by Piper Stone
“That’s it. Keep your arms under your knees. You know why you’re going to receive a harsh spanking. Don’t you?” he asked as he peered over me.
“No. I mean yes, sir.”
“You constantly disobey my orders. I’ll give you a spanking every day if necessary to get you on track.”
“Yes, sir.” I cringed, holding my breath, watching as he twirled the brush then rubbed his fingers down the back of my thigh.
Crack!
“Fuck!” I jumped, taking several shallow breaths. I could still feel his presence.
I also felt Jenny’s heated gaze. She was studying me, searching to see if I was telling the truth. How the hell did I know what to believe in any longer?
“This guy has really gotten to you. I’m not certain I like the effect he has on you, almost like some hold.”
“I don’t know what it is. It’s like we’re meant to be together. Sounds crazy, right?”
Jenny shook her head. “Sounds like kismet or maybe karma. Just trust your instincts.”
Instincts. I wasn’t entirely certain I could do that. They certainly hadn’t been spot-on over the last few years. “Let’s change the subject,” I whispered, looking anywhere but in her eyes. I heard a jangle of keys and was forced to see what she was doing.
“My mechanic buddy got your car all fixed up and free of charge too.”
“What did you do, Jenny? I told you. I don’t like handouts.”
She shrugged. “Honestly, I did nothing. Yet. He is a hottie though.” Her giggle was laced with a raucous tone.
“You’re terrible!” I couldn’t begin to tell her how grateful I really was.
“Just helping out a friend, girlie. Look, Jeremiah did say the car is on its last legs. Should get you through the semester though.” She leaned over the table again, sliding the keys in my direction. “You know what? Maybe the rich new boyfriend really will buy you a new car.”
“Over my dead body.” I burst into laughter and it felt good to let go, feeling more lighthearted. Or maybe the almost empty mimosa was doing a fine job of easing my anxiety.
Another series of images flashed into my mind, his face as he loomed over me, his massive hands caressing my reddened bottom. I was still quivering, my nipples aching to the point I tugged my shirt away, trying to relieve the tingling sensations skittering into every cell and muscle. I closed my eyes, doing everything I could to push away the visions.
But they remained.
“Twenty more, little Sadie.”
“Yes, sir.”
I held my breath as the spanking continued, the pain creeping up from my bottom to my thighs. He smacked from one side of my bottom to the other, moving in careful yet swift motions. My entire backside was on fire, the anguish almost blinding.
I cursed under my breath this time, shaking my head until the vision disappeared. Jenny was right. How could any man have this kind of hold over me?
“Jesus. This is horrible,” she half whispered.
Lifting my head, I noticed an odd look on her face. “What’s wrong?”
“A terrible accident. I had a dream about a wreck and...” She slid out of her chair, walking toward the television positioned over the bar. “Would you turn that up?”
I twisted in my seat, watching as the bartender grabbed a remote, the volume increasing. Easing out of the chair, I moved beside her, studying the television as a reporter stood on a snow- and ice-covered street.
“In breaking news. I’m here at the scene of a horrific accident, what one of the officers I talked with called the worst he’s ever seen. Unfortunately, we do know there has been a fatality, but at this point the driver has yet to be identified.”
“That’s terrible,” Jenny whispered. “Would you look at the mangled car? How horrible.”
“You had a dream about this?”
I could see Jenny bristling, the hesitation almost suffocating as the nagging sensations continued.
She nodded, a warm flush creeping up along her cheeks. She swallowed hard, shivering visibly. “I hate my dreams. They always come true. They haven’t occurred much over the last few years, but this. I just...” Her voice trailed off, fear riddled in every word.
An eerie sensation shifted down my spine, creating a frigid wave. There was no reason for me to have a sick feeling in the pit of my stomach, but I could tell the car had once been sleek and black.
Just like Christoff’s.
Suddenly, all I wanted to do was talk to him.
Be with him.
