Being with Ellie is much more interesting than meeting with the coven. We do our due diligence by attending meetings, but our intimate time is fascinating.After a meeting, Ellie and I drive to a nearby campsite. We're exchanging spells when some critter scurries across our feet, scaring us. We laugh it off, then a few minutes later, it runs past again, and I curse it to death.The opossum falls feet up, and rigor mortis sets in instantly. Ellie sits petrified, staring at its carcass. I say, "Sorry about that. Now, where were we?"Slowly, she cuts her eyes towards me and then asks, "How is this possible?""How is what possible?""You kill?" She frowns.Eyes squinted, I answer, "It's a rat.""We don't practice dark magic. All our names mean light." Through an uncomfortable chuckle, I tease, "Lighten up, Ellie. This is our secret, right? My mother showed me a few spells during my meditation. It's a minuscule curse for pests. I'd never use it on a human—it's not even powerful enough to
Before my car is parked, my foot is hanging out the door. Immediately, I jump out and speed walk toward the lake. Ellie jogs up and snatches me back. Flailing, I gnash, "Stop being such a pussy! You owe Lucy nothing!""Lucy's a worthy foe, Ajay! What if your spell doesn't work?""It works! Now be quiet so we can catch our fish."Teeth clenched and eyes shut tight, Ellie stomps behind me. The lake is placid. I nod toward Ellie, and she makes her mermaid call. We wait a few seconds, and then she calls again. I whisper, "Are you sure she's here?""Of course not.""What do you mean, of course not?""I'm not her fucking keeper. That time, when we came, she informed the group she'd be here. This time, we're simply hoping."Massaging my forehead, I whisper, "Try again."Ellie calls, but nothing happens, and I yell, "FUCK!""Why do you need her in her mermaid form anyway?""I think she can be an ally.""To who? Us?" Ellie laughs, "Ajay, you're delusional! Lucy loves and is in love with Chia
Past midnight, I stop at a rest area. The first thing is a sign warning me to watch for scorpions and rattlesnakes. With a brisk jog, I hurry into the building and use the restroom. Back in my SUV, I scroll through my playlists and put on some mellow music. Afterward, I GPS the nearest motel. There's one 35 miles away. The second I look down to put my truck into gear, there's a knock at my window. Foot slamming the brake, I come to a complete halt. I look out, and it's Chiara. Her beautiful golden eyes are glowing in the dark. My window rolls down, and she leans in, saying, "Fancy meeting you here." This encounter, her scent is turning me on. Discreetly, eyeing her perfect physique, I say, "Hey, Chiara. Are you following me?" "Maybe. May we get a ride?" Suddenly, Lucy appears behind her. Peeking into the backseats, she asks, "Where's Wilson." "Wilson? Uh, our adventure together ended weeks ago." Through wanton eyes, Lucy replies, "That's too bad. Now you'll have to accommodate t
Hearing a car engine and then seeing headlights, we all stand frozen. The truck exits the park, and Dawn says, "Daybreak is coming fast. We had better hurry!"I rush to our truck, siphon out a pop bottle full of gasoline, and sprint back to the others. They go to Margot while Dawn and I burn Lucy. Through the flames, Dawn asks, "Your mother told you this would happen?""All she said was catch a fish to feed the wolf and then showed me a mermaid.""Hmm. Has she shown you anything else you think we should heed?""No, that was it. But I promise to share whatever she tells me from now on.""Thanks, Ajay, because we're under attack.""By who?" I ask."I don't know, but someone who feared us completing our coven. You were the final piece to make us whole and ready for elevation. Now, we've lost two powerful assets. And who knows if Chiara will return without Lucy."Just before sunrise, we load into our SUV and return to our New Mexico suite. No one spoke a word the entire ride. A few of us
