliché, but good has always triumphed over evil. If there’s one thing you can do, it’s bring your sister down.”<br />
<br />
Dominic then sits up, pulls me up with him, and kisses me tenderly. I return the kiss eagerly.<br />
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<br />
When he pulls back for air, I realize even more how futile my efforts will be to stop Ebony. Not just because she’s stronger and more powerful. But because if I lose Dominic, I’ll have lost much more than my sister.<br />
<br />
There’s an old legend that proclaims a witch’s powers can weaken or vanish altogether if her soul mate dies. That’s a risk I’m not willing to take. Then I’d be without both Dominic and my powers.<br />
<br />
“How about a compromise?” I suggest to him. He raises an eyebrow in consternation, but urges me to go on.<br />
<br />
“I have until the night of the new moon to sacrifice my powers. I’ll stop Ebony before then. After she’s out of the picture, I’ll give up my magic and I’ll be with you.”<br />
<br />
“Lydia...”<br />
<br />
“Don’t. That’s what I want. Witches aren’t supposed to exist. What good has it done me? I didn’t use it to save myself from Abel and Carter, it can’t give me money and a perfect life, it can’t get rid of cellulite, and it can’t even get me true love. I got all those things on my own, no magic involved. I don’t need it. Ebony thinks magic defines us. But it doesn’t. It’s just a part of us. And I won’t let it take over me, and I sure as hell won’t let it take you away from me.”<br />
<br />
Dominic wraps me in his arms, almost as though he’s acceding.<br />
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<br />
But he’s more stubborn than that. He knows that my magic is a big part of me, and it has been since I was born. And it always will be a part of me, even if it’s relinquished.<br />
<br />
“Well, that sounds fair,” he finally affirms, “but just in case, I better give you something to remember me by.”<br />
<br />
And with that, Dominic wraps his arms around me and tenderly kisses my neck. I begin to topple backward, but his steel grip keeps me from becoming a victim to gravity.<br />
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<br />
I return his embrace eagerly, savoring every one. He thinks this will be the last time, or one of the last times, that we’re able to be with each other. But I won’t let that happen.<br />
<br />
But I still bask in the moment of his tantalizing touches, and I even break out a, for lack of a better word, magic card.<br />
<br />
“You like power,” I whisper in his ear seductively, “but you ain’t seen nothing yet.”<br />
<br />
Then I proceed to show him <i>real</i> power. Every time he touches me, every caress, kiss, grasp, results in a literal spark of carnality. This seems to really turn him on, as evidenced by the familiar bulge in the front of his pants.<br />
<br />
It arouses him even more when I roughly shove the coffee table out of the way and climb on top of him, smothering him in kisses while moving my hips against his eager manhood.<br />
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<br />
It then becomes a playful contest of us both exerting our powers, him sexually and me supernaturally. As it gets more intense, our clothes are peeled off and discarded on the floor.<br />
<br />
And then we make love. The kinky splendor evaporates as our bodies become one on the floor (still not a bed). We don’t fuck, we don’t have sex, and we don’t screw. We literally make love. It’s passionate, tender, and intoxicating. <i>This</i> is what true love should feel like.<br />
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<br />
“I love you, sheila,” Dominic says as he slowly pushes himself into me over and over. “I wouldn’t care if you <i>did</i> have some sort of spell on me. I don’t want to let you go.”<br />
<br />
“You won’t have to.”<br />
<br />
I realize, as we’re both at our peak, that the first night I spoke with Ebony after bringing her back, I told her she’d never lose me again. I’m about to break my word to her.<br />
<br />
And I don’t care. There’s no way in hell I’m letting Dominic die. My word to him means far more than that to my tramp of a sister.<br />
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<br />
“Lydia,” Dominic whispers softly in my ear once our sonata has ended, “do you remember that day I first met your sister and you said you’d eventually move out and live with her?”<br />
<br />
“Yeah, and I swear you looked sad when I said that.”<br />
<br />
“It’s because I loved you even then, just like I said. I don’t want you to go. I never wanted you to move out, and I don’t now either. Stay with me, Lydia. Just until the night the curse takes me.”<br />
<br />
“I won’t let it take you, Dominic.”<br />
<br />
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<br />
He doesn’t believe me. I can tell. But I hold him tightly as he says, “I can literally say that I’m in love with a stripper. Or rather, a former stripper.”<br />
<br />
“I hate that song.”<br />
<br />
Dominic chuckles and I fall even more in love with him.<br />
<br />
I vow, here and now, to put a stop to my sister’s evil, and to beat this curse. And I know just how to do it.Tender Wolfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13874882716131293841noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8361545223023093000.post-44437954467508928722013-10-27T11:04:00.000-05:002013-10-27T11:04:32.581-05:00Chapter Seventeen<span style="color: #990000;">WARNING:</span> This chapter contains strong language.<br />
<br />
I swear I’m in a dream. Surely this can’t be real. How can it be? I hadn’t even heard Dominic come in! I’m probably still in bed, having a nightmare, that will jar me awake at any moment.<br />
<br />
But there’s no point in kidding myself. Dominic saw everything. The confrontation between me and my sister wasn’t physical; it was supernatural.<br />
<br />
He showed me his dark side in his apartment when he confessed to being a dominant in bed. Now, he’s seeing my dark side.<br />
<br />
I think I win.<br />
<br />
“Dominic,” I say as I step toward him tentatively. “I can explain...”<br />
<br />
“What the fuck was that?” he demands, slight trepidation apparent in his voice.<br />
<br />
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<br />
I just told him that I could explain. But what the hell am I supposed to say? That he stumbled upon a major case of sibling rivalry? No shit. But it’s much deeper than that.<br />
<br />
“Oh, for God’s sake, Lydia,” Ebony says, exasperated. “Just tell him. He’s already seen what happened.”<br />
<br />
“Maybe not...”<br />
<br />
“Dominic,” Ebony interjects, much to my chagrin, “what did you see just now?”<br />
<br />
“It looked like Lydia was shooting some sort of magical spell at you.”<br />
<br />
Ebony beams at me, her expression irritatingly triumphant as she takes on a goody-two-shoes pose indisputably for Dominic’s benefit. “There, see? He saw. Now spill it.”<br />
<br />
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<br />
It’s almost as if she planned for this to happen. She wanted Dominic to discover my secret. Because then I’d have to let him die rather than forsake my powers.<br />
<br />
But the joke’s on her. Because I won’t let that happen. I won’t allow Dominic to die. Even if I’m not completely sure that I love him, I do care a great deal for him. More than I care about my magic.<br />
<br />
Unfortunately, Ebony will never realize this. The only feelings she’s ever concerned herself with are her own. She has no remorse, no regards for anyone else.<br />
<br />
“Someone better give me some damn answers,” Dominic booms, his voice rising in anger.<br />
<br />
“I’ll tell you everything,” I say. Then I shoot Ebony a death glare. “And <i>you</i>. Get the fuck out of here, and if I ever see you again, I really <i>will</i> kill you.”<br />
<br />
“I’d like to see you try.”<br />
<br />
I flip her the bird.<br />
<br />
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<br />
This sends her into a howl of (appropriate) cackling laughter as she vacates the premises.<br />
<br />
I know that I should put a seal on the house right away, but Dominic is staring at me, waiting for an explanation. Maybe I can kill two birds with one stone here.<br />
<br />
“I’ll explain as I do something,” I tell him. He just glowers, but I detect a trace of fear in his eyes.<br />
<br />
I can feel his blatant reluctance to listen to anything I have to say as I lift my arms parallel to my chest. Lightning surges through my fingers as I recite the necessary chant to seal the house.<br />
<br />
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<br />
When the house is sealed, no physical evidence exists. But I can feel it, so I know it’s working.<br />
<br />
“Okay,” I say to Dominic as I face him. “Let’s talk.”<br />
<br />
“Yeah, let’s,” he barks, obviously peeved. “What the <i>fuck</i> was that?! That wasn’t normal! And why was your sister here?”<br />
<br />
“Dominic, I’ll tell you everything. I promise. But you have to keep an open mind, because there’s a lot at stake here.”<br />
<br />
“A lot at stake? Yeah, like our relationship. You better start talking, Lydia.”<br />
<br />
“And I will. Now sit down and stop yelling at me.”<br />
<br />
Dominic is still fuming, but he obliges. I want to sit next to him on the couch, but given the circumstances, I doubt that’s a good idea. So I settle for the adjacent couch instead.<br />
<br />
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<br />
I heave a sigh, realizing belatedly that I have no idea where to start. My latest goal involving Dominic was to ensure that he never discovered my secret.<br />
<br />
But now, thanks to my bitch of a sister, I involuntarily exposed myself for what I truly am.<br />
<br />
“What are you?” Dominic asks me, almost as though he’s reading my thoughts.<br />
<br />
“You know what I am. You saw it.”<br />
<br />
“I’ve seen Aborigines in Australia, and I’ve heard of black magic and voodoo. But those were basically all old stories. What I saw you do, that isn’t normal. What are you, Lydia?”<br />
<br />
“You know. Please, just say it. Don’t make me say it.”<br />
<br />
“Why the hell not?”<br />
<br />
“Because if I do and it’s not what you’re really thinking, there will be serious consequences.”<br />
<br />
“Seriously? That’s what you’re going with?”<br />
<br />
“Dominic, please.”<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
Dominic furrows his brow as I risk scooting closer to him but still remaining on the other couch. He doesn’t like this, and I can’t say that I blame him. Why has my life become so fucked up? When did it steer so far off course?<br />
<br />
Oh, right. The night my sister was killed, and when I got it in my head that she was murdered.<br />
<br />
Was it truly all bad? If I hadn’t left Cedar Grove, I never would have met Dominic. And I’m tired of hiding how I really feel. I have to tell him. But how can I now? If he’s to love me, he has to love all of me.<br />
<br />
“You want me to say it out loud?” he replies. “Fine. Lydia Brewster, you’re a witch.”<br />
<br />
Damn. I was hoping he wouldn’t quite be able to guess. Maybe he’d think of some weird science fiction explanation or something. But alas, that’s too good to be true. That’s hoping for too much.<br />
<br />
I can’t meet his eyes, nor can I formulate words with my tongue. I just nod.<br />
<br />
I expect him to demand I leave, never come back, and do it all with a raised voice.<br />
<br />
What he says instead surprises me.<br />
<br />
“Why didn’t you tell me?”<br />
<br />
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<br />
I honestly don’t know how to respond to this inquiry. It doesn’t matter what the situation is; I’m always finding myself surprised by the person I’m closest to.<br />
<br />
But now, I have nothing to hide. And I might as well be blunt with everything, regardless of the consequences. So I just throw it right out there in the open. What more do I have to lose?<br />
<br />
“I told you I was no good for you. And this is why.”<br />
<br />
“Because you’re a witch?”<br />
<br />
“No. Because since you know the secret, something will have to be sacrificed. Either my powers, or your life.”<br />
<br />
This causes Dominic to sit up straight and gape at me in astonishment.<br />
<br />
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<br />
“What do you mean?” he prods.<br />
<br />
So I have no choice but to sit here and explain in a forlorn voice all about the curse that I have no control over. He sits and listens carefully, never interrupting, never wavering. He takes it all in, and I actually see sympathy in his deep brown eyes as I include the story of my grandmother and mother and the fates of their loved ones.<br />
<br />
Finally, in summarization, Dominic speaks.<br />
<br />
“So…you really are a witch. And you really did enchant me like I said.”<br />
<br />
“No. You can’t cast a spell on someone to alter their feelings. Everything that’s happened between us hasn’t been because of a spell or anything like that.”<br />
<br />
“So, then everything I feel is real? It’s not you…”<br />
<br />
“No. And even if I did have that power, I wouldn’t use it for that. Love isn’t something to be played with.”<br />
<br />
“Wait. Love?”<br />
<br />
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<br />
I bite my lip. Have I said too much? I want Dominic to know how I truly feel, but maybe it shouldn’t have been thrust on him so fast. Like right after he discovered that I’m a witch.<br />
<br />
But he’s already heard me. I’m basically caught in the act. I might as well admit to it.<br />
<br />
“Yes,” I reply. “Love. I’m in love with you, Dominic. I’ve wanted to tell you for so long, but I was afraid to. And now you know why.”<br />
<br />
I don’t know how I expected Dominic would react, but he surprises me when he joins me on the opposite couch and pulls me onto his lap.<br />
<br />
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<br />
“What are you doing?” I ask him quizzically.<br />
<br />
He looks me in the eye, his expression sincere and determined, and for a moment I fear the worst. I begin to recoil, but Dominic places his hand on mine and says, “Lydia Brewster, I haven’t known you for very long, but in one crazy moment, I fell in love with you. I love you, too. More than I thought could ever be possible.”<br />
<br />
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<br />
I’m genuinely astounded at this confession. It seems too good to be true. This wonderful, sexy, kind-hearted, exotic man shares my feelings? I’ve been hurt so many times before, and yet I willingly allowed myself to get closer and closer to this man. And now it turns out that his feelings for me are a reflection of my own for him.<br />
<br />
“One crazy moment?” I manage to reply. “What moment was that?”<br />
<br />
“The moment I first saw you.”<br />
<br />
“But when you first saw me, I was...”<br />
<br />
“Sprawled across the floor because you tripped over my barbell. Maybe fate put it there, so we could meet. Maybe there was some ancient spell that made us destined for each other. I don’t know, and I honestly don’t care. All I know is that when I first saw you, something hit me like a spark. And it wasn’t witchcraft.”<br />
<br />
“It wasn’t. I promise. I would never do that, even if I could.”<br />
<br />
“I know that. I trust you. Lydia, I love you.”<br />
<br />
“I love you too, Dominic.”<br />
<br />
And then we seal our love with a kiss.<br />
<br />
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Tender Wolfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13874882716131293841noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8361545223023093000.post-21471731052585147902013-10-23T17:54:00.000-05:002013-10-23T17:54:30.795-05:00Chapter Sixteen<span style="color: #990000;">WARNING:</span> This chapter contains strong language and sexual references/content.<br />
<br />
I stand up abruptly at this horrifying realization, making my head swim. As I cover my ears with my hands, attempting to block out the TV’s audio and squeeze my brain back to its normal shape so that it stops straining against my skull, I detect someone behind me.<br />
<br />
I assume it’s Dominic returning home. But when I whirl around to greet him, I’m confronted with the eerie green eyes of my younger sister.<br />
<br />
My <i>evil</i> younger sister.<br />
<br />
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<br />
My first instinct is to cast a spell on her. But I settle for a verbal confrontation instead.<br />
<br />
“What have you done?” I demand. Not quite the menacing effect I was going for, but it still seems to catch her slightly off guard, if only for a moment.<br />
<br />
“What are you talking about?”<br />
<br />
“Don’t fuck with me. You killed Abel.”<br />
<br />
Ebony actually has the audacity to look smug.<br />
<br />
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<br />
“How do you know that?” she retorts, almost in a purr. “You don’t have any proof.”<br />
<br />
“I don’t need any. You said you couldn’t believe I didn’t use my magic in the shitty situation he put me in, and you knew that I hated him. So you decided to do the job for me, is that it?”<br />
<br />
“That sounds like something that should go in a fiction crime-solving novel, or maybe a<i> CSI</i> episode. Or <i>Castle</i> or any of those other crime shows on TV, which, by the way, are all the same after a while.”<br />
<br />
“Ebony, I’m serious. I know you killed him. But my question is, why?”<br />
<br />
“You seriously have to ask? You hated him, and you’re my sister. We look out for each other and we always have. Plus, the fucker raped you for God’s sake! Don’t tell me you’re defending him!”<br />
<br />
“Of course not! But you killed him! That’s murder! You could go to prison!”<br />
<br />
“They’d have to prove it was me first. And no witch can be held behind bars.”<br />
<br />
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<br />
I look away, disconcerted. Unfortunately, she has a point there. Of course, witches have never been stupid enough to get caught except back in the Puritan age, during the Salem witch trials. And they were burned, hanged, stoned, and all other manners of torture. There was no chance of them escaping or coming back from the dead.<br />
<br />
I think the most traumatizing aspect of this whole ordeal is that this isn’t a new development. A soul cannot be corrupted upon death; a revived soul is still the same soul. This means that Ebony had to have been evil upon her demise. Maybe even longer than that. She’s been practicing dark magic, the type that isn’t meant to be tampered with, all this time. And I never knew. I never noticed.<br />
<br />
I’m suddenly angry with myself for being so blind. How could I not have realized my sister’s true colors sooner?<br />
<br />
“How did you even get in here?” I ask, since she’s obviously waiting for me to say something.<br />
<br />
Not the best response I suppose, but at least the silence is shattered.<br />
<br />
She rolls her eyes at me and asserts, “Duh. Lydia, the door was unlocked and you didn’t even think to put a seal on this house to keep other witches from getting in. I told you I’d be back. What did you think would happen?”<br />
<br />
<i>Fuck!</i> A seal! It would have been simple to put a seal on this house to prevent Ebony from gaining access. I should have known better.<br />
<br />
But I’ve been blinded by lust and desire, and possibly something more.<br />
<br />
It seems that since I’ve met Dominic, he’s done nothing but distract me. I was trying to focus solely on resurrecting Ebony when I first met him. Now, after her true colors have been unveiled, I have to focus on that and doing everything in my power to protect both of us from her.<br />
<br />
Yet I let the notion of performing a simple sealing spell on this house lapse. And I can’t put one on with the targeted witch inside; she has to be outside for the spell to be successful.<br />
<br />
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<br />
I once thought that perhaps Dominic was the one who had me under a spell, so entranced with his rugged good looks and ability to be both a gentleman and a bad boy. Perhaps it’s true after all. His hold on me seems to be stronger than my hold on reality and my magic.<br />
<br />
“Wow, does this guy have his hooks in you that deep?” Ebony sneers. “Damn, you’ve got it bad. Way worse than I thought. He’s got you so brainwashed that you can’t even remember the basic functions of witchcraft. You know, one thing I learned when I was weaker is to never let your heart go to a man. If you’re a witch and you fall for a guy, chances are your powers will get weaker. Plus it’s only a matter of time before you end up in the same predicament as Grandma – you’ll have to choose between your magic and your man.”<br />
<br />
“You don’t know anything about this, Ebony. And you have no right to assume you do, either.”<br />
<br />
“I’m not assuming, Lydia. I <i>know</i>. It’s written all over your face. I’ve seen it since I first saw him. You want this guy, in all ways, and just knowing that you can’t must be gnawing at you like...hm, what metaphor should I use here? There must be one.”<br />
<br />
“This isn’t a joke. And stop changing the subject.”<br />
<br />
“Me? You’re the one who started thinking about your latest boy toy. I just said you didn’t put a seal on his house. Of course, I should mention that if you really loved him, or cared about him as much as you say you do, you would have remembered such a menial thing.”<br />
<br />
“Ebony, I want you to leave.”<br />
<br />
“Oh, sure. I’ll leave, and then you’ll seal me out of the house. I don’t think so. But then again, even if you did, I’d still be able to get in. Your powers aren’t nearly as strong as mine, sister. I’d be able to break any spell you cast in a second. It’s child’s play.”<br />
<br />
“You know what? I’m sorry I ever even <i>considered</i> bringing you back! You should have stayed dead! And after all you’ve done, what with fucking my boyfriend and killing someone, I’m going to put you back in your grave and make sure you stay there! I’m sick of listening to your voice! I hate you!”<br />
<br />
In that instant, I lunge over the couch as the windows rattle in their frames, syncing to my wrath. I land in front of Ebony and grip her hair as hard as I can. I long to rip every single strand out of her skull.<br />
<br />
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<br />
Ebony isn’t anticipating this attack, but she’s still able to fight me off. It doesn’t help that I’m cramping like hell right now, plus suffering from a pounding headache.<br />
<br />
Of all times for PMS to hit, it had to be now, when I’m alone with my vengeful sister. Fantastic.<br />
<br />
Ebony grips my neck and clenches her hands around me in a chokehold. I gasp for air.<br />
<br />
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<br />
I claw at her arms, causing her to release her grip at last. I choke back tears from the pain (both physical and emotional) and she comes at me again. She pushes me down and grips the top of my aching head, pulling my hair.<br />
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<br />
“Let me go you bitch!” I screech at her. Her fingernails are like razor-sharp talons as they dig into my scalp.<br />
<br />
“Fuck that,” she says, irritatingly calm and conceited. “It doesn’t matter if you try to fight me physically, mentally, or magically – I’ll always win, even though I’m the youngest. Guess that kind of makes you the weakest link. Ah, yes. That was a good show. To quote the host, ‘You are the weakest link. <i>Goodbye</i>!’”<br />
<br />
Seriously? She’s quoting old TV shows right now? That’s it.<br />
<br />
I yank myself free of her steel grip, pulling out probably a dozen strands of my hair. I face her, unrelenting, still on the floor, and see the same look mirrored in my sister’s eyes.<br />
<br />
Wasting no time, I conjure two electrifying orbs in my palms before sending them at Ebony in time to a chant, but not before she ignites her own inferno in her palm.<br />
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<br />
Ebony blocks my attack and counters it with an even larger fireball. Thank God I manage to block that one.<br />
<br />
Then she shoots ice shards at me. This might give me a chance. I’ve always had a way with fire.<br />
<br />
“Really?” I taunt her in a sudden boost of self-confidence. “Fire melts ice.”<br />
<br />
“Sure, if the ice is weaker.”<br />
<br />
This statement reaches full impact when the fireball that I’ve sent hurtling toward her and the ice shards collide, creating a brilliant flash of light until they both dissipate into thin air. The ice shards didn’t melt; they consumed the fire. So instead of the fire shooting through the ice and into my sister, it just vanished.<br />
<br />
I’m really starting to get concerned about the welfare of my magic. Ebony’s powers have definitely gotten stronger. And I’m to blame (although she prefers the term “thank”).<br />
<br />
Ebony manages to levitate herself, no easy feat for any witch, and hurls another icy spell at me. This time I’m too caught off-guard to stop it.<br />
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<br />
The ice stings my face and bare hands, and even begins to pierce through my clothes.<br />
<br />
Which Ebony chooses this moment to comment on.<br />
<br />
“Have I mentioned that you look like crap in those clothes?” she quips. “They don’t flatter you at all. If you want Dominic to keep fucking you, that isn’t the way to do it.”<br />
<br />
This just angers me even more, causing a nearby glass to shatter in my rage. I conjure all the magic I can, focus on Ebony, and send it hurtling toward her.<br />
<br />
To my surprise, she doesn’t block it or counter it. She sidesteps it.<br />
<br />
And then I see why.<br />
<br />
As of now, it doesn’t matter if I love Dominic or not. Because he’s standing right in the doorway, his eyes wide, and he’s seen this spell casting duel with his own two eyes. More accurately, he’s seen <i>me</i> cast a spell at my sister, and I’m still in a spell-casting stance. There’s no turning back now, no hiding the truth.<br />
<br />
Dominic Taylor knows that Ebony and I aren’t human.<br />
<br />
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Tender Wolfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13874882716131293841noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8361545223023093000.post-13964046697882184332013-10-20T12:15:00.000-05:002013-10-20T12:15:05.215-05:00Chapter Fifteen<span style="color: #990000;">WARNING:</span> This chapter contains strong language and sexual innuendos.<br />
<br />
Two days later, I’m overcome with an unwelcome sense of guilt. I know that I did the right thing by asking Ebony to leave. She has a job now, so she can easily support herself.<br />
<br />
I think the hardest thing is the knowledge of how hard I worked to bring her back, only to discover that the person I brought back wasn’t who I truly thought she was.<br />
<br />
