by Calinda B
“I see.” Marissa arms hung limply from her shoulders. She wondered if she’d ever be able to sit up again.
“Mija.”
“What?”
“Please sit up.”
“No.” She imagined herself to be five years old, in the midst of a tantrum.
“Please.”
“No.”
The clock continued to tick. Marissa continued to breathe. In breath. Out breath. In breath. Out breath.
“Mi pajarito,” Diego said. He placed his warm hand on her back. “My little bird, come back to me.”
She slowly sat up. She pictured her eyes as shriveled Puffer fish in ocean beds that had been drained of life and sustenance. She imagined them to be resting within the small, bony craters of her skull, dried orbs that could be whisked away with a sudden breeze. A tiny smile crossed her face – she liked her vivid imagination. She inhaled and exhaled deeply, letting her shoulders fall.
“I’m sorry this came as such a shock.”
“Me, too.”
“We need to find your mother’s jewels.”
“Uh huh.”
“We’ve been searching for years. Maybe…maybe you brought these stones into me for a reason. Maybe you can help us find the stones and restore them to good use.”
Now I get to help Mr. Perona. I’m everyone’s favorite asset. She nodded bleakly. “Me and my non-existent powers…what can I possibly do to help?”
“You can embrace your powers, for starters. Had your parents lived, your training would have begun at age 16. You are of a rare breed, like these gems.”
“Rare how?”
“Many Numina simply train for their profession. They study, they practice, they master. You not only come from generations of auguratricis and lux sanatores – sorcerers and light healers – you have natural gifts as well.”
“How do you know this?”
“Your mother consulted me. Apparently, as a child, you could sense things and see things. And you were like a tiny firefly of electricity. You’d touch things and small sparks of electricity would crackle and pop. The trauma of losing your mother may have made you shut down. I heard nothing since then from your aunt and uncle, but we were not close. And either they did not know about your mother or you or chose to ignore your gifts. They were quite protective – your aunt and uncle – it’s as if they squirreled you away, out of sight.”
Marissa stared blankly into space. How could she not remember such a thing?
“You must employ your power, mija.” He sounded insistent.
“I don’t know how to do that. Until a couple days ago, I didn’t even know it existed.”
“No inkling?”
“Only the crystal ball mind fu…mind read that my ex-boyfriend made me do.”
“And what’s that?”
“He synchronized breathing with me, my third eye opened up, and he asked me what I saw. Or he asked me questions that he wanted the answer to, like, will he be a powerful teacher.”
“What did you tell him?”
“I told him to go fuck himself.” She reddened and turned away. “I’m sorry.”
Diego laughed. “He doesn’t sound like the best boyfriend.”
“He wasn’t.”
“Tell me about this new one.”
Marissa brightened. “We’ve only gone on one date. We’re supposed to go out again tonight. He’s gorgeous, kind, intelligent, respectful. I told him that I thought he would have a million girlfriends and not one like me. He told me that he hasn’t really dated since he lost his fiancée and that he’s been waiting for me. It just sounds too good to be true.” She paused. “I’ll take a breath now.” A shy smile crept along her face.
“He sounds like a better man than this other fellow. How did he lose his fiancée?”
Marissa’s face darkened. “He thinks she was murdered by a sorcerer. That’s when he told me that he thinks I’m a sorceress of the light – a Light Rebel. I told him he’s nuts.”
Diego laughed. “You always spoke your mind, mija.”
“Then he grabbed my hand. I felt like I was being electrified. He said that was my doing, not his. It went away when I focused on the forest outside my house.”
Diego’s face sobered. “This is serious, mija. Your powers may be greater than we all imagined. Did he say who the brujo was who caused his fiancée’s demise?”
“No. Only that he’s really powerful. He caused her to fall off a cliff or something. He wanted her for himself. He wanted her to fall in love with him.”
Diego nodded, picked up the lid to the box, and placed it carefully on top.