I could barely breathe, my heart thumping wildly in my chest. Yanking the cellphone from my pocket, I maneuvered to his phone number. After two rings, the phone simply went dead. There wasn’t a voicemail of any kind.
“Where is my car?” I asked, trying to keep from looking at the screen. I had a terrible feeling that Christoff was in the car, crushed under the twisted wreckage.
“In the parking lot at the dorm. Why?” Jenny glanced in my direction.
“I need to go somewhere. I have to go.” Unseen hands were clawing at my neck. I couldn’t take my eyes off the horrific scene.
“Right now? We’re not finished with brunch. Is something wrong?”
“I have a very bad feeling that’s Christoff’s car. I need to try and find him. He’s not answering his phone and there’s no way to leave him a message. Something’s wrong.”
“Shit. Okay. I’ll drive you back to the dorm then.” After another glance at the television, she moved back toward the table.
I rushed in front of her, grabbing the keys. “That’s okay. You stay here. I’ll walk back.” I grabbed my purse, fumbling to find any money to help with the expense. When she placed her hand on top of mine, shaking her head, I grimaced.
“That’s almost a mile. Let me drive you.”
“The fresh air will do me some good.” I grabbed my coat, struggling to put it on.
“For a man you’re so uncertain of, you’re really worried about his wellbeing.”
“I have to know if I’m right.” The overwhelming feeling had manifested itself into bugs skittering across my skin. Ugly visions of death and destruction flashed in my mind’s eye.
“Just be careful. I don’t like this for some reason.”
Yeah, well, I didn’t either.
The thick material did little to keep me warm, the wind brisk and biting. I took purposeful steps, heading toward the dorm. All I could think about was Christoff, his face and his body, his protective yet dominating mannerisms. I was shocked I was so consumed with worry, my mind clouded as to anything else. The only thing I was concerned with was his safety.
You belong to me.
The words played over and over in my mind as I walked, trying to avoid the various crowds of people.
Sadie...
Hearing my name, I stopped short, scanning the area. I didn’t recognize anyone but half expected either Carter or Mark to come jumping out from behind the bushes. Or maybe I was spooked and just hearing things. I walked a few additional steps then heard my name whispered once again. The gravelly voice was seductive yet ominous. This time, my skin crawled. Very slowly I turned my head as I continued to walk.
There was no one there.
Get a grip. Breathe.
With every step I took, the suffocating sensation became worse, the pressure on my chest intensifying.
Every bit of air was sucked out of me, another clawing sensation wrapping around my throat. Someone was watching me. There was no doubt in my mind. Where was he? I turned in a full circle, a rush of adrenaline boosting my energy. For some reason, I took off running, shooting through people right and left.
I felt like I was in a vacuum, all the air sucked out of my heart and lungs.
Sadie...
He was closer. I could feel his presence, his hot breath tickling my skin. Then he appeared out of nowhere.
A man stood on the opposite corner. Dressed in all black, he had his hands in his pockets, simply standing a few feet away from th
e street. And he was staring in my direction.
Even from this distance, I could swear his eyes were black as coal.
He wasn’t Christoff. Of that I was certain.
Evil. Evil. Evil.
I couldn’t help but stare, my heart skipping several beats. A strange aura surrounded the man, a blurred state of everything around him. The buildings had no definition, the sky a muted blue. But the earth seemed toxic, a licking hue of blue flames illuminating his feet. He held out his arms, tilting his head. While his expression was one of... amusement, I somehow managed to gather a sense of foreboding. And in a few precious and unforgiving seconds, his entire being changed, morphing into the most horrific monster I’d ever seen.
There was no horror movie or textbook that could capture the being standing now only yards from me. He was monstrous, terrifying and hell bent on capturing me.
Gasping, I turned and fled, my heart in my throat, every muscle aching. I was growing weaker by the moment, far too drawn by the creature and his hunger. He was calling to me, whispering in my mind, promising to set me free.