I traipse into the living room to find Dominic working on redecorating it, considering it still has the gaudy decor of ancient residents. A few new curtains are placed, the sofas have been reupholstered (I can’t wait until he does the same to those hideous chairs), the rug has been replaced with a more masculine one, the windows are in the process of being repainted, and half of the room is covered in the new wallpaper. A TV has even been added above the fireplace so there’s somewhere besides the third floor to watch one. Dominic waves in greeting upon hearing my approach, but his face contorts into a frown as he takes in my face.<br />
<br />
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<br />
“What’s wrong, sheila?” he asks me. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”<br />
<br />
No, not a ghost. Just a witch. A witch who is my sister. And also a bitch.<br />
<br />
But obviously I can’t tell Dominic this. So I vaguely elaborate, “Nothing”<br />
<br />
Dominic walks over to me and encloses me in his arms. I welcome the embrace, struggling to control my anguish.<br />
<br />
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<br />
I stand there for a while, shrouded in Dominic’s muscular arms, and I enjoy the feeling. I really need to tell him how I feel. Funny, as I’m thinking this, Dominic leans in to kiss me. I’m about to return the kiss, when I suddenly turn away.<br />
<br />
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<br />
I can’t. I just can’t. Not after Ebony’s tarnished mouth sucked face with him. And God knows what else. I realize that Dominic isn’t aware of his inadvertent betrayal, but knowing that my sister had him...and in his bed, where I myself haven’t even been...it’s just too much to bear right now.<br />
<br />
“There’s something more serious here,” Dominic observes as he cups my face between his hands and rubs his thumb along my aching lips. “What happened?”<br />
<br />
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<br />
This is becoming more and more difficult. Every time something’s wrong, I have to lie to my boyfriend. It’s for his own protection, but still.<br />
<br />
Obviously I can’t tell him the full truth, so I just summarize, “I just feel a little guilty about Ebony.”<br />
<br />
“What were you two fighting about, anyway?”<br />
<br />
“Stupid stuff. Trust me, you don’t want to know.”<br />
<br />
“Maybe I can make you feel better,” he says seductively as he reaches for me again.<br />
<br />
“I can’t,” I say quickly, trying to appear coy. “I’ve got my period.”<br />
<br />
I told Dominic a while back that I refuse to have sex while on the rag. Some women find it appealing. I find it messy and unattractive, and to be another uninvited load of laundry depending on where the coitus happens.<br />
<br />
Dominic seems to accept this, as it would also explain my current emotional stupor. Damn PMS.<br />
<br />
So we leave it at that, and I hike up the stairs to my room. Once there, I lay down on the couch and let the tears fall as the realization that my magic is starting to consume me hits me like a wrecking ball.<br />
<br />
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<br />
**********<br />
<br />
Things have been a little better these past few weeks. Dominic and I are still a happy couple, growing closer every day, and Ebony hasn’t even tried to contact me. It’s becoming much easier to bear.<br />
<br />
But still, I can’t shake the feeling that permeates the house daily that something is amiss. Something sinister, and something that I don’t want to endure.<br />
<br />
That something comes on a Sunday, as I’m watching the local news in the newly, almost completed, living room (though some aspects seem a little too tacky for my taste, like the surfboard coffee table and skateboard end table).<br />
<br />
At first, I don’t pay much attention to the news on the TV. I’m curled up on the couch, genuinely suffering from PMS this time (damn these cramps) and not feeling completely like myself either (I’m probably catching some virus, as stress has likely made me susceptible to germs in the air), dressed in my not-so-Sunday best.<br />
<br />
Dominic is out shopping for more supplies for the house, so when I hear the door open behind me, I assume it’s him returning.<br />
<br />
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<br />
When the announcer on TV turns to focus on criminal reports, I yawn slightly.<br />
<br />
Until the words that come out of his mouth make me sit straight up, more petrified than before.<br />
<br />
“The disheveled body of Abel Penrod was found this morning downtown. Investigators are saying that it appears to be a homicide.”<br />
<br />
I can only stare at the television. They don’t show the pictures of the crime scene, obviously, but the reporter says it’s because the images are grotesque and ghastly, completely unfit for an audience.<br />
<br />
A photo flashes across the screen showing Abel on one of his better days. I guess I despised him so much that I never paid much attention to his last name. Penrod. How appropriate, considering his dick was about the size of a pen. Yes, I hated the guy’s guts, but to murder him in cold blood?<br />
<br />
I don’t know where Ebony has been, but it just strikes me with blunt probability. When I first brought Ebony back, I told her about Abel and how he’d hurt me. And how he basically raped me to get rent (which he later denied).<br />
<br />
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<br />
I slouch down on the couch, feeling sick to my stomach. But I can’t tell if that’s from the flu I might be catching, or from denial. My little sister, my best friend, <i>can not</i> be evil!<br />
<br />
Still, I remember telling Ebony all about Abel and what he did to me. She replied that she couldn’t believe I didn’t use my magic to save myself.<br />
<br />
Apparently, she did that for me. I know she’s the one responsible for Abel’s death. I can’t prove it, but I know she is. There’s no other explanation.<br />
<br />
I hate to even think it, but given the facts, plus the whole corrupted magic thing, it’s no longer an unanswered question – my little sister is evil.<br />
<br />
I didn’t just bring back my sister. I brought back evil that was better left dead.Tender Wolfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13874882716131293841noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8361545223023093000.post-86566939930550120842013-10-16T17:31:00.000-05:002014-09-07T12:08:31.047-05:00Chapter Fourteen<span style="color: #990000;">WARNING:</span> This chapter contains strong sexual content, strong language, and some "magical" violence.<br />
<br />
I can’t believe what I’m seeing. Only a few hours ago, Dominic and I agreed to be in an exclusive relationship.<br />
<br />
And now, here he is, lying on his back, with my little sister on top of him, riding him like a slutty cowgirl, their bodies illuminated by a dim light on the nightstand.<br />
<br />
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<br />
And then comprehension dawns. To me, it looks like Ebony fucking my boyfriend. But I can see what Dominic cannot.<br />
<br />
Ebony has disguised herself; she’s cast a spell to make herself appear as me to Dominic. He thinks it’s <i>me</i> he’s having sex with, not Ebony.<br />
<br />
And the loud moaning? She obviously did that intentionally to get caught, to prove some sort of asinine point! Dear God, the bitch is more like a succubus than a witch.<br />
<br />
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<br />
I snap my fingers in time to a short chant. Time freezes around us; only Ebony and I are in motion. Dominic is still naked and in bed, but he has no idea that he’s suspended in time.<br />
<br />
This all happens in a matter of seconds. Dominic doesn’t even have time to react to my shriek of terror. Which is good, because he’d be beyond confused if he saw me on top of him <i>and</i> in the doorway.<br />
<br />
“What the fuck?!” I demand of my little sister. She hops off Dominic and throws her underwear back on. I am seething, absolutely furious. I can’t remember the last time I was so angry.<br />
<br />
“What?” she has the gall to ask all innocently, as though she hasn’t been caught with her hand in the cookie jar. That cookie jar being my boyfriend.<br />
<br />
“Don’t give me that shit!” I fume. “You were in here fucking my boyfriend!”<br />
<br />
“I only did it to prove a point, Lydia. I told you he’d hurt you. And if he’s willing to cheat, he’ll do far worse.”<br />
<br />
“He didn’t cheat! He thought you were me! If he’d known it was you, he would have resisted!”<br />
<br />
“Keep telling yourself that. I won’t let you forsake your powers for this guy!”<br />
<br />
“Why the hell do you even care?! How could you do this to me?!”<br />
<br />
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<br />
As my voice rises higher and my anger sky-rockets, the candles that Ebony had apparently lit to add to the romantic vibe burst into flames. The fire begins to climb higher until Ebony simply glances at them and extinguishes them.<br />
<br />
What is going on? Why is it that lately, whenever I’m very emotionally stimulated, something strange happens? When Dominic and I had sex in the kitchen, the lights flickered and went out. And now, when I’m beyond infuriated, the candles spontaneously combusted.<br />
<br />
Ebony is sneering at me. Obviously she’s noticed this as well.<br />
<br />
“You haven’t read the entire grimoire, have you?” she says calmly. It’s more of a statement than a question.<br />
<br />
“What are you talking about?” I demand.<br />
<br />
“I suggest you study up on it, sis. It might answer a lot of your questions.”<br />
<br />
“I’ve read that book cover to cover.”<br />
<br />
“Well, then you missed a spot. Because there’s a very important piece in there that explains what’s going on with the candles, and the lights that flickered when you and Dominic were fucking in the kitchen.”<br />
<br />
“You saw that?”<br />
<br />
“Yep. And I was just waiting for you to figure out what it meant, but I guess you’re not as bright as I thought, big sister.”<br />
<br />
I grit my teeth with vehemence as Ebony snidely sidles over to one of the chairs and grasps the back of it.<br />
<br />
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<br />
My fists clench tightly at my sides, and then another flame explodes out of the candle. It ignites so abruptly that I actually jump back from it, as though the flames were about to engulf me in their white-hot wrath.<br />
<br />
Ebony shakes her head. “I’d stop that if I were you.”<br />
<br />
“You better give me some answers, Ebony.”<br />
<br />
“You’ll find them in the spell book. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to manually finish what your boyfriend and I started, since you’ve shattered the illusion.”<br />
<br />
She stalks off with a contrite smirk, and I feel the longing to cast a fireball at her ass.<br />
<br />
The result is another candle igniting. What the hell is going on?<br />
<br />
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<br />
**********<br />
<br />
I hate to actually do what Ebony told me to, but my curiosity is getting the best of me. Is there truly a reason as to why sudden emotional stimulations cause strange events to occur? I have to find out.<br />
<br />
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<br />
I haven’t spoken to Dominic about last night’s events. He hasn’t mentioned it, either, which is good – sometimes time-freeze spells can cause a memory lapse. I was counting on that.<br />
<br />
But still, even if Dominic was suspicious, what’s there to say? He thought he was screwing me. I can’t believe Ebony banged him, and she got to do it in his bed before I did.<br />
<br />
This realization makes me livid again, and the lights flicker.<br />
<br />
It’s getting annoying and more and more disturbing.<br />
<br />
I don’t notice it at first. I guess it’s because it’s hidden in the book’s binding. The pages are pretty fragile, but still well-preserved. I gently remove the lining from the back flap of the book, where I felt an indentation that I wouldn’t have noticed before unless I’d been looking for it. When the lining is peeled away, I see that I’m looking down at a folded piece of paper that looks newer than any of the other pages in the book. But maybe that’s because it’s been preserved all this time, whereas the other pages have been thumbed through assiduously.<br />
<br />
I skim the pages, but then some of the words seem to jump off the page at me and catch my eye.<br />
<br />
<i>Should ye cast this dark magic, and should ye survive, so then shall ye become the dark. And thus the dark shall consume ye, lest the soul is once again pure and light.</i><br />
<br />
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<br />
This warning makes me read even further, a perilous feeling crossing through my mind. I don’t know if my grandmother wrote this or not, as the book has been passed down through generations, but somewhere along the line, a Brewster witch discovered the price of performing dark magic.<br />
<br />
And one of the darkest forms of magic is bringing a soul back from the dead, and making it living once more.<br />
<br />
I hate to think of it, but it makes sense. The odd occurrences with the lights and candles have only transpired since Ebony has been back. Now, any severe sensation that I experience will cause some sort of supernatural effect. But that’s just the beginning.<br />
<br />
According to the grimoire, if a witch casts a dark spell as powerful as this, her own powers will begin to be consumed. Even more frightening is that a witch’s magic doesn’t only go dark – her soul will also be tarnished. In time, she may not even recognize herself. This magic involves scenarios that aren’t meant to be tampered with. Death is one of them.<br />
<br />
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<br />
I gaze down at the book, breathing heavily, trying to control my emotions so that I don’t cause any more power surges. The darkness will spread through me, only getting more powerful, until it consumes me.<br />
<br />
I thought bringing back Ebony was a good thing. I wanted her back more than anything. But now I see that it wasn’t my sister that I brought back. This assumption is confirmed when I see another warning, which seems to make everything even more clear.<br />
<br />
<i>This spell is especially dangerous if the soul to be called forth from the netherworld is evil.</i><br />
<br />
I think of Ebony and how desperate she was to prove that Dominic would hurt me. How she’s not practicing discretion at all, almost as if she wants to get caught. How desperate she is for me to keep my powers, because it’s long been said that multiple witches casting the same spell are that much more powerful. And if my magic is dark, and Ebony’s is dark...<br />
<br />
I step away from the book and collapse onto the floor, heaving.<br />
<br />
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<br />
The realization hits me like the bolt of lightning that struck the night I brought Ebony back. It was no accident. It was a warning strike, and a lesser witch would have been distracted or frightened by it, causing the incantation to fail.<br />
<br />
But not me. Not a Brewster witch.<br />
<br />
I’m heading back through the main house now to confront my sister. Did she know all along that this would happen? And even more importantly, was she truly evil upon her demise? The grimoire states that it’s especially dangerous, and more likely for a witch’s powers to turn dark, if she brings forth a spirit from beyond the grave, but even more so if the revived soul is evil. Has Ebony been evil all this time and I was too blind to see it?<br />
<br />
The thought is terrifying. And yet, considering what I saw last night, not out of the realm of the possible.<br />
<br />
Once I arrive in the house, I find Ebony in the den watching TV on the couch. Dominic is downstairs preparing lunch. Upon hearing my approach, my sister turns around to greet me.<br />
<br />
I waste no time. I stalk right up to my sister, my eyes narrowed into furious slits. I grab her by the shoulder and jerk her backward with a hard shove.<br />
<br />
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<br />
Ebony doesn’t anticipate this. She looks sincerely baffled as my hand makes contact with her cheek, causing her to tumble backward. I hope I left a mark.<br />
<br />
“What the fuck?!” she demands.<br />
<br />
“Don’t give me that shit. You know that my magic is turning dark, and you knew it would all this time!”<br />
<br />
“Black magic? You? Who would’ve thought?”<br />
<br />
“Ebony, I’m not playing around here. I need answers, and you’re gonna give them to me.”<br />
<br />
“All you have to do is ask, Lydia. You don’t have to threaten me.”<br />
<br />
“Fine. Let’s start with how you knew about that hidden warning paper in the grimoire. It was in the damn lining. And yet, the actual spell page was in the book. Care to explain that?”<br />
<br />
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<br />
Ebony rolls her eyes like this is the most asinine thing I could inquire about. But nevertheless, she answers. And what she says is far from what I expected or imagined.<br />
<br />
“Isn’t that much obvious? I knew you’d never believe the fire was an accident. I knew you’d be at your wit’s end trying to prove otherwise. And if you knew there was a spell to bring me back, I knew you’d try it. Really, I think I know you better than you know yourself, sister.”<br />
<br />
“What are you saying?”<br />
<br />
“The pages warning about the consequences of casting the spell that brought me back were hidden for a reason. I didn’t want you chickening out. I guess my plan worked better than I thought it would. I didn’t think it would take you two years to bring me back, but I guess beggars can’t be choosers. I never did thank you, so I’ll do that now. Thanks for bringing me back, Lydia.”<br />
<br />
“Ebony, I never believed the fire was an accident. But how could you know...?”<br />
<br />
“Duh. I planned it, Lydia. The fire <i>wasn’t</i> an accident. But it wasn’t some random stranger or psycho witch hunter who started it. It was me.”<br />
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<br />
I can’t believe what my sister is confiding. It’s as though I’m hearing it, but my cognitive functions aren’t allowing me to process it. My sister started the fire that ended her life two years ago? What reason could she possibly have for doing so? Just because she hoped I’d find that spell in the grimoire and bring her back to life? What purpose would that provide?<br />
<br />
“Lydia, you didn’t read everything,” she tells me impatiently. “And I’m tired of waiting for you to fill in the blanks, so I’ll just come out and say it. I started the fire and let it consume me, and then I recited an incantation before I died. That way, if I was ever brought back, I’d be more powerful than when I was alive. So really, Lydia, you didn’t just bring me back to life as your sister. I’m more powerful than ever now, and I have you to thank. And since your magic is turning dark too, and because we’re Brewsters, we can be the most powerful witches in the world.”<br />
<br />
“Ebony, you’re nuts. And what do you hope to accomplish from this? You committed suicide, which would have sent you to hell, and planted a resurrection spell in the grimoire hoping I’d find it and use it to bring you back, just so you could gain more power? And then we’d team up? What the fuck is wrong with you? And why? Why do we need to team up as the most powerful witches in the world?”<br />
<br />
“Let me ask you something. Don’t you hate the fact that you can’t really be with Dominic without losing your powers, or without him being cursed to death?”<br />
<br />
“Of course, but the risk is only there if he finds out I’m a witch, and I guarantee that he won’t. What does that have to do with anything?”<br />
<br />
“Well, if humans weren’t in the picture, you wouldn’t have anything to worry about.”<br />
<br />
“What are you saying? That you’re planning to <i>eradicate</i> all humans? Who are you? Sarafine from <i>Beautiful Creatures</i>?”<br />
<br />
“Please, I’m much hotter than Sarafine.”<br />
<br />
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<br />
I clench my fists at my sides, fuming. This is beyond ludicrous. My sister planned this the whole time? She planned to die, to have me bring her back in order to become more powerful, only to join forces with my inevitable darkening magic and extradite all humans? It sounds like the plot to a bad horror movie.<br />
<br />
And I played right into her trap. And I didn’t even realize it!<br />
<br />
I’m so pissed off that the TV flickers on and then off again. The lights follow shortly thereafter. Ebony finds this amusing because she gives a contrite chortle.<br />
<br />
This sends me over the edge. The nerve of her! After everything I’ve done for her, this is what she does?! This is what she planned to happen the whole time?!<br />
<br />
Well, there is one flaw in her malicious scheme – my refusal to take part.<br />
<br />
“You are absolutely insane,” I state with a vengeance. “I never should have brought you back. You were right that night Dominic and I went out on our first date. I should have left you dead.”<br />
<br />
Well, this clearly pisses her off. And now there’s no turning back. She doesn’t fight pretty, nor does she fight fair. She never has.<br />
<br />
Like I said, our fights, when they did occur, were never pretty. And I can tell this one is going to be a doozy.<br />
<br />
Ebony isn’t going to get into a physical confrontation. She’s going to get into a magical one. And she does so by arrogantly facing one palm toward me and hurling a fireball in my direction. It’s all I can do to dodge it.<br />
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<br />
“Stop it!” I shriek at her. “Dominic will hear!”<br />
<br />
“I don’t give a shit! You’re still willing to give up everything for him?! After what he did to you?”<br />
<br />
“He didn’t cheat on me!”<br />
<br />
“How do you know?! Maybe <i>you</i> were the one seeing things and not him!”<br />
<br />
“No!”<br />
<br />
“But I must admit, damn, he’s a good lay. And that cock of his, wow. How do you keep from fucking him twenty-four seven? He gave me probably ten orgasms.”<br />
<br />
“Fuck you!”<br />
<br />
I hurl a fireball of my own at Ebony, and she cracks up as she blocks it with a magical shield she didn’t possess before.<br />
<br />
So it’s true. Her powers really <i>are</i> stronger.<br />
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<br />
I don’t know how long we battle it out like this, screaming obscenities at each other, but finally Dominic comes barreling upstairs, and is immediately caught in the fray. Thankfully, the fray is just us exchanging colorful profanity rather than spells.<br />
<br />
“What the fuck is going on?” he demands, obviously peeved.<br />
<br />
Ebony is about to cast another spell when I lunge across the gap between us and tackle her to the ground. She lands on her stomach with a loud thud, shrieking vulgarities the whole time.<br />
<br />
“Dominic, I want her out of here,” I declare with vehemence.<br />
<br />
“Uh, okay. Do whatever you want, sheila. She’s your sister. But you’re both making a mess out of this den, and I’d thank you to stop it.”<br />
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<br />
Ebony writhes beneath me, but she eventually stops struggling against my steel grip. When I release her at last, she stands up, glowers at me, and says only one thing:<br />
<br />
“I’ll be back.”<br />
<br />
Okay...is she the Terminator now?<br />
<br />
But that’s all it takes. Ebony goes downstairs, with me following close behind, packs a bag, and leaves.<br />
<br />
Good riddance. I can’t believe she did this after all the trouble I went through to bring her back. I don’t care if her intentions were good; they weren’t justified.<br />
<br />
Still, her last comment looms in my head, and it makes me fear that it’s more than a farewell. It sounded like an idle threat.<br />
<br />
And Ebony Brewster is not one to take threats lightly.Tender Wolfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13874882716131293841noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8361545223023093000.post-2652854025867055892013-10-13T11:04:00.000-05:002014-09-07T11:48:36.703-05:00Chapter Thirteen<span style="color: #990000;">WARNING:</span> This chapter contains nothing bad!<br />
<br />
Dominic takes me to a fancy restaurant. I guess it’s a little cliché, but I don’t mind. It’s been a while since I’ve been treated so well by a member of the opposite sex, even if we did hit the sheets (figuratively) first.<br />
<br />
The ambiance of this restaurant is exquisite and sophisticated. Chandeliers line the ceiling and classical music plays softly in the background. A cello is set up on a small stage so that visiting musicians can perform live entertainment, though one isn’t present tonight. Everyone in the vicinity appears to be of great importance considering their matter of dress. I suddenly feel a little underdressed as I scrutinize the room.<br />
<br />
“You look beautiful,” Dominic reassures me. “And don’t worry about it, anyway. None of the women in here can hold a candle to you.”<br />
<br />
They technically couldn’t; I’d melt it away with my mind, or make it spontaneously combust.<br />
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<br />
I giggle quietly as I gaze across the table (which happens to be nestled in a private corner) at this remarkable man. I won’t pretend that I won’t miss having my powers. They do come in handy for some things. But still, now that my sister’s back, what do I have to lose? I don’t need my magic anymore. But again, the only real predicament will be if Dominic discovers that I’m a witch.<br />
<br />
Our dinner arrives, a nice and hearty lobster cooked to a color as red as my lipstick. I can’t help it as I dig right in and indulge. I haven’t had lobster in so long thanks to not being able to afford it. And summoned food never tastes as good as the real stuff. Why, I can’t fathom, but that’s just another cross I have to bear.<br />
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<br />
“You really like that lobster, eh?” Dominic chortles. I look up and realize that I’m practically shoving it into my mouth as though I were starving to death.<br />
<br />
After dinner, Dominic takes me for a spin on the dance floor. A fast song is playing, so we strut our stuff and show off our skills that would rival street dancers.<br />
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<br />
As we gyrate against each other to the rhythm of the music, it’s hard to remember that we’re on a date. In fact, it’s our first date, but it’s challenging to not give in and start grinding against each other seductively.<br />
<br />
But I refuse to stoop to the low, slutty level of Miley Cyrus and start twerking.<br />
<br />
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<br />
