Jasmine #3
“It’s been a while, but I would say she likely has long black hair.
Dark eyes. We’re half-siblings, so she resembles my features a little.
She, um…” I chuckle, memories of Marisole flooding my brain.
“She used to wish she had my freckles. It’s the thing that made me hu—It’s the thing she was jealous of the most.” I smile, remembering my sister dotting her face with a dark marker when we were younger, trying to recreate the pattern.
It always ended up smeared, but it was one of the few times I swear she felt an inkling of emotion.
“She sounds beautiful.” Rebecca writes those notes down, then taps the pen repeatedly. “And a secret? Do you have one you can share? And maybe her location? Even ballparking would help.”
I take a deep breath and figure it’s now or never. “She’s in the Underworld.”
Rebecca drops her pen and curses when she picks it up. “The Underworld? Like…” She points to the ground.
I nod.
“Okay.” Her eyes widen, and I see her write Underworld and circle it about five times. “I don’t think I’ve ever called the Underworld. They might assume it’s a butt-dial.”
“Is that a thing?”
Rebecca laughs. “No, I’m sorry. I’m in shock, but don’t worry, we’ve got this. And I’m assuming a secret is she’s a…”
Rebecca waffles her hands back and forth, and I realize she wants me to say it. “Demon?”
“Ah, yes, yes, a demon. Okay.”
“Is this too much? Sorry, I can—”
“No, no,” she rushes out. “I want to help you. Seriously.”
“You won’t turn me in?”
She narrows her brow. “I wouldn’t do that to a friend.”
I hold back a grin. As someone who lacks in the friendship department, I hope she means it.
Rebecca places both hands on the crystal ball. “The spell isn’t going to be audible. My intentions will transfer from my connection to the crystal, and if successful, the ball will emit the sound from the end of the call. Okay?”
I dip my head, then she begins.
Her lips move as she mouths the spell. I’m not able to make out anything she’s saying, especially with the low light of the room. If she’s turning me in, I wouldn’t have a clue.
Her facial features go from optimistic to frustrated, her brows rising and lowering every other sentence. I’m losing hope when the crystal ball turns a shade of red.
“What the fuck is this? Hello?” A female’s voice bleeds into the room. The sass tells me one thing: Rebecca has succeeded. “If you don’t tell me how the fuck you got into my brain, I’ll murder you—”
“Mar!” I shout, realizing Rebecca didn’t tell me what to do if we had a successful connection. Her eyes fly open, and she nods for me to continue. “Is that you?”
“You’re going to have the worst fucking nightmare—”
“Marisole?” I talk over her, hoping she not only hears me, but recognizes me.
“Jasmine? Is that—”
She’s cut off, and when I meet Rebecca’s gaze, she mouths, I’m losing her.
Fuck.
“Yes, it’s me. I need you to…” This isn’t the moment for my brain to blank, but I realize without knowing if every word will reach her, I don’t want to share the reason why I’m calling. “I need your help.”
The crystal ball goes dark.
Rebecca’s hands slide to the table.
“Sorry,” she huffs. “Something was pushing me out, but I don’t think it was intentional. Maybe we can try a different day again?”
“Um, maybe.” I don’t tell her a different day might not exist. “Thank you. It means a lot that you helped me, even if nothing comes of it. What do I owe you?”
Rebecca tosses her hand in the air. “First one is on the house.”
“You sure?”
She nods.
“Okay, well, thank you. Maybe I’ll see you again soon?”
“You’re welcome here anytime, even if all you want to do is vent about the hot shifter who’s new to town.”
“Oh, I—”
Rebecca laughs. “The town talks. But don’t worry, my lips are sealed.”
“Thank you.” I find myself giving her a genuine smile. If this goes well, if I’m able to find a way out of this mess, maybe we could be friends—real friends.
“Speaking of the Fernhollow gossip, did the news of the latest investigation from the Council end up on your side of town?” Rebecca asks as we reach the front of her store.
“No, um, I don’t think so. What happened?” If she’s referring to someone being in town to investigate the demons, I want to protect Jake as much as I can.
She widens her eyes, pausing by the front door. “There were two deaths at the library yesterday.”
“Deaths?” My breath catches as the news hits me. Yesterday was when we hid from the demons.
“Yeah.” She nods. “But of course the Council is on it, like they always are. Just be careful, okay?”
“Um, yeah… thanks,” I say, then force myself to smile.
Rebecca opens the door for me, and I somehow find my way to my car.
If I knew lives were at stake yesterday, I would have done everything I could to prevent their souls from being taken.
It wouldn’t have been the way I’d want my magic to be revealed to Jake, but I’d never choose myself over the safety of an innocent.
Once again, the memories from the previous demon encounters play in my mind and the glamour holding together my secrets cracks.