by Jane West
Val craned his neck, combing the area of the house to see if he spotted a glimpse of any suspecting shadow lurking around the skirt of the house. Then speedily, he ushered me inside and closed the door behind us, locking the bolt. “What happened?” His gold eyes filled with worry.
I wiped the tears off my face with the back of my hand and began telling him the accounts of the night. By the time I finished, Jeffery walked-up behind me and interjected. “Uh-hmm! It was like Jasper the friendly ghost. I tell you! The girl just turned pale-white, and her body went poof! It was like out of a horror movie!” Jeff spoke in his high-pitched drawl. I was glad he decided to come downstairs and join us. After all, he spent more time with Jen than I. He may recall something that could be helpful. Yet on second thought, whatever that creature was, it had Jeffery under some hex.
Val stood there in silence, taking in our tale of the night. I turned to Jeff and asked, “Is Dom okay?” concern saturated my voice.
“He’s still shaken, but this time, I really did give him a sleeping pill. He should rest good with that pill!” Jeffery explained.
“How about you, boo?” I rubbed his upper arm, consoling him. “Are you okay?” I smiled. My heart went out to him. I knew far too well how he must feel. Though, Jeffery might find it hard to accept his innocence, he was blameless for his actions. We were all puppets on a string when it came to the Family’s mastery. Tonight wasn’t any fault of Jeffery’s. He had been under some sort of mind-control, not of his own.
“I think I’m done trip-n.” He drew out of his pocket a crisp-white napkin and dabbed the sweat off his forehead. “I sure ain’t drink-n no mo cool-aid.”
I glimpsed at Val hiding a suspicious smile behind his fake cough. I wanted to laugh too, but I didn’t dare. I didn’t want the wrath of Jeffery’s broomstick on my tail. Just the same, I had to give it to old Jeff. He could make any fright into comedy. That was what was so special about him.
“Fellas,” I suddenly felt a rush of chill. “I think we have been cursed.” My eyes bounced between both men.
“Now let’s not jump to the gun just yet,” Val advised. “What purpose would someone have to hurt Jeffery?”
“I’m guessing it was a trap for me, but the plan back-fired.” I answered.
“Good hunch, Stevie, but why not just tie up both men and surprise you with an ambush?” Then his steady gaze slid to Jeff. “No offense, my man.”
“None taken, but you did give me a good idea...uh, never mind.” Jeffery quickly masked a funny expression on his face, then he focused back to the conversation, “Come on! Let’s get some food. We can talk in the kitchen.”
Jeffery laid out a batch of Dom’s homemade chocolate-chip cookies and made a strong brew of coffee. After seating ourselves at the table, sipping the coffee and sinking our teeth into the fabulous, gooey cookies, Val broke the gleeful silence reminding us why we were here in the first place. “Okay,” his gold-eyes were directed at me, “now tell me why you think this had anything to do with the Family and dark magick?” By the hard lines in Val’s face, I was certain this strike was larger than I’d initially envisioned. I was frightened too.
“Who else would stoop to such a low?” I reasoned.
“Have you two ever heard of a miasma?” Val asked.
Jeffery and I shared a glance, and in the same breath, we both bellowed, “Nooo!”
“Well,”—Val took a deep breath. “I think what you all experienced was the work of an evil mist known as miasma.”
“That name has spooky stamped all over it.” I quavered.
Jeffery broke in, “forget the mofo spooky! Whatever that girl was, it stunk worse than any skunk I’d ever come across.” He pinched his nose, twisting his lips into a scowl.
“Come to think about it, I noticed a smell too. I kept thinking the stove had a gas leak. Weird!” I grimaced. “I don’t know why I didn’t mention it.”
Val interjected. “Stevie, you may have been under the enchantment like Jeffery.”
“I think your right. I wasn’t myself, now that I think about it.” I wrapped my arms around my waist, trying to ease my nerves.
Val continued, “My friends, what you have encountered is a rare type of incantation.” He rubbed his bristled chin, thinking. “What is strange to me is that the cast is seldom used to harm anyone. However, its foul odor can clear a herd of elephants.”