We let the music carry us into a slow song. Then, Dominic wraps one arm around my waist and hooks the other in between my fingers. Our hearts are still thundering from the fast song, but we easily maintain our footing to sway along to the romantic tune.<br />
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<br />
“Are you glad we did this?” Dominic asks me.<br />
<br />
“What?”<br />
<br />
“Had a real date.”<br />
<br />
“Oh. Yes, I’m very glad. I’m not the kind of person who usually jumps right into sex. I guess you had some sort of pull on me.”<br />
<br />
“I don’t think so. I think you’re the one who bewitched me.”<br />
<br />
“I did not!”<br />
<br />
I’m appalled until I realize he means this as a joke. He momentarily stops dancing long enough to look at me.<br />
<br />
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<br />
“I was kidding, sheila.”<br />
<br />
“I know. I’m sorry.”<br />
<br />
“It seemed like you took that pretty personal.”<br />
<br />
“I...”<br />
<br />
I don’t know what to say. This is exactly what I need to be cautious about if I don’t want to risk having to forsake my powers. A witch can relinquish her magic at any time (unless the curse is a factor), but it’s a rare occurrence. Most witches chose their magic over the one they loved. Perhaps they didn’t really love the ones they let perish. Were they truly that selfish?<br />
<br />
Or am I looking too much into it? And I must ask myself, why am I comparing them to me? I don’t love Dominic. Not in that special way, anyway. Just because he makes my heart rate go up, makes me go weak in the knees, makes me feel beyond amazing in bed, and is a genuinely good person deep down who defended me against Abel and let me live in his home at no cost, doesn’t mean...<br />
<br />
Oh, my God.<br />
<br />
It’s official. The restless nights, the dreaming of him, the longing to always be with him, just to be in the same vicinity as him, even without sex...it all adds up.<br />
<br />
It’s true. I’m in love with Dominic Taylor. He said I bewitched him (jokingly). But maybe <i>I’m</i> the one who’s truly been under a spell this whole time. A spell more powerful than anything that can be cast.<br />
<br />
The power of love.<br />
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<br />
**********<br />
<br />
I’m lying in bed, trying to sleep, but the dream world eludes me. I can’t believe that I’ve admitted to myself that I’m in love with Dominic. I haven’t known him that long, but the way he makes me feel, in all ways, is undeniable.<br />
<br />
I must be extra wary now. I can’t risk him discovering that I’m a witch. The outcome won’t be good for either of us if he does. But I must admit, having my feelings actually make sense is a great weight off my shoulders. And so is the fact that I don’t have to fight them anymore now that I’ve admitted them to myself.<br />
<br />
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<br />
I haven’t told him how I feel, of course, but after tonight, even though it was only one date, we decided to go ahead and label ourselves an official couple. We’ve slept together plenty of times, have officially had a date, and are living together. This seems like the next logical, if not completely nonsequential, step.<br />
<br />
Suddenly, I hear a loud thump from the other part of the upstairs hallway. Perplexed, I stumble out of bed and press my ear against my door. I hear silence at first, but them I’m greeted with the sound again. Furrowing my brow, I open the door and tiptoe out into the hall.<br />
<br />
The source of the sound appears to be coming from...Dominic’s room?<br />
<br />
And then I hear something even worse. I hear moaning, gasping, and...whimpers? What the hell?<br />
<br />
I waste no time in bolting toward Dominic’s room and hurling the door open.<br />
<br />
I don’t know what I expected to see, but what I <i>do</i> see catches me completely off-guard. I do the only thing I can think to do – I scream bloody murder.<br />
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Tender Wolfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13874882716131293841noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8361545223023093000.post-65327143096901403652013-10-09T17:18:00.000-05:002015-07-03T02:03:43.914-05:00Chapter Twelve<span style="color: #990000;">WARNING:</span> This chapter contains strong language and sexual innuendos.<br />
<br />
I’m at a loss as to what to say. Ebony is staring at us, and it’s obvious she’s seen something. I don’t know what, exactly, but given the state of our undress, it’s not hard to guess.<br />
<br />
And yet, as I’m about to conjure up some sort of excuse as to my behavior, I realize that I don’t, and shouldn’t, have to. I’m a grown adult, and now that Ebony is back, what use are my powers? I’ve been considering this for quite some time – I needed them to bring my sister back. But I couldn’t use them before, not without risking exposure. And I realize now, without a doubt, that I want to be with Dominic.<br />
<br />
I have an answer for him now. I don’t care if I lose my powers. If he keeps making me feel as good as he has been, I’ll live as a powerless mortal forever.<br />
<br />
But while I may have an answer for Dominic (who has yanked up his briefs and ducked behind the counter in a rare display of embarrassment), I don’t have one for Ebony, who’s staring daggers at me, clearly wondering what the hell I was thinking.<br />
<br />
“What the hell is this?” she demands, confirming my thoughts.<br />
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<br />
I grip my bra strap and pull it up. I hear Dominic zip up behind me. What right does my younger sister have to lecture me? Dominic and I are both consenting adults, and considering this is Dominic’s house, we can do whatever we want in it.<br />
<br />
“People eat in here!” Ebony shrieks before I can answer.<br />
<br />
Oh. She’s more upset about the fact that we’re banging in the kitchen, where food is prepared and served, than the mere fact that we were banging at all.<br />
<br />
“Sorry,” I stammer. “It was, uh...heat of the moment.”<br />
<br />
“Yeah, I can see that. Listen, Lydia, I have something to show you.”<br />
<br />
Relieved that we’re both off the hook, I follow Ebony up to the room she’s staying in. I haven’t been in here lately, but she’s clearly been playing with magic some more. The room no longer looks like it was decorated for a blind great-aunt. It reflects Ebony’s enigmatic and sensual personality.<br />
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<br />
“Ebony,” I ask as I whirl around, taking it all in, “how and when did you do this?”<br />
<br />
“What do you mean, how did I do this? Lydia, this is child’s play. Dominic never comes in here, and if he does, I’ll tell him that I redecorated.”<br />
<br />
“Uh, Eb, this isn’t your house to redecorate, and you couldn’t have done all this in one day. No mortal could have.”<br />
<br />
“Good thing I’m not a mortal, huh?”<br />
<br />
“You can’t let people know that!” I hiss, exasperated. Why can’t she <i>get</i> this? I hope to God that if Dominic ever sees it, he’ll believe me when I tell him my sister is gothic. That would explain the dark ambiance in here.<br />
<br />
Ebony rolls her green eyes. “Whatever. Look, I was gonna show you this two years ago, before...” she trails off, but I know what she’s going to say. Whatever she’s about to show me, she’d planned to before she’d died.<br />
<br />
Ebony rolls up her shirt and reveals a black cat tattoo spread across her stomach, even through her naval piercing.<br />
<br />
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<br />
“Holy shit, Ebony,” I gasp. “Are you <i>trying</i> to out yourself as a witch?”<br />
<br />
“Of course not. People can like black cats and not be witches. Besides, the real reason I got it was to tease guys.”<br />
<br />
“How?”<br />
<br />
Ebony sniggers and explains, “I’d ask them if they wanted to see my pussy, and I’d show them this tattoo.”<br />
<br />
She throws her head back and cackles like this is the most hilarious thing on the planet. I can’t believe she did something like this...but she’s a legal adult now, capable of making her own decisions. I have tattoos myself, but nothing like that.<br />
<br />
Between the tattoo, her ferocity, and her redecorated bedroom, I realize something about Ebony that I was blind to before. My little sister has a dark side.<br />
<br />
**********<br />
<br />
I don’t know what caused Ebony to develop her dark side. Is it because she was resurrected? Was she always like this and I didn’t know it because I was so busy with my studies? I don’t know, but it’s pretty unnerving.<br />
<br />
But there’s something more important I have to do right now. I knock on Dominic’s bedroom door, and he answers it.<br />
<br />
“Hey, sheila,” he greets with a grin. I smile back and tell him, “I have something to tell you.”<br />
<br />
He looks puzzled, but stands aside to allow me into the bedroom. I haven’t been back in it since our erotic encounter with my leather outfit, but it looks pretty well the same.<br />
<br />
Not wanting to waste time, I look at Dominic and avow, “I have an answer for you.”<br />
<br />
“An answer?”<br />
<br />
“About our relationship.”<br />
<br />
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<br />
Dominic stares at me, his eyes agape, as he tries to decide how to react. He doesn’t know if my answer is good or bad.<br />
<br />
“Were you serious when you said that you wanted a relationship with me?” I ask. “Like, an actual relationship, not just friends with benefits?”<br />
<br />
“I was dead serious, sheila. I can live without sex. I know, considering what’s been going on, you probably don’t believe me, but I swear it’s true. I don’t know what it is about you, Lydia. You’re gorgeous, but it’s almost like you’ve...got some sort of spell on me.”<br />
<br />
I almost crack up at that one. There is no spell for love. That’s something that happens naturally. If there were a spell for it, then there wouldn’t be a curse to protect against it.<br />
<br />
So, instead of letting out a loud guffaw, I reply, “I can assure you that I don’t have any sort of spell on you. But, what I do have is a big crush on you. And after all we’ve been through, all you’ve done for me...I think we can give it a try. But I think we should start with an official date.”<br />
<br />
“Seriously?”<br />
<br />
“Yes. Like, an actual, sit-down dinner date with fancy clothes and no sex afterward. A real first date.”<br />
<br />
“Some people have sex on the first date.”<br />
<br />
“Well, not me. I don’t believe in that. Take it or leave it.”<br />
<br />
“Well, sheila, for you, I’ll take it. But let me do this right. I should be the one to ask you.”<br />
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<br />
Dominic stands in front of me, takes a deep breath as though he’s nervous, and asks with a hint of stutter, “Lydia, would you like to go out to dinner with me sometime?”<br />
<br />
I can’t suppress a giggle. I play along, also acting coy, as I reply quietly, almost inaudibly, “Yes, I’d love to, Dominic.”<br />
<br />
We both laugh some more and agree to have our first official date this Friday night. How perfect.<br />
<br />
**********<br />
<br />
Friday night couldn’t get here fast enough, but now it’s arrived at last. I ended up telling Ebony about my plans for this evening, after she wouldn’t shut up about it. Now I’m starting to regret it; she’s still concerned about the curse, but her paranoia is getting on my nerves.<br />
<br />
“Lydia, think about it,” she’s telling me now as I apply some lipstick in my room. “You say you’re not in love with this guy, but I can tell you’re attracted to him. You’re falling for him more and more every day. You have to sever this bond now before someone gets hurt.”<br />
<br />
“Ebony,” I say from the mirror, “I know what I’m doing. And I’ve already made a decision.”<br />
<br />
“What?”<br />
<br />
“I may be in love with him already. But if that’s the case, I’ll choose him over my magic. And I only have to worry about that if he finds out.”<br />
<br />
Ebony’s jaw drops in the mirror. Clearly she wasn’t anticipating this response.<br />
<br />
“Are you fucking nuts?!” she barks. “You’d give up your magic, the very thing that defines you, for a mortal who only wants you as a fuck buddy? I thought you had more brains than that!”<br />
<br />
“He doesn’t just want me for sex!” I growl back at her, losing my patience. “And if he does, it’s my business, not yours! I didn’t bring you back from the dead so you could try to boss me around!”<br />
<br />
“Then maybe you shouldn’t have brought me back at all! Maybe I should have just stayed dead!”<br />
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<br />
I spin around, hurt and agitated.<br />
<br />
“How can you say that?” I retort. “I’ve missed you so much these past two years. I was the only one who believed you were murdered! It was no accident what happened to you! It took me this long to get all the necessary ingredients to perform the ritual, plus it was risky to even attempt it, and <i>this</i> is how you repay me? What the hell is your problem, Ebony?”<br />
<br />
“My problem is that I don’t want my older sister getting hurt. This guy’s bad news, Lydia. I can feel it. He’ll break your heart, and you’ll have sacrificed your magic for nothing.”<br />
<br />
“It wouldn’t be for nothing. I’ve been thinking about this for a long time. I’ve enjoyed being a witch, but in a world where they aren’t supposed to exist, what good does it do me? If anything, it’s more of a burden than a blessing because I can’t actually use my magic to help me without someone finding out about it. And I can’t even have a boyfriend without risking some sort of dire consequence.”<br />
<br />
“There’s more to life than having a boyfriend. Lydia, if you forsake your powers, you might as well forsake your life, too. Because a witch is who, and what, you are. It’s what you’ll always be, so you might as well learn to embrace it.”<br />
<br />
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<br />
There’s no reasoning with her. I know she means well, and her heart is in the right place, but I’ve made my decision. And she’s going to have to embrace <i>that</i> rather than me embracing what she thinks should define me.<br />
<br />
A knock at the door causes me to send Ebony a warning glare. She rolls her eyes but sits down mutely. I open the door and see Dominic standing before me looking impossibly handsome in a pressed grey and blue suit, but still with the Outback charm of some sort of exotic pendant dangling from his neck.<br />
<br />
“Ready to go?” he asks. I nod eagerly. We both wave goodbye to Ebony, who half-heartedly waves back.<br />
<br />
“What’s with her?” Dominic whispers to me as we head to his car.<br />
<br />
“She’s...jealous.”<br />
<br />
That’s a shitty excuse.<br />
<br />
“Jealous?”<br />
<br />
“That her sister is going out on a date after she was brought...er, after she came here.”<br />
<br />
“Well, do you want to stay in tonight?”<br />
<br />
“No. She can take care of herself.”<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTzcEmsB3UxOh5eYInawvmlpOqDOzjlPRq3cy-SJf_cbclUh2GXK8IJf045ENXHeqMuV5SkNn9_cNgJ7ctQ1xkZH-bNW0cNk7tkA6bj46UuXyxT8ppx-DeugFB1GiMy6X8flc9aVrCZG0/s1600/Lydia+%2526+Dominic66.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTzcEmsB3UxOh5eYInawvmlpOqDOzjlPRq3cy-SJf_cbclUh2GXK8IJf045ENXHeqMuV5SkNn9_cNgJ7ctQ1xkZH-bNW0cNk7tkA6bj46UuXyxT8ppx-DeugFB1GiMy6X8flc9aVrCZG0/s640/Lydia+%2526+Dominic66.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Dominic just shrugs, but I can tell that he’s relieved I’m not backing out. He opens the car door for me, ever the gentleman, and ushers me inside before getting in himself. Then, he puts the car into gear and we’re on our way to our very first date.Tender Wolfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13874882716131293841noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8361545223023093000.post-39715329811062169032013-10-06T11:48:00.000-05:002015-07-03T01:44:04.021-05:00Chapter Eleven<span style="color: #990000;">WARNING:</span> This chapter contains very explicit/detailed sexual content with pictures, nudity, and strong language.<br />
<br />
Another week passes, and things have been going great. Ebony has been searching for a job every day, and I continue to take care of the house. And Dominic hasn’t pressed the issue of our “relationship” again.<br />
<br />
I’m in the kitchen right now, filling the sink to wash the dishes. Suddenly, I hear footsteps behind me. Before I can spin around, I feel a masculine hand cup my breast.<br />
<br />
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<br />
“Dominic!” I exclaim as the dishwater sloshes onto the counter from the sink. “What are you doing?”<br />
<br />
“I thought about going out to find a job, but then I thought, I don’t need some dead-end job. I’ve worked my ass off enough in Australia; it’s time to have some fun with life.”<br />
<br />
“Okay, well, that’s great.”<br />
<br />
“And right now, I want to have some fun with you.”<br />
<br />
I turn the water off as his hands enclose around my waist, yet don’t touch it.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE9AAL2eXS6i2SLpsZseera4h-WJgZCQEyEG5MCDyYJhybzWrgweqpPUy8GHWR-ubyjQd034Z3LG6-W_zwqT2qvJObk2a-K9fRE6E_OeLu4w-ri8apaI0sblFBzrQuEvDVaLwBCRK87_0/s1600/Lydia+%2526+Dominic54.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE9AAL2eXS6i2SLpsZseera4h-WJgZCQEyEG5MCDyYJhybzWrgweqpPUy8GHWR-ubyjQd034Z3LG6-W_zwqT2qvJObk2a-K9fRE6E_OeLu4w-ri8apaI0sblFBzrQuEvDVaLwBCRK87_0/s640/Lydia+%2526+Dominic54.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I feel the familiar hammering of my heart inside my chest. It’s been a while since we’ve had the house to ourselves what with Ebony being here.<br />
<br />
Still, I have to ask, “Why? You said before...”<br />
<br />
“I said for you to make a decision. But right now, I don’t care. I’m not in a boyfriend mood right now. I haven’t had you to myself in a while thanks to your sister being here, no offense, and my hand and a cold shower ain’t gonna do it.”<br />
<br />
“So, right now, my decision...”<br />
<br />
“I don’t care. I still want one eventually, but right now, I just want you.”<br />
<br />
“And how do you want me?”<br />
<br />
“I want to fuck you right here in this kitchen.”<br />
<br />
He’s always so direct and abrupt. And it’s always such a turn on. My breathing increases in ecstasy as I whirl around to face him, deciding to take advantage of the privacy we so rarely have anymore.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3YeIxfdUBOf51HjQwnKreR14nGa6f70ZlTsknGx8J1WPWBUhCvTa_4tt0omeHoSixsakekkwZOtZiI_Qe4Xr1NNo7ZPtRYkBZQW135r4hEmwVE6dpD9mGms-DCqlSpHKbTXkhPQf_UJU/s1600/Lydia+%2526+Dominic55.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3YeIxfdUBOf51HjQwnKreR14nGa6f70ZlTsknGx8J1WPWBUhCvTa_4tt0omeHoSixsakekkwZOtZiI_Qe4Xr1NNo7ZPtRYkBZQW135r4hEmwVE6dpD9mGms-DCqlSpHKbTXkhPQf_UJU/s640/Lydia+%2526+Dominic55.jpg" width="638" /></a></div>
<br />
“Is that so?” I grin mischievously. At first, there’s no trace of teasing on Dominic’s face. Just pure, undeniable lust. But then he can’t suppress a smirk of his own as he shakes his head. “You’re too much, Lydia,” he says. “What am I going to do with you?”<br />
<br />
“I have no idea. I guess that’s part of the excitement – the unknown.”<br />
<br />
“Well, I remember when I first told you that I was attracted to you, that I wanted to bend you over the counter. And right now, that’s what I’m gonna do.”<br />
<br />
“So stop talking and do it.”<br />
<br />
Dominic and I both love a challenge, and we’re always challenging each other. It turns us both on when we give the other an order. Which is why Dominic reaches out to my arm, grabs it and pulls me into him, then sets me down on the counter beside the sink.<br />
<br />
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<br />
He gazes tenderly into my eyes, and for a brief moment, all the lust is gone. Only passion and romance seems to remain, just like before. What does this mean?<br />
<br />
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<br />
But that look quickly disappears as he covers my lips in an intense kiss. I feel his tongue immediately, seeking entry. I grant this wish eagerly. Our make-out session goes on for a seemingly long time before Dominic finally pulls me off the counter and begins to spin me around as he cups my breast.<br />
<br />
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<br />
He squeezes hard, but not too hard, just enough to give me the right amount of pleasure to moan. He quickly pulls my shirt over my head and begins fondling me through my bra while burying his face in my hair, inhaling the fruity scent of my perfume.<br />
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<br />
My nipple grows erect, as does the telltale swelling that tents the front of his shorts. I can’t believe we’ve only had sex twice; the way he’s making me feel now, with hardly any effort, is, for lack of a better word, ensorcelling.<br />
<br />
“I want you to do something for me,” Dominic breathes into my ear before teasing it with his tantalizing tongue.<br />
<br />
“What is it?” I gasp.<br />
<br />
“I want you on your knees, sheila. I want to cum in your mouth this time. Don’t worry, we’ll still have plenty of time for the main event.”<br />
<br />
I reach behind me and grip his throbbing erection. I slowly sink down, undressing him and kissing his taut chest as I do, before landing at the top of his happy trail. I look him in the eyes as I slowly, seductively, tortuously unbutton and unzip his shorts. I can tell that he’s impatient, but at the same time, very aroused by the delay.<br />
<br />
I tease him a little at first, swirling my tongue around the tip of his impressive member. He grips my head in anticipation until finally the roles are reversed – I’m now in control and he’s the one begging.<br />
<br />
“Come on, sheila,” he quips, which just turns me on more. “Suck me off.”<br />
<br />
I love when grown men beg like this. Just knowing that I have the power, so to speak, to make him feel this good and beg for more is making me even more aroused. But I figure he’s been teased long enough. I kiss the tip once more, slide my tongue up and down the shaft, before finally inserting his rock-hard dick into my mouth.<br />
<br />
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<br />
Dominic sucks in his breath and grips the side of my head even harder. I start off slow, adding to the seduction, before beginning to move my head up and down faster, swirling my tongue all around.<br />
<br />
“Fuck yes, sheila,” he says in that irresistible accent. And the way he says my nickname, oh! It’s to die for!<br />
<br />
“That’s it,” he coaxes, his hands and hips matching the rhythm of my head. “Suck it, baby, suck it!”<br />
<br />
I suck it so hard that even <i>I</i> begin to feel the erotic effects. My underwear is still on, but it’s damp from stimulation. It’s amazing how much pleasure I can get from giving pleasure to someone else.<br />
<br />
“Almost there, sheila, almost there,” Dominic groans. I can feel his muscles tightening and I know his release is imminent.<br />
<br />
“Fuck!” He lets go, his climax shooting into my mouth and down my throat. I lap up the milky fluid eagerly.<br />
<br />
“That was amazing, Lydia,” he pants. His cock is starting to go soft, so he grips it and begins to stroke it.<br />
<br />
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<br />
“You still like watching, don’t you?” he asks me, his voice sounding slightly amused.<br />
<br />
“It’s hot to see you pleasure yourself,” I reply.<br />
<br />
“Well, don’t worry, I’ll be hard again in a minute. And I’m finally gonna bend you over this counter.”<br />
<br />
I decide to aid him in this endeavor. I peel off my underwear, exposing my nether region. Then, I lick the tip of my index finger and insert it.<br />
<br />
“You’re playing with fire now,” Dominic says in a now gruff voice as he strokes himself faster. I continue to touch myself while he watches me until at last he’s no longer flaccid. He reaches down into his shorts pocket and withdraws a condom. I’ve told him that I’m on birth control, but neither of us wants to take any chances.<br />
<br />
After rolling it on, Dominic pulls me up by my hand, turns me around, and enters me from behind.<br />
<br />
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<br />
I’ve had sex in this position before, but not in an open kitchen on a counter. This public location gives off the possibility of getting caught, and it just adds to the excitement. And because we’re alone, I don’t hesitate to scream as Dominic rams into me from behind.<br />
<br />
“Keep going!” I demand. “Harder, harder! Give it to me!”<br />
<br />
“You like it rough, don’t you?”<br />
<br />
“Fuck yes! Come on Dominic, fuck me!”<br />
<br />
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<br />
I can feel my impending release. I call out Dominic’s name as my orgasm courses through me and syncs with his.<br />
<br />
But something else happens simultaneously as well. As the endorphins release themselves in my brain, resulting in the earth-shattering climax, the lights actually flicker and temporarily go out, before finally coming back on once we’re both slumped over the counter.<br />
<br />
“What the fuck?” Dominic inquires.<br />
<br />
“I have no idea,” I reply, but I’m reminded of the odd lightning strike that happened the night I resurrected Ebony.<br />
<br />
That’s a pressing question in my mind, but there’s another one that’s more urgent that I need to address. As Dominic and I get dressed, I try to make sense of some things. Are we just friends with benefits? It seems to be that way. I thought I’d be okay with it, but this exotic man has me intoxicated. I find myself thinking of him before I fall asleep at night, and not just because of the mind-blowing sex. I think of how kind he’s been to me, coming to my aid with Abel and then offering me a free place to live, that place being a gorgeous estate that I never dreamed I’d reside in. And he’s even letting my sister stay with us as well with no charge.<br />
<br />
Underneath his ruggedly handsome good looks and his ability to be flawless in bed, Dominic Taylor is a downright good guy. I’ve only slept with him three times (though I guess “sleeping” is the wrong word to use) and when I think of him, I hardly replay those events in my mind because I’m too focused on his other good attributes. I also can’t help thinking how funny it is that we haven’t once had sex in a bed. It’s been on the floor and in the shower, and now the kitchen counter. But never a bed.<br />
<br />
But there’s not much time to contemplate that as I come to a realization. I realize, with a somewhat sinking and frightened heart, that to me, we’re no longer just friends with benefits. I can’t deny it any longer. I’m falling for this man, and I’m falling hard.<br />
<br />
And I’m about to fall down onto the floor even harder, because as I’m fastening my bra, Ebony herself walks through the door, a look of shock on her face.<br />
<br />