I knew better.
Evil...
Biting back a scream, I rounded a corner of a building, cutting through a parking lot, able to hear footsteps. Chasing me.
Coming after me.
Oh, God. Oh, God. Oh. God!
I continued running, my breath caught in my throat as finally noticed the dorm, the parking lot just on the other side. My resolve strengthened, I refused to look back.
By the time I reached the car, I was chilled to the bone, every nerve ending standing on edge. I dropped the keys before I managed to jam the metal into the lock and by the time I was safely locked inside, beads of perspiration were trickling down both sides of my face. I peered out the windshield. I had no idea what I expected to see, but there was no one following me, no monsters lurking in the middle of a bright and sunny day. There was no man dressed in all black, ready to break into my car.
No monster determined to eat my face.
Ridiculous.
“What is wrong with you?” My own words seemed hollow. I leaned over the steering wheel, catching my breath. I called Christoff again. Two rings then nothing.
I felt like an idiot; however, I was petrified that we’d seen the breaking news bulletin for a reason. I counted to ten before even attempting to start the engine, prepared for yet another failure. When the little heap of shit roared to life, I knew I’d have to find a way to thank Jenny.
It took me fifteen minutes to realize that I hadn’t paid a bit of attention to where Christoff lived. I hadn’t bothered to notice any of the streets or the location in town. After driving around for almost an hour, the gas tank reading close to empty, I was frustrated and angry with myself. More impetuous behavior.
Just like a bad girl.
Resigned, I headed back to the dorm, still feeling anxious.
I parked the car, my nerves remaining on edge. There was only one way to find out if he was all right. Jenny’s car was in her usual spot. I only hoped that she wouldn’t mind what I was about to suggest. I bounded into the dorm room, tripping several times as I’d bounded up the steps. I could still hear my name being called, but the voice was different yet the same. I couldn’t make sense of what I thought I was hearing.
“Jesus! Are you all right? Did you find him?” Jenny asked, giving me a quizzical look.
“I can’t remember where the house is. I didn’t pay any attention.” I peered out the window, making certain I hadn’t been followed. The memory of the beast’s face would forever haunt me.
She laughed. “Some sleuth you are. By the way, I’m certain that wasn’t his car. Christoff I mean. He is alive. Very much alive.”
And he’s coming for you.
I could swear she’d whispered the words.
Swallowing hard, I studied her face. Her faraway look was odd. How could she possibly know? “Did you see anyone in the dream you had?”
“No. I didn’t remember anything about the dream either until we saw the horrific wreck on the news.” She exhaled and rubbed her arms. “Girl, you look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
“Just... It doesn’t matter. There’s another way to find out if he’s all right.” I had to know if he was all right. I also needed to know if there was another creature following me.
“Meaning?”
Sheer desperation filtering into every cell, I glanced around the room until I found what I was looking for. When I pulled the Ouija board from the shelf, she whistled.
“You’re not serious,” she whispered. “It’s not some crystal ball that you use on a whim, Sadie. The board can be dangerous. You do know that, right? Contacting the spirit world isn’t to be taken lightly.”
“Dangerous. It’s just a game.” But I knew better. Whatever had been summoned from hell had arrived. I was going mad with my thoughts, words from my father licking against every rational thought. What if Daddy dearest had been right after all? What if I was some siren beckoning those from the underworld?
Oh. My. God. Every concept of rationality had been tossed out the window.
She yanked the box out of my hands, rubbing her fingers across the lid. “You saw what happened the other night. You were there. You felt his presence.”
His presence. Just exactly who was he?
“Oh, come on. The guys were obviously pushing the planchette to fuck with both of us, trying to frighten me. You know how they are.”
Jenny’s grip on the box tightened. “I don’t think so. I would have felt it and I had my fingers on that piece of plastic. Besides, how would they know about Lucifer’s sons?”
“The same way you know about them. Reading.” What was she hiding?
