Page 32 of The Chosen One, My Ass

She rolls her eyes and turns, walking back to the cart of colorful glass containers she’s putting away. I feel a little bad. It’s not her fault I haven’t been able to find anything close to the right combination of smells. After my second fragrance department search proved fruitless, I came to the candle store. At this point, I’ve smelled so many different perfumes and candles that someone could hand me a bag of dog shit, and I would detect notes of freesia and musk.

I have smelled almost every candle in this store. I have two shelves left to work across, and then I’m giving up. The store arranged the candles by color, and I’m moving into the neutral section, all beiges, browns, and creams. I love these shades, but Andrew would probably find them boring. He seems more a vibrant hue kind of guy. I like that about him.

While my mind is elsewhere, I take a deep inhale of a coffee scented candle, which reminds me of Miranda. I hope the kids are having a good time at the shore, and I hope she and Jake are able to find the peace they deserve. I may not love the guy, but she sure does. And she’s the one whose happiness I am worried about. As her docent, I get reports from their counselor—nothing super detailed, but notes she thinks I should know about for our training. And Miranda and Jake know about the reports. Getting those reports was one of the conditions of the League providing a counselor. The only condition in fact. So, we had to go along with it.

I take a whiff of the next beige candle.

An ice-cold chill works its way up from my tailbone to the base of my skull, and I almost drop the candle. Jackpot. This is the one. I scan the label and murmur to myself, “Sand and sun.”

“Did you say something, sir?” The bored employee is at my side immediately. “Do you need any help?”

“Uh, yeah. Actually, I do. How do I know what smells are in this?”

She points to the placard on the shelf and paraphrases what’s printed. “Orange, lemon, lavender, and musk.”

I’m impressed with my ability to have pegged so many of those in my guess. I’m sure she thinks I’m a total douchebag for my behavior today, but I also don’t care. “I’ll take a dozen.”

She raises one eyebrow at me and questions, “A, dozen, sir?” But when I nod in confirmation, she starts to carry the large jars to the cash stand to ring me up. I look back at the shelf, grab one of the coffee scented candles for Miranda, and make my way to the register as well.

As I walk to the car with two bags of wax filled glass, I wonder why I felt the need to buy so many. One of each probably would have sufficed. I load the bags behind my seat so they don’t crash around and break. When I settle into the driver’s seat, I get a text from Miranda.

Hey, we’re in Point Pleasant. Our imp buddies came by. BE CAREFUL. Some mythical something or other is trying to seduce you. The only clue I have is seeing red? Ok, going on vacation now. TTYL

“Seeing red.” Huh? So, I was right after all. The lady in redistrying to seduce me. I reach behind and grab one of the candles. When I close my eyes and take in a deep breath of the scent, I can picture her so clearly. The long, dark auburn hair. The red satin dress. Yes, Miranda, I am well aware. I can’t help but wonder why she’s trying to seduce me though. I don’t seem like the best target. Also, if she gives off such a strong beach scent, and Miranda is currently at the beach, why is she all the way up here?

Got it. Sounds like the dream lady you thought I was crazy to worry about. I’ll be careful. Found the smell. Orange, lemon, lavender, and musk: a beach-scented candle. Since you’re the ones at the beach, you should watch out also. Hate to have to rescue Jake’s ass from another seductress.

Only, by the time I go to send that message, I see that her notifications are silenced. I don’t want to ruin her vacation on a hunch, so I delete the text. I could call her twice to break through the do-not-disturb mode and make sure she knows to keep an eye out, but she always has at least one eye open for weird things. Especially since Las Vegas.

As for me, I should at least pretend to be responsible and attempt to research whatever is following me around. But the last few days have been long and tiring, what with me trying to track down this scent in any place I could think I might smell it. Before I tried this place I’d been to cosmetics stores, perfume counters, and soap stores. Now that I’ve solved this mystery, my brain needs a break before I’m ready to move onto the next.

Once I step foot in the library, my eyes drift to the plush armchairs by the window. I shake my head and stroll up and down the bookshelves, but all the titles sound the same in my head. Not even a specific topic calls to me. So, I collapse in the armchairs by the windows and try to collect myself.

I massage my temples, but the room, no, the whole world still slants sideways as I stare outside at the trees. The afternoon light grows brighter and brighter until it whites out all of my surroundings. I see the woman in red before me, only she’s replaced the tight satin dress with a summery halter dress that flares out below her waist. She faces away from me, her dark auburn hair flowing down, around her shoulders. She is still so close I think I might be able touch her, if only I could move my arms.

I can’t see anything beyond her but the blinding light. But I cansmell. Chocolate and vanilla and an overbearing sweet smell so strong that my stomach turns. But something salty, earthy cuts into those scents. I hear children’s laughter all around me. Then, ahead of the lady in red, Miranda and Eliza come into focus. They are deep in conversation. Well, Miranda is deep in it. Eliza looks like she is somewhere else entirely. They hug and Eliza turns toward me, toward the lady. She passes us, and I can hear the lady’s breathing quicken. She’s excited for something. She starts to sing, but I don’t hear the lyrics so much as feel them reverberating through my soul.

Oh come to me,

Sweet angel, now

And let me take

Good care of you.

You have been strong

For far too long.

It’s time to come rest your head.

I blink.

When my eyes open, I’m back in the library, sweating. I’m not the one she wants to seduce. Miranda is in trouble. Eliza is in danger.

My phone starts ringing. When I look at the screen, I see Miranda’s name pop up on the caller ID. So maybe it’s not too late.

I answer quickly, and before I can speak, I hear sobs.

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