by Pace, Pepper
She was shaking her head in shock and denial. “I just picked up that candle and it burned me!”
“What candle?” The shopkeeper had backed away from her but she didn’t think he knew that he was doing it.
“The big white one.” She pointed to where she’d dropped it but it wasn’t there. It wasn’t as if it could have rolled under something, the display cases were solidly on the floor. She just gave them both surprised looks.
“Get her out of here.” The shopkeeper said in a low, frightened voice. “Get her out of here, now!” Dani took a step back at the venom in his voice. David put his arm around her and quickly led her out of the door, his purchase clutched in his hand.
Once they were outside she spun and faced him. “David, I don’t know how this happened, I swear it!”
“I know.” He had a frown on his face and quickly led her to his truck. Once they were inside he turned to her. “Tell me again, exactly what happened.” She explained everything in detail, including the feeling that someone had walked past her.
He turned in his seat and stared out of the window. Dani stared at her palm. It hurt, but not as bad as it should and already the reddened blisters were less angry. Still the sight of it terrified her. Branded in her palm was a five-pointed star with a circle around it. A pentagram. Somehow she had been marked with the sign of the devil.
Back at the house Danielle was near to hysterics. She held her hand away from her body as if it was cursed. David ran it under cool water and applied salve to it using a Q-tip. He hadn’t said much since they had left the shop.
“David!” She exclaimed. “What is happening? Why did I touch that candle; a symbol of good and this thing appeared on my palm?!”
David released her hand and removed his leather biking gloves. He held up his hands, palms outward. Embedded in both of them was the brand of a five-sided pentagram. The circles were different but he had them as well, only on both palms.
“I did not put these on myself.” He whispered.
The sun had set and Dani was more confused then she had ever been in her life. Why should she be marked with this horrible thing? Was she evil, did they own her, would she be dragged down to hell upon her death?!
The pain had stopped and she noticed that David was reluctant to touch that hand. He kissed her and held her but after cleaning it, he would not touch it again.
“Can we just do it now?! I don’t want to wait until midnight. I want it over with now!”
He nodded. “It doesn’t matter. Dani, you’re very powerful. You don’t need midnight.”
She was powerful? What did he mean?
He sighed and stood. “Look, I’ve been preparing the basement for the ceremony. Let’s do this.”
“Ceremony?” She asked feeling overwhelmed with confusion.
He didn’t answer. He led her into the kitchen and opened a door that led down into an unfinished basement. He cut on lights and Dani saw that there was a red pentagram painted into the cement floor.
Chills instantly moved up her spine. “David…”
“It’s the only way to contain a malevolent spirit. If it’s a demon Dani, then this is how we get rid of it.” She was afraid. She didn’t even want to be down in the basement with that thing. He carried the bag from the shop and withdrew black candles, which he positioned on each point of the pentagram.
“Black candles. I thought that black candles were evil…” She began,
He paused to look at her. “Demon magic. It’s what we need to draw the demon out. And the pentagram is what we need to hold it.” He stood and placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. “Sweetheart, this is what we need to do to end this thing once and for all. I don’t want to lose you just when I found you! Trust me. This is something I understand.”
She looked at the pentagram and then nodded reluctantly. He kissed her. It was soft but seemed wrong to do that here before something so evil.
He lit the candles and went to a shelf where there were several old books. He selected one book and brought it to her after turning several pages. “I want you to read these words. It’s in Latin, you don’t have to understand them, but-”
“David,” she began slowly. “I don’t-”
“It’s okay.” He gave her a sweet smile. But this time she saw something within his smile; annoyance, maybe even anger and then it quickly disappeared. “I can help you.”
She was shaking her head. “This isn’t right.” She took a step back. “I’ve never needed a ceremony to call them. They just come. And these candles; black candles is for black magic; demon magic. We don’t need demon magic just to ask them what they want David.” She gave him a look of dawning realization. “What are you really doing? She gestured to the pentagram. “What is this?!”
“Dani, it’s okay. Don’t be afraid.”
She stood her ground, letting him know that she did not accept his words, would not do his bidding. He sighed and swept back his long hair. “Dani. You are very powerful. You have the power to bring things over and that is your gift. It’s not anything to be afraid of. If anything was going to hurt you then it would have happened long before now.”
She gave him a look of disbelief. “But you said you thought they meant to do me harm. You asked me to come here so that you could help me get rid of them!”
He shook his head. “The Shadow People are harmless. They come and go as they please. But you prayed them away.” His eyes took on an excited glint. “It’s not the prayer. This is what you don’t understand. It’s the conviction BEHIND the prayer. You just thought it was those holy words, but it was YOU. You are the powerful one; your words.”
He held out the book again. “This is why I want you to read these words. It won’t take long-”
She took another step back, hurt and angry. “You’re a liar. You made me think-”
“Liar?” He frowned. “Together, Dani we can call forth servants to do our bidding.” He blew out a puff of air. “You don’t even have bus money to get back home! We can have riches untold and power unimaginable.”