“Have you ever heard that particular theory before? It’s not a widely believed concept except in certain circles.”
The inflection on the single word was interesting. “Talk to me. What circles are you talking about? You mean those cultists and fanatics yelling at the rain, promising that all our sins can be resolved?”
Jenny’s jaw tightened, her eyes opening wide. She certainly wasn’t used to my outbursts. “I’m no expert. Okay? I’m not even sure. I’m just...” Wrinkling her nose, she looked away.
“I don’t need an expert. I need answers and ideas. You are right about one thing. There is something going on here that’s out of my hands.” Almost immediately I regretted saying the words. “Fuck it. Maybe I don’t know what I’m talking about.”
“Oh, I think you do.”
Why were her hands shaking? “Then can we do the board? Let’s try and contact this demon again.”
Her face paling, she shook her head again. “I just can’t.”
“What is terrifying you so much?”
“Look,” she said, hesitating as she tried unsuccessfully twice to slide a strand of hair behind her ear. “Spirits are real. I’ve seen them. I’ve heard them. I’ve had dreams and visits from spirits since I was a kid. I hate it. My mother called my ability a gift. I know better. This is a curse. I can tell you this. Those who haven’t made it to the other side are disturbed. Angry. They usually have reasons to be, having faced horrible deaths. Murders. The worst of humanity.”
“And Lucifer?”
Jenny shook her head several times. “You don’t want to mess with the devil or his children. If the stories are true, the End of Days is near. There is almost nothing that anyone can do to keep the apocalypse from happening. When the new prince takes the throne as king, we will all be enslaved, forced to endure horrors that we can only imagine. There will be no chance at redemption. Well, there is one chance.”
“One chance? What in the hell are you talking about? Demons. Monsters. Murders. You act as if you know what you’re talking about.” I was dragged back to all the crappy stories my father had insisted he read over and over again. Then I was shoved into a very vivid memory of the exorcism, the words spouted off in terror.
A queen for the devil’s son. Every inch of ski
n on my body crawled, the feeling of multiplying insects devouring my insides impossible to get out of my mind. I was so sick, disgusted I was even listening to this garbage.
But I could tell she believed every word she was saying and even worse, I had the feeling she was right.
Jenny exhaled, the sound more like a whimper.
Her words were chilling enough but the expression on her face was absolutely terrifying.
“Then again, what do I know,” she muttered, laughing nervously. “Just stories my uncle used to tell me. I’m certain I’m wrong but look at all the natural disasters occurring. Tornadoes. Floods. Fires. Hurricanes are increasing in epic proportions. Have you ever asked yourself why? Haven’t you watched the various newscasts where all the stout Christians are pontificating about the End of Days being close?”
I’d heard enough of this crap from my own father to last a lifetime.
“Let me get this right,” I snapped. “You honestly expect me to believe that this spawn just happened to be hanging around, playing a board game with some college kids?” My throat felt as if it was tightening.
The way she gripped my arm was painful, her long, polished nails digging in. “I’m serious, Sadie. We’re not talking about a game. Horrible things happen when spirits are contacted. You have to believe me. I know this for a fact. I’ve seen what spirits can do. I shouldn’t have brought the Ouija board here. I don’t know what I was thinking.”
“I thought you said you’d never played the game before,” I quipped, immediately regretting my tone of voice. She didn’t deserve my wrath for worrying about a man who was as mysterious as her innuendoes. “I’m sorry. I’m just worried about Christoff.”
She waved her hand, issuing another laugh, this time more bitter. “Don’t be sorry. Besides, there are other methods of contacting the devil’s own.”
The devil’s own. I was exasperated, still seeing the terrible face from the street leering at me. “What are you talking about? Some other way to contact the dead?”
“The End of Days. Just...” she whispered, taking a step away from me. “I don’t think you should see him anymore.” Jenny’s voice was barely audible.
“I don’t even know Christoff is alive, but he’s no devil or spirit or monster.”