Justine stands watching my reaction. Instantly, I knew it was Deena attacking my coven. I ask, "When was the last time Zelma spoke to Micah?"Shrugged, she answers, "Who knows? Out of the blue, Zelma will communicate random information via Micah. But enough on that, why are you reading witchcraft for pleasure?"I'm dazed, looking through her, when I hear my mother say, "You can trust her with a little."I answer, "My mother was a witch.""What?""Yes. My dad told me the last time we spoke. He made it something tragic, but I learned she was quite powerful. She was a gray witch.""Hmm." Justine mocks."Are you familiar with that terminology?"Justine laughs, "Not at all.""She wasn't good or evil, but practiced white and black magic.""Is that what you practice?"Hesitant, I answer, "Yes.""Good. Hopefully, you'll beat Deena.""Do you believe in any of this stuff?""Do I think it's real? Yes, but would I dabble with it? No.""I used to feel how you feel, but it's much more than hocus poc
Mitchell's grin turns into an immediate frown. I mumble, "Nice to meet you."Mitchell smirks, "Babe, I know Ajay. She stayed at our ministry on that island I told you about."With an inquisitive look, Winnie repeats, "Ministry?""Yeah, she escaped a dangerous relationship. Or am I talking too much?""Winnie, I have to go," I say as I head towards the exit. Glancing back and forth, Winnie chases me down, asking, "Why are you leaving?""This is a set-up? Did Mitchell put you up to this?" I gnash."Ajay, I had no idea you even knew Mitchell. I'm just as surprised as you are, but why such hostility? If I didn't know your past, he'd be way out of order, but I do. You're not well, Ajay.""I'm fine. I'm better than I've ever been! You've been talking nonstop about your bogus life, so I haven't had a moment to share mine!"Onlookers are gathering when Mitchell grabs Winnie's hand, asking, "What's the problem?"Winnie shrugged and shook her head. I started chanting inwardly, but nothing happe
Expressionless, I stared her way as she chuckled, "My spirit guide allows me to reincarnate.""Oh wow. Who have you been?""I can't remember, but today I'm a first-grade teacher on a mission to free our children's minds.""Their parents are okay with that?"Phoebe whispers, "It's me and my students' secret."I'm not sure how I feel about that, so I simply nod, grateful I don't have any small children in school yet. In the middle of the night, I wake up to Phoebe chanting over me. Though in pain, I sit up, asking, "What are you doing?""It's a healing spell.""Thanks, but no thanks. Let me heal naturally.""Why?""Because everything doesn't require magic.""Ajay, while you're lying here, there's so much being done with the coven. They've located Jude and will seduce him back to the island.""Okay.""Don't you care?""Not really.""Why not?" She ruffles."I sense they're in for a rude awakening. Even though I lived there and met the Knight clan, no one's listening to me. Jude is very h
I returned to the motel in New Mexico, but something kept telling me to return to Louisiana. Lying in bed, I'm compelled to call Wilson. It's well past two in the morning, so I expect to get a voicemail if he still has this number.His phone barely rings before he answers, "Jude?""Yes, it's me.""Dude, I've been worried sick about you!"Hesitant, I sit contemplating why he's not angry or afraid. I ask, "Are you back home?""Which one?" He asks."What? Blue Luna.""Uh, no. I'm still in Louisiana."Stumped, I sit silent. Wilson says, "Hello? Are you still there?""Yes.""Where are you?""New Mexico.""What's up? You need me to pick you up from there?"Hesitating again, I answer, "No. I'm returning to Louisiana.""I found a house for us."Leery, I hang up in his face. The phone is still in my hand when Wilson calls back, stating, "The cell towers suck out here. Sorry, Jude, my call must've dropped. So when should I expect you? I'll grill us some steaks.""Within 48 hours. Send your locat
The same night I googled Dr. Houseman. He has a private practice across town. I schedule an appointment, but he's not available until next month. Uncomfortable going to anyone else, I keep the appointment and buy a home pregnancy test.My sweaty palms wet the box, while my trembling hand held the stick steady. I waited the instructed time, and it came back inconclusive. I run to the drugstore and purchase three more tests. They all yield the same result.Justine told me Delilah was discharged from the ICU and apologized to Zelma. Delilah told Zelma, "I've been consumed with Jude and finding his truth for so long that I haven't even lived. These days I grieve for Mama. She was so deep into this that there was no way she could walk away and live a normal life.I've had Eve only a few weeks, and I love her as my own. Mama loved Jude. She did what she thought was best. If Jude ever comes for Eve, she's his, so I'd have no choice but to return his daughter. But until then, I'll love and ra
