by Kuhn, N
This man, this action star, plays some of the biggest bad asses on the movie screen, but sounds like a little baby now. Is he really that afraid of his little wife? Or is it that he knows who she will call in?
Tuck. I let the name roll over my tongue. Closing my eyes, I take in a deep breath. I can still picture his beautiful eyes. I’ve heard some describe them as icy, but to me, they are cool blue tide pools of lust. He’s the one person I do hope Holly calls to fetch her kid. I’m quite sure she will want this matter to stay out of the press, to avoid ruining her reputation. So, in order to keep it quiet, she will have to leave the police out of it, and find an Enforcer. Tuck’s the best. Though, I remember when he was just starting out and clueless to the ways of Hollywood. Maybe he’ll be my salvation.
“Christian, we are here to protect you. The Master has told you, this is best for Sebastian and all concerned. How will he really learn ways while sitting on set with you? Shouldn’t he have the full education? Do not worry about anything Holly does. The Master will protect you, and your son. You know that you and Sebastian being here are for the good of the Coven. I do not want to have to tell Brother Elijah that you aren’t cooperating. Please, don’t make me do that. You know how angry he can get when The Master’s orders aren’t followed.” I wait, to allow this to sink in. The threat of Elijah’s temper usually works. At least, it does for me.
“You’re right Mistress. We are in Pennsylvania right now, I’m going to get back on the Highway. Leaving the set late last night, I almost missed my flight, so I’m behind schedule. We should be there in a few days. I just, Mistress, please, just give me that one last night with him, please? Can you do that for me? Before I get back to filming and leave him to your care?”
“Fine. Christian, remember, this isn’t one of your movies. This is real. You’re doing well for your Coven and for Mother Goddess.” Rolling my eyes at myself, I don’t buy any of this bullshit, and don’t know why he does. I used to think Christian was an upstanding guy. He’s really just another lost soul seeking something to believe in, somewhere he can spend his cash, only this time he chose the wrong thing.
Hanging up on the sniveling pathetic sack, I sink back into my chair, letting out a sigh of relief. Tuck, I hope you’re ready for your world to be turned upside down! Because it’s going to be, and soon. Christian was always one of those stars that stayed out of the tabloids as much as possible. His divorce from a long time wife, then the wedding to Holly Katherine was the biggest news about him. The fact that she’s so much younger than him was the main reason.
“Mistress,” Turner, a low level Brother says from behind me, “The Master would like to see you.” Bowing his head to beg my pardon, I stand. With my five inch heels on, I tower over him.
“What did I tell you about knocking, Turner?” I can see him begin to shake with fear, and I thoroughly enjoy it.
“Ma’am, I’m so-sorry.”
“Get out of here,” I say, flicking my wrist with a dismissive wave.
The Master wants to see me, this can’t be good. The sound of my heels clipping on the concrete floor beneath me, is the only noise echoing through the long, empty hallway. Making my way to the other end of our base, I pause in front of the last door. Quietly knocking, I wait for a response.
“Enter,” his voice bellows from inside. Pushing the heavy door open, I step into the brightly lit room. Unlike the rest of the rooms we have in our base, his has a homey feel to it. Our members come to stay with us for the minimalist lifestyles, religious teachings and retreat we provide. A bed, dresser and night stand are all they have. Plus their individual altars. The Wiccan life is not about material things, but about the Earth and Mother Nature and blah blah. I think its all crap. Besides The Master, Brother Elijah and myself, they wear gray uniforms, (long dresses for the women and pants, tunics for the men) and white sneakers. During the day, our members work in the gardens and various other parts of our base. These chores provide them with duties in ensuring we all survive and have materials for certain spells, chants and incantations. It is mine and Brother Elijah’s job to bring in New Members and help alleviate them of their unnecessary property. Of course, all that material goes to the Master. He doesn’t tell anyone what he does with it. It’s not like he spends it on the base or members.