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Tender Wolfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13874882716131293841noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8361545223023093000.post-40714246790777291452013-10-02T19:56:00.000-05:002018-09-27T22:10:08.347-05:00Chapter Ten<span style="color: #990000;">WARNING:</span> This chapter contains some strong language and innuendos/sexual references.<br />
<br />
“Lydia!” Ebony exclaims in excitement. She races toward me and throws her arms around me, and I eagerly return her embrace.<br />
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<br />
“What happened?” she asks after we manage to pull ourselves apart. “The last thing I remember, there was this weird smoky smell, and then...nothing.”<br />
<br />
“It’s a long story, sis. Come on, let’s get out of here. I’ll take you to...well, to where I’m staying.”<br />
<br />
I can’t really tell her that I’m taking her home; it’s not my house that I’m currently residing in. I still don’t know where Ebony is supposed to stay, but maybe, just maybe, Dominic won’t object to her staying either. It’s not like he doesn’t have the room.<br />
<br />
Once we arrive back there, we sneak upstairs to my room and begin chattering away like a gaggle of geese.<br />
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<br />
I tell Ebony that two years have passed since the night of her party. I apologize profusely for leaving her there that night, to which she replies to not be retarded because it wasn’t my fault. I confide in her that I left Cedar Grove because the pain of her death was too hard to deal with. I explain that to make ends meet here in Hillridge, I had to work as a stripper at night just to pay rent to keep a shitty apartment. I even throw in the full story of Abel.<br />
<br />
That seems to change her tone instantaneously.<br />
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<br />
“You mean, that son of a bitch raped you to get your rent, and then he had the balls to come back later and say you were still due on it?” she asks with a look of scorn on her pretty face.<br />
<br />
“Yeah, but I didn’t let him have it. I was such a fucking idiot to let him get away with it the first time.”<br />
<br />
“Lydia, you had the power to stop him. Other girls wouldn’t, but you did. You still do. Why didn’t you do something?”<br />
<br />
“I couldn’t risk the exposure, Eb. Witches aren’t supposed to exist. You know that. How would I explain it?”<br />
<br />
“I’m sure that big spell book you’ve always been so fond of has some sort of memory eraser.”<br />
<br />
“Nope, I’ve looked several times because I thought about getting rid of Abel a shitload of times. But there’s nothing in the grimoire.”<br />
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<br />
Ebony purses her lips in disdain. Clearly she isn’t satisfied with this. But then again, she was never one to be discreet. To Ebony, a perk of being a witch is having the ability to bend things to one’s will with little to no consequence. But she knows as well as I do that such behavior is too perilous. The last thing the world needs is a repeat of the Salem witch trials.<br />
<br />
To lighten the mood, I continue the story of when I moved into this house, and tell her all about Dominic.<br />
<br />
Her reaction isn’t what I was hoping for.<br />
<br />
“Lydia, this guy saved you from getting raped again, and he offered you this awesome place to live in for free, and you actually <i>accepted</i> his help on both things?”<br />
<br />
“Why not?”<br />
<br />
“Sometimes I think <i>I’m</i> the older sister here. Duh! For Christ’s sake, you know you can’t be with him!”<br />
<br />
“I know, the curse. But I’m not in love with him, Ebony. He’s just a friend.”<br />
<br />
“Keep telling yourself that. All relationships tend to start out as friendships. I can tell by the way you’re talking about him that you have a crush on him.”<br />
<br />
“I’ll be fine, Ebony. Let me worry about that. I didn’t bring you back so you could worry about me. I’ve really missed you, sis.”<br />
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<br />
Ebony sighs but her face softens. “Okay, I’m sorry. I just can’t believe that it’s been two years since I’ve seen you. I don’t want to have to lose you again.”<br />
<br />
“You won’t. And I refuse to lose you again, too.”<br />
<br />
Ebony smiles and we hug. I loan her a pair of my pajamas and we both crawl into bed together, just like old times. I just hope Dominic takes well to the news.<br />
<br />
The next morning, I wake up to the sensation of bright lights filling the room. I sit up with a start, surprised to see Ebony playing with magic by using a wand (yes, we do use wands, but mostly just when we’re children learning about our powers. And we’re nothing like Harry Potter).<br />
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<br />
“Ebony, what are you doing?!” I cry, a little too loudly. Ebony jumps, causing whatever spell she’s casting to fizzle away into the air.<br />
<br />
“What the hell, Lydia?!” she demands. “You scared the shit out of me!”<br />
<br />
“Sshh!” I warn her as I pull myself out of bed and sidle up to her. “Dominic might hear you.”<br />
<br />
“So? Aren’t you gonna tell him I’m here?”<br />
<br />
“Sure, but I don’t want him coming in here and seeing you doing this.”<br />
<br />
“You really need to lighten up, Lydia. I won’t get caught. I locked the door. Besides, I’m really rusty after two years. I need the practice.”<br />
<br />
“At least wait until Dominic’s gone. He’s been going out every day to get more things to fix this place up and bring it into the twenty-first century. You’ve seen how old-fashioned it looks.”<br />
<br />
Ebony sighs and tosses her wand across the floor, and it rolls under the bed. “Fine.”<br />
<br />
I’m slightly taken aback by her attitude. But then again, I guess it would be frustrating to have missed out on two years of your life that were stolen from you.<br />
<br />
As if on cue, there’s a knock on the door.<br />
<br />
“Lydia?” Dominic’s voice asks. I shoot Ebony a look that clearly tells her to let me do all the talking. She rolls her eyes, but sits down on the sofa.<br />
<br />
“Yeah?” I reply to Dominic through the door.<br />
<br />
“Are you okay? I thought I heard a scream.”<br />
<br />
“Oh, yeah. I’m fine.”<br />
<br />
I unlock the door and invite Dominic inside. He surveys the room and his eyes land on Ebony. Then he turns to look at me with a quizzical look on his face.<br />
<br />
“Dominic, this is my sister, Ebony,” I introduce. “Ebony, this is Dominic Taylor.”<br />
<br />
Ebony stands up, sashaying over to Dominic, and the two shake hands.<br />
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<br />
“It’s nice to meet you,” Ebony says as she skims her eyes over Dominic. I don’t feel particularly comfortable with this.<br />
<br />
“Likewise,” Dominic replies, though he still looks perplexed. “I didn’t know Lydia had a sister.”<br />
<br />
“I forgot to tell you,” I interject, realizing belatedly that I haven’t come up with an explanation for this situation. “Ebony called a while back, and she said she was coming for a visit. In fact, she’s thinking of moving here. I told her she could stay with me, but that was back when I was still at that apartment.”<br />
<br />
“So, how did she know how to get here?”<br />
<br />
Damn! I really should have thought this through better.<br />
<br />
“Uh, well, she called last night and said she was lost...so I gave her this address and I was going to tell you this morning.”<br />
<br />
Whew! That should suffice!<br />
<br />
Dominic gives me another glance as he leans against the closed door.<br />
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<br />
He surveys Ebony, before finally chuckling and saying, “Lydia, it’s no problem. Your sister’s welcome to stay with us until she gets on her feet.”<br />
<br />
“Thanks, Dominic. And I promise that I’ll get out of here eventually, too. We’ll probably rent our own place together. If each of us pays half of the rent, we should be able to afford a decent apartment.”<br />
<br />
Is it my imagination, or do I see a look of melancholy cross over Dominic’s handsome face? Surely I’m imagining it.<br />
<br />
But before I can dwell on it, Dominic excuses himself to go make some breakfast. It turns out that he’s quite the gourmet chef. Having grown up in Australia, he knows how to make a meal out of almost anything. It’s pretty sexy, in a way.<br />
<br />
“Wow,” Ebony whispers mischievously after he leaves. “You weren’t kidding! That boy is <i>fine</i>!”<br />
<br />
I grin like a Cheshire Cat. “Yeah, he is.”<br />
<br />
“So, how is he?”<br />
<br />
“What?”<br />
<br />
“Come on, you can’t tell me you haven’t jumped his bones at least once.”<br />
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<br />
I feel the blood rushing to my cheeks. Ebony, despite being younger, has always been able to read me like an open book.<br />
<br />
“He’s...the best I’ve ever had,” I finally confess.<br />
<br />
“Yeah? Come on, give me details! It’s been more than two years since I’ve been laid. Let me live vicariously!”<br />
<br />
Ebony throws her head back into a loud guffaw. I blow a raspberry at her. I don’t want to tell her everything about my personal life, so I just share what I can. I tell her that our first time was in the hot tub, and I also tell her that he doesn’t disappoint “down under,” causing her to crack up again.<br />
<br />
Dominic calls us for breakfast, but I must admit that it’s slightly awkward to be sharing a meal with these two considering what I’ve just revealed to Ebony.<br />
<br />
But still, as I look at the two of them, I realize that a great burden has been lifted from my shoulders. I feel more accomplished and at ease than I have in a long time. I just know that everything is going to be fine.Tender Wolfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13874882716131293841noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8361545223023093000.post-25241210762792566592013-09-29T12:16:00.000-05:002013-10-05T14:26:13.024-05:00Chapter Nine<span style="color: #990000;">WARNING:</span> This chapter contains strong language and sexual content with pictures and nudity.<br />
<br />
The night of the full moon has arrived at last. And this time, I’m ready for it.<br />
<br />
It’s been a couple of weeks since Dominic and I had our little rendezvous in the hot tub, and I must admit that we bring it up often. But nothing bad or remorseful is ever expressed. To put it bluntly, it was the most erotic and intoxicating experience I’ve ever had in my life.<br />
<br />
But right now, I have more important things on my mind.<br />
<br />
It’s early afternoon now, and I already have everything I need for tonight’s ritual. I’m walking through the upstairs hallway, heading downstairs, when Dominic pops out of his bedroom, causing me to jump probably a foot in the air. He chortles and invites me into his quarters. Bewildered, I enter, trying not to gape at his sweating, chiseled abs glistening beneath his unbuttoned shirt, and his tousled hair that’s slightly grown out. He’s obviously been busy renovating in here.<br />
<br />
It’s like looking at another world. Well, I guess that’s appropriate, considering that Dominic has lived in Australia all of his life. Traces of his heritage are everywhere, from the vibrant and exotic patterns to the lizards hanging on the wall, and even a fireplace. This is definitely the master bedroom of the house, and it’s worthy of the name. Especially since its “master” has said that he’s somewhat of a dominant in the sack.<br />
<br />
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<br />
“Wow, you really fixed this room up nice,” I state with awe. He grins and says, “Yeah, I wasn’t sure about the colors, but I figured I might as well work with them. I was just going to ask what you thought.”<br />
<br />
“Well, I think you did an awesome job. It looks great, and definitely defines you. I can’t believe there’s a fireplace in a bedroom. I thought only millionaires had that luxury.”<br />
<br />
As I continue to scrutinize the room, I realize that without Dominic, it would be unlikely that I’d ever reside in a place like this. The ambiance is breath-taking, and the fact that he’s letting me stay here rent-free and not even insisting I get a job is almost too good to be true.<br />
<br />
But I figure some sort of reciprocation is in order.<br />
<br />
“Do me a favor,” I command. “Sit on your bed for a minute.”<br />
<br />
“Why?”<br />
<br />
“Just do it.”<br />
<br />
Dominic frowns at me, but he complies. I excuse myself, rummage through my dresser, find what I need, and return to Dominic’s room wearing a completely different outfit. I’ve also touched up my makeup and changed my hair. His eyebrows shoot up as he inquires, “What the hell are you doing?”<br />
<br />
“I have a surprise for you. I want to thank you, so much, for letting me stay here, and for helping me out with Abel. I don’t have any money, but I can think of a couple of ways to thank you.”<br />
<br />
“Oh? Like what?”<br />
<br />
I wink at him and spot his radio. I switch it on, find a station, and start to sashay along to the music.<br />
<br />
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<br />
My body moves in rhythm to the beat, and I even go so far as to pretend to dance on a pole (I can’t do the real thing considering there’s no pole in here), which Dominic said I was welcome to do anytime I wanted.<br />
<br />
Dominic whistles, obviously enjoying the show. I know I should be focusing on Ebony, but I deserve a little bit of fun. Besides, the way this guy makes me feel, for all I care, as soon as Ebony is back, I’ll forsake my powers if I have to.<br />
<br />
I continue to grind against a chair (hopefully looking more seductive than awkward), until at last Dominic jumps up off the bed and wraps me in his arms.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii2UJIISvOIsJa94cRs5CrkJTnd5lKL3QC6P4gF_XaNZhOvRbaDfaFYJ9sXBiBCoTs-7MOhHmk3kJ-jwM3vCO3IPFrPCTdBM8Qlkk1UENKCKh8GiSLLFTkF4LfB2RmCYK7NudN-NNujv0/s1600/Lydia+&+Dominic38.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii2UJIISvOIsJa94cRs5CrkJTnd5lKL3QC6P4gF_XaNZhOvRbaDfaFYJ9sXBiBCoTs-7MOhHmk3kJ-jwM3vCO3IPFrPCTdBM8Qlkk1UENKCKh8GiSLLFTkF4LfB2RmCYK7NudN-NNujv0/s640/Lydia+&+Dominic38.jpg" width="548" /></a></div>
<br />
His fingers graze my lips and I allow my eyelids to flutter closed.<br />
<br />
“Do you have any idea how hot you look in that outfit?” he whispers in my ear. I shake my head, genuinely not sure.<br />
<br />
“How about I show you?”<br />
<br />
“Please do.”<br />
<br />
With that, Dominic wastes no time. He kisses my neck, giving it little nips, and slowly begins to lower me onto the floor as his fingers tangle in my hair.<br />
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<br />
As we get closer to the floor, my knees growing weaker with each tantalizing kiss, Dominic smothers my mouth with his and I nearly topple over and collide into the chair.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYMUBJwgzux_IGJ4sYNTEw5Tf4vsQTiUdaVti1zDRE77gIaIjAoXCnc6N5xc5O9s8ZMhyQDkqjcAjOejB9pdAeNwFEF0rDOXgsq783_vWAuYeSyItpLyiP7D62cGSZtlmfODJCk_QYrPY/s1600/Lydia+&+Dominic40.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYMUBJwgzux_IGJ4sYNTEw5Tf4vsQTiUdaVti1zDRE77gIaIjAoXCnc6N5xc5O9s8ZMhyQDkqjcAjOejB9pdAeNwFEF0rDOXgsq783_vWAuYeSyItpLyiP7D62cGSZtlmfODJCk_QYrPY/s640/Lydia+&+Dominic40.jpg" width="612" /></a></div>
<br />
I moan as his kisses become more urgent, more intense. His hands fondle every piece of me in my leather suit, which I bought a long time ago at a spur of the moment and never thought I’d use, always complimenting me on how sexy I look in it. I’m flattered that he thinks so. I’m not a pompous ass, but I do know that I didn’t come from an ugly tree.<br />
<br />
Still, sexy as I may look in this attire, Dominic can’t stand it on me any longer. He begins to unzip it and I assist him. When I’m only in my underwear, he confesses, “I’d like to try something a little...possessive. Do you mind?”<br />
<br />
He’s actually asking my permission. I’m floored by this, but I nod my consent after I tell him it’s only fair that he be as scantily clad as I am. I must say, his underwear sets off his package quite nicely. After tossing his heavy necklace to the side so it doesn’t hit me in the face (ouch), he leans over me, straddles me, and moves his hand to my neck.<br />
<br />
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<br />
He gently squeezes, not enough to hurt me, but enough so that I feel like he’s definitely trying to exert his power. I wish I could show him <i>real</i> power, but alas, that’s not something that will ever happen.<br />
<br />
Dominic seems to be extra turned on by what he’s doing to me, but he never applies more pressure than I can stand. He doesn’t even get to the point of my boundaries where this is concerned. He just grinds into me, his erection throbbing through his boxer briefs, as he holds me by the neck to keep me in place.<br />
<br />
Then, he lets go and his hands gently caress my face in a gesture I can only describe as romantic.<br />
<br />
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<br />
His fingers glide down my cheek, his eyes locking with mine. My heart begins to race faster, but I’m not sure what to make of it. In all honesty, it’s starting to frighten me. And the thrumming just continues when he slithers his fingers across my lips before inserting one into my mouth in an almost erotic gesture.<br />
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<br />
I’m about to ask him about these gestures that are so far from the description of a dominant and one who only wants a fuck buddy when he lets out one final grunt and asserts, “I want you. Now. Tell me you want me.”<br />
<br />
“You know I do.”<br />
<br />
“Say it. Say the words.”<br />
<br />
“I want you, Dominic.”<br />
<br />
“What do you want?”<br />
<br />
“I want...”<br />
<br />
I contemplate this for a moment. What <i>do</i> I want? Not just with Dominic, but with everything. I want my sister back. I want this moment to last forever. I want to be able to be with this man freely with no restrictions.<br />
<br />
But I guess we don’t always get what we want.<br />
<br />
So I settle for something simpler that I know he can give me.<br />
<br />
“I want you to use your tongue.”<br />
<br />
“Where?”<br />
<br />
I grab his hand and place it on my aching groin. It aches for his touch, his, what’s the word? Love? Surely not. Still, it baffles me how well our bodies fit together in that hot tub. Like two long-lost puzzle pieces that have finally found each other.<br />
<br />
As I’m thinking of this, Dominic has already removed my underwear. He unclasps my bra and gives each nipple a tug. I suck in my breath as he moves lower, and then his tongue finds me.<br />
<br />
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<br />
It swirls around and around, darts in and out, and his lips take turns sucking while his teeth gently bite. It’s beyond words, how good this makes me feel. I don’t last long.<br />
<br />
“Oh God, Dominic, don’t stop!” I beg as I grip his hair. His tongue moves faster and I begin to writhe around, my body seizing out of control.<br />
<br />
“Yes, fuck yes!” I cry. My moans rise to a crescendo, and with one final thrust of Dominic’s tongue and a pull of his hair, a wave of pleasure crashes over me until I call out his name.<br />
<br />
Once I’ve found my release, I intend to repay Dominic, but he doesn’t give me the chance. He quickly strips his boxers off so that he’s also naked. His long, hard member is staring at me, eager to be inside me. And I welcome it with open arms. Er, legs.<br />
<br />
Positioning himself over me once more, Dominic doesn’t grip my neck; instead, he kneels at my feet, pulls me up into a half-way sitting position, and enters me. I tilt my head back in ecstasy, savoring this new and intoxicating sensation.<br />
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<br />
This position allows for deeper penetration, and I can feel Dominic fill me up entirely. The way he moves is out of this world. It makes me wonder, did he learn these exotic moves in the Outback?<br />
<br />
“You like that, sheila?” he grunts as he continues to bury himself in me.<br />
<br />
“Yes, oh my God, yes,” I sigh in contentment. I hold onto his back, my nails digging into it dangerously. He doesn’t seem to notice; or, if he does, he doesn’t seem to mind. If anything, it seems to turn him on a little more.<br />
<br />
“How much?” he prods, his thrusting not ceasing.<br />
<br />
“So much, Dominic. It feels so good.”<br />
<br />
“Tell me.”<br />
<br />
“I did.”<br />
<br />
He stops moving. “Tell me how good it feels.”<br />
<br />
“Don’t stop.”<br />
<br />
“Tell me!”<br />
<br />
“It feels so good that I want you to fuck me like this all day,” I groan. “I don’t want you to stop. Now give it to me, damn it! Fuck me!”<br />
<br />
Dominic bursts into laughter, obviously pleased with himself for making me beg, and resumes his thrusting. As rough as it is, he still maintains the same passion he had earlier when he leans in to kiss my neck tenderly.<br />
<br />
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<br />
I can feel myself on the brink, and it feels like he’s almost there too. His breaths are coming in quick gasps and his muscles are tensing up.<br />
<br />
But just when we’re both about to climax, he stops again.<br />
<br />
“What the hell?” I demand, suddenly angry. “God damn it, I said not to stop!”<br />
<br />
“I know what you said. And I’m not done. I’ve got an idea.”<br />
<br />
Dominic migrates to his dresser, extracts something, and then comes back over to me. When he unfolds his palm, I see that he’s holding a pair of handcuffs.<br />
<br />
I can barely contain my excitement at this new experience that awaits me.<br />
<br />
Dominic leans down and offers his hand to me. I furrow my brow at him but allow him to hoist me up.<br />
<br />
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<br />
He guides me to a door that leads into the master bathroom. We enter, and Dominic instructs me to step into the tub. I comply, and once I’m inside, he grabs my hands, pulls them behind my back, and slaps the handcuffs on. I’m now completely bound, and he pushes me against the bathroom wall (thank God it’s clean).<br />
<br />
And then he resumes where he left off. I’ve never had sex standing up before, but, just like the position in the bedroom, this allows for deeper entry. I spread my legs wider to allow even more access, much to Dominic’s delight. He doesn’t even have to use his hands.<br />
<br />
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<br />
It doesn’t take us long after that to get off. We both cum in unison, our moans of satisfaction resonating off the tile. After that, Dominic runs a bubble bath for us and we slip in and, to my surprise but delight, cuddle.<br />
<br />
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<br />
He holds me tightly, his breath close to my ear. We lie there for a while, in the silence, until Dominic shatters it with another shock.<br />
<br />
“Lydia,” he says, his voice much more gentle than when we were getting it on, “I think we should talk.”<br />
<br />
“About what?”<br />
<br />
“I know what you said about moving in here. I know the boundaries you stated. But I’m not sure I can handle them anymore.”<br />
<br />
My eyes fly open. I’m not sure I like where this is leading.<br />
<br />
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<br />
“I’ve been thinking of us like friends with benefits,” he continues. “But lately, I’ve been thinking...why can’t we be more?”<br />
<br />
Shit! I knew this was going to happen. I just had a feeling. And yet, I’m unprepared to give a response. What can I tell him? Not the truth, that’s for sure. And he knows I’ve been hurt in the past, and, like all guys, he swears he won’t do that.<br />
<br />
“I...I just don’t think we can,” I mumble. “I’ve been hurt too much, and I know you say you’re different, but...”<br />
<br />
“You can’t tell me you don’t feel some sort of connection to me. You can’t keep shoving it under the rug, Lydia.”<br />
<br />
“Dominic, please. Don’t force me. I can’t do this.”<br />
<br />
“Listen, I may like banging, but I’ve got feelings, too. And I don’t want to always be your fuck buddy. So figure out what you want, because I’m not just some guy who only wants sex. I know that may be hard to believe, but it’s true.”<br />
<br />
I’m not sure what to say to this. But I figure at least part of the truth should soothe his ruffled feathers. So I sit up, straddle him, and hold his face in my hands as I gaze into his eyes.<br />
<br />
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<br />
“Dominic,” I tell him, “you’re a good man. And you deserve a good woman. You don’t want to get mixed up with me. I’m no good for you.”<br />
<br />
“And who are you to decide what’s good for me?”<br />
<br />
“Please, trust me. I don’t want to hurt you. And if what we have changes, I’m afraid that’s exactly what will happen.”<br />
<br />
As he ponders this, I rise and step out of the tub. I wrap myself up in a towel, tell him I’m taking a nap, and bolt for my bedroom.<br />
<br />
And once I’m there, I lie down on the couch, not even bothering to remove the towel, and start sobbing.<br />
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<br />
**********<br />
<br />
As the time comes closer to bring Ebony back, I’ve been confronted with a few new things. Such as, where will she live? I can’t afford to support her; I can’t even support myself, which is why I’m shacked up here with a sexy Aussie/Brit who’s acting as my landlord.<br />
<br />
But I don’t have time to think about that now. The night of the full moon has finally arrived, and I won’t be deterred from my quest. Tonight, after two long years, I’ll have my little sister back. I’ll figure out the rest of the details later.<br />
<br />
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<br />
I did manage to take a nap, but the sleep was restless. I tossed and turned, my subconscious haunted with the events of the afternoon. I don’t know if Dominic came after me or not, but right now, that’s irrelevant. I have to stop being so dim-witted where he’s concerned. I have to stop letting him seduce me. The risks aren’t worth the pleasure.<br />
<br />
Besides, I have more important things to attend to.<br />
<br />
It’s nearly midnight when I leave the house, sneaking off to the abandoned graveyard where I conjured the moonstone. Dominic went to bed around ten, and surely he’s asleep by now.<br />
<br />
Some witches perform this ritual in two parts – the first involves bringing back the soul, and they later return to allow the soul to once again reside in its original body, which will have the same condition and appearance as when it died. But I intend to perform the resurrection in its entirety tonight. Two years without my younger sister is too long, and I’m ready to rectify that.<br />
<br />
The ingredients required are in a backpack on my shoulder, and once I arrive, I immediately begin to place them.<br />
