Running With Devils

Three

"You're sure," he asked, his head quirking to the side as if he knew the kind of shit storm I had found myself in.

"Yup. I'm just so happy you're here," I say, bringing a smile to my face.

He takes my hand gently. "Come on, Cory. I'll take you back."

***

The sight of my garden gate alleviated some of the anxiety that welled inside me. James carefully reached over and unlocked the gate for me, pushing it open so I could walk into the safety of my garden.

He simply stood outside it quietly, waiting for me to send him off.

I turned around to face him. He looked almost sad as his eyes wandered the view of my home.

"What are you thinking about," I asked quietly.

The corners of his lips twitched upwards for the slightest of moments.

"Nothing," he answered. "Just missing the way things used to be."

I stepped closer towards him. Wrapping my arms around his toned shoulders and nestling my face into his chest.

"I want you to be happy," I whisper softly. "I know that asking anything of you is wrong, but you deserve to move on."

His arms held me firmly. The familiarity of his embrace almost made me want to forget everything and end my original intentions.

"I'll move on once you do, Coralynn," he rasped.

I frowned, looking up at him. His honey eyes were set on mine as he lowered his lips cautiously. This was just a test of my resolve.

I was weak.

My lips parted as we met. His warmth radiated into me, as our lips unified. My hand couldn't help but slip into his hair soft golden hair as the other held his face. His jaw was freshly shaven, smooth and sharp, just like how I remembered it.

The kiss was soft. Each movement was slow and deliberate. We wanted this to last. We needed to have something to remember before we parted ways again.

It was one final goodbye.

This time we had to move on. There was no other option. I drew back slowly, eyes shut as I savored his lips for a moment longer.

"How long are you going to be in town," I asked softly.

"At least till Halloween," he answered, his breathing was uneven.

"Oh," I swallowed. "That's good."

He ran his fingers over my cheek. "I'll make sure to stop by often."

I nod, shutting my eyes again. "Okay."

"Goodnight, Coralynn. Sweet dreams," he whispered.

"Goodnight, James."

He gave me one last smile, slipping his hands into his pockets and turning around to walk away.

I waited until he was barely a shadow down the street and I went to go back inside.

I needed to clean myself. I felt so dirty for giving into heathen ways as that demon touched me. Anger burned like a furnace inside me.

I strode directly to my lofted bedroom, my stride not missing a beat as I reached the top of the stairs. Just inside the homey space, a large bookshelf sat against the wall, filled with books of all kinds.
But tucked away in the lower bottom corner, was a large leather bound book that looked to be as old as this town itself.

The edges were unkempt and tattered, but inside, the pages of this grimoire were still held tight by its bindings.

Most of this book was written in Latin, which— thankfully— I knew how to read.
My parents raised me in the craft. I was brought up with deep roots in the Coven's congregation, who required new congregants to read the ancient language. But after years of letting my fluency slip, I was rusty to say the least.

It didn't matter. I was pissed off. I'd figure it the fuck out even if it took me the rest of my life.

Those sons of bitches won't even know what hit them...

I sat angrily on my bed, throwing open the thick book with an animosity I'd never thought I'd use on an inanimate object.
This book was full of spells, passed down from generation to generation. Some spells had been written long before my ancestors had found themselves here in Corvallis.

But I was only looking for one thing in this dusty old relic.

A devils trap.

One that was strong enough to hold four of hells most viciously horny beasts to ever walk this plane.

I skimmed through the pages, my fingers tracing any spell titles that seemed promising. Only one caught my eye.

It was a simple drawing that required ash from several ingredients.

I frowned at the last one. Was it asking me to grab hair from the one I wanted to entrap?

I shivered. That meant I'd have to be in close proximity with them.

For real.

Suddenly, this didn't sound like such a good idea. My anger fizzled out into helplessness.

Magic always came at a cost. This was mine. To trap the devils that were set to take me, I'd have to let them in. I'd have to endure whatever sadistically cruel plans they had for me.

I shut the book, tossing it to the side and falling back on my bed. So much for that brilliant idea.

I wouldn't be able to live with myself after the depraved things they probably would likely to do to me. My parents were murdered because they thought they could do this exact same thing. It cost them everything.

Sitting back up, I headed into my bathroom and turn on the bath. I needed something to take my mind off of this nightmare.

The water steamed the air as I pulled out the makings of what my mom used to call a witches bath. Her own mother had taught her how to achieve the full benefits of this sacred ritual.

Sweet smelling oils, lavender being the most prominent ingredient as it was her favorite. I sprinkled lilac and honeysuckle petals over the top of the bath. Once it was almost filled, I lit a few candles and dimmed the lights.

I stripped my clothes, and stepped into the bath, letting the hot water cleanse me fully. I shut my eyes, leaning my head back against the wall as I drift off into darkness.