Page 2 of Above
I yanked the belt free, using his carelessness to my advantage as I snaked it under and then around his neck. By the time the fool had caught on to what I was doing, he was already choking.
“I know that those without magic are forbidden from accessing any history or in-depth knowledge on it, so let me educate you, James.” The air seemed to become charged as I felt the stars’ gift stir within me. Below, James bucked and gasped, his face turning a violent shade of red. And in that moment, I knew this was about more than my anger. It was about feeling powerful for once in my life. “The stars are our saviors—our truerulers. Your wealth means nothing. Your contribution means nothing.Youmean nothing.”
At that, I let go of the belt and rolled off him. The newest heir to the Dorelli Oil Corporation’s fortune choked as he clawed at the belt around his throat. I was not finished with my lesson though.
With a flick of my left pointer finger, I sent James soaring through the air. His body collided with the wall, portraits the price of my family home falling to the ground as he became the newest decoration.
“Magic is finite, but it is strong—immense—otherworldly. Why waste it on a mundane life? Why spit on the stars by merely surviving when we can use their blessing to thrive?” Another flick, this time downwards, and James dropped to the ground. I knew I was spewing relative nonsense, but I couldn’t show that my family was the true sore spot. Plus, I wasn’twrongper say. “Within my veins beats not only blood, but a gift from the stars themselves. Magic thrums through my body, ready at all times to do that very thing you practically disregarded earlier.”
Tears dripped down James’ cheeks as I slowly made my way to him, the lacy black fabric of my dress scratching against my thighs and my blood-red heels clicking with each step upon the pale wood floors. Slowly, I lifted my entire hand, the man’s body rising with it.
“Create,” I whispered as I ordered the many plants he had potted around his home to encircle him, creating a sort of dome.
He screamed out, trying to fight off the plants.
“Kill,” I spoke next, willing the greenery to wither and fall, the pieces scattering below the hovering man.
My free hand went towards the remains, each twirl of my finger a demand for the remaining dead plants. The pieces vibrated upon the floor, reconnecting in a jagged and uneven circle.
“Conquer,” I hissed, willing the crown of death towards me. I caught it with my right hand, quickly placing it on my head as I slashed my other hand downwards. James crashed to his knees, sobbing as he kneeled there. As he bowed to me. I knew this was simply my own unresolved issues coming out to play, but I couldn’t stop myself. Or maybe it was that Iwouldn’t.“By the way, don’t ever talk about my fucking family again.”
So much for not revealing my true feelings.
“I’m so,sosorry,” he blubbered, his hands clasping together against his chest. Rolling my eyes, I took the last few steps toward him and bent down, the very finger I used to attack him sliding under his chin. His sobs became louder, more violent. They racked through him, shaking his chest, stealing his breath.
“Shh,” I whispered, leaning down to peck his wet lips. He only seemed to tremble harder. Fear. Such a powerful weapon. One that had been wielded against me time and time again. “I have been watching you for quite some time, James. Studying you, really. I know all about how your affair with Mr. Dorelli began. How you convinced him to leave his wife and five children for you. The contracts, the trustee appointment, the lies. Your plan to kill him—which is so very bold, by the way—and your many lovers on the side. Do you know why it was me that caught your eye? Because I made it so. I snuck into this home, watched as you brought in women and men, listened as they wooed you and in turn you ravished them. Every part of your well-plotted, predictable schedule still sits in my mind. That tavern we met at? You go there every evening right after your daily run. Just shy of four miles, starting here and ending there. I know which spots you prefer to take a breather and stretch at. What you drink. Who you see. I know it all, James.”
Cue the vomit. Right on time.
The lying, conniving piece of shit heaved, his entire body seeming to shrink as he convulsed. I watched in disgust,momentarily silenced. When he began breathing deeply, both of his hands coming up in surrender, I finally spoke again.
“I was always going to rob you, but I didn’t want it to come to this,” I whispered, my voice practically a hum. And then, right as another snotty sob crawled up his throat, I pulled back my elbow and smashed my fist into his face. Like they all did, the man crumpled, consciousness a faint memory within his mind.
From there, I made quick work of his belongings. Three weeks ago, I climbed his gutter and crawled through his third-story bathroom window, which he always left open. In less than an hour I had wandered all throughout the entire house, taking note of anything valuable. I could’ve grabbed it then, but my pride—my desperation to feel strong—always led to me doing it this way.
Flying through his house as fast as I could, I snatched anything extra that I could fit in my bag, the crown falling off along the way.
Thank the stars I put that nearly endless charm on this thing.
I huffed as I swung the bag onto my shoulder. Like always, it was practically weightless, my magic holding it in that place between us and the stars—the ethers.
“You’ll never get away with this, you poisonous bitch!” Sighing, I turned to face James. He was bleeding profusely from his mouth, vomit staining his beige button-up and his hair pointing in every possible direction. I watched closely as his chest rapidly rose and fell, how he seemed to subconsciously pick at his cuticles on his right hand. Then, ever so slightly, his right eye began to twitch.
“We don’t have to fight.” Straightening up, I cocked my head to the side and watched as he seemed to ready himself for attack. He had never so much as taken a self defense class, let alone fought someone in hand-to-hand combat. But of course, no mancould allow himself to be bested by a woman. They didn’t even like being beaten by one another. “You’re about to make your night ten times worse.”
With a growl that sounded almost animalistic, the idiot charged at me.
Just as he was about to collide with me, I ducked, swinging my leg out and catching his ankles. James careened forward, his head flying towards the ground until it connected with a sickening crunch. His body instantly stilled, the sound of his breaths turning louder as he gargled his own blood that seeped across the once-gold bath rug.
I did say he would regret it.
Groaning, I stood up and walked over to him. With the toe of my heel, I turned him onto his side, hoping he wouldn’t drown but not caring enough to actually help. With that, I dug through my bag, pulling out a pair of loose, black pants, a dark grey cloak, a large cotton shirt, and my black boots. I was dressed and climbing through the window within minutes.
The cold bite of the drainage pipe had me hissing in pain as I slowly shimmied my way down, my mind straying to the idea of having shadow magic. How nice it would be to have the capability of transporting myself with a mere thought.
“One more week, Nova,” I whispered to myself as my feet made contact with the sidewalk. “Just a week.”
Calmly, if not briskly, I made my way to Artie’s, knowing that this haul would bring in enough for at least two months’ worth of doses. The reality of my score had me thrumming with energy, eager to get my coin, meet with the dealer, and head home.