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<br />
First, the pentagram. I’m so relieved that I was able to find an isolated place far enough away from Dominic’s house so the bright flashes of light that will undoubtedly ensue will go unnoticed.<br />
<br />
Once the pentagram is in place, I arrange the ingredients on each of its edges, along with some burning candles to see by and add to the effect. Because Ebony was killed by fire, fire is also necessary to bring forth her spirit.<br />
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<br />
Once everything is in its proper position, I step back to admire my work. The moon is directly overhead, and I can see its bright light beaming down onto the earth. I light all the candles, double-check everything, and then withdraw a knife from my backpack. I crouch over the pentagram, close my eyes tightly, and cut a sizable slice out of my palm. Then, I let the blood flow and drip onto the fifth edge of the pentagram.<br />
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<br />
The pain isn’t as tolerable as I’d hoped it would be, and it takes more than just a few small drops of blood for this spell to work. But the result will be worth it. It’s a small price to pay for what’s about to transpire.<br />
<br />
At last, I’m ready to begin. I stand up, take a deep breath, and begin the incantation.<br />
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<br />
The words flow from my lips as clearly as they have since I first started to memorize the spell two years ago. I can feel the magic coursing through my body, nature taking its course with the ingredients as it summons up the essence of my long and wrongfully dead sister.<br />
<br />
As I recite the chant, the candles surrounding the pentagram magically extinguish their flames. A shower of light forms at the center of the star, originating from each of the ingredients. The light grows larger and more magnificent the farther I get into the spell.<br />
<br />
But then something unexpected happens. Something I didn’t anticipate. Lightning flashes across the sky, striking a nearby tree. Clouds begin to congeal over the moon, turning the sky to an ominous shade of grey. I nearly lose my concentration in the turmoil that transforms the ambiance of the entire graveyard (which is really saying something).<br />
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<br />
Perplexed, the last words escape my lips. Then, just as quickly as it had come, the lightning disperses and the clouds part to reveal the bright moon again. When I gaze down to the pentagram, I can see the light changing colors, taking on a more fiery glow.<br />
<br />
I take this to be a good sign, which is confirmed when the light takes on a shape. The shape is lying supine, but I can tell right away what it is. I don’t even have to take a closer step to confirm it.<br />
<br />
The shape has combined all the ingredients on the pentagram and transformed itself into the essence and soul of...<br />
<br />
“Sister.”<br />
<br />
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<br />
The figure’s hands move, emanating a radiance unlike anything I’ve ever seen. I can tell that Ebony, or rather her soul, is still wearing the same dress she wore to her party on that fateful, tragic night two years ago. Her soul seems to be on fire, which I presume is because of how she died.<br />
<br />
I didn’t expect the spirit to be able to perform cognitive functions, but I’m surprised once more, just as I was with the unforeseeable lightning, as my sister speaks to me, sounding not unlike she did when I last spoke with her.<br />
<br />
“Lydia?” she asks me in bewilderment. “How is this possible?”<br />
<br />
“It’s okay, Ebony. You’re safe now. You’re back.”<br />
<br />
“But...I’m not me. I’m...”<br />
<br />
“I cast a spell, and it brought your soul back. But to get your human form back, there’s still more to do.”<br />
<br />
I step toward Ebony after withdrawing an elixir out of my backpack. I hand it to her and instruct her to drink it. She stares at the bottle with a look of dubiousness on her face. I assure her that it’s perfectly safe. At last, she tilts the bottle upward and downs it.<br />
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<br />
Ebony’s soul begins to blaze once more, and for one horrifying moment, I fear the worst. I fear that my efforts for the past two years have been in vain. After all, this spell hasn’t been attempted often, and most witches have failed.<br />
<br />
But my fears are put to rest when the glow vanishes and in its place stands, in the flesh...<br />
<br />
“Ebony.”<br />
<br />
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Tender Wolfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13874882716131293841noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8361545223023093000.post-44747660906410043652013-09-25T17:40:00.000-05:002013-10-05T13:55:56.415-05:00Chapter Eight<span style="color: #990000;">WARNING:</span> This chapter contains strong language, graphic sexual content, and nudity.<br />
<br />
I should have taken Dominic up on his offer. Even though it could be a huge mistake for me, it’s better than the hell I’m going through now.<br />
<br />
I have a fake smile plastered onto my face as I whirl around a pole like a top, much to the delight of horny onlookers, feeling completely chagrined.<br />
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<br />
I keep trying to tell myself that I did the right thing by turning down Dominic’s offer. But as the night progresses, I’m starting to realize how imprudent that actually was.<br />
<br />
If I were to move in with Dominic, not only would I finally be out of reach of Abel’s advances (though I’m probably safe in that aspect anyway thanks to Dominic’s malicious actions earlier today), I would have nothing but free leisure time. And that means more time to prepare for the spell that will return Ebony to me. The waning crescent moon won’t wait, and at long last, I have all the ingredients and am ready to begin. I won’t falter this time, and if I have to, I can use some sort of sealing spell on Dominic so that he doesn’t interfere. It wouldn’t harm him; it would just keep him out of the way.<br />
<br />
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<br />
When I climb down from the pole and begin to make my way back to the dressing room, my boss, Carter, emerges from the back room and beckons me to him. I scowl and make my way to the corner he’s standing in, which contains even more of the ridiculous giant cherries. I think the horn dogs that come here get the point...<br />
<br />
“We need another girl here who isn’t afraid to let loose,” Carter says in his gruff voice tainted with years of cigarette smoke and probably other things he’s smoked that aren’t legal. “Do you know what that means?”<br />
<br />
“I’m not sure I want to,” I reply dubiously.<br />
<br />
“Lydia, you’re gorgeous. You need to show it off. And, as you know, we’re down one girl who showed it all off thanks to Jasmine. So, for your next dance tonight, I want you full-on nude.”<br />
<br />
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<br />
I can only gape. Is he fucking kidding me? I’ve made it abundantly clear since I started working in this hellhole that I will not strip down to nothing. The nipple covers are bad enough. And I don’t hesitate to tell him this.<br />
<br />
“Lydia, do you want this job or not?” he demands after I state my case. “It’s not like it would be that much different from what you’re wearing now.”<br />
<br />
I lividly narrow my eyes at this cocky prick who thinks he owns me and retort, “The only reason I work here is because I have nowhere else to go. I hate it here, and I don’t give a shit if that matters to you or not. I said when I first came here that I will never strip down to nothing. I will never parade around completely naked, and that’s final. If you don’t like it, you can find someone else.”<br />
<br />
“Maybe I just will. Go home, Lydia. Consider this your last night until further notice. You’re on suspension without pay.”<br />
<br />
That’s the last straw. I’m done. I narrow my eyes even more until they’ve morphed into ominous slits and spit into his face, “There’s no need to suspend me, Carter. I quit. Fuck you and fuck this place and I hope it burns to the fucking ground!”<br />
<br />
Then, I turn on my heel, return to the dressing room long enough to throw my clothes back on and tell Angel what’s transpired, and leave this shitty place forever.<br />
<br />
**********<br />
<br />
“It only took you a day to call,” Dominic laughs as he lugs my suitcases into his massive new home. The place is beyond mystifying. It’s on the outskirts of town, not exactly secluded but not among the hustle and bustle of the city of Hillridge, either. It has a pool with cascading waterfall structure, hot tub, attic with recreation room, two-car garage for both of our cars, and four huge bedrooms that are each about the size of my old living room.<br />
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<br />
The best part is that it contains several rooms that Dominic isn’t using; I’ll be able to hide my grimoire, ingredients, voodoo doll, and other things easily (which are the only things I packed besides my clothes in large, unidentified boxes and crates), unlike in my tiny old apartment.<br />
<br />
“Thanks so much for taking me in,” I say earnestly to my new roommate. I told him on the phone that while I’m staying here, our relationship will strictly be on the friendship level. He understood and accepted the terms of my moving in with him.<br />
<br />
I returned to my apartment last night and called him. I felt slightly guilty about doing it, but I have nowhere else to go. Abel will kick me out as soon as he can, especially now that Dominic has beat the shit out of him for trying to get into my pants again, and here’s a halfway decent guy with his own place with room to spare, offering me to shack up with him. How can I refuse? It’s the only way, the only decision that makes sense, for everything that I’m striving for.<br />
<br />
I called Dominic last night, but I didn’t come to his place until today. I had to pack and get some sleep first. Now, I feel refreshed and much better about my new decision.<br />
<br />
Because this house was formerly owned by Dominic’s grandparents, the decor is a little outdated, but for now, it’s my new home (even though Dominic says he’s going to bring this house into the modern age soon). I can’t wait to plop down on the soft queen-size bed and finally get a decent night’s sleep, in the most feminine room of the house that won’t even need a makeover.<br />
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<br />
“I wish I could have seen the look on that bastard’s face when you told him you quit last night,” Dominic says in regards to my confrontation with Carter. “It serves the douche right. Like I said, you’re better than a stripper.”<br />
<br />
“Thanks. I feel so much cleaner now that I’m not shaking my ass around a pole every night.”<br />
<br />
“You can do it for me any time you want.”<br />
<br />
“Dominic...”<br />
<br />
“I said any time you want. I won’t ask you to. I’m just putting the suggestion out there.”<br />
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<br />
I look heavenward and sigh inwardly as Dominic visibly looks me up and down. This situation might be harder than I thought.<br />
<br />
**********<br />
<br />
The night of the waning crescent moon finally arrives. Dominic’s bedtime routine seems to vary nightly. I hope this will be one of his early nights.<br />
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<br />
I descend the stairs, my eyes and ears open in detection of any sign that, at almost midnight, Dominic is still awake. But the house is dark and silent. I take this to be a good sign.<br />
<br />
As I exit the house cautiously, I make my way toward the nearby woods. Last week, I was exploring the lot for an acceptable place to perform this spell, and fortuitously stumbled upon an abandoned graveyard. I find this setting to be very appropriate.<br />
<br />
I set my flashlight down on the ground, hoping no one will notice it. The moon is at its highest peak, and now is the time to begin the spell.<br />
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<br />
The incantation flows through my lips, having been practiced countless times already. I can feel the moon’s power shining down on me as the wind begins to howl and swirl my hair around. Lightning flashes in the distance, a common occurrence during conjuring spells.<br />
<br />
My chant not relenting, the wind picks up speed and the lightning flashes come closer as I lower my hands to prepare for the moonstone to form in my palms. As the last word spurts from my lips, I feel a cool sensation. I open my eyes and see that lights not unlike tiny pixies are floating around my palms. As I continue to survey this amazing occurrence, the tiny lights pick up velocity until finally merging together into a brilliant white light. It’s so strong that I have to close my eyes so as not to go blind.<br />
<br />
When it disappears at last, I feel a weight in my palms. I open my eyes again and see that a stone in the shape of the moon in the sky above is nestled in my hands.<br />
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<br />
The stone is beautiful, and it’s all I can do not to stand there for hours and gaze upon its splendor. But alas, I must return to the house before Dominic wakes up and gets suspicious as to why I’m gone.<br />
<br />
When I return, I place the moonstone in my hidden room above the garage, which I’ve managed to conceal using an old bookshelf that doubles as a revolving door that only I can open. Dominic never goes to the garage side of the house, and if it weren’t so damn tiny and similar to the apartment I’d left behind, I’d be staying there myself. But it works great as a concealment tool for my magical items.<br />
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<br />
Once the moonstone is in place, I sidle back to bed and for the first time in two years, sleep undisturbed through the night.<br />
<br />
When I awake, my heart is pounding with excitement, and also impatience at having to wait another three weeks until the full moon makes it appearance. It leaves me plenty of time to practice, but I already know the spell like the back of my hand. For the first time, I’m almost sorry I don’t have a job anymore, because at least that would give me something to do.<br />
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<br />
I pull myself up and out of bed, glancing at the clock. I see that it’s only ten. When I worked at the Poppin’ Cherry, I easily slept in until noon thanks to my long nights. But now that I don’t have an obligation to that place anymore, my hours are mine to control.<br />
<br />
The day is beautiful, the perfect summer morning. Birds are chirping in the trees and there’s a gentle breeze that billows my hair around my shoulders.<br />
<br />
I realize that I’m at a loss as to what to do with myself. Normally I’m preoccupied with figuring out how to pay the current month’s rent and getting ready to go to work. But I don’t have to do any of that here. I glance out the window and catch a glimpse of the backyard. I can’t remember the last time I’ve soaked and relaxed in a hot tub.<br />
<br />
Finally, with something to do, I change into my swimsuit, grab a towel, and head downstairs. There’s no sign of Dominic, but that’s just as well; the last thing I need right now is for him to see me in my bikini.<br />
<br />
Once I’m in the backyard, I toss my towel onto a nearby lounge chair and sink into the warm bubbles. I feel relaxed almost instantly.<br />
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<br />
As I soak in the tranquility, I try to contain my eagerness of what’s about to transpire in a matter of weeks. I miss Ebony terribly. She was my best friend, not only because she was a witch like me who I didn’t have to keep secrets from, but also because she was the only one I could ever tell anything. She was never judgmental, and even though I’m the older sister, Ebony was the one who seemed to take a stronger approach to protecting me rather than the other way around. We did everything together – we learned magic together, played together, exercised together, you name it. Since she’s been gone, I haven’t had anyone to enjoy such pastimes with.<br />
<br />
I guess I haven’t realized how much I’ve missed the little things in life until now.<br />
<br />
As I’m thinking this, I don’t hear the approaching footsteps. It’s only when I hear a familiar voice say, “G’day, shelia,” that I start, my eyes flying open and my body immediately going on the defense. I’m even ready to cast a spell if need be.<br />
<br />
But it’s only Dominic, grinning at me in amusement over my reaction to his approach. He sits down on the nearby lounge chair and continues to gaze at me with humor in his deep brown eyes.<br />
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<br />
“Uh...hi,” I say. “I didn’t know where you were, and I needed to relax, so...”<br />
<br />
“Hey, don’t worry about it. This is your home now, too. Feel free to go or do whatever you want. I was just out for a run and saw you, and since it’s so hot I figured I’d join you.”<br />
<br />
“In the hot tub?”<br />
<br />
“Well, figuratively. I’m actually going to dive into that pool first.”<br />
<br />
“Oh, okay. I would, but I’m quite content here.”<br />
<br />
“I understand. Just soak it up. I’ll be in the pool.”<br />
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<br />
Dominic turns on his heel and strides over to the diving board. He momentarily distracts me when he peels off his sweaty shirt and removes his shoes and socks. I watch him as he climbs onto the diving board, braces himself, and curls his body up into a cannonball as he dives in with his shorts on rather than swim trunks.<br />
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<br />
The resulting splash is thankfully far enough away from me that it doesn’t shower me in cold water. Dominic pops his head above the water and waves. I titter and wave back.<br />
<br />
I lounge in the hot tub, letting the powerful jets whisk me away to serenity, while continuing to watch Dominic and his perfectly taut muscles glide through the water. Eventually, I lean back and close my eyes, and again I don’t notice when he approaches me. Only this time, he doesn’t sit on the chair. He actually climbs into the hot tub with me.<br />
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<br />
“What the hell?” I blurt out. Dominic just snorts and says, “Hey, can’t I come in the hot tub, too?”<br />
<br />
“Well, yeah, it’s your house. I was just surprised.”<br />
<br />
“I’m cooled off now. I need to get my knotted up muscles relaxed. Plus, I was hoping to talk to you.”<br />
<br />
Oh God. When a guy says he wants to talk to you, nine times out of ten, that isn’t a good thing. He must notice my consternation, because he adds, “It’s nothing bad. More like morbid curiosity.”<br />
<br />
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<br />
I bite my lip and tread carefully. “About what?”<br />
<br />
“About what happened that night.”<br />
<br />
“What night?”<br />
<br />
“Lydia, you’re smarter than that. You know what I mean. That night at my apartment when you got me to the point of nearly blowing, then going off and leaving me so that I had to wank out a release. Fuck cold showers; they don’t help me. I have to get off, not deflate.”<br />
<br />
“Oh, right...”<br />
<br />
“So? Why did you do it?”<br />
<br />
What am I supposed to tell him? That I can’t be with him because of some century-old curse that could kill him? Or strip me of the very thing that defines me – my magic? Fat chance.<br />
<br />
But I <i>can</i> tell him a half-truth.<br />
<br />
“I got scared,” I confess.<br />
<br />
“Scared? Of what?”<br />
<br />
“I...Dominic, I’ve been hurt before. I don’t want to go through that again.”<br />
<br />
“You seem way too tough to be so fragile. I bet you could handle yourself easy. You don’t seem like the type to cry over a broken heart.”<br />
<br />
“Then you don’t know me very well, which is another reason I stopped. We don’t know that much about each other and we were...”<br />
<br />
“Enjoying ourselves? Lydia, if there’s something you want to know about me, just ask. But don’t punish yourself. If you want something to happen, just let it happen. Don’t start overanalyzing shit. That’s a major turn-off for me.”<br />
<br />
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<br />
I look away, ashamed. Though I can’t comprehend why I should feel this way; what do I owe Dominic Taylor? Absolutely nothing. What is he to me? Right now, he’s technically a landlord that I don’t have to pay, so maybe that’s the problem. I don’t want to do anything to piss him off and end up having to live on the streets. I can’t conjure money with magic, and considering the laws of property ownership, I can’t create my own place and live off the map, either.<br />
<br />
Or maybe it’s because, I might as well admit it, I’m kind of attracted to this guy. He’s hot, smart, not to mention fearless when it comes to defending things he cares about (which he aptly demonstrated when Abel tried to literally screw me over again).<br />
<br />
Dominic is looking at me, waiting for me to say something. All I can muster is, “I’m sorry.”<br />
<br />
Oh, <i>that</i> was good. <i>That</i> will make everything better.<br />
<br />
Dominic just glares at me and rolls his eyes. “Lydia,” he says, “I don’t know what kind of shit you went through in the past, or what kind of douche fucked up your confidence and made you so distrusting, but I can assure you that, while I may be a lot of things, I’m not a prick. I don’t cheat, I don’t abuse, and I sure as hell don’t force.”<br />
<br />
“What about when you kissed me in the kitchen?”<br />
<br />
“I told you, I took a shot. But as I recall, you seemed to like it. At least <i>one</i> of us got off.”<br />
<br />
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<br />
I sigh and look heavenward. I stare at his glistening body, whether from the pool or sweat, I can’t determine, and feel the familiar throb between my legs. I can’t deny it. I want this man.<br />
<br />
But only in one way. On my terms. The curse specifies that a witch whose secret is revealed must sacrifice her powers or the mortal who discovered that secret. This was especially difficult between lovers. But I’m not in love with Dominic. I just have needs that he’s willing to fulfill. It won’t harm anyone or anything if I allow him to do so.<br />
<br />
And I still feel pretty guilty about leaving him hanging like that back in his apartment. I at least owe him an orgasm since he gave me such an intense one.<br />
<br />
Besides, the only real threat is if Dominic discovers my secret. So I’ll be extra vigilant to ensure that doesn’t happen. I can be stronger than this curse.<br />
<br />
But before I can say anything, he cuts into my thoughts.<br />
<br />
“By the way, remember when you told me that if I ever needed anything, to just ask you?”<br />
<br />
I nod.<br />
<br />
“Well, there’s nothing I really <i>need</i> right now, but there is something I <i>want</i>.”<br />
<br />
“And what would that be?”<br />
<br />
“You.”<br />
<br />
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<br />
I gape at him with my eyes wide. In what way does he want me? There are boundaries that must be established here. And I don’t hesitate to inform him of this.<br />
<br />
“Right now,” Dominic says, “I just want to finish what we started. And I know you do too. Admit it.”<br />
<br />
I heave a resonating sigh. “Fine.”<br />
<br />
“Say it.”<br />
<br />
“I want it.”<br />
<br />
“Tell me what you want, Lydia.”<br />
<br />
God! This guy turns me on with his voice telling me what to do. I guess it’s because, like I’ve said, I like a challenge. I like someone who can challenge me. That’s probably one of the side effects of having magic and the ability to make people conform to your will if you so desire. Knowing that someone can do that to me without any supernatural abilities makes it irresistible.<br />
<br />
“I want you, Dominic.”<br />
<br />
This is all he needs to hear. Dominic clears the distance between us instantly, sloshing bubbling water onto the patio. The jets choose this moment to shut off, but instead of turning them back on, we create a rhythm of our own.<br />
<br />
Dominic pulls me into his lap as he grasps my head in his hands and presses his lips against mine. I almost forgot how good they feel.<br />
<br />
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<br />
Our tongues intertwine, exploring the inside of each other’s mouth. Then, Dominic moves down and begins to use his tongue on my breast, which is dangerously close to being uncovered in this bikini.<br />
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<br />
I can feel his long, hard member poking into my thigh. My inner groin tenses as I realize how eager I actually am to experience it in full.<br />
<br />
Then, in one swift and flawless action, Dominic unties my bikini top. It falls into the water and floats to the other side. My breasts are now fully exposed, in broad daylight, and he’s licking them with unrelenting intensity.<br />
<br />
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<br />
I straddle him, feeling his erection graze against my most sensitive area. I suck in my breath, which seems to arouse him even further. As if I’m not in control of my own body, I begin to gyrate my hips, which seems to make him grow harder.<br />
<br />
“Oh, fuck, Lydia,” he moans against my chest. I grasp his shoulders. The anticipation is building inside me as much as it is him. Finally, neither of us can take it anymore.<br />
<br />
This time, I make the first move. I reach down and undo the button and zipper to Dominic’s shorts. They also float away, and he practically tears my bikini bottom off. His dick is huge, and even with the water surrounding us, I can feel the sticky texture of undeniable arousal.<br />
<br />
If we weren’t in the water, or if I could breathe underwater, I’d wrap my mouth around that huge cock again. But as it is, I proceed to give us what we both need. I’m so wet already, not only from the hot tub, that he slides in easily, but not without a little resistance due to it being so long since I’ve had a real man inside me, plus the immense size of his manhood.<br />
<br />
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<br />
“That’s it, baby,” Dominic groans as he grips my hips. “Ride me.”<br />
<br />
“You like that?” I ask him, repeating his words from not so long ago, in a seductive tone.<br />
<br />
“Oh yeah,” he sighs in contentment. “Work it, babe.”<br />
<br />
“Wait, Dominic.”<br />
<br />
“Don’t you dare stop again.”<br />
<br />
“No, it’s not that.”<br />
<br />
“What?”<br />
<br />
“Can you please not call me babe? It’s what Abel used to call me.”<br />
<br />
“That fucker. All right, I’m sorry. What should I call you?”<br />
<br />