“Was she a Numen?”
“No.”
“She may have resisted then. She may have been strong enough to at least do that. That could have been her only option – killing herself, I mean.” He patted the box thoughtfully. “He may be the same one who caused your mother and father’s plane to crash. He is a greedy, greedy man.”
The dust-devil chill made its way up Marissa’s back again. “Maybe I did meet Daniel for a reason.”
“Daniel Navid?” Diego appeared excited.
“Do you know him? Is he part of your group?”
“Not well. He’s known as the Night Numen. He’s a real rebel. He prefers to go his own way. The organization sometimes takes issue with him. He’s very strong-willed.” He looked at her with excitement painted on his face. “Now your story makes sense. I thought it sounded familiar – Daniel is the man who lost his fiancée to sorcery. He’s strong in the arts – very powerful. He’s said to be a powerful man. You could do well by him.”
“Right,” Marissa said glumly. “I can help him exact revenge. I can help you find the jewels. I can help Jason be an asset to the community. What if I want all of you to just love and accept me as me?”
“Well, you will have to find out who this ‘me’ is and love her yourself for starters. But, if what I’ve been told is right, Daniel Navid would not want you merely for his own purposes. The man has been stalked by women for years. He’s chosen not to give his heart away to them. I’ve heard that he mourned for years and now seeks to find a real relationship, not one based on looks and income. That’s what most of the women see in him. Is that what you see in him, mija?”
“No! I mean, he is handsome and clearly wealthy, but those things don’t matter to me. I just want to find someone I’m compatible with who likes me for me and doesn’t see me just as an asset to his life.”
“That makes perfect sense. How did Daniel make you feel?”
“Oh, we laughed, we talked, we had a lot of fun at dinner the other night. Then he told me of his dead fiancée and dropped the ‘wellspring of light’ statement. And then he told me that he’s a Night Numen. It’s what I call the Numen bomb.”
Diego laughed. “The Numen bomb. I like that.” He patted the box again. “And then you received these. He’s hoping these stones will awaken something in you. Now it makes sense. When will you see him again?”
“Tonight. We have a whole mess of stuff to talk about now.”
“I believe you do. Well, don’t let me keep you any longer.” He stood up. “How can I assist you on your journey? I am at your service.” He bowed.
Marissa laughed. “That’s a switch.”
“This is an important journey you are on, mi pajarito. You must learn and learn well. This brujo is not to be trifled with.”
Marissa bit her lip and picked up the box with the gemstones. “Does this sorcerer have a name?”
“He is called El Demonio de la Muerte. That’s not his real name – we don’t know what that is.”
Marissa jerked in response. “Oh! My Spanish isn’t the greatest, but I believe I know what that means – he’s known as the demon of death.”
“Yes, mija. And he is also known as one of the most powerful in the world. Please, let me know how I can be of service. I will do what I can, starting with alerting the others.”
“Thank you, Diego. And thank you for asses
sing these gemstones.”
“I will be happy to fashion them into a protection piece. In fact, I advise it.”
“Let me find out what these particular stones mean to me.” She swallowed and fingered the box. “And then I’ll be in touch.”
Chapter 9
When Marissa arrived home, the locksmith was waiting in the driveway. She greeted him, showed him where all the entry doors were, and let him do his thing. After that, she did all her “get home” rituals – let Sober out, feed him, check the mail. There was no sign of Jason anywhere. Good riddance.
At 5:30, with new keys to the doors in a new place, enclosed in a combination lock container, she paced throughout the house, locking windows, and double-checking her work. She hadn’t heard from Jason since she kicked him out, and she didn’t trust him.
She was about to crate Sober when the doorbell rang. Expecting to greet Javier, she told the dog to sit and opened the door.
Daniel stood on the porch, a huge bouquet of flowers in his hands. He grinned at her. “Hermosas flores para una mujer Hermosa.”
