Page 72 of Obsession

The next morning, I wake to the same dream of being stuck in a confined space. I can always hear someone’s muffled voice, but I still can’t understand what they’re trying to say. Phenex is no longer in my closet, but the demon could still be powerful enough to send me that dream from a distance.

Grabbing my cards, I give them a shuffle. “Is my dream related to Phenex? Upright means yes. Reversed means no.” Cutting the deck, I pull the Devil Reversed. “Alright, that’s a no. Didn’t have to get all cute with the answer.”

Walking to the kitchen frustrated and tired, I spot on the counter a huge vase of red roses. Twenty-four to be exact, because I counted them, and a box of a dozen red velvet cupcakes, my favorite.

“Now this is certainly a good start on the groveling,” Grandma announces. Ignoring her comment, I go for a cupcake. Yes, it’s seven in the morning. Don’t judge me.

I open the shop, and the day passes quickly with me trying not to think about the shitshow that is my love life. Trying and failing miserably.

The next morning, I wake tired from yet another night of my unsettling dream. I sit up and bump a silver domed tray. I remove the cover to find an omelet, a chocolate croissant, fresh raspberries, coffee with a splash of cream, and freshly squeezed orange juice. An abracadabra rose sits in a small vase, alongside a large heart-shaped rose quartz, the stone of unconditional love.

After finishing my delicious breakfast, I grab my tarot cards. Giving them a shuffle, I flip over the Lover reversed. An indicator that two people in a relationship aren’t on the same page—with trust issues holding one person back. Yep and yep.

Later that evening, my phone chimes.

Damion: Are you really going to make me watch House Guest reruns by myself?

I can’t help it; I laugh.

“Is your demon still in the doghouse?” Grandma asks as I close the message screen. “From the lack of passionate lovemaking, I’d say the answer is yes.”

“If you already knew the answer, then why did you ask,” I say, spinning on my heel and walking to my room.

“Why you won’t give that sexy angel a go is beyond me!” she calls after me.

“Good night, and butt out,” I say, closing my door.

I grab Mama’s book of shadows and work on decoding another spell. This one’s shorter and doesn't take me as long as the breakup spell.

Love Spell

Create a poppet with the hair of the target pinned on the head and chant:

The love for me you can’t deny.

The love for me will never die.

Be mine always until the end.

So it be Cupid’s arrow send.

Do this spell in conjunction with feeding the target a few drops of your menstrual blood. Stick the poppet with a pin dipped in a mixture of your blood and your target’s blood. A small arrow is even better.

I’d love to know why Mama thought she needed this spell. Don’t you just love my puns? For the love of the Goddess, I should really stop.

Turning off my lamp, it’s not long before I’m relaxing against the edge of an infinity pool nestled high in the cliffs, overlooking a spectacular sunset.

A major sense of déjà vu hits me, and it dawns on me—this is a dream, one I’ve had before. Of course I’m wearing the skimpy red bikini.

Damion isn’t here. I know because my body’s not on high alert. A part of me is relieved—I’m not sure I could withstand his seduction. A part of me is disappointed—I’m not sure I could withstand his seduction.

A tropical frozen drink with a little umbrella and a cherry appears in my hand. “He’s good,” I mutter, grabbing the cherry and popping it in my mouth. He knew I’d be reminded about what he did with my tongue and a cherry back when we were bound together. More importantly, he knew I’d be reminded about what he can do with his tongue and my cherry now that he’s back in his body.

Setting my drink down and resting my chin on my arms against the ledge of the pool as I take in the beautiful sunset, a piece of paper appears. Grabbing it, I read the note from Damion, written in dragon’s blood ink.

When you’re ready to admit you’re mine, I’ll be more than happy to meet you here. And I won’t be a good boy.

~ Damion

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