“I like sheila.”<br />
<br />
“All right then. Work it, sheila.”<br />
<br />
I giggle and resume my rhythm. He matches the pace, and within minutes I can feel my impending climax.<br />
<br />
Only Dominic has been able to give me an orgasm so soon, and so intense. I’m slightly concerned about any neighbors hearing us, but then I remember that we’re not directly in town. If I want to, I can scream to high heaven.<br />
<br />
“Cum for me, sheila,” Dominic commands. His words are my undoing. I explode around him in an orgasm ten times more intense than the one he gave me with cunnilingus. I call out his name as I begin to slide down into the water. But Dominic holds me up, and without ever breaking our connection, flips me over so that I’m now against the back of the hot tub and he’s plowing into me.<br />
<br />
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<br />
“Oh my God, Dominic,” I gasp. It feels like I’m going to come apart.<br />
<br />
“You like that, don’t you?” he asserts. “You like me fucking you in broad daylight, when anyone can see you.”<br />
<br />
“No one’s around.”<br />
<br />
“True, but imagine if we had neighbors. You like that, don’t you?”<br />
<br />
I’m unable to answer because I’m panting so hard. I can feel yet another orgasm building. I can’t remember the last time a guy has gotten me off so intensely, let alone twice in five or ten minutes.<br />
<br />
But when my lower muscles clench around him, he grins, complacent, and continues to ram himself into me.<br />
<br />
And that’s when I decide to stop being so quiet. He likes power? He likes control? Two can play that game.<br />
<br />
“You’re not the only one who’s going to give orders,” I tell him.<br />
<br />
“Oh? You gonna tell me what you want?”<br />
<br />
“Yes. And right now I want you to shut up and give it to me hard.”<br />
<br />
“Now that, sheila, is a turn on.”<br />
<br />
“Then do it. Fuck me, Dominic, fuck me!”<br />
<br />
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<br />
Dominic complies, and I rake my nails across his back. I almost can’t believe it when I cum again...and feel him tense as he empties himself into me. Thank God I’m on birth control.<br />
<br />
“How was that?” he asks me, the sweat returning to his perfectly chiseled body.<br />
<br />
“Incredible,” I wheeze. “Just...incredible.”<br />
<br />
“You’ve never been fucked like that, have you?”<br />
<br />
“Never. I wouldn’t mind doing it again.”<br />
<br />
“Is that so?”<br />
<br />
“Yeah.”<br />
<br />
“Well, I may just grant that wish.”<br />
<br />
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<br />
I grin before I realize the full impact of what’s transpired. And then I excuse myself before I can begin to regret this rash (but very pleasurable) decision.Tender Wolfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13874882716131293841noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8361545223023093000.post-18610280717677744482013-09-22T13:22:00.000-05:002013-09-22T13:22:49.614-05:00Chapter Seven<span style="color: #990000;">WARNING:</span> This chapter contains strong language and some disturbing content.<br />
<br />
He’s called three times, but I’m too cowardly to answer the phone. I don’t know how I could explain to him the reason I left him with a severe case of blue balls.<br />
<br />
I couldn’t grab my clothes fast enough to get the hell out of there. What was I thinking?! I can’t do this. I literally, emotionally, physically, can’t!<br />
<br />
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<br />
It’s not that I don’t want to. If anything, it’s the biggest desire I’ve felt in a long time. But if I give in, I’ll lose Ebony forever.<br />
<br />
It’s not my choice. It’s not my fault. But it’s my burden.<br />
<br />
Actually, it’s not really <i>my</i> burden. It’s a burden all witches must endure.<br />
<br />
It started centuries ago. Witchcraft has been around since the existence of time. Back then, some witches fell in love with mortals, or became trusting enough of their mortal friends to confide in them. It was blissful at first, but soon those who the witches trusted the most betrayed them, even inadvertently. Witches were burned at the stake for witchcraft, stoned to death, hanged, and underwent all other repugnant methods of torture.<br />
<br />
After extended periods of this, one coven of witches banded together to form a spell as a means of protection for their kind. Should a mortal discover a witch’s secret, whether she told them or not, she would be required to relinquish her powers to avoid the cruel fates that befell her ancestors. After all, without her powers, a witch is no longer a witch, so any accusations would be rendered false.<br />
<br />
Or, if she didn’t renounce her powers before the next new moon, those that knew the truth would be cursed to death on that night (I have no idea why so many of our spells require a damn moon). And a curse of death is irreversible; only a natural death has the possibility of restoration.<br />
<br />
And, of course, the majority of these victims were lovers. Witches fell in love with mortals who found out their secret, and they had to choose between the two things most dear to them – their magic or their (supposed) soul mate.<br />
<br />
This was the fate that awaited my parents. My mother never gave my father a chance to discover her secret, though. She sacrificed her powers the minute she realized she was in love with him so that there was never any risk of exposure.<br />
<br />
Too bad that didn’t last, what with Mom turning into an alcoholic stripper and Dad discovering that he was actually gay. So she basically sacrificed her powers for nothing.<br />
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<br />
I curl up on the floor, forlorn. Because of this spell that was cast centuries before I was born, a spell that was meant to protect witches, I can’t be with Dominic. If I fall for him any farther, he’ll either end up dead or I’ll lose my powers. And I need them to bring Ebony back. I care for him as a friend, so I don’t want him to die from a curse, but I can’t risk losing my magic.<br />
<br />
My mother’s witch genes were still a part of her, even though she could no longer cast spells. That’s why Ebony and I were born as witches, though our grandmother is the one who taught us everything. Our mother wanted nothing more to do with witchcraft once she met our father. Our grandmother told us all about this curse; she’d lived through it with our grandfather. Our mother was an only child, because our grandfather was a victim of the curse.<br />
<br />
This horrific story, plus the fact that I’ve been hurt and used so many times (even though I did get revenge with my very handy magic), is enough to make me realize how irrational I was acting earlier with Dominic.<br />
<br />
Besides, I don’t believe in true love. Not anymore. I’ve been hurt too many times by too many jerks. Why would one guy, even from an exotic foreign country, be any different from them?<br />
<br />
I sit up, suddenly irked with myself. I shouldn’t even care about Dominic. I should be focusing on resurrecting my sister, not fucking some Aussie I barely know! I can’t believe how close I came to becoming one of the very things I loathe – a whore.<br />
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<br />
I don’t care how good he made me feel. I don’t care how much I enjoyed it. And I don’t care how little I’d object if the situation came up again. I have to focus on what’s really important. I have to focus on my sister.<br />
<br />
The waning crescent moon is in a week, and three weeks after that is the full moon. There’s no time to be fucking around.<br />
<br />
**********<br />
<br />
Two days later, I can hear Dominic making the final preparations for his departure. He gave up contacting me yesterday. He must have realized I have no intention of returning his calls or answering his messages. I feel guilty about it, but it’s for the greater good.<br />
<br />
I’ve been focusing all my time and energy on this spell, preparing myself for next week’s waning crescent moon. Unfortunately, I can’t give that as much attention as I’d like to. Abel is on my ass again about rent, since the end of the month has passed since he had me on my back on my kitchen table. He’s already hinting around at doing it again, but this time I won’t be so frail and pathetic.<br />
<br />
Still, it’s unnerving when I’m trying to concentrate and I hear someone knocking on my door.<br />
<br />
“Ugh, what now?” I groan in disdain. I make my way to the door and stupidly open it without looking through the peephole.<br />
<br />
I should have known that would be a mistake, because I see Abel’s snide face staring back at me.<br />
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<br />
“What do you want?” I demand.<br />
<br />
“Time’s up,” he replies with a smirk. “I need your rent, babe.”<br />
<br />
“You told me I had an extra month.”<br />
<br />
“Did I?”<br />
<br />
“Yes, you did.”<br />
<br />
“Oh, well I don’t remember that. Did you get it in writing?”<br />
<br />
“Abel, leave me alone. You know damn well what you said. Now fuck off.”<br />
<br />
“I don’t think so, babe. Now listen, I let you scrape by last month for free, but my old man’s gonna notice sooner or later.”<br />
<br />
“You told me he never sees the books.”<br />
<br />
“Well, he may take a big interest in them eventually and wonder why there’s less money in his account than it says on the ledger.”<br />
<br />
“Abel, I’m tired of this. What happened before was a mistake, and I hate myself for letting it happen. Now get out of here before I throw you out.”<br />
<br />
“This is my place, Lydia. My name’s right on the ownership title with Dad’s. I call the shots here, not you.”<br />
<br />
I cross my arms over my chest, fuming.<br />
<br />
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<br />
I’m sick of this guy walking all over me, treating me like a fucking doormat. He thinks he owns me since I was such an imbecile before. But there’s no way that will happen again.<br />
<br />
“I’m warning you, Abel,” I tell him in a malicious voice. “I’m not taking your shit anymore. You don’t own me, and I won’t be intimidated by you.”<br />
<br />
“Pretty big words for someone who spread her legs so easy not long ago.”<br />
<br />
“Fuck you!”<br />
<br />
This seems to turn Abel on, because he bursts through the door and throws me to the ground, briefly winding me. I spin around onto my stomach and start to crawl away, but he catches me by the feet as the shitty door slams behind us.<br />
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<br />
“Let me go, you son of a bitch!” I shriek at the top of my lungs.<br />
<br />
“No way, babe. You know you want it. I know you liked it.”<br />
<br />
“If that was me liking it, I’d hate to see what faking it looks like!”<br />
<br />
I scramble to my feet and prepare to bolt, but he catches me again around the waist, yanking me backward with surprising force.<br />
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<br />
That’s it. I don’t give a shit if I get exposed. This guy is <i>not</i> going to make a fool of me again.<br />
<br />
I prepare a spell, one that will send him flying off me and straight into the wall, when somehow Abel’s weight disappears. It’s like he’s being lifted off me, but I haven’t cast anything yet. I whirl around to see what’s transpiring, and am stunned to see Dominic Taylor throwing punches in Abel’s face. I was so busy trying to scramble away that I hadn’t heard the door open and close again.<br />
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<br />
“Did you not hear her?” Dominic demands, his accent sounding menacing rather than sexy. “She said to back the fuck off, so that means you stop! Do you not know the definition of rape in this country?”<br />
<br />
“It wasn’t rape...” Abel begins to splutter, but Dominic silences him with a knee to the stomach. Thank God, because the last thing I need is for him to hear how Abel literally screwed me over with my rent.<br />
<br />
Plus, I’m flabbergasted about something else. After the way I treated him, Dominic is fighting for me? Defending my honor? Why?<br />
<br />
Abel seems to be thinking the same thing, because he demands, “Why are you defending this ho anyway? She’s just a stripper who can’t pay her bills.”<br />
<br />
Oh that’s just wonderful. I’m about to interject something to make that revelation less awful, but Dominic throws one last punch, causing Abel to land pitifully on the ground. He grabs his chest and whimpers like a sick dog. I think Dominic has hit his rib cage, or perhaps where his kidneys are. Ouch.<br />
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<br />
“You stay the fuck down!” Dominic orders when Abel attempts to stand up again. He only allows this bane of my existence to leave after making him swear on his pathetic life never to come near me again, even if I’m a tenant. Abel snivels his word and staggers out of the room, hunkered over and still clutching his chest.<br />
<br />
“Lydia,” Dominic says as he turns to me. “Are you all right?”<br />
<br />
“I’m fine. Thanks. That was great timing.”<br />
<br />
“I was heading out and I thought I heard you scream, or at least some sort of disturbance. When I heard it coming from behind your door, I just kicked the damn thing in to see what was happening.”<br />
<br />
“Why? After the way I treated you...”<br />
<br />
“I understand what that was all about. I’ve had some time to think about it. I came on too strong, and it scared you. You were caught up in the moment but came to your senses. I’m sorry for putting you in that, pardon the pun, position.”<br />
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<br />
I’m perplexed by this, and I never thought Dominic would ever forgive me.<br />
<br />
But he surprises me even more when he asks, “Is it true?”<br />
<br />
“What?”<br />
<br />
“Are you a stripper?”<br />
<br />
My first instinct is to deny this allegation, even though, of course, it’s true. But why beat around the bush? I can’t fall for this guy any harder than I already have. It’s best to quash this now before it gets any worse. I might as well get it over with.<br />
<br />
“Yes. The club I work at? It’s actually a strip club called the Poppin’ Cherry.”<br />
<br />
“Why didn’t you tell me?”<br />
<br />
“I didn’t think it was important. I guess I didn’t want you to think less of me. I was stupid.”<br />
<br />
“Stupid? No, stupid is continuing to work at a place like that if you don’t have to. For God’s sake, Lydia, I don’t want you parading around like that. You’re better than that, and you don’t have to. Especially not to keep living in this shitty place with that pathetic excuse of a man who tried to rape you.”<br />
<br />
“I don’t have a choice, Dominic. I don’t have anywhere else to go, and I don’t have any education to get a decent job.”<br />
<br />
“There is one choice.”<br />
<br />
“Oh yeah? Like what?”<br />
<br />
“Move in with me and you’ll never have to work again.”<br />
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<br />
I literally take a step back and unconsciously shy away. Is he serious? I barely know him! All I know about him for sure is that he’s from Australia with Outback and British blood in him, he’s blatantly attracted to me, and he’s leaving this hellhole to live in a big manor left to him by his grandparents. And he expects me to just move in with him like we’re a couple? Like we’re nothing more than platonic roommates who were formerly neighbors (and almost lovers)?<br />
<br />
I don’t think so.<br />
<br />
“I just can’t,” I conclude. “It’s just...it’s too awkward.”<br />
<br />
“Well, if you ever change your mind, call me.”<br />
<br />
I nod mutely. Dominic wants to call the police, but I convince him not to. It would be Abel’s word against mine, and then I’d have to actually confess that I did let him literally screw me over on rent (but of course I don’t mention this part).<br />
<br />
I finally give Dominic a farewell wave, afraid even to touch him after our last physical encounter, and watch as he leaves.<br />
<br />
And then I collapse onto the couch and sob.<br />
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Tender Wolfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13874882716131293841noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8361545223023093000.post-10785370860309572402013-09-18T17:29:00.000-05:002013-09-18T17:29:11.086-05:00Chapter Six<span style="color: #990000;">WARNING:</span> This chapter contains strong language, sexual content, and nudity.<br />
<br />
I’ve never been kissed like this before. Never with such ferocity, never with such passion. I just don’t want it to end. And I definitely don’t want Dominic to cease his actions when he grips the back of my neck and leans further into me. I take this opportunity to reach around and grasp his perfectly defined ass with one hand, wrapping my other around his chiseled waist.<br />
<br />
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<br />
My mouth opens to invite his tongue in and I feel a hard stab in my left thigh. I know it’s his bulging, pulsating erection. I long to reach down and wrap my hand around it, but Dominic seems to have other plans. For his own hands move, one of them pinning my wrists against the cabinet while the other moves in between my legs. I can’t suppress a whimper.<br />
<br />
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<br />
“You like that, don’t you?” his gruff, sexy voice whispers in my ear in that irresistible accent. I can’t formulate words, so I just nod mutely. He chortles at this and swiftly carries me over to the couch. But he doesn’t bend me over it like he said he was imagining doing with the counter. Instead, he sits me down on it and instructs me to close my eyes. Baffled, I comply.<br />
<br />
I hear something that sounds like a zipper being undone and I squirm in anticipation. He requests that I be patient and keep my eyes shut. This is so tantalizing, so mysterious. I’m dying to know what he’s doing that I have to keep my eyes closed, but I do love a challenge. And I find it exceptionally arousing when a man can challenge me, especially when it comes to sex. Probably because I’m so powerful on my own that it’s nice to have a little role reversal once in a while.<br />
<br />
Finally, Dominic affirms that I can open my eyes. When I do, I see that he’s stripped completely naked and is staring at me with a lascivious grin on his face. My eyes don’t stay on his face that long, however, because they slowly drift down to what I’m really interested in seeing.<br />
<br />
And what I see doesn’t disappoint. My fantasies didn’t do this guy justice. He’s perfect in length, width, texture, everything. He snorts as he catches me staring, causing me to snap my head back up abruptly.<br />
<br />
“Like what you see?” he asks seductively. Once again, I’ve lost the ability of speech, so I nod my head up and down.<br />
<br />
“That’s a nice motion,” he says in response, causing my cheeks to turn red. “I’d like to see you doing it lower.”<br />
<br />
Then, without warning, he strides over to the second couch across from me, sits down, and begins touching himself. I suck in my breath, unsure of what to do. I’m not a virgin, but this experience is new to me. A man has never masturbated in front of me before.<br />
<br />
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<br />
I must be gaping more than I intended because Dominic cuts into my thoughts saying, “You like to watch don’t you?”<br />
<br />
Once again I force my eyes to look above his waist rather than below it, and I reply, “This is a first for me.”<br />
<br />
“What, exactly?”<br />
<br />
“Just, seeing a man grope himself in front of me. I mean outside of work.”<br />
<br />
Damn! Too much information!<br />
<br />
But Dominic doesn’t falter; he actually increases his pace. I start to get up to give him a hand, but he orders me back down.<br />
<br />
“Not yet,” he coos. “Wait your turn.”<br />
<br />
“Why? You’re not the boss of me.”<br />
<br />
“That’s a funny metaphor, considering…well, Lydia, there’s something else you should know about me.”<br />
<br />
“This seems the most inopportune time, considering you’re jacking off in front of me.”<br />
<br />
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<br />
Dominic stops stroking himself and stares at me intently. Whatever he’s about to say, it’s very serious.<br />
<br />
“Do you know why I was so direct with you earlier? Why I said flat out that I was attracted to you?”<br />
<br />
“Because it’s in your nature?”<br />
<br />
“Yes, partly. But also because I’m, for lack of a better word, a dominant.”<br />
<br />
“Oh, you’re a real life Christian Grey. Awesome.” I can’t contain the sarcasm in my voice.<br />
<br />
“No, I’m not a sadist. I don’t get pleasure by hurting others. And I sure as fuck don’t put a woman down and make her do something she doesn’t want to.”<br />
<br />
“You’ve read the books?”<br />
<br />
“I don’t have to; I’ve read the reviews. Lydia, I really am attracted to you, and I do like you. I guess that’s hard to understand considering what just happened.”<br />
<br />
“It’s awkward that you’re telling me this completely naked with your cock right next to me.”<br />
<br />
“Sorry. I guess some people call me a nymphomaniac. I’m not addicted to sex, but it’s been a while since I’ve had any. And I just got this vibe from you that you felt the same way about me, so I took a shot. A very strong one, but just a shot.”<br />
<br />
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<br />
I’m not sure how to absorb this. Dominic Taylor has literally shown me a different side of himself, but I’m not sure if I want to know it. This is his dark side; something everyone has. And he’s revealed it to me, brought it to light. I’m not certain what I should do, but I know what I <i>want</i> to do.<br />
<br />
And what I want to do is give this guy real pleasure, better than he can give himself. This time, I’m in control. I tell him not to move as I crawl across the floor to him. He doesn’t obey, at first; he stands up with a perplexed look on his face, but when I rise to my knees, he realizes my intentions.<br />
<br />
He doesn’t even have to say anything. I just look up at him and let my mouth go to work.<br />
<br />
After all, he <i>had</i> said not long ago that he’d like to see me doing this bobbing head motion.<br />
<br />
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<br />
After a while of this, Dominic does start to say something. It’s somewhat indistinguishable considering it’s more like a moan than a coherent sentence.<br />
<br />
“Jesus Christ, Lydia,” he says roughly. “Oh, fuck.”<br />
<br />
He grabs the back of my head and moves it in a faster rhythm. I haven’t done this in a while; my mouth is starting to get sore.<br />
<br />
“Stop,” he finally says. “I don’t wanna cum like this, Lydia. I want to be inside you.”<br />
<br />
I shudder involuntarily, starting to stand up. But he surprises me by pulling me back down to the floor as his lips graze mine again, his rock-hard member poking into my abdomen.<br />
<br />
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<br />
I don’t know what he’s planning to do, but I feel my clothes being torn away as I lie on the carpet, staring at the ceiling so like my own across the hall.<br />
<br />
Dominic continues to ravish me, tugging, biting, nibbling, until at last he arrives at my underwear. He shifts my thong to the side, inserting a finger inside me as he bites my taut nipple. I can’t stifle a gasp.<br />
<br />
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<br />
“How’s that feel?” he asks breathlessly.<br />
<br />
“So good,” I moan. “Oh my God, Dominic, don’t stop.”<br />
<br />
“You gonna cum for me, baby?”<br />
<br />
“Yes. Oh God, yes!”<br />
<br />
I can feel my orgasm building, my leg muscles tightening. My own hand is all right, but it’s nothing compared to the touch of a real man. And this one really knows what he’s doing.<br />
<br />
I’m at the brink, about to explode, when he stops.<br />
<br />
“What the fuck?” I demand.<br />
<br />
“Patience,” he replies stubbornly. Then, he kisses down my stomach and replaces his finger with his tongue while his hands migrate to my stomach to hold me in place.<br />
<br />
“Holy shit,” I gasp, clutching at the ground for support.<br />
<br />
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<br />
I can’t take it. It’s so good, and too much. I begin to writhe, begging him to stop because the pleasure is so great, but he refuses. I guess in a way he <i>is</i> like Christian Grey – a safe word is needed to stop.<br />
<br />
And yet, I don’t want him to stop. I need this. So bad. With that thought in mind, I allow him to push me over the edge. I call his name as I climax, and I can hear his contented sigh. But he hasn’t gotten off yet; he’s just pleased that I did by his hand. Or, to be more specific, his tongue.<br />
<br />
“Now that’s what I call hot,” he pants.<br />
<br />
“What?”<br />
<br />
“Knowing that I can make you do that. Knowing that I can do that to you, make you want it so bad you say to stop even though you don’t mean it.”<br />
<br />
“And why is that hot?”<br />
<br />
His answer astonishes me. “I guess I like to have power, in a way.”<br />
<br />
Now he’s speaking my language. He likes power? I can show him real power.<br />
<br />
That’s when I realize with disdain that I actually can’t show him that. I realize what’s about to transpire as he kisses me once more and begins to pull me on top of him. And that’s when I realize I need to get the fuck out of here.<br />
<br />
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Tender Wolfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13874882716131293841noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8361545223023093000.post-21386403645292239622013-09-15T11:14:00.000-05:002015-07-01T22:56:43.975-05:00Chapter Five<span style="color: #990000;">WARNING:</span> This chapter contains sexual innuendos and references.<br />
<br />
One week later, I’m finally enjoying a peaceful night at home. The time for obtaining the moonstone is rapidly approaching, and I’m brushing up on my knowledge of the incantation.<br />
<br />
So when I hear a knock at the door I’m slightly agitated. It better not be Abel.<br />
<br />
I quickly stash the book under the couch and make my way toward the door. I look through the peephole and am surprised to see Dominic on the other side, looking impossibly hot (literally with his jacket and pants). I open it and greet him with a “Hey.”<br />
<br />
“G’day.”<br />
<br />
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<br />
I giggle like a giddy schoolgirl, and immediately feel my cheeks turning crimson. How pathetic is that?<br />
<br />
“What can I do for you?” I ask in an attempt to rectify my flightiness.<br />
<br />
“I feel like a total dumbass. I’m trying to make some supper over there and I don’t have any salt. I can’t believe I don’t have one pinch of salt anywhere in that place. Do you have any? I’ll pay you back.”<br />
<br />
“For a little salt? Please, don’t worry about paying me back. I’ll get it for you. Come on in.”<br />