“A spell that stinks! That’s just rich!” Jeffery groaned.
“It’s a very powerful incantation.” Val went on explaining. “Whoever worked the spell is a craftmaster. Not just anyone can conjure a miasma.”
“What did you call it?” it sounded like a childhood disease, I thought.
“It’s pronounced as mēˈazmə.” Val emphasized the sounding.
“I still don’t understand. Let me see if I understand you, correctly. What we saw tonight was not my friend. It was a miasma.” Suddenly I felt as if I was sinking into a black hole.
“That’s correct.” Val confirmed. “Your friend might’ve appeared real, but in truth, you were merely seeing a projection.”
“Do you think this mysterious craftmaster is trying to harm us?” I knew for the sanction of my family, I needed to open my ears and take heed. Yet I alone may not be enough to protect them.
“It’s possible.” Val sipped his now lukewarm coffee. “Though I can’t be certain.” He set his cup down and sighed. “By the same token, I do suspect that the miasma was sent to spy.”
My brows furrowed. “Spy! How?” I felt the hairs on my back stiffen.
“A miasma,” Val furthered, “is similar to astral projecting. Rather than a flesh and blood human materializing before your eyes, the craftmaster remains anonymous, hiding behind the miasma.”
“Talk about hiding in the closet.” Jeffery rolled his eyes.
“Talk about a coward, if you ask me.” At that point, I wanted to smash something, I was so mad.
“A dangerous coward, if you will.” Val ran his fingers through his hair. “I think I might better stay until sunup. Don’t bother finding me a bed.” Val rose from the table and I followed. “If you and Jeffery will excuse me.” He nodded. “I’ll be busy ridding the house of bad energy and working protection spells.” Val turned to Jeffery who remained seated, crunching on a cookie. “You got any sea salt and sage? White candles and purified water, I’ll need as well.”
“I have sea salt and sage. And if you consider my finger in the water purifying it, then I got that too!” Jeffery joked, or at least I assumed.
I was ready to get this project started. We couldn’t rid this house of bad juju fast enough.
“Oh!” Val turned a serious eye on me. “It’s time you meet our kind.”
My breath stalled. “I thought you said the Zophasemin hated my kind. Remember, I’m impure?”
“True. Don’t worry. I have it handled. This is my gang. They follow me and will do whatever I ask.”
“So you’re a gangbanger?”
“No, sweetheart. I’m the leader of the Zop. No one messes with me unless he has a death wish and that includes following my orders.”
And there it was Val the great leader, assuming a posture of superiority by that lopsided grin of his. I didn’t see that coming. Then it hit me. “Val, did you order your gang to leave me alone?”
Jeffery watched in silence, still nibbling on the same cookie.
“Oh, the lady calls me by my name. There’s a first!” Acid coated his baritone voice.
“There’s no need to be so sensitive.”
He snorted a curt laugh. “Sensitivity is what sets the Zop apart from the rest.”
“Oh, and you kicking me out of your bed was a tradition?”
“Now who’s the sensitive one? I just chose not to make a whore out of you. I like to think of myself as a gentleman.” Val’s soft eyes abruptly hardened.
I hated fights, but I never backed down from one, and I wasn’t going to change that tradition now. “For your information, your h
ind-ass, that’s my decision. I think a woman should have the same freedom as a man, sleeping with whomever without being pegged as a fille-de-joie.” I glared angrily at the towering demigod a giant, six-five, against my small frame of five-five. “Furthermore, for your information, I don’t go jumping from bed to bed. I’ve only had one partner in my life, and that was a onetime deal, so watch what you call me!” I glared at the mighty man.
A strange noise disrupted our heated argument. Both Val and I halted turning in the direction of the galling sound. It was Jeffery chomping on popcorn, now sitting frozen and bug-eyed. We had forgotten we were in mixed company.
Unfortunately Jeffery didn’t’ get to see the ending of the show. Once he saw the blaze of Val’s face, he quickly scattered upstairs. I on the other hand had to finish the heated discussion with one irate Zop.
I twirled on my heels with fire in my glint. “Do we have to continue this pointless argument?”
