Page 3 of Because You're Mine
Hearing the banging coming from the front of the house, my eyes snapped open as I hurriedly left the room, the door closing and locking shut as soon as I stepped through the doorframe. Levitating, I flew to the front door quickly, my feet touching the floor right as I pulled the door open.
“Hey, boo!” Janelle showed me all thirty-two of her teeth, throwing her arms around me, squeezing me tightly. “You look so cute and refreshed today.”
Observing her as she stepped inside, I did what I always do and quickly took her in. She looked adorable in her mid-rift sweater while her jeans cupped her ass just right. She smelled like the most expensive perfume, and she carried the latest Birkin that I’m sure was a gift from Donovan. Janelle neverstruggled to adorn herself with the best, but I loved the way he had swooped in and spoiled her.
A slight flutter illuminated in my chest at the thought of him, causing me to crinkle my nose in confusion.
What the hell was that?
“I haven’t had a day off in so long, I hardly remember what it feels like,” Janelle whined, plopping down on my sofa. I watched as her head fell back dramatically, hair spilling across the couch cushions. “I’m thinking about planning a friend-cation during the holidays if everyone’s available. What do you think?”
While her eyes stayed shut, I quickly summoned a bottle of water from the kitchen before taking a seat nearby. Catching it midair before it could land on my lap, I giggled lowly at her being oblivious to what just happened.
“I think it would be a great idea, actually.” I threw my legs over the arms of my recliner, staring at the old ceiling beams. “That’ll give me the chance to get out of the house and maybe meet someone.”
While she rambled about destination possibilities, my mind drifted to the lack of companionship in my life. The ache of being alone was becoming daunting. Men rarely gave me a second glance because of my appearance, and the doubt of ever finding my person had begun to creep inside my brain weeks ago. I was typically deemed a freak because I was littered with tattoos and piercings, but I still felt as if I was a pretty woman.
Growing up in Milly Grove, my family has always had the reputation of being demonic. My great, great, great grandmother practiced witchcraft, and people shied away from the Winsors in fear of the darkness they felt surrounded us. There was no darkness. They didn’t understand that the magic my distant relative engaged in did not cause harm; black magic was not our forte. They didn’t care about the specifics, though.They also didn’t care that none of us had practiced for years—well, that was until I did.
“So what do you think, Sabrena?” She snatched me from my thoughts as she lifted from the sofa, hearing her phone ring. “I was thinking we could go to the mountains or something.” She smiled as she held her device up to her face. I knew then that it was her man calling. Pings of jealousy crawled into my skin. “Give me a second, friend.”
“Hey, baby,” she answered the FaceTime, and I could hear Donovan as he appeared on the screen.
As I watched her walk into my kitchen to take her call, I found myself on my feet and in front of the full-length mirror in my living room. Today was a chill day, so I decided to keep it simple with a black tank top and black leggings. My eyes trailed the ink that marked my neck, chest, arms, and hands. A gold loop in each nostril of my nose matched the gold choker around my neck. My curls flowed freely around my face, showing my ancestry included another race. My lighter complexion and heart-shaped lips should have made me desirable amongst most men. Not only that, but my perky breasts and firm ass should have awarded me sexual relationships. I knew I was pretty, but my aura pushed potential partnerships away.
“Call me when you finish seeing your mom.” I jumped at the sound of Donovan’s deep voice sounding off in the room. “Tell ’Brena I said, ‘What’s up.’”
Janelle walked over as she handed me the phone. “Here, say hey.”
Giving her a tight-lipped smile, I accepted the phone and locked eyes with an extremely handsome Donovan. Even though he was only chest up in the camera, he was a sight to see. His skin was the color of toasted almonds, while his hazel eyes seemed to stare into your soul when he looked at you. His starewas always friendly and innocent toward me. It was as if he saw me as his sister, just as Janelle did.
“Hey, Donovan,” I spoke as calmly as I could. “How are you today?”
“No complaints, sis. Trying to get in where I fit in with your girl.” He grinned as Janelle giggled lowly beside me. “A nigga wants to cuddle and feed her, but itseemslike she’s too busy.”
“For you, baby? Never.” She eased her face into the camera. “Get dressed, and I’ll come back and get you.”
“Perfect.” He blew her a kiss before turning his piercing eyes to me. My heart beat wildly inside my chest as I felt my hands begin to sweat. “Be good today, ’Brena.”
Offering a small smile, I handed the phone to Janelle as I made my way back to the recliner. I watched her gather her things as she apologized for the quick visit. Promising to call me later, she kissed my cheek and we walked to the door together. Watching her jump into her expensive car, I waved as my body began to feel heavy. As I shut the door behind her, I placed my head against it, trying to make sense of what I was feeling. Closing my eyes, I took a deep breath to regain my composure.
Love is upon you, looking you right in the face. Be ready to receive it while it fills you.
Snapping my eyes open, I gasped at the newfound revelation. Panting rapidly, I placed my hand on my chest as I searched for my bottled water. I downed it quickly as I paced my living room floor. Stopping suddenly in front of my mirror again, the once clear conscience I held moments ago was gone. Images of the unknown man from last night’s dream came into view. Once the smoke cleared and the vision stood still, I was nearly knocked to my feet at what my eyes were seeing.
Donovan.
In the mirror, his image stared at me blankly as I stared back at him. Chest heaving, I took tiny steps toward him, unable tobreak eye contact. The intensity of us looking into each other’s souls confirmed that not only was this Donovan, but he was calling out for me. With shaky fingers, I reached out to touch him, only for his face to fade away. Like a ton of bricks, it hit me with a force that should’ve killed me. Instead, a new purpose came alive.
I was in love with my best friend’s man, and what made it worse was that I was going to make sure I made him mine.
Smoothingout the wrinkles on my gown, I sighed heavily as I stepped out of my beat-up Honda. You’d think, my being a witch, I’d wiggle my nose and poof, a Benz would appear in my driveway. Up until now, I’d always tried to do the right thing involving my magic. I knew enough about black magic to know I wanted no parts—that was until recently. With my feelings for Donovan hitting me full force, my main objective is to make him mine. Never in a million years did I dream of hurting Janelle and stealing her boyfriend, but this is just how life works out sometimes. I didn’t choose for it to happen; he was made for me.
Hoo. Hoo.
Parking a little way from her house, the sound of my heels hitting the asphalt echoed through the night. It was humid inMilly Grove with the stars barely shining. Hearing a screech owl cry above me, I looked up in time to see it take flight right over Ash’s house. I stopped in my tracks and watched as it circled the home with eyes on me before flying into the night. I’ve read enough spells and folklore to know the proximity of this particular owl means danger is near. Yet, I wasn’t worried about the warning being for me. I’d digested my visual clearly, and the owl was for someone else at this party.
“Here we go…” I gripped my clutch with one hand as I adjusted my mask with the other. “Tonight is going to be one to remember.”
