Page 31 of Magpie
We were young, and I was blinded by love, so when he stumbled upon someone who would teach us, I agreed without hesitation.
“Oh, fuck,” I whisper, realizing just what kind of force I’m dealing with.
He looks at me, staring death in the eyes and not flinching as he says, “My thoughts exactly.”
The bed dips, rousing me from sleep, and my eyes flutter open just as Sean is standing up. I watch him creep to my door, opening it silently and pausing. He turns, his deep red eyes catching and holding mine. I don’t call out to him; I don’t make a single move to draw him back to me. I simply watch the shifting skeletal ink that fades in and out over his skin. He flashes me that crooked smile, and I find myself returning a grin of my own.
“Until next time, pretty bird,” he says, turning and sauntering out of the door.
I feel my cheeks heating at his words, at the veiled promise ofmore, but the feeling is instantly chased away by a frigid cold that slams into my body so quickly I am left reeling. I wince, shivering uncontrollably as I tug the blankets uselessly over me. I know they will provide no warmth. I was so blissfully unaware that I was feeling again, that I was warm outside of Alister’s embrace, that the sudden return to numbness nearly has me crying out.
After a few shuddering breaths, my body acclimates to the cold, and I let out a sigh. I sit up, feeling the too-large shirtsliding off my shoulders, and I can’t stop myself: I pull the collar to my face and inhale. His scent clings to the garment, and I try to imagine some of the warmth from his touch filling me again.
Until next time, pretty bird.
My toes curl at the idea of a next time. I was so uncertain after waking in that stone room with the blue flames, so ready to run from what I had done and try to forget those memories entirely. But as we passed the remainder of the night silently in each other’s arms, I felt those nerves sliding away. Something about curling up in his arms as he gently traced circles along my back left me feeling like I was finallyhome.
“Did you enjoy yourself last night?”
Alister’s voice startles me into dropping the shirt collar from my face. He’s standing in my doorway, watching me with a ravenous look in his eyes. He looks disheveled, like he spent all night awake doing god only knows what. His shirt is wrinkled, his usually coiffed hair falling into his face. But there is a feverish light in his eyes, an undeniable power that flows off him. He looks wild, untamed, like his body can barely contain the energy within.
“Was…was that the ritual?” I ask, ignoring his question entirely. He wasthere, hesaw, he doesn’t need me to confirm it.
“It was one of them,” he says, stepping into my room, his seductive aura reaching out and caging me. “It was far more successful than any ritual before, and do you know why?”
He stands before my bed, holding a hand out to me. Crawling to the edge of my mattress, I rise onto my knees, taking his hand in mine and letting out a sigh as his warmth invades me. He grips my chin, pulling my face to his and burying me in the strength of his kiss.
“It was all because of you, Magpie,” he says, breaking the kiss at last, but not releasing my chin. “This house is finally whole with you in it,” he croons, stroking my hair with his free hand,petting me like an animal as he flashes me that crescent-moon smile. “I cannot wait to see the kind of control you have over your power.”
“I…Alister, I don’t have any powers,” I say, shaking my head and pulling out of his grasp. I don’t want to disappoint him, even more so now with Sean’s warning drifting around in my mind.
He simply laughs at me, grabbing the shirt and beginning to unbutton it, popping the buttons steadily. “Of course you do, Magpie. This house wouldn’t have called to you if you were powerless.”
The shirt falls around my shoulders, and he pushes it down my arms, leaving me bare before him. He stares at me, drinking his fill, and I stay still, letting him. Turning, he walks to the dresser. Pulling one of the drawers open, he rummages around inside and takes out a silky black nightgown. The exact outfit he prefers me in. He walks back toward me and hands me the garment. I stand, pulling the gown over my head and tugging it down.
“Would you like to taste your powers?” he asks, his voice dark, deadly, and something about the tone stills my movements. “I promise, the first touch of it will leave you begging for more.”
I turn to him. He’s holding a hand out to me again, and I know he’s not actually giving me an option. He made the choice for me before he even voiced the question. I knew he was preparing me for something with all the spell books he’s had me read—I just didn’t realize I would be tested so soon.
Panic tries to grip my throat, a burst of those old alarm bells sounding in my mind, but I refuse to step back into the hazy fog of my old life. Shutting off those panicked cries of warning, I smile and step toward Alister, readily accepting his outstretched hand.
He leads me out of the house, and I’m startled to find night has fallen again, though I just woke up. Glancing at the sky, I get the strangest longing to see the sun, but the thought is there andgone in an instant. He tugs me after him, and my head swivels around, taking in the unfamiliar city. There are more people out than I expected, gathered around storefronts and street vendors. The smoky smell of meat cooking rises from a cart, and I suddenly realize I’mstarving. When was the last time I ate?
I falter, coming to a stop as I stare at the man grilling links of sausages and piles of onions. He doesn’t notice me, no one ever does, but I continue to study him. Alister has stopped, observing me as I continue to stare, transfixed, at the street vendor. Try as I might, I can’t remember eating since waking up in Alister’s house. Not once have I needed as much as a glass of water.
“Magpie,” Alister says, trying to draw my attention back to him.
“I think I’m hungry,” I say, finally peeling my eyes away from the man, turning and focusing on Alister. One of the reasons I’m hesitant to ever set foot outside of the house is the strange effect the world seems to have on me. The way it tries to remind me what life should look like. What it shouldfeellike.
“Then let me feed you,” Alister says, gripping my hand, those white gloves soft against my skin. He continues, pulling me after him, drawing me away from the savory smells that do nothing to fill my empty stomach. The ache of hunger is there, but it is not for food. I’m not surewhatI need.
We follow the sidewalk to a park a few blocks from the house, the bustling sound of the city streets gently waning as we stroll into the mostly secluded park. Alister sits us down on one of the many benches lining the walking trail. He draws me next to him, holding me tight like he always does. There are barely any people here, just a few midnight wanderers like us.
No one notices us. They never will.
“There,” Alister says, breaking the quiet of the night. His eyes are locked on a couple strolling the park across from us. They are young, young enough to make me think they are breaking somerule by being out this late. The boy says something, and the girl throws her head back, letting out a peal of laughter. I grin. Their happiness is infectious.
“Tell me about him,” Alister says, his voice low and tinged with a hypnotic power that has my eyes instantly glazing. His arm around me is the only thing anchoring me to the world as the park drifts from my sight.