Most would say we are an occult, scamming money from our members. We are, and I see that. But, The Master has gotten the members to believe differently. He shows what good the money can be used for, and his Word spoken from Mother Goddess gives all members something to believe in. His fake powers supposedly show them God has not proven himself to us, but The Master, Mother Goddess and The Horned God has. He has proven to them what the Good Word he speaks can do. They believe they have seen him turn around the life of the most unworthy of people, just by speaking it. They see what they want to. I know it’s all a scam. The spells he uses don’t really work, it’s more of a Vegas Magician show than anything. But the flashes, bangs and theatrics make these sheep believe in him, makes them think they can do the same.
“You wanted to see me, Master?” I ask him, bowing my head. With his back to me, he sits behind his desk. His golden blonde hair, flowing over his shoulders, is all I can see of him. Awaiting a response, I stay like that, a position of respect.
As he swivels in his chair, I glance forward, seeing his smooth tan face. His baby blue eyes hold my gaze. His thin lips spread in a grimace. Setting down the anthame he held in his hands, he looks to me. That metal dagger is always on his person or close in reach. He constantly has it with him.
“Stand, child,” he says to me. Standing to attention, my hands clasped behind me back, I wait.
“How are things with Brother Christian?” he asks me.
“Fine, Sir. He’s on his way here with the child.”
“Good. We will use this child, to show our Brothers and Sisters the ways of our Coven. We will use him as an example, show the world, who we are. Politicians will have to take heed, our rise to power is imminent. The child will please Mother Goddess and The Horned God, building on our strength and powers upon the magical new world.”
Smiling, to placate him, my stomach churns, because I know what that means. This man truly is crazy to think he really has powers. Magic doesn’t exist. It’s not real, I think he’s seen too many movies. Hollywood has a way of making even the sanest man go a little crazy. But this, this was an extreme. We have been rallying for more support with politicians, bringing bigger names to join our Coven. Our spiel is always the same. Each person here in Hollywood is a lost sheep, praying to a God who does not care. We help them find what they want, an escape. They seek out a new religion, something true to believe in, and though I know it’s not real, I can’t tell them that. I’ve never been a fully participating member. More like I was forced into this, but I have no choice. Follow or die. It’s just appalling, the things that this psycho can get people to believe in. These poor lost souls, only wanting to find comfort in a religion, and he extorts them, abuses their trust, and uses them.
“When will they arrive?” he asks. Snapping back to attention, I glare at him.
“In a few days, they are driving, and right now, almost through Pennsylvania, Master. He is anxious to get back to filming.”
“And the wife? Has she involved anyone?”
“Only the bodyguard, but he has connections to the Tucker. He’s a force to be reckoned with here in LA. But, it’s nothing I can’t handle, Master.”
“Good, Mistress. You may leave. Keep me apprised of all matters as they arise. You’re my number one for a reason. My left hand support. Without you, I would be nowhere, and I will make sure you are compensated with Mother Goddess’ grace when we rise to power.” Turning back around to face his windows, I take that as my dismissal, rolling my eyes as I exit. This stuff is all bullshit. Leaving the room as quietly as I entered, my heels click all the way back down the hall, as my heart beat races.
I need to find a way out of this, save this boy. T
he Master will kill him, calling it a sacrifice, and his father is going to allow it. He knows, Christian knows what The Master wants, and is going to allow it, and I just talked him out of starting to doubt us. That makes me as bad as the rest of them. I did what my Step Father did to me, sacrificed an innocent child, for money, power and my own life. I have to fix this, stop it, somehow. It’s time for me to stop being afraid of my captors and start saving someone who needs it. No longer will I fear my death at the hands of The Master. If he was going to kill me, he could have done so any number of times over the years. Maybe he is all talk.
Chapter 4
“Brother Elijah, any incidents?” I ask, entering our control room.