Dani held out her hand. “You did this to me! You did this somehow.”
“No.” He shook his head adamantly. “I didn’t do that…” A look of doubt moved across his face. He took a step towards her and she took another step back. “Don’t be afraid of me, I mean you no harm.”
“So you can’t really get rid of the Shadow People? And you just brought me here to raise demons. And we…I had sex with you! I gave myself to you and it was all based on lies!”
“Don’t be silly. We fucked, that is hardly giving yourself to me. And we both enjoyed it!” His anger diminished as quickly as it appeared. “I’ll make you a trade. I’ll talk to your Shadows and you help me bring my servant.”
“Bring your own fucking servant, you fucking liar!” She ran up the stairs and heard David behind her. She slammed the door shut and locked him in the basement. Then she darted up the stairs for her weekend bag and purse, moving as fast as her body could.
On her way out of the door, she passed David’s jacket. Wrong or right she quickly dug into his pocket for money and stuffed several bills into her pants pocket as she darted to the front door. She opened it in time to see David hurrying up the porch stairs. She screamed. He must have climbed out of the basement window!
Now in a state of terror, Dani slammed the door and darted through the house to the back door, but she didn’t latch it and David was soon sprinting after her. “Keep away from me!” She screamed.
He grabbed her arm, roughly, jerking her bodily back around to face him. “Dani stop! Don’t make me-” he didn’t finish his worlds because Dani gripped his arm to yank it away from her and he shrieked in pain. She saw that his wrist now held a burn that was similar to hers; but only fresh. David screamed and tried to back away from this new brand. She looked at her hand in amazement. She had branded him with her own hand…
David had become frantic, his eyes bulging with terror. He screeched and tried to shake aw
ay the brand.
She didn’t understand why he looked so terrified. By his own words this was not the first time that he’d been branded so why he was reacting so violently was a mystery. But he pin wheeled away from her and ran screaming in one direction while she darted straight out the back door…mindful of alligators.
Chapter Six
Dani was tired when she finally dragged herself back to her apartment. Once upon a time she thought that this was not a home; just a place. But when she walked into her apartment Monday morning, nothing had ever felt more like home to her.
She collapsed onto the bed; so tired, more tired than she had ever felt because now she had also lost all hope. She looked at the brand in her palm and then made a fist and fell asleep.
As the room began to fill with forms Dani didn’t move. She didn’t even try to move, she didn’t need to. She waited for them to come and surround her. She kept her eyes closed feeling no need to see them. They were around her as surely as her bed was beneath her.
“What?” She whispered. Her voice worked now that there was no panic to freeze it in her throat. “What do you want with me?”
Show you
“Show me then.” She said tiredly. “Show me what you want me to see.”
Let us in
After a moment she spoke. “Do as you wish.”
And then she knew that they had moved through her. It wasn’t pleasant but it didn’t hurt. They moved through her; one by one until she felt filled with them; their knowledge their presence. And that is when she began to see; like her Dejavu, but much more clear.
It felt as if she was swept away on a tide of images and colors, and tastes and smells that infiltrated her senses. And then she was seeing herself. She was big, heavy but not fat; pregnant! A man’s hand rested on her belly and she was watching it. There was a gold wedding band on his finger. She willed herself to look up. She wanted to see this man that would be her husband, with his light colored hands. She felt herself place her hand atop his and their fingers intertwined.
He snuggled against her neck and this time she felt it—felt him! And she turned her face to him for a kiss. And then she could see that it was Tyler from Starbucks! She would be married to Tyler!
Danielle woke up later that afternoon, feeling refreshed and at ease. She had spoken to them; and they wanted to show her. That was it. Show her the future, her loved ones; to give her an opportunity to tell them goodbye, to give her the message that she would not always be alone. One day she would be happy and loved.
She felt tears in her eyes. She had almost rejected this gift.
Her mind went over something David had said; you make them go away with the conviction of your words. She could have just said, ‘leave me alone’. And they would have left.
The sun shone brighter and the air tasted sweeter as she walked to the Starbucks. She hadn’t been back there since the handsome Barista had seen her at The Waffle House.
She would be married to him one day. She stood in line while a soft smile played at her lips.
When he saw her, his handsome face broke into a smile. “Hey, welcome back. I didn’t think I’d see you again.”
She gazed at him, taking a moment to answer. “Sorry it took me so long. I had to take care of some business.”
“It’s quite alright. Caramel Macchiato?”
“No … I think I want to try something new. Any suggestions?”
“Hmmm, the Café Americano is very popular.”
“Then that is what it will be.”
Tyler quickly made the drink and as he passed it to her he saw the pentagram on her palm. He gave her a curious look. “Cool pentagram.”
Dani’s heart plunged. “C-cool?”
“Yeah. Are you Wiccan?”
