Page 8 of Night Tales

"I do. The house called you. This is my house, and now you belong to me."

Imminent Death

People think that having a superpower is great. Maybe if it were something fun like going really fast or x-ray vision, I'd agree with you, but I see when men are going to die. Particularly, men that I'm emotionally linked to. It's a terrifying gift that I wish I could take back. The first time it happened was when I was in my teens. My first boyfriend Patrick was a sweetheart, and we had a lot of fun together, until one day this vision flashed in my mind of him drowning.

I didn't know what that flash had been. Why would something that horrible appear in my mind? I didn't want to tell anyone, they might think me crazy. So I kept it a secret. To my horror, a few weeks later, Patrick drowned. I felt so guilty. I mean, could I have stopped it? Maybe it had been a premonition, except now it was too late. He was gone.

After I got flashes for my next three boyfriends and they all came true, I was convinced I was making these terrible things happen. So I closed in on myself and stopped dating. But I had apretty face and a nice body and boys kept trying to get me to go out. So I decided to date, but I would not get close to them. Three dates and they were out. This drove the men in my town crazy and it got me namedthe tease.

My only escape was college, and I took it. College was full of boys and girls that found me interesting. They would flirt and throw themselves at me, and I just kept trying to hide. After one persistent suitor kept insisting, I gave in. This time, I thought, if we got close I would be prepared and try and prevent the death from happening.

But I couldn't. I tried, twice, and then gave up. I closed myself up completely and just put my head down and did my courses until I graduated. I lived a lonely, sad life. Then a particularly nice man at work was interested in me, and I was tired, so tired of being alone. I started researching my gift. I scoured the internet for any type of mention of my power. I went to libraries that had obscure books on visions and prophets. I got nothing.

Then I foundhim. He had this old, second-hand bookstore that carried books on magic and powers. He was young, about 30, and so handsome. He had his wits about him and always made me laugh. Each time I went into his store to do my research, I felt myself falling for him. He'd begged me to tell him what I was looking for, but I was afraid he'd start looking at me differently if I told him what I could do.

One day I found a book that looked promising, so I stayed at the store later than usual. He offered me wine and cheese to snack on when he saw I was tired. We went to a sitting area that had a couch and some tables for reading and we sat down next to one another.

"Will you please confide in me, sweet girl?" He begged.

I drank down the wine in my glass and poured myself another one. I was exhausted of being alone in this search for a way out of my curse. Maybe? But being honest with him could be the thingthat made our connection stronger. Strong enough for it to kill him. I shook my head no and kept drinking the wine.

"You wouldn't believe me, even if I told you."

"You know I have an open mind. My entire living is made up of inexplicable things. Every book in this store is more mind blowing than the next."

"You'll die."

He took my hand in his and lifted it to his lips. They were warm against my skin and a bolt of electricity went through me.

"I'm willing to take the chance, sweet girl."

We were still holding hands when I blurted everything I had been keeping inside myself for the past ten years.

"I'm cursed. Whenever I get emotionally close to a man, I get this flash about his death and it always comes true. I've tried to change the events with no results. I can't tell you how much death has touched my life."

I started crying and he took me into his arms.

"You won't need to worry about that with me. For I too have a secret."

I lifted my face off his chest and saw an image pass in front of his face of a scythe, then it was gone. I blinked and moved my head from side to side to clear it. His eyes suddenly turned red, and I was startled. He's a demon, I thought. That's why the curse won't touch him. I was elated and threw myself into his arms again.

He smiled down at me and lifted my face up to him, then he kissed my breath away. Finally I was going to be able to love someone completely. We kissed for the longest time, devouring each other. My body was tingling with desire and when a moan escaped my mouth he lifted me up and started undressing me.

I don't know how his hands were so steady, because mine sure weren't. This moment in time was magical, something I'd never thought I'd experience. He unbuttoned my blouse, placing kisseson my chest after every button was open. He was so gentle with me, I knew I had found someone special. After taking off my blouse, he undid the button on my skirt and unzipped it. He let it fall in a heap at my feet and I stepped out of it.

His hands roamed my body making me feel cared for. Once I was in my underwear, I felt a little vulnerable with him still clothed. He walked around me, his hand never leaving my body. My shoulder, my back, the lace in my bra.

"You are so beautiful, sweet girl."

Truth was, under his scrutiny, I felt beautiful. I reached behind my back to undo my bra, but he brushed my hands away. He played with one of the straps of my bra and pulled it off my shoulder. He repeated the move on the other strap. He kissed my shoulder where the strap had been and teased my breasts through the lace.

My blood was boiling now and I craved his touch. I pushed my chest forward so that he could have easier access to my breasts. I wanted the bra off but we were working at his pace, not mine.

"Please." I begged for more of his touch.

"Patience, sweet girl."

His thumbs brushed past my nipples, and they stood at attention for him. Oh, how I wanted him. My breathing was shallow now with all the excitement he was stirring up by touching my body. I decided to take matters into my own hands, even if he was being the dominant one right now, but I wanted more. So I took one of his hands and placed it between my legs.

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