<br />
I scurry to the kitchen as I hear Dominic close the door behind him as he comes in. We’ve been talking with each other quite a bit the past few days, but this is the first time he’s ever been in my apartment. I hope it doesn’t look anything less than immaculate. Thank God I’d finally gotten time to scour the table after Abel’s disgusting encounter with it.<br />
<br />
“So,” I inquire as I rummage through my cupboards to find the salt (contrary to popular belief, salt does not affect witches and can’t be used to ward us off), “when are you moving into your big manor? Or mansion, whatever you want to call it.”<br />
<br />
“Well it’s not really that big, but it’s sure better than this place. No offense.”<br />
<br />
“None taken. I’d love to get the hell out of here.”<br />
<br />
“Well, anyway, I’m moving out in three days. This Saturday.”<br />
<br />
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<br />
I momentarily stop searching for the salt. Only three days? It seems so sudden. Dominic’s presence has been the only thing to make living here halfway tolerable.<br />
<br />
“Did you find the salt?” His question cuts into my thoughts. I immediately resume my hunt. When I finally produce the salt, I see that Dominic is grinning at me.<br />
<br />
“Sad to see me go, eh?” he asks.<br />
<br />
“I didn’t say that.”<br />
<br />
“It’s written all over your face, sheila. I warned you not to get too attached to me.”<br />
<br />
“Yeah. You did. Sorry, it’s just sudden. You’re the best friend I have in this building, if not the whole world. I know that sounds weird, but, well, I’ve just never been very good at making friends.”<br />
<br />
In actuality, I’ve never been good at making friends because I always had Ebony. I never needed friends, especially mortals. But obviously I leave this part out.<br />
<br />
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<br />
Dominic just shakes his head as though he can’t believe what I’m telling him. “I can’t imagine why. You’re a delightful girl, and you’re easy on the eyes, too.”<br />
<br />
“Are you flirting with me?”<br />
<br />
“Maybe, if that’s what y’all call it here in the city.”<br />
<br />
“I’m just curious. And you gave me that wink the first day we met as I was going back to my room, and you said you’d come to the club I work at just to see me. I guess I want to know what’s going through your mind.”<br />
<br />
“A lot of things you probably don’t want to know.”<br />
<br />
“Try me.”<br />
<br />
“Maybe some other time. Thanks for the salt. I better be going before the dinner burns the building down.”<br />
<br />
“Oh. Okay.”<br />
<br />
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<br />
Dominic turns to leave, but then he faces me once more.<br />
<br />
“Unless, of course, you’d like to join me.”<br />
<br />
As if on cue, my stomach growls. Mortified, I manage to croak, “Sure, that sounds great.”<br />
<br />
That’s how I end up in Dominic’s apartment, for the very first time, eating spaghetti. Funny, this guy’s Australian and British, and he loves Italian food. And he really loves salt on his spaghetti.<br />
<br />
His apartment is identical to mine, except the floor plan is reversed and the color palette seems more neutral than cool. I think I prefer it; it feels warmer and more inviting than the cold blue tones on my living room and kitchen walls, even with Dominic’s blue furniture strewn about.<br />
<br />
We make platonic chitchat during the meal. Dominic tells me all about growing up in Australia, during which he explains that he’s used to hot weather and what we have here in Hillridge is mild and comfortable, so that’s why he’s wearing such heavy clothes. Plus, I can’t help noticing how much more he reminds me of <i>Crocodile Dundee</i> with his crocodile teeth necklace. Then it’s my turn. I tell him as much as I can about my past in Cedar Grove.<br />
<br />
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<br />
I almost slip up and tell him that my sister is dead, but if he were to ever see her, I’d never be able to explain it. When we’re finished with the meal, I help with the dishes.<br />
<br />
“Do you have a boyfriend?” Dominic suddenly asks. A plate slips out of my hands and into the water in the sink. I spin around to face him. “Excuse me?”<br />
<br />
“I’m sorry,” Dominic replies with repentance. “That was too forward. I guess I should tell you that I’m not one to hide my feelings. I guess that’s why I winked at you that first day and said what I did.”<br />
<br />
“So...what are you saying?”<br />
<br />
“That I hope you’re single because I’m attracted to you.”<br />
<br />
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<br />
I raise my eyebrows in incredulity. This guy has only known me for a couple of weeks and he’s attracted to me? Why?<br />
<br />
“Have you lost your eyesight?” he replies when I ask him this. “You’re gorgeous, smart, nice, and amusing at times.”<br />
<br />
“Amusing?”<br />
<br />
“You’re not fooling anyone with the whole nonchalant thing you’re trying to play up. I can tell you’re into me, at least a little bit. It’s why you’re so shy and reserved around me. You’re afraid to like me, for some reason. So you act like everything between us is strictly platonic, but I bet you’ve thought about me in bed at least twice.”<br />
<br />
I think my jaw drops. This guy can read me like an open book, as easily as I can read my grimoire. It’s a little unnerving. But at the same time, it makes me even more fascinated with this wonder from Down Under.<br />
<br />
My mind inadvertently shifts to what might actually be “down under” where his pants are concerned...<br />
<br />
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<br />
I know I should leave. I should just tell Dominic goodbye and walk away. But I can’t. Something greater than magic is binding me here. I don’t know what it is, and I’m not entirely sure that I welcome it.<br />
<br />
But that’s only half of the hold. The other is pure, unadulterated lust for this enigmatic man that’s puzzled me since he moved in across the hall. And I’m powerless (pardon the pun) to ignore it.<br />
<br />
This is one thing that doesn’t require a magic spell.<br />
<br />
“So, is that a yes?” Dominic snaps me out of my reverie, wanting to know if his suspicion of my bedtime activities is genuine. He’s now straddling the couch and I’ve inadvertently made my way toward him so that I’m still looking straight at his flawless face.<br />
<br />
“Um...” is all I can muster.<br />
<br />
“That’s what I thought. But you didn’t answer my question.”<br />
<br />
“No, I don’t have a boyfriend.”<br />
<br />
“That’s the best news I’ve heard all day. And don’t worry about whatever thoughts you may have had about me; I’m not innocent, either. You may not even want to know what I’m thinking right now.”<br />
<br />
“Oh, I think I do, just like I did back in my own apartment. Tell me.”<br />
<br />
“I’m thinking of bending you over the counter.”<br />
<br />
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<br />
I reach up and brush my hair back awkwardly. This isn’t what I expected to hear. But I can’t deny the familiar throbbing between my thighs. The familiar pounding of undeniable arousal.<br />
<br />
“I can tell you’re getting turned on,” he continues in a teasing drawl. He’s obviously enjoying this. “Come over here.”<br />
<br />
“No...”<br />
<br />
“Don’t tell me no. I’m not the kind of guy who hears no.”<br />
<br />
With that, he takes two long strides toward me and presses me against the counter, my head lightly bumping the overhead cabinet. With his arms on either side of me, I feel like I’m encased in steel, but still protected. My heart hammers against my sternum as he gazes tenderly into my eyes, but only for a moment. Dominic’s eyes take on a different form, one of nothing more than hungry passion and desire.<br />
<br />
And I have no desire to stop him as he cups his hand around my breast, grips my hair with his other hand, and covers my mouth with his.<br />
<br />
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Tender Wolfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13874882716131293841noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8361545223023093000.post-82541055428433064202013-09-11T17:54:00.000-05:002013-09-11T17:54:36.659-05:00Chapter Four<span style="color: #990000;">WARNING:</span> This chapter contains strong language and nudity.<br />
<br />
I have no idea why Dominic winked at me. Did he hear me enjoying my solo sex session? Was he flirting again? Was he saying hello in some Australian way rather than waving? I don’t know, but it’s driving me nuts.<br />
<br />
Which isn’t good considering I’m spinning around on a pole in a thong and nipple covers (again).<br />
<br />
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<br />
The usual cacophony ensues with wolf whistles, catcalls, whoops and hollers. There are also a few gropers in the crowd, which is nothing new either. It gets old after a while, though. Thankfully I’m feeling more elated than usual thanks to my satisfying time this afternoon.<br />
<br />
“Come on, baby,” some guy in the front row begs pathetically. “Let us see some skin!”<br />
<br />
“Yeah,” another guy, who must be at least forty, adds. “Take them covers off and show us some titties!”<br />
<br />
As if I’m not baring enough skin already. There are some strippers who go full-on nude, but I refuse to do so. Not even when a third guy flashes a twenty-dollar bill at me.<br />
<br />
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<br />
The music continues to pound and I grind against the pole to the beat. I’m still pissed off that I even had to come here tonight. I’m entitled to a day off. And of course, my boss won’t let me have a different day off to make up for tonight because now we’re down a stripper because he’s officially fired Jasmine (even though a few hours earlier he was just threatening it). Just great. Meanwhile, I’m trying to bring my dead sister back to life and I have to drop everything to perform for these skeezeballs. My good mood is dissipating quickly.<br />
<br />
The music finally stops and I step off the stage. It’s someone else’s turn. I don’t have that many friends, but there is one coworker who I really seem to bond with. She’s got a fucked up past like I do, but in her case it might be worse. She was abused physically and emotionally as a teenager, involuntarily losing her virginity at age twelve to her stepfather. She goes by Angel, having abandoned her actual name due to her shattered past, but she’s anything but. I can kick someone’s ass with magic; Angel can do it with her bare hands. She’s tough and doesn’t take shit off anyone.<br />
<br />
Angel is backstage now in the dressing room, puffing on a cigarette. Her giant cracked heart tattoo is nestled between her breasts, signifying her shattered heart at such an early age. She even has an immense pair of angel wings tattooed onto her back, though she refers to herself as a broken angel. Either way, you definitely don’t want to get on this angel’s bad side.<br />
<br />
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<br />
“Sup, girl?” she asks me.<br />
<br />
“Nothing. Same usual crowd out there.”<br />
<br />
“Did you hear about Jasmine?”<br />
<br />
“Yeah, it’s too bad. I saw it coming, though.”<br />
<br />
“Yeah, me too. Want a puff?”<br />
<br />
“No, thanks.”<br />
<br />
“Suit yourself.”<br />
<br />
Angel takes another long drag of her cancer stick, then exhales a plume of blue smoke (thankfully in the opposite direction of me). I abhor cigarette smoke, but if someone wants to char up their lungs, I won’t stop them. I’ve got better things to do with my powers.<br />
<br />
I pull on a feeble attempt at a robe, even though everyone here has already seen me in the flesh (I still want some dignity at least), kick off my killer shoes, sit down on the couch next to Angel, and put my head in my hands.<br />
<br />
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<br />
Angel isn’t shy in the least; she goes full-out nude onstage. As far as she’s concerned, since she was seen naked at such a young age, not to mention the dreaded shower rooms she had to endure in school with all the mocking glares, she might as well show the whole world what she looks like au naturel.<br />
<br />
Even back here in the dressing room, I can hear the pounding bass coming from the sound system as the next victim swings around a pole for a bunch of lecherous onlookers. I clasp my hands around my head and push, hoping to ease the impending migraine.<br />
<br />
“What’s the matter with you, girl?” Angel wants to know.<br />
<br />
“Nothing. Just a headache.”<br />
<br />
“I’ve got plenty of pills to take care of that. Want some?”<br />
<br />
“No, I’ll be okay.”<br />
<br />
“Whatever.”<br />
<br />
Angel isn’t one to argue or persist. She’ll inquire about something once and never broach the subject again. It’s one of her nicest qualities.<br />
<br />
“So,” I say in an attempt to make conversation, “I’ve got a new neighbor.”<br />
<br />
“Yeah? Who?”<br />
<br />
“His name’s Dominic Taylor. He’s, well, I don’t know if he’s British or Australian. He has both in his blood but I don’t know where he lived.”<br />
<br />
Angel lets out a shrill whistle. “He sounds mighty fine!”<br />
<br />
“Yeah, I have to admit, he’s easy on the eyes.”<br />
<br />
“You gonna jump him?”<br />
<br />
“I doubt it. I don’t have time to think about a relationship right now.”<br />
<br />
“Why? What the hell else do you have going on besides working here?”<br />
<br />
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<br />
I can’t very well tell Angel the truth. So I settle for, “Honestly, I need to see if I can find a better place to live than the shithole I’m in now.”<br />
<br />
“The landlord’s son still after your goods?”<br />
<br />
“Always.”<br />
<br />
“Never let him have it, girl. Once he gets a taste, he’ll keep coming back for more. Unless you’re into that sort of thing.”<br />
<br />
I bite my lip, ashamed. Thank God no one can read minds.<br />
<br />
The loudspeaker suddenly chimes in with, “Angel! You’re up next!”<br />
<br />
Angel stubs out her cigarette and strips down right in front of me. Since she goes fully nude, she parades onto the stage in as little as possible for the start of her dance.<br />
<br />
“See you later,” she says as she leaves. I nod and wave to her before she exits out the dressing room door.<br />
<br />
Once she’s gone, I sink further down onto the sofa, contemplating how I’m going to get away to acquire the last ingredient I need for Ebony’s spell, the moonstone. The problem is, the moonstone can only be created during a waning crescent moon, and it requires a complex incantation all on its own. I must literally draw the power from the moon into my hands, saying the right chant at the right time, and hope that the powers will transform into a pixie-like dust, then in turn become a moonstone. It will resemble the moon in the sky, and it’s a major key to the puzzle of Ebony’s resurrection.<br />
<br />
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<br />
I know I’m in for a lot of work, but I know that it will be worth it when I have my sister back. I’ve made my decision, and nothing will stand in my way. Ever.Tender Wolfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13874882716131293841noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8361545223023093000.post-50500417869012172692013-09-08T17:34:00.000-05:002013-09-08T19:31:22.254-05:00Chapter Three<span style="color: #990000;">WARNING:</span> This chapter contains strong sexual content, nudity, and strong language.<br />
<br />
One good thing about being a stripper is that I never have to set an alarm clock. My days start late at night and go well into the morning sometimes. The latest I’ve ever had to work was three in the morning. But I’m more of a night owl anyway.<br />
<br />
When I awake, my joints are stiff. I’ve slept too long in one awkward position, though it felt like I was tossing and turning all night. I’m still filled with a sense of lethargy as I stumble into the bathroom to perform my morning ablutions.<br />
<br />
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<br />
I turn on the faucet and am rewarded with lukewarm water. I was lucky to have a hot bath last night; the pipes in this building are as shitty as the landlord and his son.<br />
<br />
I cringe once more at the memory of last night. I don’t have to work tonight, so the day is mine. And I’m going to spend it preparing the spell.<br />
<br />
There’s a way to bring my sister back to life. Ebony was wrongfully murdered, and I’m going to bring her back. It’s a very powerful spell, one that few witches have been able to successfully complete. It’s also dangerous and the consequences can be dire if the spell isn’t performed correctly.<br />
<br />
But I know that I have the ability, and the determination, to pull it off. The Brewsters have long been some of the more powerful witches in history. I owe it to my younger sister to resurrect her. It’s my duty as her older sister to protect her. I failed her once, but I will not fail again.<br />
<br />
The biggest problem I face is lack of room. This apartment is so tiny. In order to complete the spell, I require special ingredients, such as a death flower, oil of a death fish, something containing the person’s DNA (in my case, hair from her hairbrush), a moonstone, and the blood of a relative. I have almost all of the required ingredients thanks to my grandmother’s collections (she’s the one who taught me everything I know about magic) apart from the moonstone. And I must wait to obtain it.<br />
<br />
In addition to the ingredients, the ritual also requires a sacrificial star circle (most commonly referred to as a pentagram). I have to pour grains of sand into the shape of a star, place the ingredients on each point of the star, and recite an incantation to call forth Ebony’s spirit. The star requires a great deal of space, and that’s one thing I’m severely lacking in this apartment. Plus, the ritual can only take place on the night of a full moon, which is why the moonstone is necessary.<br />
<br />
And that’s only the first part of the spell. This will bring the soul back to life, but not the physical body. In order to accomplish that, Ebony will have to drink an elixir created from ambrosia and life fruit. Her soul and body will combine into one on the sacrificial star.<br />
<br />
And then, at last, I’ll have my sister back.<br />
<br />
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<br />
I can’t help but grin at the prospect. When Ebony is back with me, we’ll be a family again. We were all each other ever had after our mother and father both went crazy. I don’t talk to either of them now, nor do I have any desire to. They fucked up their own lives and I won’t be a part of it. If that makes me a hypocrite considering what I do to make a living, then so be it. At least I’m not an alcoholic, and at least I don’t go chasing after someone else when my current partner has a problem (though I’m single).<br />
<br />
I return to my bedroom and throw some clothes on, not paying much attention to what I grab. My ingredients for the spell are still safely locked away in the same trunk that holds my grimoire. I withdraw the book and place it on the stand against the wall. I thumb through the pages, though I don’t know why. I’ve recited the incantation in my mind for so long that I know it by heart. It’s just taken me this long to gather all the necessary ingredients, since my grandmother’s supply was limited (but still vastly helpful).<br />
<br />
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<br />
My sister’s body was never recovered, but I intend to use this to my advantage. Had she been identified and confirmed dead, anyone seeing her walking around would undoubtedly go mad. But this way, we can easily cover up her presence with the fact that she somehow miraculously survived that horrific fire.<br />
<br />
As I continue to skim through the pages, I hear a loud noise outside. It literally makes me jump about a foot in the air.<br />
<br />
“What the hell?” I say aloud. I quickly stash the grimoire back into its secret hiding place and move hastily toward the door. I look through the peephole, but I don’t see anything. Opening the door somewhat tentatively, I step into the hallway. The door to the apartment across the hall is closed, but various objects like coolers and tables lay scattered about.<br />
<br />
Then I remember – Abel told me last night that someone was moving in today. I’ve been so preoccupied with my own life that I forgot all about it.<br />
<br />
I step closer to the door, curious as to who the new tenant is, and hoping, somewhat guiltily, that it’s a sexy young woman for Abel to lust after instead of me.<br />
<br />
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<br />
As I creep closer, my foot suddenly catches on something. I tumble to the ground, unable to contain a “Fuck!” coming from my mouth.<br />
<br />
As I lay sprawled across the ancient carpet, I look at my feet to see what my assailant is. It turns out to be a barbell. Why the hell is that in the middle of the hallway?<br />
<br />
“Are you all right?” a voice heavy with an accent inquires. I heard the door open, but now it closes shut again. The doors in this place suck – they never stay open.<br />
<br />
I look up angrily, ready to chew the voice’s owner a new asshole...<br />
<br />
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<br />
...and find myself drowning in eyes of brown. The new tenant is sexy all right, but definitely not a female.<br />
<br />
Tan skin seems to emanate a glow, and I know I’m not imagining things when I see what appear to be muscles bulging under this guy’s shirt. He has somewhat of a boyish haircut, but I can tell that he’s all man. His face is sculpted around those deep brown eyes, and I detect a slight smirk on his lips. But not the kind of smirk that means he’s arrogant; the kind of smirk that means he finds it amusing that his neighbor across the hall has seemingly literally fallen for him.<br />
<br />
Which is so far from the truth. I’m merely over here just to find out who’s shacking up across the hall from me. If it’s some creep, I’ll have to take care of him.<br />
<br />
“I...I’m fine,” I stammer, suddenly inarticulate. “I just tripped.”<br />
<br />
“I’m so sorry,” he continues in that irresistible accent. Is it British? Possibly. Or maybe southern. I don’t know, I’m too focused on his appearance rather than his voice (which just adds to this picture-perfect specimen of mankind).<br />
<br />
When he bends down to help me up, I nonchalantly hold onto one of his bulging arms for support. No wonder this guy has a barbell – he undeniably works out.<br />
<br />
“So, you’re the new tenant,” I say, then realize how asinine that sounds. Of course this guy’s the new tenant; what else would he be doing here?<br />
<br />
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<br />
The guy just smiles and says once again in that accent I can’t quite place, “Yeah, just got here earlier this morning. You must be one of my new neighbors.”<br />
<br />
“Yeah, I live across the hall. I’m Lydia. Lydia Brewster.”<br />
<br />
“Dominic Taylor. Nice to meet you, Lydia.”<br />
<br />
“I have to ask, where are you from? I can’t quite pinpoint your accent.”<br />
<br />
“A lot of people can’t. I’ve got two types of blood in me, both of which have accents. I’m half British, half Australian.”<br />
<br />
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<br />
Australian! That’s the other part of his accent that I was unable to depict. I don’t know how I missed that; I spent a lot of my younger years watching <i>Crocodile Dundee</i>, even if it was made before my time. My parents were big on “the classics” – they watched their favorite movies over and over when Ebony and I weren’t watching one of our Disney VHS tapes.<br />
<br />
“I see,” I reply. “Well, I guess I should say welcome to the building.”<br />
<br />
“Thanks. I feel pretty welcome already. But don’t get too attached to me; I’m not staying here long.”<br />
<br />
“Oh?”<br />
<br />
“Nah, I just need a place to stay until my paperwork comes through.”<br />
<br />
“Paperwork?”<br />
<br />
“My grandparents left me their big estate just outside town. I can’t legally live there until all the proper paperwork is filed. But I sure as hell wasn’t going to wait around and stay in some hotel. I’m ready. Most of my stuff is already at that place; I’m keeping the junky stuff here, except for a few select items, and I told the landlord whatever I leave in this room once I’m gone is his.”<br />
<br />
“Oh, well, good for you.”<br />
<br />
I wish I could be that lucky. But I don’t say anything, not wanting to sully this guy’s mood.<br />
<br />
Suddenly, my cell phone rings. I excuse myself, furrowing my brow into a discontent grimace as I see that it’s work calling.<br />
<br />
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<br />
“Hello?” I ask, hopefully inaudibly as Dominic continues to haul boxes into his apartment.<br />
<br />
“Lydia,” my boss, Carter, says. “I need you to fill in for Jasmine tonight. She called in sick.”<br />
<br />
“Again?”<br />
<br />
“I’m about to fire her slutty ass. If she’d stop fucking every client, she wouldn’t be sick. I still say she’s got every STD in the book.”<br />
<br />
“Carter, I kind of have plans tonight...”<br />
<br />
“Bullshit, girl. You ain’t got no plans tonight. You ain’t got a boyfriend or nothing, so what’s a single girl living in your neck of the woods gonna do alone? Put your nice ass to work and be here at nine sharp.”<br />
<br />
He hangs up.<br />
<br />
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<br />
I cringe and curse that son of a bitch inwardly (but not literally considering that would probably kill him). Carter is just as bad as Abel, if not worse. Abel is younger than I am (he’s twenty-one, the same age as Ebony when she died) while I’m twenty-five, almost twenty-six. Abel is just horny; Carter, on the other hand, isn’t against punishing his employees if they show up late or not at all, especially if they refuse to work for whatever reason, even their pride and dignity. Jasmine is really in for it; this is the fourth time she’s called in this month, always with some lame excuse.<br />
<br />
Sadly, Carter does have a point – I’m a single woman with no attachments. I’m not even in a coven; I literally fly solo (though I try not to use a broom at all considering how ostensive that would be to the entire planet), so I can’t call up any gal pals and hang out with them, either.<br />
<br />
The full moon isn’t for a few more weeks, and I can’t obtain the moonstone until the waning crescent, so I can’t work on my spell either. What else do I have to do but work, basically selling my body for filthy tips? I’m pathetic, and I begin to despise even myself.<br />
<br />
“Bad news?” Dominic cuts into my thoughts of self-loathing.<br />
<br />
“My asshole boss wants me to work tonight,” I reply in chagrin.<br />
<br />