“No. And what’s so cool about it?” She made a fist to hide it and he gave her another curious look. He took her hand turning her palm up. “You see the circle around the star? Well that means a sign of unity and protection. The points represent the four elements; earth, wind, sun and rain, the fifth representing the spirit. This symbol; the spirit, protects you from evil.”
Dani’s breath came out sharply. “And the other pentagram; the one with the circles inside of the star?”
“Well, there are some that are bad and represent banishing or calling of spirits.” He gave her a brief smile. “But this is not the same thing.”
“How do you know so much about this?”
He shrugged. “I guess I’ve led a very interesting life and I just like to understand things that are considered strange and mysterious. Once you understand it, then it’s not so scary, right?”
She gave him a surprised smile. “Right.”
Tyler froze, not seeming able to take his eyes from her. After a moment another customer cleared her throat and Tyler blushed.
“I was getting ready to take a break. Would you mind if I joined you for a cup of coffee?”
Epilogue
Dani had just slipped on her shoes and was anxious for her daily visit with Tyler. It had been two weeks since she’d returned from Baton Rouge and she visited him every day at Starbucks. Everyday he took a break with her and they talked about everything from religion and metaphysics to anime and their affinity for Cosplay.
They had gone out on a real date the day after her return and despite learning that Tyler was funny and relaxed and despite having an amazing time with him, Dani had broken the main rule of dating; don’t bring up anything creepy.
But she had. She had asked him if he had ever heard of the Shadow People.
“The Shadows? Yes, why? Do you see them, too?”
Dani had nearly choked on the ice cream cone that she had been finishing.
“You see them?” she asked with a voice that cracked and stuttered.
“Nah, but I have friends who do. What’s it like?” His response was so casual, as if being visited by an unknown entity was no big deal.
What’s it like? He wanted to know and so she opened her mouth and began to talk. Dani talked about the thing that had scared her for the majority of her adult life. She talked about the death of her mother and of Patricia. She talked about being afraid to sleep because she thought the Shadows were coming for her next.
When she told him this, Tyler’s mouth parted and his brow furrowed. He reached for her hand and held it gently while they walked along the outdoor shops at the Newport Levee. She continued talking as if he was her psychiatrist, feeling compelled to express every errant thought that she’d ever had about visits. The only thing she left out was the information about David and the dream she’d had about him as a teenager.
After she had spilled her guts, Dani couldn’t meet Tyler’s eyes. It was nice knowing him—too bad her big mouth would push him away.
But instead of thinking she was a wack-job, Tyler gave her hand a brief squeeze.
“Dani, you don’t have to worry about what I think. I believe that there is more to the world than what we see. And I believe that when people experience the unknown, they attract others that do the same.”
Dani studied Tyler. “So you’ve had experiences?”
His lip twisted slightly. “Sometimes I see things.”
She cocked her head in surprise but stopped herself before asking the next question. Had he seen her? Had he dreamed about her? Maybe he had made love to her before ever meeting her …
She smiled slightly. “If you happen to know some tidbit that will help me make it through all this craziness than it would be most appreciated.”
He gave her a crooked smile. His eyes flitted over her shoulder briefly before settling back on her. “Well … there are two pretty women who are watching over you. One looks a little mad, though—the younger one. The other looks like you. She is your Mom I think. I don’t think they are going anywhere anytime soon.” Tyler bit his lip lightly, “So I hope they like me because, I don’t think I’m going anywhere either.” His face turned red. “I hope I didn’t scare you off. Sometimes it scares peo
ple when I tell them what I see.”
Dani shook her head and pressed the tears that had sprouted in her eyes with one hand while squeezing Tyler’s hand a bit tighter.
Yes. Pat and her mother had been trying to protect her not scare her.
Tyler was watching her with a look of worry and she leaned forward and kissed him lightly. Her toes curled in her Converse as a spark of something familiar and warm passed between them.
“I have a feeling that we are going to have one strange and unique relationship,” she said.
“I know that to be a fact,” he said with a smile as they began to walk again.
The End
PEPPER PACE BOOKS
STRANDED!
Juicy
Love Intertwined Vol. 1
Love Intertwined Vol. 2
Urban Vampire; The Turning
Urban Vampire; Creature of the Night
Urban Vampire; The Return of Alexis
Wheels of Steel Book 1
Wheels of Steel Book 2
Wheels of Steel Book 3
Angel Over My Shoulder
CRASH
Miscegenist Sabishii
They Say Love Is Blind
Beast
A Seal Upon Your Heart
Everything is Everything Book 1
Everything is Everything Book 2
Adaptation
About Coco’s Room
SHORT STORIES
~~***~~
Someone to Love
The Way Home
MILF
Blair and the Emoboy
Emoboy the Submissive Dom
My Special Friend
Baby Girl and the Mean Boss
A Wrong Turn Towards Love
The Delicate Sadness
1-900-BrownSugar
COLLABORATIONS
~~***~~
Seduction: An Interracial Romance Anthology Vol. 1
Scandalous Heroes Box set