Now, I have to admit, this is the part of the story when the magick gets a bit Charmed-ish. I thought it made things more interesting, if not more entertaining. Enjoy!
This is a work of fiction. It is straight out of my imagination, except for most of the pagan practices mentioned. This is written for adults and if you are not supposed to read this where you live, then please don't.
Part 28
We cut through a square on the way home. The street lamps cast long shadows and the Spanish moss waved in the cold air. There were few people out at this time of night and season, so we stopped to kiss. I held Ryan close, exploring his mouth with my tongue. He ran his hands down my back and grabbed my ass.
"I want that tonight," he said squeezing my cheeks.
"Ask and ye shall receive," I said and kissed him again.
"What a lovely couple," a voice said from behind me. I stopped and turned around pushing Ryan behind me. The woman from the ball was standing in the shadow of an oak tree. I took a step back pushing Ryan back. "I take it you don't recognize me," she said, and pulled back her veil.
"Cecilia," I said astonished.
"Cecilia, as in old girlfriend Cecilia," Ryan asked.
"Yes, I am the old girlfriend," she said stepping into the light. She was still quite beautiful. Her skin was pale and smooth like porcelain. Her hair was long and spiraled down onto her shoulders.
"So, um, what have you been up to," I asked, trying to sound casual and keeping my distance. I wasn't sure why, but she made me very nervous.
"Oh, you know, just studying, growing strong. Growing more bitter with every passing day I spend alone."
"Okay, well, I think you need to be getting home," I said to Ryan. I kissed him on the cheek and pushed a talisman into his hand. "Run home now," I whispered into his ear.
"But...," he started to protest.
"Please, Ryan. I will be home directly." I pushed him and turned to face Cecilia. I heard his footsteps stop, and then he finally trotted home.
"You haven't been pining over me all these years, have you darlin'," I asked backing away from her.
"I pined for a while. I kept my faith that you would get over your silly phase and would come back to me. I loved you so much, and you shattered my heart like a beer bottle." I thought of how odd a simile that was, and figured she had done a lot of drinking over the years.
"All I can say is that I am sorry. I loved you, but I couldn't love you the way you wanted. I would have happily stayed your friend. You are the one who disappeared." I looked around, half hoping there was someone nearby, but then hoping there wasn't, if she turned violent.
"I couldn't stand by and watch you kiss and hold someone else." She looked away and wiped a tear from her cheek. "But then, after a while, the love went away and left a hole. I filled that hole with hate and bitterness. I studied and planned to take my revenge. I thought I had gotten over it all, but then you found love again".
She turned around to face me. The wind picked up and the street lamp to my right exploded, sending glass and sparks dancing across the brick sidewalk. I jumped back covering my face with my arm. I reached into my pockets looking for something I could use against her. She advanced on me causing me to back away. She raised her hands above her head in a sinister pose and recited a curse with a hissing voice.
From the depth of darkness rise Hide the sun and fill the skies Work my spell with evil might And bring an end to him tonight Hear my secret; keep it well Open up the gates of hell Darkness come and play your part Do my will and stop his heart
She pushed her hands in front of her and a black vortex formed between her palms. I stepped back and stumbled over a loose brick in the sidewalk and fell on my back. The dark force flew over me, leaving a wake of foul smelling air. The vortex hit an oak tree behind me and a wave of shadow engulfed it. Dead birds dropped from the branches and brown leaves fell like rain. A large limb cracked and fell toward me and I roll out of the way. The limb struck Cecilia and knocked her to the ground. I scrambled to my feet and reached into my pocket.
I searched until I found a small packet of powder. I opened it and ran at Cecilia. I opened the packet and tossed the powder into the air causing it cover her where she lay on the ground. She sat up and started brushing at her arms and legs, trying to get the powder off. She raised her hand and pointed at me. I held my breath and prayed that my powder had worked. She screamed and sparks flew from her hand. I stepped back and closed my eyes. I waited for a moment and then finally worked up the courage to look. She stood next to the fallen limb looking at her hand. She looked at me and growled.
"What have you done to me," she shrieked.
"I just stopped you from casting for a while." I started to turn when she jumped on my back. I shrugged her off and she fell to the ground. I lifted my hand and recited:
Bring her peace to cool her hate, Calm her heart and blank the slate. Remove the anger and give her rest, Take the worst and show her best.
She screamed as a bright flash bathed her in light and sparks danced over her and onto the ground. She looked up at me and started to cry. She jumped to her feet and stepped toward me. I took a step back, and she stopped where she stood. I started to turn away when she spoke.
"I am so sorry for what I did. You took your love from me so I took love from you." She fell to her knees sobbing. I stepped toward her, and stared down at her tangled hair..
"What are you talking about," I asked. "Tell me," I yelled when she wouldn't stop crying.
"I took your love...," she said crying into her hands. I remembered the vision I had from the tea. I realized that the woman was Cecilia. She had killed my Ward. My teeth clenched and I balled my hands into fists. I could hear my heart pounding in my ears. "I was going to take your love again..." She collapsed into more sobbing. I suddenly had a horrible feeling. What if she had set a trap to hurt Ryan. I turned and ran towards home. I ran as fast as I could the few blocks left to the house. I made it to the door and found it locked. I raised my hand and it flew open. I looked at my hand in disbelief. I hadn't known I could do that.
I ran upstairs to our room and found it empty. I looked in his old room and it too was empty. I ran downstairs and into the studio. The painting of Ryan was gone. I felt faint, but I struggled on. I ran to the parlor and saw him. He was lying on the parlor sofa, the painting leaned against the wall near him. I ran to his side and knelt down beside the sofa. I reached out and touched his cheek. His eyes fluttered and slowly opened. He smiled up at me and I pulled him to me in a close hug. I started to cry as I held him against me. He wrapped his arms around me and rubbed my back.
"What is wrong, love," he asked. I pulled back and looked in his worried face.
"I... I thought you were dead," I stumbled.
"Do I want to know why?" I stood up and moved to the supplies cabinet. I started pulling out every protection charm and spell I could find.
"Cecilia was a little angry, and when my spell wears off, she will be furious." I took a piece of parchment and scribbled the word `help' several times and then lit a candle. I burned the paper and let the ashes blow out the window. I closed the window, locked it, and returned to my preparations.
(To be continued)
The next chapter will be submitted soon.
I welcome comments, twinkchaser@excite.com