“Yes, Mistress. Our IT guys have noticed a certain amount of activity on the page we set up, and it’s not typical of a normal, prospective member. They have been following the IP. It’s hidden through many channels, but they assure me that we will find this person soon. We don’t believe it to be FBI or Homeland Security this time. They didn’t hide as well as this one. Seems this person has taken much interest in The Coven and The Master himself.” Nodding my head, I look over to the bank of computer screens on the wall. The four men sitting in front of them typing away are the best Hackers in the United States. We brought them on to help us with our Coven, promising them glory and love by the Goddess and God themselves. They basically only accepted because we protect them from the Feds. They can hack to their hearts content. We encourage it. Only asking them to watch for certain activity pertaining to us and The Master. Power, it’s what everyone wants. The Master has a way to make even the biggest non-believer think he will have some sort of magical power through joining us. These boys also help with that illusion. They get us information we need.
The Master wants our Coven to have two things. Power and masses. Yes, I know this sounds crazy. At first, I wanted nothing to do with it, but, The Master has ways of turning your way of thinking around. With me, his way of turning me was torture and an attempt at brainwashing. I finally realized that I would have to play along to stay alive. Only, I’ve gotten too comfortable. Spending all of my time following along with his plans, and trying to act like I belong here, that over the years I’ve stopped trying to escape. What would I have to go back to anyways? Tuck. There’s always been Tuck.
Our base consists of Headquarters, where everyone sleeps, eats and where all Coven business is handled. The safes with all the money and treasures is here, in The Masters’ room. There’s a barn, to keep all the herbs, potions, and items needed for spells, cures and whatever else we do. In order to gain power, The Master claims we need more than just our magical powers. He hasn’t told anyone fully what he plans to do. We only know that he has been collecting guns, and money. He has been working with a connection in South America who is getting these guns from American Army bases. It’s quite fitting that we will be fighting our government with their own guns. The Master said that the Feds are going to pull another Holocaust and persecute us for our religious convictions. Hah, religion my ass. The man just craved more power than he could ever have. His most common sermon is on the evil ways of Hollywood, actors, producers, politicians. To me, I think he wanted to be an actor and failed. This is some sick revenge he brewed up.
Having picked Brother Elijah up along our path here, The Master brought him on. He had been almost dead, doped up and out of his mind, The Master gave him life, and he has been loyal to us since. There was no need to torture him, like they had to me. I would never be as loyal as Brother Elijah. He was a fanatic, hanging on every word that seeps from the mouth of our feared leader. Believing this line of bullshit that was fed to him, he really thought The Master could help him find magical powers. I was a non-believer forced into this role. He also makes me feel nervous. The leers and looks he gives me are too much. I feel dirty every time I see him.
“Did you find the phone number I asked for, Turner?” I ask, shifting my gaze back from Brother Elijah to the man at the computer. Brother Elijah is an old man, he has to be about sixty. His hair fully gray, a beard to match, with bright brown eyes, show his age. Laugh lines crease around them, drawing your gaze to his usually jovial mood. Unless you anger him. When he’s upset, Brother Elijah is a dangerous man. Even considering his age, I’ve seen him take out many younger and stronger than he is. He believes in all this magic crap. He works so hard at spells that sometimes he forgets he can’t really do any of them. The last time the FBI sent a mole in to infiltrate us, he took the twenty year old ex-boxer to the cells below. He was never seen again, but there were no marks on Brother Elijah. I know the kid isn’t dead, I would have had to help dispose of him. Which means he must be locked below. Sometimes Elijah disappears for hours at time, and I think he’s down there. He did smell of toad though. So, I’m quite sure he tried some spells, and when they failed, he most likely beat the man some more. One more person I should worry about more than myself.
“Yes, Mistress, I did.” Handing me the slip of paper I wanted, I finger the sheet. Without looking up, I spin on my heel to exit.
“What is that for, Mistress?” Brother Elijah asks me. I pretend to not hear him.