“Stop avoiding the inevitable. I get that you’re afraid to admit that you have feelings for me.” Val charged.
“Don’t be ridiculous!”
“Really! Is this how it’s going to be?”
“I have no idea what you’re referring to.” WTF! I wished I’d escaped with Jeffery upstairs.
“Stop being coy with me. Admit it! You don’t’ call me by my first name because you’re scared of letting that tender heart extend pass your nose.
“Actually I never call my employees by their first name.” There went my smart mouth.
When I saw the anger in his eyes ignite, it took me back a step or two. My once-gentle Ben didn’t seem so gentle any longer. He paused while never lifting his scowl at me. Next he lowered his voice to a mere whisper. “He really hurt you didn’t he? I know deep down this isn’t who you are.” His words tortured me softly, “I didn’t want to just have sex with you. I wanted to make love to you. You are deserving of nothing less.”
I stood there frozen unable to speak. How stupid could I have been to overlook this? I think at that point, I’d hit my lowest low. I had been too wrapped up in my own selfish desires that I’d forgotten to consider Val’s feelings. What a fool I had become.
I started to reach out to touch his face, but by then his face glossed over, closing himself off to any further conversations in relation to our intimacy issues. I knew any attempt on my part would be futile. I dropped my hand to my side and stood there staring back at him in silence.
As if our discussion had never come into play, he went on to say, “You might want to make another pot of coffee. It’s going to be a long day.” He hesitated. “I’ll be outside if you need me.” I stood frozen, watching him exit the house.
Obviously he felt hurt. I didn’t know what exactly he wanted from me. If he wished for my heart, I’d gladly give it, but he was asking the impossible. My heart stopped beating a long time ago.
Discovery
The golden dawn was just peeking over the horizon when Val stepped back into the house. He’d finished smudging the exterior with sage. By his drained face, and damp hair from the cold dew, I began to grasp that this ritual was an intricate venture. The rite demanded hours, and considering that he’d had little sleep, the tall order had taken a toll on him.
Ms. Noel once explained to me the importance of a protection spell the cleansing could only be performed by the craft maker someone with a particular kind of magick. Any other caster standing in the energy-field might disturb the sacred ground, contaminating the incantation.
Keeping that in mind and the huge argument between Val and me, I thought it might be wise to steer clear. Besides, right now, I hated myself. Val was right. My mind seemed to linger in the past. I wasn’t sure if Aidan had anything to do with it, but I was certain my child did. If he couldn’t understand my plight I didn’t see our relationship blossoming into anything significant.
***
Val didn’t waste any time getting to the interior. Since the same rule applied, I stayed in the foyer, sinking into a comfy chair, keeping out of the way. Quietly I listened to his gentle footfalls as he moved willowy throughout the mansion, chanting an ancient language.
After a short time, my eyelids could no longer hold its own, and sleep followed. Hours had past when a soft tap on my knee awakened me. I opened my droopy eyes and there bigger than life, kneeling before me was Val. His face appeared weary and his beautiful golden eyes were blood-shot, but a sweetness had replaced his angry glint. I instantly smiled, and a thrill shot through me. I was happy to see he wasn’t mad at me any longer.
An aroma of breakfast drifted through the house. I knew right away Dom was back to his old self, preparing breakfast for everyone. My French friend loved early mornings. He had us all beat with age, yet, he often worked the longest and hardest. Jeffery, I’d decided, was an immutable fixture collecting dust.
“Are you hungry?” Val asked.
“Yeah. I could eat.” I stretched and yawned.
Val flashed a crooked grin, extending his hand. I smiled back, taking him up on his kind gesture. As he hoisted me onto my feet, I lost my balance, falling into his arms. Whether it was an accident or Val’s intention, I’d never know; but when our eyes met, we froze, as if time stood still, lost in each other’s captivating breath. His hands rested on my hips, a slight caress of his thumb brushed against my bare-skin right above the waist band of my pants, spreading goose bumps over my body. Visions of the past night in his bed came rushing. My breath hitched as I watched Val slowly begin to lean in for a kiss. Only a fraction away, right before Val made contact, Jeffery peeked his head around the corner, clearing his throat, loudly. Val and I both jerked back, startled as Jeffery barked. “Food is get-n cold!”