She reached for them, blushing. “Thank you. I told you, I’m afraid my Spanish is quite rusty.”
“I said, ‘beautiful flowers for a beautiful woman’.”
Eyes sparkling with delight, she took the exquisite array and stepped aside for him to enter. “You don’t have a rule that you have to stay outside, do you?”
He cocked an eyebrow at her quizzically and then laughed. “No, that’s a courtesy I ask Javier to extend to our guests. He agrees with me.” He stepped into the foyer and looked about him. “Your home is lovely.”
Marissa scoffed. “It’s just a version of me - nothing as grand as your place.”
“It’s beautiful. It doesn’t take money to create beauty.”
Marissa looked at her feet. As she did this, her eyes swept past Sober’s toenails. “You’re being awfully quiet,” she said to the dog. “This is strange. Sober doesn’t seem to mind you.”
“Why should he mind me?”
“Oh, he’s fairly protective when…when other people come around.” She averted her eyes. “Let me get these into water. You and Sober can have a chat.”
When she’d returned from the kitchen, Daniel was studying one of her paintings, the Doberman by his side.
“What do you two think of that piece?”
“Well, your dog was telling me that the artist has mastery over the use of light. He was pointing out the manner in which he or she used color as well. I was telling him that the concept is unique and well-executed. There is a sense of joy that permeates the canvas.”
Marissa blushed and grinned. “You two know something about art, do you?”
“Your dog seems to be a real expert. I’m just a hobbyist.” He turned to face her. “Do you know the artist, by any chance?”
“I might.”
“Could you introduce us?”
“Actually, I think she’s around here somewhere.”
“Is she? I’d be honored to meet her.”
Marissa walked into the front room and returned to the living room with her arm in the air as if it was draped over someone’s shoulders. She turned to face an imaginary person. “Ms. Engles, I’d like you to meet Daniel Navid. Mr. Navid, Ms. Engles.”
Daniel reached out to shake the imaginary artist’s hand. “It’s a pleasure, Ms. Engles. Are you related to the other Ms. Engles?”
“She’s kind of shy.”
“I can see that. Tell her not to be afraid.”
Marissa turned to the imaginary person. “Don’t be afraid.” She turned back to Daniel. “She said she’ll try, and yes, she’s related to me.”
“Tell her that her work is exquisite.”
“He really likes your art.” Marissa clutched her hands together. “She says thank you.” She giggled. “This is funny.”
“I’ve managed to be a source of amusement to you more times than ever before in my life. Do you also find me amusing, Ms. Engles?” He turned to look at the make-believe Marissa.
“She says she finds you charming. And she likes watching us be playful. She says I’ve been missing being playful for a long time.”
Daniel leaned over to whisper in the imaginary ear. “Don’t tell Marissa, but I haven’t had this much fun for a long, long time as well. I’m enjoying it too.” He leaned back and once more extended his hand. “Again, it’s my pleasure to meet a woman of such extraordinary talent.”
“She says the pleasure is all hers.”
The two of them stood in awkward silence for a moment. Sober stood up and shook his coat, jangling his dog tags. He wandered over to Marissa and licked her fingers. Marissa laughed. “He just asked us ‘what’s the matter’?”
“What did you tell him?”
“That we’re both just a little nervous, that’s all.”
“Ah. So that’s what we are. Tell him we’ll be alright.”
“We’ll be alright, Sober.” She patted his head. “Go see if there’s any kibble left or something. We’ll manage.” The dog trotted into the kitchen. His dog door swished minutes later.
“Nature calls,” Marissa said, smiling.
“Yes, loud and clear, it calls.” His eyes sought hers.
She let him capture her with his gaze, welcoming the pinning. He seemed to devour her with his eyes…to drink her in. She had never felt so ravished from merely being looked at. Want. She swallowed. She couldn’t look away. Images flickered through her mental landscape like tiny, translucent fairies. Water…sunlight…gardens…laughter…and something dark and deeply disturbing.
