Page 15 of Christa's Obsession

Why do you say that?Wanda’s trees whispered back, sounding amused.

You know what you’re doing. I…Wanda couldn’t say it. Didn’t know how to express how she felt about the presence of Christa in her nightly trysts with her trees. They had always loved to touch her, and she had found deep, immeasurable pleasure in their affection. But what was happening now was so different. It felt more…intense.

I don’t need you to give me the words. I know my own mind.

What you know is fear.

The whispered words were the truth, there was no denying it when she hardly ever left her trees. She needed to be close to them and she understood their additional need to touch her so intimately. Renewing their bond much more than they had in the beginning.

Except, the touching had turned to…

We connected to her, as did you. Her body pressed against our branches, our leaves, her essence combining with ours. You sealed the bond when you touched her. Together, the bond formed because her heart is pure. It’s why she sees you… all of you.

She’s a demon.

Yes, she is, and she holds a blissful connection to us. To you. She needs us.

Wanda’s temples throbbed with how her trees pressed the truth upon her. She accepted the truth, she couldn’t deny it. That, however, didn’t release her from the fear of how the demons had come into the forest because of her brother's bond with a demon. They had been mistaken and took her. Hurt her.

Dakata had enemies, did it not stand to reason that his sister had the same enemies? She knew Christa worked for Dakata’s business, the same one that the demon had ranted about. Wanda knew she would not survive another visit to the demon realm.

What would that do to her demon? Hurt Christa? Wanda would never want that to happen…ever.

She kept that thought to herself.What if Christa wants us to go to the realm? Visit with her family?Wanda knew in her heart she would do anything to please Christa if she let her fully into her heart, her world.

She’s already a part of our world. She watches us. You know this. She yearns for you. Needs us to survive. Listen to us. If you have questions, ask her.

How do I do that?

The branches swayed and sounded like they were giggling at her.She is with Silas. Go see her.

Wanda’s trees opened, and she smelled the fragrant night air, full of promise after the day of sunshine. Flowers and plants offered their abundance to the night, while stars scattered the night sky and surrounded the moon.

The beauty of the night enthralled as it always did, and Wanda sat to admire it.

Branches nudged her gently out of the trees, and when her bare feet touched the ground, she got another little nudge in the direction of Silas’s tree.

Go, talk to her.

Wanda didn’t see herself as brave or daring, and this situation appeared to call for her to be both. What did one say to a demon when their last encounter had her pushing her away?

What did one say after that?

She sighed and followed the path, minding the plants and stepping carefully around the stones.

She had no call, as yet, to talk to Dakata. Would he think it odd, her turning up at Silas’s door late at night? Silas wouldn’t, but Wanda knew the demon had made the forest his home.

Would the stunning creature who wore tall heels and silk be happy living within her trees? Wanda couldn’t see how.

She let those things worry her instead of the gnawing fear that came unheralded as she got further away from her trees.

We are fine.

That may be so, but Wanda was not. She paused and pressed her head against an old tree, seeking comfort as her lungs burned from the lack of air.

She felt Dougal’s presence before he spoke. “What’s this, lass?”

Wanda reached out a hand, and Dougal took it. “I… Dougal,” she cried. “I can’t do it. My trees, they have accepted her. They have bonded and they are struggling with their need to connect to her in… other ways.”

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