With disappointment riding skirt-tail, our trance faltered, and the enchantment broke. I withdrew from Val’s arms and followed Jeffery.
At the table, everyone seemed quiet and into their private reflections of the night before. Dom cleared his pallet and addressed Val. “Thank you for your help. We are very grateful.”
The left corner of Val’s lips quirked into a brief smile. “Don’t mention it. I’m glad to help.” He paused, switching to a more serious note. “It is crucial for us to find out why this unknown presence is targeting you good folks.” Val advised.
Dom joined in saying out loud what I was already thinking. “I think we won’t have to look very far to find this scoundrel.”
“I suspect everyone at this table assumes that the Family is responsible.” Val disclosed, “however, this miasma isn’t their style.”
I jumped on the wagon this time. “If it’s not the Family, then who is it?”
“Right now I can’t put a face with the name, however, I believe it’s a sole entity haunting you for its own personal reasons.” Funny, I thought. I just realized that I’d never seen Val in his own element strong and confident. I felt enamored.
“Oui!” Dom agreed. “Do you have any idea why we are being targeted?”
“No. Not yet.” Val went on to explain. “That’s why we need to get to the bottom of this black magick. I think if we find the motive, we’ll find the person behind all this hex-spying.”
Jeffery butted in with a shriek. “Hold the hell on!” he raised his hand in the air like he was about to give the sermon on the mount. “Can those evil mofo spies see us in the bathroom?”
Dom rolled his eyes, Val and I shared glances but quickly diverted our eyes off in another direction to avoid an explosion of uncontained laughter. Val cleared his throat, pushing down the mirth, “Bro, just make sure you’re covered-up when you do any extra curriculum.”
I couldn’t hold it any longer as I spewed over the brim of roaring laughter.
Val and Dom somehow kept their composure.
“That’s just fine, missy!” Jeffery fumed at me. “I have a broomstick with your name on it.” He pursed his lips.
I’m sorry, boo.” I snickered, nearly breaking a rib. I wiped the moisture from my eyes. “I couldn’t help it.” I snick
ered again.
Jeffery folded his arms, his face blistered from ireful silence.
Dom took the table and asked, “Do you have any suggestions of how we can find this mysterious malefactor?
Then I intervened, straightening my shoulders back, taking a much more serious tone. “There is someone I suspect who might be behind this ploy. She’s well trained in the arts of magick. I saw her vanish with my own two eyes, and she detests me.”
“What’s the girl’s name? I can get my peeps to check her out,” Val asked, sipping his coffee.
“Helen De Pont,” I revealed.
Val’s sip suddenly spewed forth, shooting poor Jeffery in the face. Jeff shrieked, springing from the table and running for his bathroom, leaving a trail of curses in his wake.
Dom followed after Jeffery, and I snatched a napkin for Val. When I handed him the towel, I arched a suspicious brow, asking. “Do you know this bitch?”
Val’s voice was raspy, burning from swallowing the coffee down the wrong pipe. “In passing,” he coughed out.
“Uh-hmm. Sure there’s not more to it?” My voice laced with mistrust.”
“Hmm...I know of her.” Val dabbed the dark liquid off his once white T-shirt. By then, Jeffery and Dom had returned. Val quickly moved on to the next subject, his voice still hoarse. “I have made arrangements for one of my fighters to help. He’s going to stand guard. No one leaves this house without him. Everyone sticks together, even if it’s the market or the bathroom.”
Jeffery flinched, holding his hand up, waiting for permission to speak.
Val nodded his head, acknowledging Jeff.
“Does your guard have to stand over us in the bathroom? I mean,” Jeffery shifted in his feet, “I like company, but even for me, that’s just a bit TMI.”
“Affirmative, bro!” Val gibed. “I will personally see to it that my fighter never leaves your sight.” Val slipped me a sideways glance and winked.
I held back the laughter that begged for release. Dom as usual, shook his head, keeping silent.
“You are one cruel mofo!” Jeffery huffed. He pivoted on his feet, stomping up the stairs as curses wafted throughout the mansion.