“Your face is captivating,” Daniel said. “It’s as if I am looking at an entire universe when I look at you.” He took a step closer, his gaze still wound with hers.
“We have a lot to talk about,” Marissa whispered. “A lot has happened in the past 24 hours.”
“Yes, my life has taken an entirely unexpected course.” He stepped closer.
She could feel the heat radiating from his body. It stirred pools of longing. She wanted to dive into those pools, to dive right to the bottom. She wanted this man to possess her. She wanted to claim him as her own. She’d never felt this way about anybody. Her lips parted. Her eyelids dropped ever so slightly.
His lips parted, too. He extended the tip of his tongue to the corner of his mouth and made a slow sweep from corner to corner. He withdrew his tongue and pursed his lips.
Marissa swallowed. “See something that pleases you?”
“Very much.”
His eyes seemed to drill inside her. Marissa was utterly consumed by this man’s gaze. It was as if she was being caressed from the inside out. She imagined his lips on hers. She visualized his fingers stroking her insides, preparing the nest for entry – not that the nest needed any further preparation. Her panties were soaked with silken moisture. Want.
His hand reached out to finger a lock of her hair. He ran a gentle fingertip along her cheek, stoking the sensation of fire in her veins. He cocked his head and began to lean down.
Here it comes. Marissa welcomed what was next.
A rattling click interrupted the moment. A tapping jiggled at the front door. Marissa tensed and stilled. Another rattle followed as if the doorknob was being jimmied back and forth. Someone was trying to get in the front door. “Jason!” Furious, Marissa stormed to the door and whirled it open. “Get away from here,” she said, before the door had revealed the intruder.
“Peace, baby-doll, I can’t get my key to work.” Jason stood on the front porch, wearing torn jeans and a t-shirt, holding a key in his hand.
“Your key? Your key? I never gave you a key!”
“I had one made. It’s no big deal.”
“It is to me!”
He peered past her. “Hey. Are you Marissa’s new boyfriend? I’m her lover.”
“You are not my lover, Jason! I told you – we’re through.”
“Oh, you were just in a mood, baby-doll. You get like that.” He looked at D
aniel. “She’s pretty moody. I can help you deal with her moods. Synchronized breathing helps.”
Daniel came up and stood behind Marissa. He placed a possessive hand on her shoulder. “I imagine she does have moods. Who doesn’t? I have moods, too. I’m sure I can find my way with her. What did you say your name was?”
“Harmonia. The name’s Harmonia.” He extended a hand toward Daniel.
Marissa tensed. Sober pranced in, dog tags jingling, but for once he didn’t lunge and bark. Instead, he sat next to Daniel and waited.
Daniel didn’t take the proffered hand. “Harmonia…that implies a sense of harmony, right?”
Jason brightened. “That’s right, it…”
Daniel continued, cutting him off. “Or when shortened, it speaks of harm. Interesting…”
Jason spluttered. “No, it’s not about harm. It’s about a transcendental state of awareness. I’m a fourth-level Cobra breath practitioner. That’s a big deal.”
“A Cobra, you say? That’s a rather deadly snake.” Daniel tucked Marissa closer to him.
Jason’s jaw dropped. “I’m not a snake. I’m a fourth-level Cobra breath student of the light. I’m all about passion and love.”
“I can see that.”
Something cold radiated from Daniel. She tipped her head up to look at him and saw a smile on his face - a deadly smile. She turned back to the intruder standing on her doorstep. “Jason, I want you to leave. Now.”
Jason still stared at Daniel, his face ashen.
A microsecond of total darkness flashed, startling Marissa. Little red wisps of fog feathered into the air, and just as quickly, disappeared. She turned her gaze up to Daniel. She looked at Jason. He seemed to have grown roots. No, it was more like he had become a tree, planted on her front porch, unable to move. His hands hung limply by his sides, his mouth hung open, and his eyes appeared blank.