Page 5 of Obsession

Why should it? I’m picking you up Friday at five and we’re going back to my house for the weekend. My bedroom has better lighting than yours, anyway.

Better lighting?

For your bikini pics.

In your dreams. Grabbing his tie, I yank him down, giving him a proper goodbye kiss.

In your dreams, if you play your cards right, he retorts, giving me a smug smile when he pulls back.

Get out of here before I lead a poor demon into temptation.

I’ll let you think you’re doing the leading. He winks and is gone.

Chapter 3

I’m standing in my walk-in closet with an ancient terracotta bowl that contains a demon named Phenex. My life didn’t used to be this exciting, I promise. Damion sent it over via air-demon with a note.

Be careful. I don’t share my possessions.

I’ve created a pentagram of black salt around the bowl, and I’m inside a protective circle with a large agate wand. I agree with Damion—not about being his possession—but that I’d rather not be possessed by Phenex should my spell prove successful. Hence the protective circle. Lighting a black candle that’s positioned at each point of the pentagram, I chant:

With the power of the pentagram you are free.

Phenex depart hence from this bowl and me.

Nothing happens, energetically speaking, so I close my circle, leaving the candles to burn out overnight. Dumping a large salt barrier outside my closet door, I try to sleep knowing there’s a demon in my closet.

The next morning, I discard my spell remnants, and text Damion to retrieve the bowl. It’s obvious my spell didn’t work based on the dense energy coming from it.

Damion: Since you sent me that text, is it safe to assume you’re not trapped in the bowl with Phenex?

Me: Very funny.

Damion: I think it’s time we consult an academic, try to get a translation on the symbols.

Me: Sure. Have someone in mind?

Damion: Let’s ask Sonia.

How wonderful. More of Damion’s ex-girlfriend. That was sarcasm by the way.

Me: Okay, sounds good.

Damion: Sure you aren’t possessed? Was that really my girlfriend’s response?

I send him an emoji middle finger.

Damion: Now that was my girlfriend’s response.

What does one wear to meet a seduction she-demon who would love nothing more than to seduce your boyfriend out from under you? I’m not sure how long I stand there in my closet, but eventually I give up, throwing on Damion’s oversized Ole Miss sweatshirt, a jean miniskirt, and sneakers. Yes, I stole his sweatshirt, but possession is nine-tenths of the law.

Sliding on my bloodstone bracelet has now become a ritual—I say a blessing each time I do so, thinking of Maddie’s gift as my protection amulet. This bracelet coupled with blood magic saved my life, back when I was about to be the Angel of Occult Knowledge Eiael’s next sacrifice.

“That’s what you’re wearing to meet the ex? Not a very sexy look,” Grandma critiques as I join her in the kitchen.

“Thanks,” I say smartly as I grab a banana from the counter.

“Please let me pick your outfit,” she begs. “The skirt is a good decision—showcase those long legs of yours—but the sweatshirt hides too much skin.”

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