I left Floyd perplexed. Soon, I heard Jude questioning me about the short story Eve wrote about Samuel and his brother. Plopping onto my couch, I close my eyes and concentrate, hoping to remember anything significant.Suddenly, I recall Mr. Knight saying, "I hear my mother's singing in my head and whisper, "Dreamers? No, filthy dreamers. My bloodied fingers thumb through my Bible. Weak and dying, I circle the chapter at the top of the page. My shaky hand draws an arrow, and I write, This is his name."Immediately, I rushed and opened the small suitcase I had taken from the island. It has Jude's Bible inside. I remove it, go to the table of contents, and find the Book of Jude. Jude had circled the title in blood.As I stare at the encircled name, I realize that Samuel VII and Mr. Knight are the same. Samuel is the baby's father. The story instructed the Knight's lineage to name his son and the next Alpha, Jude.Soon I'm wondering why Samuel slaughtered his students. Did he hope to be k
Paige offers to go with me to see Mrs. Freer. I decided it was best to go alone. Walking on campus was strange. It seems like eons ago this was where I spent most of my time. Upon entering the administration building, I see familiar faces. Some greet me while others walk by, oblivious to who I am. I exit the elevator on our floor and see Mrs. Freer talking with two coworkers.Seeing me, she does a double-take. Quickly, she ends her conversation and heads toward me. "Ms. Vernon. This is a bewildering surprise.""Hi, Mrs. Freer. My name's Mrs. Knight now, and yes, I'm sure seeing me is surprising.""Mrs. Knight, wow. Well, congratulations. Now, may I know why you're here?""I need to speak with a professor, preferably one knowledgeable in astronomy.""Professor Floyd was a friend of Phyllis's. She asked for the same help right before she passed.""Mrs. Freer, it's terrible what happened to Phyllis. I'll admit, I was pretty heartless in the past, but I'm a new person. If possible, I'd a
I decide to wait in the car and let Justine handle everything. Once Zelma opens the door, she sees me. Instantly, she gripes, "What is she doing here?"Justine says, "She needs our help, Zelma.""From the moment I first helped her, it's been nothing but tragedy for those I love. You promised me you wouldn't go to Knight Island.""If we hadn't gone, Ajay would've been stranded there.""I don't care!" Zelma shouts."We're not like that, Zelma." Justine sighs.As much as it hurts, Zelma is right. Since the moment I stepped on Knight Island, it's been nothing but devastation and death. Once we get to their home, I retrieve my suitcase and leave. I tell Justine, "I promise I'll be in touch."Before I exit, Zelma stops me, saying, "I don't hate you, Ajay. And I understand the hold Jude has on you. I know you're worried and want to find him, but have you ever considered maybe he wants to be lost?Delilah attacked me over some books with mathematical formulas that no human could possibly deci
I'm hiding in what's left of this burned cabin when I hear voices. Realizing they're women, I rush out into the open. I see a woman running, and two chasing her. Then I hear, "Shellie, stop running!"I see Justine and cry out, "Justine! Over here!""Ajay? Is that you?" Justine shouts.Immediately, Shellie stops and runs toward me. Dottie and Justine come to me as well. They all stood staring my way, speechless. Slowly, Justine reaches to touch me and asks, "Are you okay?"The only thing I could do was cry. All three of them huddle around me. These strange sounds in the distance make Dottie say, "I think we need to go.""Are you alone? Where's Jude?" Justine asks."I'm alone, and Dottie's right. We need to leave."They have food and liquor on their boat. All three care for me until I'm no longer trembling from fear. We're miles away from the island when Justine asks, "Do you want to talk about it?"How do I explain this? Honestly, I don't know what happened myself. Coughing to clear my