“Tough break. Where do you work?”<br />
<br />
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<br />
As Dominic leans against the door, I almost blurt out honestly where I work. But considering I’m ashamed of that, and I don’t want anyone knowing it (although of course Abel does, the dickhead), I figure a little white lie will suffice.<br />
<br />
“I work at a club downtown,” I affirm.<br />
<br />
“Which one?”<br />
<br />
“Oh, it’s not very well-known. Trust me, you don’t even want to go there.”<br />
<br />
“I might just to see you.”<br />
<br />
I have to stare after this statement. Wasn’t that a little...direct? A little forward?<br />
<br />
And yet, I find that I don’t have any qualms with this. Plus, it seems that Dominic appears to be scrutinizing me with wandering eyes. I’m not one to feel self-conscious. If anything, I usually feel confident. But I <i>do</i> feel my cheeks heating up.<br />
<br />
I finally say, “I have a few things to do before I have to get to work, so I’ll see you later” before turning on my heel and sashaying back to my room, wiggling my ass a little bit before closing the door behind me.<br />
<br />
As I contemplate afternoon activities before going to the hellhole that is my place of employment, I’m reminded of Carter’s comments again. Yes, I’m single, but sadly I can’t even remember the last time I’ve had sex. And seeing that guy across the hall, looking so fine...not to mention basically flirting with me, well, it’s really driven my libido back up.<br />
<br />
Thankfully, I don’t need a boyfriend to cure that.<br />
<br />
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<br />
Since I’ve got the entire afternoon ahead of me, all the ingredients for Ebony’s spell that I can get at the moment, and the spell memorized like the back of my hand, I decide to have a little personal time. Normally I’m appalled by this, considering my line of work and the advances of Abel. Plus, I’m still not too happy about last night. But nevertheless, I have needs, and after the shit I’ve been through in the past twenty-four hours, I deserve to fulfill them.<br />
<br />
I sprawl across the floor, not wanting to make a mess of the bed I’ve just made (plus not wanting to have to do laundry again so soon), staring once more at the same ceiling I was fixated on last night. But this time, I won’t be depressed.<br />
<br />
My stomach churning in excitement, I reach up and caress my breast. It’s been so long since I’ve been touched like this, even by my own hand. My clothes are restricting my access, but I find this to make the situation more tantalizing.<br />
<br />
I can feel my nipple hardening under my touch. I smile and gently arch my back upward. I squeeze and tug, pull and rub. Finally, I can’t stand having my clothes on any longer. I shred them and discard them on the floor. Only my bra and underwear remain. And it’s time to get serious.<br />
<br />
I reach down in between my legs, my hand still cupping my boob. I can feel that I’m already moist.<br />
<br />
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<br />
Just like my grimoire and voodoo doll, my intimate personal possessions are locked away in a safe place. In this case, it’s in a second locked box under my bed next to the trunk that contains my spell book. But considering the long dry spell I’ve been in with actual good pleasure (Abel’s half-assed attempt last night doesn’t count), I definitely don’t need them now.<br />
<br />
I tease myself slightly, gently caressing my most sensitive area while continuing to grope my breast. Then, I slowly insert one finger, then two, and retract them. I could do this for a long time, but today I’m impatient.<br />
<br />
“Fuck it,” I murmur as I move my second hand down below my waist. I hold myself open as I slide two fingers inside me, not even removing my underwear. And this time I’m not gentle. I don’t need it to be gentle all the time.<br />
<br />
I can’t stifle a moan as the friction against my nether region increases. My mind swirls with fantasies, all of which involve hot muscular guys with huge cocks. This is good, but nothing can compare to the real thing.<br />
<br />
But right now, it’s all I have. And I’m going to make the most of it. So I continue to move my fingers in and out, my moans beginning to rise. But I have to be quiet considering this is an apartment complex and someone could hear me easily. Especially given the shitty and cheap quality of these walls.<br />
<br />
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<br />
I keep rubbing, inserting, grinding until it feels so good that I involuntarily tighten my muscles. My legs clench up and I begin to writhe. I need one final thing to push me over the edge.<br />
<br />
None of the men in my fantasies ever have faces; all I care about is what’s below their waist. So I picture one last guy with bulging muscles plowing into me, and in my mind I yell at him, “Fuck me!”<br />
<br />
That is my undoing. My orgasm splurges through me and sprays onto the carpet, which was stained long before I moved in. I put my hands on the floor next to me, gasping for air. God, that was good. I’ve missed this pleasure so much. If only it could have been with a real man instead of a solo session.<br />
<br />
Finally, I sit up and replace my now soaked underwear, then put my clothes back on. I take the underwear downstairs with a few other pieces of laundry to the apartment’s laundry room and throw them into the washing machine.<br />
<br />
The loud thrumming noise penetrates my senses, but I’m still oblivious to it. I glance at the clock and see that it’s now early evening. I got up later than I thought. So with a resounding sigh, I trudge back to my apartment and prepare to get ready to go to work.<br />
<br />
But I don’t miss the palpable wink that Dominic Taylor gives me when he sees me slipping back into my apartment.Tender Wolfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13874882716131293841noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8361545223023093000.post-25524080834288079672013-09-04T17:45:00.000-05:002013-09-04T21:09:53.967-05:00Chapter Two<span style="color: #990000;">WARNING:</span> This chapter contains nudity, disturbing content, and strong language.<br />
<br />
“Lydia! Hey, beautiful,” Abel says by way of greeting. I roll my eyes unambiguously. I know what Abel wants, and it’s not just a piece of ass.<br />
<br />
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<br />
“Not tonight, Abel,” I groan. “I’m tired.”<br />
<br />
“Hey, don’t blame me,” Abel replies as he shoves past me, right into my apartment without being invited. “Dad wanted me to come talk to you.”<br />
<br />
“Sure he did. Oh, and come right on in, by the way.”<br />
<br />
“Hey, this is technically my place. Well, my dad’s place, but since I’m helping him run it, I can come and go as I please. But seriously. You’re behind on your rent, babe. I’d hate to see a pretty little thing like you get kicked out on the street. You’d never make it out there.”<br />
<br />
A lot he knows.<br />
<br />
“You’ll get your rent,” I retort. “It’s not my fault the money I make sucks. All I got tonight were a bunch of crumpled ones and fives.”<br />
<br />
“Again, not my fault. But if Dad doesn’t get some sort of payment from you within the next two weeks, you’re gonna be evicted.”<br />
<br />
“Thanks for the great news, Abel. That’s just what I wanted to hear after a long night.”<br />
<br />
“There’s more news.”<br />
<br />
“I can’t wait.”<br />
<br />
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<br />
Abel sighs. “I’m trying to do you a favor here and let you know what’s up.”<br />
<br />
“You think I don’t know my rent is past due? I told you, you’ll get it. I’m working on it.”<br />
<br />
“Well, maybe we can work out some sort of agreement.”<br />
<br />
“No way.”<br />
<br />
“Come on, you don’t even know what I’m offering.”<br />
<br />
“I don’t give a damn what you’re offering. I don’t want it.”<br />
<br />
“I can get payment some other way, babe. Dad would never know. I’m the one who balances the checkbook. He’s as good with numbers as he is with tools. Which, as everyone knows, is shitty.”<br />
<br />
“Abel, stop it.”<br />
<br />
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<br />
Unfortunately, Abel doesn’t stop. He keeps inching his way toward me, a look of seduction on his face.<br />
<br />
Except it’s not seducing me in the slightest. If anything, it’s creeping me the hell out. Oh how I wish I could use my magic to get him out of here! What’s the point of being a witch if I can’t use my powers whenever I see fit? And this seems like a necessary situation. It’s obvious what Abel wants. You don’t have to be a psychic to see that.<br />
<br />
“Abel, I’m warning you,” I say in a menacing tone. I’m not one to back down. “Back the fuck off.”<br />
<br />
“Hey, it’s either this, or I tell Dad that you don’t have your rent again and probably won’t get it in the two weeks he’s so generously giving you.”<br />
<br />
“Fuck you!”<br />
<br />
“I’d love to. How about you do that for me?”<br />
<br />
I’ve been backing away this whole time, until I end up toppling over the dining table. Abel sees his opportunity. He straddles me, prying my legs apart as he tries to wrestle me out of my shirt.<br />
<br />
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<br />
“Stop it!” I shriek. I struggle beneath him as his disturbing erection grazes my thigh. I knew this guy was a filthy pig, but I never thought he’d take me by force.<br />
<br />
I’m about to spit an incantation into his face, but I can’t. It’s just too risky. I can’t expose my secret; witches aren’t supposed to exist, and knowing this guy, he’d run right to the press to get his fifteen minutes of fame. How would I ever explain that one? It’s impossible.<br />
<br />
Besides, I know he’s serious about me being kicked out, and I truly have nowhere else to go. Plus I do have some forms of revenge other than fighting back.<br />
<br />
With a sigh of resignation, I give in. I lie there, supine, immobile, allowing him to have his way with me. I’m just grateful my table is plastic and not wood, or my entire back and ass would be covered in splinters.<br />
<br />
Thank God it’s quick. It only takes him two minutes to get off. And thanks to my “profession,” I’m on birth control. When he stands up, panting like a dog, he gives me a snide grin, obviously pleased with himself.<br />
<br />
I want to puke as I struggle to sit up and wriggle back into my underwear. The same underwear that was being ogled earlier when I was spinning around a pole.<br />
<br />
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<br />
“Thanks for that, babe,” Abel says sardonically. “I needed that. And I know you did too. Don’t worry, I’ll tell Dad you paid up. And since you took it so good, I’ll even throw in the next month’s rent free.”<br />
<br />
“How kind of you,” I reply sarcastically.<br />
<br />
“Don’t mention it. Oh, and by the way, that other news I mentioned? You’re getting a new neighbor across the hall.”<br />
<br />
“Joy.” I hope it’s some other poor soul he can torture and deflower.<br />
<br />
“Yeah, so just an FYI in case you hear some movement across the hall. Anyway, I better get down there and take care of those books. Thanks again.”<br />
<br />
With a maddening wave, the sneer still plastered on his face, the bastard leaves.<br />
<br />
I waste no time in bolting to the bathroom to puke. I grasp the edge of the seat when the acrid taste is out of my mouth.<br />
<br />
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<br />
I feel even more disgusting than I did earlier at work as a stripper. That’s pretty sad. If only Ebony had been here; Abel would never have tried anything if I wasn’t alone. Or maybe he would have; my sister was gorgeous, so I’m sure he’d be down for a threesome. Gross, and illegal considering our sisterly relationship would become incestuous.<br />
<br />
I could have easily helped myself, but at too high a cost. I honestly believe that’s why Ebony is dead; one thing she never exercised or practiced was discretion. I’m convinced that she was found out and in a cruel twist of irony, thanks to the Salem witch trials centuries ago, someone burned her to death.<br />
<br />
I fill the tub with water and add bubbles, eager to wash off any remnants of Abel’s vulgarity. As I sink down into the warm water, I continue to think of what I need to complete the resurrection ritual.<br />
<br />
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<br />
I’ve made up my mind. I did that long ago, when I first heard the news of my sister’s death. Contrary to what’s portrayed in the media, witchcraft is not the same thing as telekinesis. I can’t simply look at an object and will it to move toward me. I can’t change my clothes at the drop of a hat or in a shower of glittery sparkles.<br />
<br />
Real witchcraft is using the earth and nature as sources of power. A witch draws those elements and can summon up great power. Of course, there are a few exceptions, such as ancient incantations like the ones in the spell book (or more accurately, grimoire) I’ve hidden in a locked trunk under my bed. I wish there was a safer place to put it, but I can’t risk Abel or his father coming in here while I’m gone and finding it.<br />
<br />
I extend my leg up in the air and swirl it around, examining it for any traces of Abel.<br />
<br />
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<br />
I scrub my skin until it’s raw. I hate myself for being so weak, for allowing that cretin to even touch me. Thankfully, I know of a way to get him back. The best part is that he’ll never see it coming and will have no idea why it’s happening.<br />
<br />
I’m not one to practice dark magic. But if the time calls for it, I’ll do so. I’ve never had to use it that much before, but what Abel did is unforgivable. And the fact that he was so smug about it, like he’d accomplished some great feat! The nerve of him!<br />
<br />
I splash my leg back down and grit my teeth in fury. Sometimes I hate that I’m a witch. It makes me feel even more helpless, knowing that there really is something I can do about circumstances, but at the same time I can’t because it risks the exposure of all of my kind.<br />
<br />
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<br />
I’ve heard various stories on how witches came to exist. Some say that mortals sold their souls to the devil in order to gain power and immortality that shouldn’t be possessed. Others say that few were blessed to have special abilities to help others, and they passed those powers down to their children. And even more say that somehow a select group of people was blessed with the power and embodiment of nature itself, thus allowing them to draw energy and power from it.<br />
<br />
The one story that is consistent, however, is that magic was always meant to be used for the greater good. But as with all things that aren’t meant to be toyed with, some magic possessors turned dark. Instead of using their magic for the greater good, they used it for the betterment of themselves. That’s why witches got such a bad rap so many years ago.<br />
<br />
I still practice the ancient arts, things like placing a penny in every corner of a room to bring good luck to someone I care about, or even playing around and seeing what shapes I see in tea leaves.<br />
<br />
But some of the things I do, which are just as old, are considered dark magic. But I don’t consider myself to be evil. I only use those measures when strictly necessary.<br />
<br />
Like right now. I rise from the tub and wrap a towel around my body, staring into the mirror.<br />
<br />
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<br />
As I dry my hair, I go over how I want to put this to work. It doesn’t matter that Abel will give me an extension on my rent; what’s to stop him from doing this all the time now? Every time he gets horny, he’ll undoubtedly take advantage of my moment of stupidity and weakness to get what he wants, or threaten to throw me out on the street. And as bad as this place is, at least it’s a roof over my head.<br />
<br />
I could always tell his father, but he’s as bright as a burnt-out light bulb. Besides, it would be his son’s word against mine. That would hinder more than help my predicament.<br />
<br />
I finally stagger into my room to throw on some pajamas, which I didn’t grab earlier due to my haste to scrub the filth of Abel off my body. I must remember to do the same to my kitchen table, considering I eat there. I heave a shudder at the thought.<br />
<br />
I step into something and find the hiding place behind a dresser drawer. I discovered it a couple of days after I first moved in; the third drawer down has a faulty stopper, so if you close the drawer in a certain way, you can stash things behind it. It’s too small to fit my spell book, but perfect for my retribution on Abel.<br />
<br />
I withdraw the straw figure, its eerie eyes staring up at me. I haven’t used this voodoo doll that much, but this calls for it.<br />
<br />
I take a pin from my nightstand and stuff it into the doll’s head. At this moment, Abel will be feeling an acute headache forming. But that’s just child’s play. For what he did, I need something more serious.<br />
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<br />
I ponder what to do next and settle on poking the doll’s crotch. I can imagine the pain he must be enduring now. I can’t help but chortle at the image.<br />
<br />
I laugh even more when I poke the doll’s ass, and then finally race into the kitchen and fill a glass with water. I cast an incantation while pouring water over the doll’s head, causing Abel to piss himself. It’s all I can do not to burst into loud guffaws.<br />
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<br />
I make him squirm for a little while longer before finally putting the doll back in its hiding place and crawling into bed. I’m extra exhausted now, and still not feeling the best. Maybe Abel will catch on that karma is biting him in the ass. Or, to be more precise, his tiny dick.<br />
<br />
I don’t bother covering up. It’s too humid in here, anyway. Instead, I cover my face with my arm and stare at the vintage ceiling with its intricate, ancient design.<br />
<br />
I feel somewhat better knowing that I’ve punished Abel for his actions, but I still can’t help the regrets swimming around in my head. Finally, without bothering to wipe away a stray tear that falls from my eye, I drift off to sleep, apprehensive about what tomorrow will bring.<br />
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Tender Wolfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13874882716131293841noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8361545223023093000.post-12943032972001163872013-09-01T12:45:00.000-05:002013-09-01T12:50:17.807-05:00Chapter One<span style="color: #990000;">WARNING:</span> This chapter contains nudity and strong language.<br />
<br />
The music pounds in my head and from all the surrounding speakers lining the walls. Men of all different shapes, sizes, and ages gawk at me like I’m a trophy worth fighting over.<br />
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<br />
I feel much worse than a trophy. I feel like a cheap whore. I guess that’s to be expected if you’re making your living as a stripper. But there’s literally nothing else I can do right now. I was in school, but I dropped out after the accident.<br />
<br />
Except I’m convinced that it was no accident. It’s too coincidental, too well-timed, and too painful to be anything else.<br />
<br />
But I don’t have time to think about that now. Right now, I have to concentrate on not falling on my ass in front of these perverts ogling me like a slab of beef, and making sure not to trip over the ridiculous giant cherry on the stage that some dumbass thought was a good idea to add extra sex appeal if one of the dancers started grinding it.<br />
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I swear to God, if these damn stickers fall off my boobs, I’m going to lose more than my dignity. I can’t believe I’ve stooped this low; that I’m following in my mother’s footsteps.<br />
<br />
She was a stripper too, until she resorted to drinking to help ease the guilt and pain. She turned into a raging alcoholic and Ebony and I were at our wits’ end trying to hide her stash somewhere besides where she’d already hidden it.<br />
<br />
Ebony. Just the thought of my dead sister makes me nearly lose my balance, which would cause me to plummet face-first into the crotch of some college kid who’s rubbing his genital area like it will turn me on. Either that or he’s turned on and enjoying it. Ugh.<br />
<br />
“Shake it baby!” someone yells in the background. I shake it all right, but not because I want to – because I need the tip money that’s being thrown at me. I slide down the pole seductively, which causes wolf whistles to ensue.<br />
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<br />
The one thing I hate more than this job is the name of the strip club that is my employer – The Poppin’ Cherry. Seriously? As if any person in here has a cherry ripe for the taking. Yes, I’m among that group of people, but I don’t just give it away like some of these girls do. Hell, my last roommate worked here too, but she was battling anorexia and bulimia – just when I thought she’d beaten one, another battle surfaced. Plus, in this business, looks are everything. I finally had to move out, because I wasn’t going to kick her sorry ass to the curb. I should have thought that through more considering the predicament I’m in now.<br />
<br />
Finally, the music stops. I brush off the advances of some guy at least in his forties begging for a lap dance. It’s almost time for my shift to end and I can go back to my crappy apartment here in Hillridge. Or, as I call it, <i>Hell</i>ridge.<br />
<br />
Back in the dim dressing room behind the stage, I splash water on my face to get the caked on makeup off of me, then throw my clothes back on. I take my hair out of the stupid pigtails (when I started the dance, I was to be dressed as a sexy cowgirl) and run a brush through it. Finally, I look presentable.<br />
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<br />
I must admit that the face I see looking back at me is pretty, even void of makeup. In this town, that could be a dangerous thing. But, unbeknownst to any potential predators, I literally have the power to thwart them off.<br />
<br />
I’m hoping that with that power, I’ll be able to bring my sister back to me. Ebony and I were always very close, and we rarely had sibling rivalry (though when it did transpire, it wasn’t pretty).<br />
<br />
As I climb into my car, avoiding more catcalls on the way, I reminisce about Ebony’s death.<br />
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<br />
It happened two years ago. Ebony had just turned twenty-one years old. She was celebrating like any normal person at that age would. I was her older sister. It was my duty to protect her. God forbid our parents do that – by that time, our mother’s drinking habit was so out of control that she’d been enrolled in AA. Ebony was better than me when it came to visiting her. I don’t believe that alcoholism is a disease. A disease implies that something can’t be cured or fixed. Alcoholics can stop drinking at any time if they just put their mind to it. And that doesn’t require magic.<br />
<br />
Our father, during this time, decided to explore his “other” side. He ended up divorcing Mom and moving in with his boyfriend. Yeah, my mother turned my father gay. Quite the life I had.<br />
<br />
In the end, the house had somehow caught fire when Ebony was celebrating with some friends. They’d already gotten kicked out of the bar, and being the good big sister that I was supposed to be, I’d volunteered to be that evening’s designated driver. I drove her home, but I had to return to campus for classes the next day.<br />
<br />
The fire began abruptly and investigators determined that the cause of the fire was accidental, ignited by burning candles left unattended due to my sister being incapacitated and inebriated. She died before she even knew she was burning.<br />
<br />
That’s when I left Cedar Grove. I was a coward, ashamed of how I’d let my sister down. I had nothing left to tie me to Cedar Grove. I wanted to start a new life in Hillridge, but right now, it doesn’t look promising.<br />
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<br />
I park my car in the apartment complex’s garage and clamber into the shaky elevator. The motion reminds me of how badly I was shaking upon hearing the news that night. Had I not possessed such self-control, another fire would have ignited due to the wrath I’d felt. Sometimes my magic consumes me when my emotions run high. I’ve become more cautious with that, but my sister was like my best friend. I’d do anything to bring her back.<br />
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<br />
Finally, the elevator stops on my floor. I climb out of it and fumble in my pocket for my key. Withdrawing it and inserting it into the lock, I glance around, hoping not to run into the landlord’s creepy son, Abel.<br />
<br />
Abel’s had a very conspicuous crush on me since I first moved in. This apartment building belongs to his father, but he’s about as technologically savvy and handy with a wrench as a chimp. Actually, I think a chimp could do better. As a result, Abel is always the one to come to a tenant’s rescue if something breaks down. Which, in this building, is very often. And to my dismay, I learned early on to use magic to fix broken things rather than rely on Abel and his advances. I want to live as normally as I can, but in that regard, I much prefer to use magic.<br />
<br />
I collapse onto my couch, exhausted. My feet are killing me from the Stilettos I’m forced to wear, and no amount of magic can make that go away. Nor can it get rid of any cellulite I may ingest. And of course, I can’t magically conjure money, either. Just my luck. If I could do that, I’d never have to work. Then I'd have more time to focus on bringing Ebony back, and other important things.<br />
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<br />
As I curl up into a ball and close my eyes, I know I should get off my ass and go take a bath. I’m hot, sore, and smell like beer and smoke. I just want to wash the entire memory of even agreeing to take that job, not to mention renting this shitty apartment (even though it’s the only one I can afford), out of my head.<br />
<br />
Unfortunately, just as I start to get up, there’s a knock at the door. I groan, not caring if the person on the other side hears me. I don’t feel like socializing.<br />
<br />
But alas, I saunter over to the door and pull it open...<br />
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<br />
...immediately wishing I hadn’t. Staring at me with an unconcealed look of lust is Abel, the landlord’s son. I am definitely not in the mood for this.<br />
<br />
This is going to be a long night...Tender Wolfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13874882716131293841noreply@blogger.com8