Chapter 4
Hoo. Hoo.
Glancing up toward the darkened sky, chills went down my spine as I looked up at yet another screech owl.
Seeing one in its natural habitat didn’t alarm me, so I continued on my trek.
Sunset Valley wasn’t the best place to be at this time of hour.
There have always been stories about how these woods come alive at night, and I was one of those who believed it.
Talks of the supernatural and paranormal entities made people steer clear of the Valley, but I welcomed all things occult.
Pulling the strings of my hoodie tighter, all that could be heard was the crunching of the leaves as I walked deeper into the woods.
It was nearing midnight, and my heart beat wildly in my chest at what was coming.
Tonight was the beginning of binding Donovan’s and my love forever.
It's been two days since the night we made love at Ashley's house, and I couldn't stand to be away from him any longer. I wanted him in the worst way, and having sex didn’t help my longing.
“Come on.” I stopped as I approached the clearing. Smooth sounds of a nearby stream sang the perfect lullaby while the cool breeze felt good against my warm skin. “It’s time.”
As soon as my watch struck midnight, the air went still.
The noise from the birds and insects went silent, while the flow of the stream hitting the bank was no more.
Standing in the midst of the clearing, I allowed my backpack to slide from my shoulders to the ground as I lifted my hands and began chanting to the universe.
From the shadows and air, far and near
I call and command you to appear
With closed eyes, I could feel the wind pick up around me as I repeated those words.
The animals of the night called out as I had, reinforcing my spell.
The stream ran rapidly, crushing against the vegetation within its path.
My thoughts and my intentions floated about in my head as I became drenched in perspiration.
I wanted Donovan as my own. I want him to love and see only me.
While I don’t want to hurt Janelle, I want to create a life of warmth, love, and prosperity for myself.
It just so happens that I want these things with her man.
Well, my man. It is time he comes home where he belongs.
After saying my chant for the fifth time, the earth around me was quiet once again.
Prying my eyes open slowly, a slow grin formed across my face as the small, veiled house emerged.
Picking up my backpack from the ground, I threw it over my shoulder as I carefully walked toward the familiar shack.
As I stepped on the porch, the boards cried out, much like the ones at my cabin.
No matter how many times I summon this home, I’m always blown away by its realness.
“Welcome back to the Black Window,” Gertrude, my elder witch, croaked as she sat in her old wicker chair. “What brings you by, dearie?”
“I need to get a few things to perform a love spell,” I spoke as I gripped the straps of my bag. “I’ve been reading my book of spells and came across the Binding Shadow. That’s perfect for what I want to do, and I need to perform it before daybreak.”
Gertrude said nothing as she stared at me.
With one eye, jet black and the other gray from blindness, she was by far the scariest and ugliest being I’d ever seen.
Warts covered her entire face, and her nose put the beak of a pelican to shame, giving her the authentic witch-like look.
She was dressed in a black cotton nightgown and smelled of mildewed clothing.
Rising from her seat, she grunted as she gripped her cane and led me into the house.
The four-hundred-year-old enchantress had been around long enough to see many people come and go.
She only appeared when summoned, so she long ago gave up on wanting to look young.
“A love spell, huh?” she stated over her shoulder as she led me to a room in the back.
The robust smell of sage and various other incense was beginning to give me a headache.
“Are you sure that beckoning the Binding Shadow is what you want to do? You’ve never been one to…
well.” She walked over to the shelf and handed me a small vial that looked like blood.
“Once something like this is done, it can’t be reversed. There are consequences—”
“Will Donovan and I be together?” I cut her off, arching my brow as the liquid shook in her shaky hand. “Will he and I fall in love?”
“Yes, but—”
“Then, fuck the consequences,” I stated flatly, taking the vile from her. “I have my spell book with me so I can get the process started.”
Sighing heavily, she accepted a lock of my hair for payment.
Money has never done her any good, so she only accepted more personal collateral.
After getting the remaining items I needed from her home, I rounded the hallway and pulled down the ladder that led to her attic.
My heart pounded harder with every step I took. I was nervous, but I was ready.
Time to make him mine.