“Thank you, Turner, Brother,” smiling at him, he returns the gesture and then diverts his attention back to his work. Feeling Elijah’s eyes on me as I leave, my pace quickens. Once back in my room, I lie on my bed, just staring at the digits written in front of me. Tuck. Back in my life again, after all these years. I wonder how he will react. Maybe I shouldn’t call him. But, my self-doubt aside, there’s a child at risk and a man’s life hangs in the balance. I’ll risk it all to help them. It’s partially my fault anyways. It’s more than intuition that he will be involved. We have done our research. The man hired to bodyguard Sebastian, used to work with Tuck. Since we know Holly will not be calling the police, he will have no choice but to call in for help from those he knows. Plus, the bugs we had installed in their home verified that for me.
When Holly refused to join up as her husband did, The Master had worried about her fighting Christian, talking him out of being devout. He has plans for the child. Having not been fully apprised of the plan, I can only do what is asked of me. But, The Master trusts me, so I have faith that he will clue me in soon. My job was to make sure all of our bases were covered. A year ago, when Christian joined our Coven, I had a technician member fly out to New York and another one here in LA that filled both their homes with bugs. So, when Buzz, I believe his name is, called Tuck, my heart had stopped, but had also filled with a warm familiarity. Just hearing his name, it brought back all the memories of my old life, of who I used to be.
A longing down deep inside my stomach began burning again. After all these years, it’s still there. My heart had skipped a few beats, and I couldn’t wait to hear Tuck’s voice, wanting to see him again. That slight shadow of a whisker he always has, the cleft in his chin. I used to run my finger over it, kiss it. But, our bugs only picked up Buzz’s side of the conversation. It’s ok though, I’ll be able to deal with Tuck here, in LA. He’s on the case of the missing boy and father and he’s smart. He will eventually figure it out, even if he has no help. Picking my cell phone up from the side of my bed, I stare at it. Part of me wants to make this call, the other part is hesitant. To do so would go against The Master and the Gods. But, I’ve been wanting this for so long. My way out. Tuck will have help. I’m about to ensure it, while at the same time, signing my death warrant.
Ignoring my conscience, I dial the number on the paper. As the voice answers, they huff and puff in my ear, and it sends tingles down my spine. I can feel myself getting moist, and that area hasn’t felt so hot in years. Shivering and shaking off the shock, I clear my throat.
“Hi Tuck.”
Chapter 5
“Tuck here,” I say, answering my cell, panting and out of breath.
“Hi Tuck.” This voice sounds familiar. The woman on the other end, sounds a little raspy, but sexy, and I wonder if it’s some scorned woman, or an old clien
t. Having just got back from my run with Razor, I pace the driveway trying to cool down.
“Do you know who this is Tuck?”
“No, should I?” My curiosity is peaked and I find myself dying to know who the voice belongs to. What angel have I slept with sounded like this? I know it’s not Lianna, she isn’t allowed to make calls until after breakfast, and that’s not for another hour.
“Aw, Tuck baby, you said you would love me forever. I thought we were going to get married,” says the pouty voice on the other end.
Stumbling over my own feet, I land hard on my knee. Not moving to stand, I am left speechless. Regaining my composure, I shake it off.
“Jessica?” I say into the phone, immediately feeling stupid. She’s dead. There’s no way that it could be her.
“That’s right Tuck baby. It’s me. Even after all these years and all those women, you still remember me huh?” Her voice sounds shaky, like she’s holding back tears.
“What is this? Is this some sick joke? Your idea of fun?” I scream into the phone, “You’re not funny bitch. Making fun of a man’s dead fiancé? Get a life.” Hanging up, I throw my phone across the yard. It lands with a soft thud in the grass on the other side of the driveway. Looking at me with his mouth wide open, Razor stands there, shaking his head.
“Jessica huh? Tuck, that’s the name you were yelling this morning. She someone important?” he asks me.
“She’s just someone I used to know,” I say, as I leave him standing in the driveway. Stomping into my house, the cell phone forgotten, I head straight for the shower. This can’t be happening. Who would joke about something so awful? Who even knows? No one other than her Step father knew we were talking about getting married. As far as I knew, she hadn’t told anyone else. Stripping off the sweaty clothes, I crank the water as hot as I can get it and stand there, letting the jets pulsate on my back. Leaning forward, I rest my forehead on the cool tiles of the shower wall.