CHAPTER 19
REMMIE
He called me his mate.
Made sweet love to me. Made me feel more desired and cherished than I have ever felt in my life. Then, he just disappears. Radio silence since he left the house yesterday evening to grab clothes for the night and never came back. I hardly slept.
I’ve called. I’ve texted. Every scenario going through my mind. Maybe he fell asleep. Maybe he stopped to see a friend. Did he have friends? I mean, other than Marla? I wouldn’t know. I even called Marla- thankful she gave me her business card. She was absolutely no help at all.
“I would know if he were dead. So be thankful that isn’t the case.
” She’d said before ending the call. It did not calm my nerves.
And unfortunately, the self-doubt started to creep in.
Was it all just the effects of the deal?
Was he regretting everything already? No.
I don’t believe it was anything other than genuine.
Mates are too cherished from what I’ve seen and read.
I don’t think he would say it lightly. And I wanted to be his mate.
I just needed him to show up so I could tell him.
I came to the bakery to open up and started cleaning like a maniac because what else could I do.
I thought of heading over to Demo Global and kicking the door in hero style, but would that be all stalker of me?
I could just say -oh you never came back, just making sure you’re not kidnapped.
Nope, that’s too over dramatic. But if he doesn’t show up soon-
The chime over the front door rings.
“Hi. Welcome to...” I start my customary greeting when someone walks through the door. What I see instead, makes the words die in my throat.
“Shade?”
Something is clearly wrong with him. Shade stands in the doorway of the bakery, shoulders hunched, looking defeated.
His usual bright golden skin looks dim and his golden hair is messy and ashen.
His black button-down shirt opened just enough to see the baby pink collar around his neck.
Dalia stands next to him, a devilish red-lipped smile spread across her face.
“What the hell are you doing here? What is going on? Shade?” My tone turns angry, realization dawning.
“Dalia. YOU are the witch Shade has been running from!”
“Bingo, Cotton Candy! I’m not surprised you didn’t realize. You’re not the brightest crayon in the box.” Dalia answers.
Of course it’s her. She’s pure freaking evil wrapped In a skin tight, gaudy animal print catsuit.
Her red lipstick, as flawless as always.
But now, I can see a darkness around her I was never able to before.
Her aura pulses like a heartbeat and spills from her body like inky tentacles.
Her ruby pendant glowing against her chest.
“You’ve been following us, haven’t you? The shadows!” I ask.
Dalia grins. “A neat trick I’ve learned over the years. Helps me keep track of my… Possessions.” She trails her nails down Shade’s arm, making him flinch. My blood starts to boil, seeing him in distress.
How dare she touch him. Shade is mine!
“You let him go.” I make a move towards him and Dalia tsks.
“Ah, Ah, Ah!” She snaps her fingers and Shade’s whole body seizes up, his eyes wide, clearly in pain.
I back up and Dalia lowers her hand, stopping whatever she was doing to him.
He gasps, catching his breath and I feel an inner rage I’ve never felt before in my life. The demon I love is trapped with this horrible witch, and I hate it.
“What do you want, Dalia?” I ask, the words coming out strained.
“Oh, I got what I wanted. And it was worth the wait. Sadly, I can’t do what I would like to you.
I made a deal. But Shade had something to say to you, didn’t you pet?
” She purred up at him, amused by his discomfort.
Shade looked at me then, and the pain was clear in his eyes.
He strained against whatever magic Dalia had over him and it broke my heart to see him so defenseless.
When he finally spoke, his words were strained.
“Our deal is complete. You now know who placed the spell on your bakery. I’m no longer bound to you. I never want to see you again.” His words break something in me. Like a wire snapping.
I gasp at the strange sensations traveling through my body.
The bond of the deal we made is gone. I feel it like a burning under my skin. Because Dalia confirmed it, it seems the deal is automatically ended.
That’s fine because we have a deeper bond between us now. Something only mates can have. And underneath his words, I can tell Shade is trying to keep me safe.
“Ugh. Don’t be so dramatic, Romi.” Dalia scoffs.
“It’s Remmie. But whatever. It doesn’t matter that our deal is done. I’m not ready to let Shade go. Especially to a skanky bitch like you!”
Dalia just laughs in my face. I swear, I’m punching her at the first opportunity.
“Ah. Well, this has been a blast. But we really must be going.” She smiles and turns to leave.
I remember that Shade can’t leave the bakery unless I am touching him.