Arriving on the attic floor, the potent smell of old cardboard and musk caused my stomach to churn. I pulled myself up, careful not to waste the vial in my hand. Mason jars filled with animal organs, herbs, and various potions were stacked on the shelves that lined the walls.
“The moon is the brightest of the year and it’s the perfect night for your doing.
” Gertrude waved her right hand, opening the small curtain and allowing the moonlight to shine through.
With the wave of her left hand, three red candles at the front of the room began to flicker.
“I will only be here to assist you, should you need it. Do you have a personal item from the one you desire?”
Nodding curtly, I went into my backpack and removed the Ziplock bag that held my underwear, placing it in the chalked circle in the middle of the floor.
I was filled with so much of Donovan’s semen that the panties from that night were ruined.
I tried to will him to me without resorting to black magic, but my witching wasn’t enough.
It was then that I knew I needed to perform this spell, and I was happy that I didn’t throw them away.
“Okay, Sabrena… You can do this,” I whispered as I sat Indian style in the center of the circle with my spell book in hand. “Just relax.”
Flipping the book open, the pages shuffled themselves to the one I would reference for the spell.
Up until now, I never thought I would be doing this, but I wanted Donovan more than I wanted my next breath.
Rolling my neck from side to side, I closed my eyes and inhaled slowly.
Thoughts of hurting Janelle weren’t a factor at this moment as I cleared my mind of everything but the task at hand.
Once centered, I studied the page one final time before I began.
Memorizing the words, I placed the book on the floor beside me and took another deep breath as I initiated the ritual.
The day is here, now is the time
By will or want, you will be mine
Reciting the chant repeatedly, I felt the moment I began to ascend.
I tried to keep my breathing even, but I was getting more nervous by the minute and knew I would be panting soon if I didn’t allow myself to give in, so I did.
Soaring higher, my chanting pace steadied as my legs and arms floated apart until I was in a linear position.
The only thing that could be heard in the room was my mumblings and the flickering of the candle flames.
“Say his name three times.” I felt a breeze swarm around me as I heard a raspy voice speak. The voice didn’t belong to Gertrude, validating that I was succeeding in my spell. “What is the name of the man you love?”
“Donovan. Donovan. Donovan,” I chanted aloud melodically. “My love… my light. It’s only you. Now and forever.”
My heart thumped in my chest as I felt myself become engulfed by a smoldering entity.
With the vial in hand, I drank the potion that was inside, knowing it was now or never to cement my desires.
The taste was spicy like cinnamon, but sweet like honey.
My throat began to burn while my torso ran hot.
My skin became irritated as I began to shake.
I felt as if I didn’t have control over my body as my eyes rolled to the back of my head.
With my neck lurching from side to side, it felt as if it were going to snap.
Dropping my chin into my chest, in hopes of stopping the hurling of my head and neck, I panted lowly before feeling as light as a feather.
Once I blinked the blurriness from my vision, my eyes widened at how the room had changed.
No longer was I in the attic of Gertrude’s home; I was now in Janelle’s.
As I stood in the darkened corner of her bedroom, I couldn’t help but gulp as a faceless shadow hovered near Donovan.
I dragged my eyeballs from the figure and watched as my best friend and the man I wanted to be with slept peacefully.
Her head lay on his chest with their arms wrapped around each other.
Jealousy pinged my core as I slowly and quietly made my way to his side of the bed.
For a moment, I stood and watched their naked bodies, wondering if he fucked her the way he made love to me.
The thought angered me, but knowing that this was almost over made me feel a little better.
If love is what you seek, love is what you shall find
Your love and emotions will change with time
It can’t be controlled, for it is not true
The one you seek is not yet bound to you
Seal with a kiss, for tomorrow is new
For when he awakes, he will come to you
With one final sip of the love potion, I let the remnants sit on my lips as I bent down and placed them on top of Donovan’s. Holding it there for a few moments, I watched as his arms around Janelle’s shoulder tightened.
Stepping back, I viewed the shadow as it covered his frame in a cocoon.
Once the figure descended into his body, I watched in horror as Donovan began to seize.
He foamed at the mouth as his head shook from side to side before he suddenly shot up in the bed.
Eyes wild, he looked around the hollow room before his focus landed on me.
Before he could say anything, I waved, blowing him a kiss before I faded into the night.