Zelma doesn't know. I've been looking for Ajay forever. After I learned she practiced witchcraft, I told Zelma. Zelma warned me, "Knight Island was demonic. We just didn't know it. Dad was privy to some information but tragically learned it wasn't just superstition and ghost stories."I'd called Ajay but she never called back. Then, I decided to wait for her in the library's occult section. Afraid other students would see me and think I was a witch, I started asking about her instead.The student aid at the desk knew who she was. He told me, "Ajay is great. I haven't seen her in a minute, but sometimes she'd go to the coffee shop down the street."Cafe Sheol made me look more sketchy than sitting in the library. Only the barista and I are present. I go to the counter, order a tall latte, and ask, "Hi Cecily, I'm Justine. Do you remember a girl named Ajay being a customer?"Before I can describe her, Cecily answers, "Of course. I love Ajay. Why do you ask?"I explained how we lost cont
My life flashes before me as we drop to the ground. I open my eyes and am in the top bunk bed at my foster home. It's a clear night. As I gaze out into the stars, I think, I wish someone loved me.The Michaels have four foster children. All four of us are girls. We're all around the same age. I climb out of bed to use the toilet and overhear my foster parents discussing how one of the girls has been adopted.I hurry back to my room, crying. Now, staring into the night sky again, I whisper, "Please let someone love me." The following morning, Aunt Irene adopted me.It's my senior year of high school. My boyfriend, Benjamin, and I ditch prom and drive to the marina. We sneak in and lie in someone's boat. Lying beside each other, we gaze up into the sky, and he asks, "Do you think anyone's truly out there?"I answer, "Look how beautiful and vast the sky is. How can it not be?"Nodding, Ben says, "I agree. So, is it God or aliens?""Definitely, God. Aliens are techies, according to what t
After weeks of sailing, we find nothing. We return to Brazil, and Jude says, "Let's just go home."The closer we get to Knight Island, the more uneasy I feel. Early morning, we leave Florida. Soon, the island appears, but it's no longer the paradise I knew. It's burning wasteland. Wide-eyed, I look at Jude, but he's expressionless. I stammer, "W-What happened?"Knight Island looks exactly like the island I spent a night alone on. Had I swam all the way here and then returned to another location near Columbia? Our boat hits a rock behind this burned-down villa. Jude anchors our boat and then stretches out his hand. Nervous, I lightly place my palm in his. He helps me to shore. Once he releases me, I stare into his eyes.Exhaling, he pans across the island, saying, "They would've told my secret. I start to panic, but a still voice calmly says, "Agree with him."Through a shaky voice, I say, "You're right, babe."Jude cuts his eyes at me and says, "Come here. I'll carry you."He lifts
Mrs. Dotson taps her ruler on her desk, saying, "Sit down, students. Class is in session. It's October 30. Today we will explore stories of myths and monsters."A crisp autumn breeze gusts through the room from the opened window. The ten children are prim and proper for school, in their uniforms. Each innocent face intently gazes at Mrs. Dotson, anticipating her reading.She looks up and sees me standing in her doorway. Her eyes light up, and she says, "Kind day to you, Mr. Knight. Is there something that you need?""I'm celebrating my birthday. I hoped to leave a tad earlier. Will you see to it that my class leaves on time?""Anything for you, Mr. Knight.""Thanks."I enter my mill and chain myself in the dungeon. Everyone I love dies. It's been 500 years, and I'm still here. As the sun sets and the full moon rises, I begin my change. Though I can control my inner beast, tonight I'm frustrated and want to kill. But killing will attract unwanted attention. Once I'm transformed, I let