Page 87 of Obsession

“Florence, you can’t do that.” I look over to the woman behind the desk, who appears nervous. “You can’t let her do that. She’s under duress, and he’ll take all her money. He’s been isolating her from her friends and won’t let anyone talk to her.”

“I’ll let you talk amongst yourselves. I’m going to step out for just a moment.” She takes off, probably to find a manager.

“Little girl, if you know what’s good for you, you’ll stay out of our business,” he says in a southern accent faker than Azrael’s. Nolan’s wearing another Italian suit I’m sure cost a small fortune. Florence’s small fortune, if I had to bet.

“And if you know what’s good for you, you’ll hightail it out of town and never contact Florence again,” I say, crossing my arms and staring him down. “And what happened to your European accent?” I demand.

“Aubry, don’t be so rude.” Florence turns to Nolan. “I’m sorry. Aubry is usually a sweet girl. I don’t know what’s gotten into her.” She clasps her hands together, and I notice a ring I’ve never seen her wear before.

“Florence, I’m sorry. I just don’t want to see you taken advantage of by this stranger,” I say, grabbing her hands.

“Aubry, I appreciate your concern, but Nolan would never hurt me. I love him and trust him completely.”

“Very well. Then I’ll leave you to your business.”

Stepping outside, I quickly walk to the alley, calling Azrael. “Take me to the banks of the Mississippi River right now. I don’t have time to explain!”

“What’s the secret code word?”

“Azrael! This is an emergency!” And just like that, I’m standing next to the Mighty Mississippi. Holding the ring I snatched from Florence’s finger, I visualize a white light encompassing it and chant:

Water’s power break Nolan’s magical grip.

Florence’s free will returns so she can end the courtship.

Tossing the ring into the river, I’m not surprised when it smokes upon impact. Yep, definitely dark magic.

I call Florence. “Aubry, darling, I’m in the middle of cursing a con man. I’ll talk to you later.”

It’s nearly midnight as I sit cross-legged on the floor of my closet, staring at the incantation bowl. “Abracadabra?” I try, but of course, nothing happens. B.B. takes a seat in my lap, eyeing the bowl suspiciously. “B.B., what if we put candy in the bowl and see if Abracas will appear and help us out?” I ask my cat. “Nah, one demon in my closet is enough.”

Giving her a scratch, I continue, “We could just set the bowl on fire, and see if Phenex will rise from the ashes, like a Phoenix bird.” One of my dresses falls from its hanger onto the floor, causing B.B. and me to startle. “I’m sorry, was that a yes or a no? Phenex, couldn’t you just tell us how to help you?” I ask the demon. “It would make things a lot easier.”

The idea hits me, and I race to the hall closet, rummaging through until I find an old spirit board Maddie and I had no business playing with in high school.

Grabbing my phone, I call Charlotte. “Can you come over?” I ask. “Sorry, I know it’s late, but I need your help with the Phenex bowl.”

“Sure. Throwing on my clothes now.”

“You want me to see if Azrael can come get you?”

I hear a male voice say something in the background. “That’s not necessary,” she tells me. “I’ll be there in a few.”

Charlotte soon arrives, and B.B. and I lead her to my room. “Again, I’m sorry to bother you this late,” I say, waving a smoking sage bundle around myself and then handing it to her.

“It’s no problem. Gabe was over at my place, and he insisted on driving me. He’s waiting in the car,” she says, running the smoke up and down her body.

“Aww, that’s so sweet. But you know your angelic bodyguard could come inside to wait.”

“I know, but he said he didn’t want to impose. So what’s the plan with the Phenex bowl?”

“Instead of us spinning our wheels trying to figure out how to free him, let’s just ask him instead,” I say, smudging B.B. next and then placing the sage bundle down.

“How?”

“We’re going to try to speak to Phenex using a spirit board.”

“This is exciting! I’ve heard of these, but was always too chicken to play in high school.”

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