Good. I’ll grab him once Dalia is outside and lock her out.
Any moment now, Shade will be blasted back from the spell.
But when they both walk through the open door, my heart drops to my feet.
No! I move as if in slow motion to stop them, but when I make it outside, they are gone.
I bang on the door of Helena’s tarot cottage, not caring how disturbing I am. I closed the bakery and came straight here, ready to demand her help. Helena wrenches the door open, visibly shaken. “Remmie? What is it, child?”
“Dalia took Shade. I need your help.”
“Come in, quickly.” Helena pulls me in by my shoulder, looks around behind me, checking for followers. Closing the door and locking it behind her when she’s sure I came alone.
She sits me down at a round table covered in ornate fabrics, a crystal ball in the center. A cup of tea floats in front of my face, and I take it instantly, the heat warming my hands. Helena sits opposite me and takes a sip before placing her cup down and focuses on me.
“Now, Tell me what happened.” She says calmly.
“Shade came into the shop with Dalia. I could tell something was horribly wrong with him. Dalia confirmed she was the witch Shade was running from. He said our contract was complete. And then they were able to leave the bakery, poof, into the air. I just want to know what she did to him. That wasn’t the Shade I know or love.
” Great. This is the moment I decide to say it out loud?
Don’t worry Remmie, you will say it to him personally.
“Calm down, girl. We will figure something out. The coven knew there was a dark presence here. We didn’t put the clues together that it was the damn coffee shop owner.
I can’t stand dark witches. They can hide their aura too well.
” Helena moved around her tarot room, pulling jars and bottles from cabinets and crystals from drawers.
I stop her frantic movements, getting her attention again.
“What are you doing, Helena?” I ask.
“Preparing some potions and spells. I have to call the girls and see if we can make a new protection spell. Might take a few hours, but-”
“What!” I yell much louder than I should. “I don’t have hours. What if they try to leave the city? I refuse to wait.” I move to leave, Helena catching my arm.
“Don’t be so rash, Remmie. Melda would curse us from beyond the grave if we let you get hurt.” She’s not wrong. My gran was my protector all my life. But I don’t want to miss getting Shade back. I’m aware I don’t know what I’m doing or what I’m walking into, but the thought of losing him guts me.
Helena sensing my impatience, starts chanting. Her power glowing purple from her hands. Her spell wrapped around me like a warm hug, instantly reminding me of gran. How she would hold me and bring me comfort. I can’t help the single tear that slides down my cheek.
“There. That’s as good of a protection spell I can get on my own.
I will still try and rally the girls to support you.
But I understand the desire to save your mate.
Remember what I said about our pendants, right?
If she’s a dark witch, all of her power will be contained in it.
Destroy it, destroy her. Just, Be careful Remmie.
” Helena wraps her arms around me in a warm hug.
Now, lets go save my demon.
Armed with nothing but my wits, a pepper-spray keychain, and my own pendant that I’ve hidden out of sight just in case, I stand outside the Black Cat Brewhouse.
It’s dark and the closed neon sign glows in the dimming evening.
I really had no plan when I stomped my way through Goliath park over here.
But if Shade is inside, I will gladly storm the proverbial gates.
As I move closer to the building, a house comes into view behind it.
How long has this been here? It looks bigger than the brewhouse itself.
The exterior is black, with old shutters hanging off the hinges.
It looks like a dark version of my own home to be honest. Like a witch dwelling starter kit, just pick the color.
There’s got to be something keeping normal people out.
But I’m not normal and I have protection over me.
The tiny gate creaks open as I approach, tripping on the broken stone path that leads to the front door.
Any moment now, a booby-trap or a pack of vicious dogs will pop up and take me out.
But as I walk, crouched low like that’s really going to help me, nothing happens.
I make it to the door unharmed. Huh! That was oddly easy.
I twist the nob, the splintered wooden door creaking as it opens, and step inside.
The interior of the house Definity matched the exterior.
Dark damask walls are lite by tiny lamps lining the walls of the long entryway. Cobwebs covered old golden painting and dusty corners. The inside was much bigger than it appeared.
What in the Doctor Who?
The layout matched somewhat mine, so I think I could navigate it easily.
Through, this is my first time in an evil witch lair.
Anything can be lurking around any corner.
Whack! A hit to the back of my head has me hitting the old carpet covered floor, hard.
Pain spreads from the back of my head and I start to lose consciousness.
The last thing I see is a pair of patent leather heels click past as my vision goes out.