Page 10 of Forbid Me

The place was a spacious sanctuary, adorned with opulent furnishings and lush fabrics. The walls were painted in warm, soothing colors that enveloped the space in a cozy embrace. Plush carpets covered the floors, their fibers sinking beneath my feet with every step. Soft, ethereal curtains framed the windows, allowing just the right amount of sunlight to filter through, casting a gentle glow on the room.

The living area was furnished with sumptuous sofas and armchairs, their cushions inviting and comfortable. A large, ornate mirror adorned one wall, reflecting the opulence that surrounded me. A grand chandelier hung from the ceiling, its crystals glistening in the soft light, adding an air of elegance to the room.

In the corner, a well-stocked bookshelf held volumes of knowledge, from ancient spells to modern-day history. Nearby, a grand piano stood, a testament to my love for music, its rich tones filling the air when my fingers danced across the keys.

My bedroom was a haven of serenity, with a king-sized bed draped in silk sheets and plush pillows. The soft scent of lavender and vanilla filled the room, soothing my senses as I slept. A vanitytable held an array of cosmetics and perfumes, a reminder that even in the Crossroads, I was expected to maintain a certain level of elegance.

The kitchen was a chef's dream, stocked with the finest ingredients and state-of-the-art appliances. I had everything at my disposal, from fresh produce to rare spices, ensuring that I could indulge in any culinary desire.

Despite the poverty that surrounded me in the Crossroads, my employer provided for my every need in exchange for the predictions I could offer. It was a life of luxury, but it came at a price—the burden of seeing the future and the weight of my employer's expectations.

Sipping at the magical dark roasted brew, I stood before my wardrobe, contemplating the day ahead. The Crossroads could be a harsh and unforgiving place, but today, I wanted to exude strength and confidence. That meant pink.

The pink power suit I pulled out of the wardrobe would serve as a symbol of my resilience. The jacket hugged my curves, and the tailored trousers elongated my legs. I cinched a belt around my waist, accentuating my hourglass figure. With a flick of my fingers, I used my magic to ensure the suit fit me perfectly, every seam and hem in place.

Next came the heels, sleek and sharp, adding inches to my height and an air of authority to my stride. My reflection in the mirror showed a woman who meant business, a woman who could hold her own in a world filled with uncertainty.

With the outfit complete, I turned my attention to my makeup. I reached for the cosmetics. Using my magical touch, I created a flawless look. My eyes were framed by perfectly winged eyeliner. My lips were painted a shade of deep red that demanded attention.

The woman staring back at me from the mirror was fierce, confident, and unapologetically herself. With every stroke of my brush and every adjustment of my outfit, I had transformed into a force to be reckoned with.

Feeling ready to face the day, I made my way to my favorite spot in my home — the pink recliner chair. Its soft, velvety upholstery enveloped me as I sank into its embrace. The chair was a sanctuary, a place where I could focus my thoughts and harness the power of my visions.

I pulled the lever, and the chair reclined, allowing me to find the perfect position for concentration. With my eyes closed, I let the visions flow, the sights and sounds of the future unfolding before me.

After that crazy vision of darkness and my rough sleep, I didn't expect much. Visions didn't come readily when I was unsettled. I took a deep breath, quieted my mind… and it was like a floodgate opened.

Stepping into the psychic plane was typically like walking into water. At first, it was a gentle lapping at my toes, a subtle whisper of the future brushing against my consciousness. It was the calm before the storm, the moment of anticipation that washed over me, both thrilling and unnerving.

As I delved deeper, the sensations intensified. The water pooled around my knees. Its cool embrace pulled me further into the depths of the psychic realm. It was as if I was wading through an ocean of possibilities, each wave carrying glimpses of what was to come. The visions swelled around me, a cacophony of sights and sounds pulling me in every direction.

Today was different, though. Today, as I stepped into the psychic plane, I was submerged, as if I'd been plunged into the depths of a vast and uncharted sea. The water engulfed me completely, surrounding me with its ethereal currents. I should be afraid, lost in the abyss of the unknown, but I wasn't. I'd learned to navigate these waters, to trust in my abilities.

The visions came rushing toward me like crashing waves, each one carrying a piece of the puzzle. I reached out, grasping at them with an urgency born from years of practice. It was a balancing act between staying afloat and diving deeper. In this vast sea of visions, Iwas both the sailor and the captain, charting a course through the turbulent waters of fate.

As I absorbed the visions, they became a part of me, merging with my consciousness. I saw the threads of destiny intertwining, the intricate tapestry of the future taking shape. It was a mesmerizing and overwhelming experience, like being swept away by the current of time itself.

As I focused, the visions began to materialize. Financial data, market trends, and economic forecasts unfolded before me like a map of numbers and charts. It was as if I was diving into a pool of knowledge, the water of foresight enveloping me.

I grasped the threads of the visions, pulling them closer, examining each one with a keen eye. The answers to Uziah's dilemmas slowly took shape, like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle coming together.

But just as I was about to emerge from the psychic plane, something unexpected happened. Another vision rushed toward me, unbidden and forceful. It was not a financial prediction; it was a glimpse of Uziah, my boss, confronting Ken.

My heart skipped a beat, and I was jerked upright in my recliner. My feet slammed down on the floor, but my eyes remained closed. Visions of people in my life were rare, and this one felt different, urgent. I saw Uziah's anger, his fist connecting with Ken's face. The realization hit me like a bolt of lightning. Uziah was taking action because of me.

Panic surged through me, and I knew I couldn't let Uziah hurt Ken. I had to explain, to make him understand what had happened. I scrambled to come out of the psychic trance and out the door. They were in the club in the vision. So I headed to Bite Me.

CHAPTER SIX

Oz

The world spun around me as I was unceremoniously spat out of a witch's portal. The sensation was even worse than the turbulent ride through the portal from Arcadia to Portland. My head felt like it was wrapped in a thick fog. My thoughts were sluggish and muddled. The disorientation was pure torture.

Gulping in a breath, I choked on the thick air. It was laden with the untamed essence of wilderness that clawed at the fringes of this ravaged civilization. I found myself standing in a dense forest, the canopy overhead a tangled mass of branches that barely let the waning sunlight through. The ground was littered with fallen leaves and branches and… were those bones?

In the distance, I made out the skeletal remains of what may have once been a thriving metropolitan city. Many of its once towering structures were now ravaged by time and neglect. The skyline was a jagged outline against the horizon. Buildings that oncetouched the sky were now reduced to crumbling monuments of a forgotten era.

I was literally at a crossroads. The irony—that was the name of this place in No Man's Land. A place where there were no rules, no protection offered by a House. It was in the center of the continent of what was once the most powerful union in this world. Now it was a place where survival of the fittest reigned supreme.

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