Aquarius: Haunted Heart

by Sèphera Girón

  I wonder what he’s thinking, Madeline thought.

  Gus looked over at her, and Madeline smiled and waved. He nodded and went back to surveying the crowd.

  The band rocked through another song, and the audience went wild. Madeline was moved along with the throng, being forced to bob up and down with the rest of them.

  As she danced, she felt her cell phone buzzing in her pocket. She wondered who would be calling her at this time of night. All her friends were with her.

  When the song was finished, Madeline told the others she had to check her cell phone outside.

  She went into the front lobby where people were jostling around trying to go out for cigarettes before the next set. She wasn’t surprised to see Maggie, Ellie and Natasha make their way outside to smoke.

  The call had been from Jake. She listened to the message. He asked her to call him right away. She dialed him back, wondering what he wanted on a Friday night.

  “Hey, Madeline, where are you?” he asked.

  “I’m at a club, why?”

  “Well, I’m sitting in front of your building wondering where you are,” he said.

  “Here? In Hermana?” she asked.

  “Yes, I came up for the weekend. Is that going to be a problem?”

  Madeline laughed. “No problem at all.”

  “I’ll come and get you.”

  Madeline hurried out the front door and found her friends.

  “You’re never going to believe this one,” she crowed.

  “What is it?” Maggie asked.

  “Jake is here. In Hermana. He’s coming here right now.”

  “Hey, maybe he can party with us,” Ellie said.

  “I’m thinking maybe I want to party with him... if you don’t mind.”

  “You do whatever you want, girlfriend,” Maggie said. “It’s your time to shine.”

  Within minutes, Jake pulled up in rental car. He had a big smile on his face and a bouquet of flowers on the passenger seat.

  “Beautiful flowers for a beautiful lady,” Jake said as she climbed in.

  “You are full of surprises,” Madeline said as she leaned over to kiss him hungrily.

  “I’m glad to see you too,” Jake said when he was finally able to pull away. “I have another surprise for you.”

  “What is it?”

  “How would you feel about spending the weekend at a haunted hotel in Vermont?” he asked.

  “More shows?” she asked. “I’m not ready. Everything is all pulled apart and...”

  “No, not for work. For pleasure. Just you and me. No cameras, no recording devices. Just room service and a big, comfortable bed.”

  Madeline laughed and clapped her hands. “That sounds perfect to me.”

  As he shifted the car into gear, Madeline’s body swelled with happiness. Jake’s joy flooded through her, and as she turned to look at him, she saw vibrant pink and orange bursts of color spreading from his body.

  His aura.

  She really could see feelings.

  Excerpt from Pisces: Teacher’s Pet

  Chapter One

  A stranger will enter your life.

  The water was warm, and it cushioned Adele as she paddled toward the distant shore. She didn’t know why she was in the water or how she’d drifted so far out. She wondered why she was wearing the pink nylon teddy with matching pink, lace-trimmed boy shorts that had just arrived at the shop that morning as she bobbed in the ocean far out from the beach in Hermana.

  The small image of a man, a lifeguard no doubt, waved at her. She waved back, kicking her legs, enjoying the weightlessness of her body as the water nuzzled her. For a moment, she wondered whether the water housed anything that might eat her.

  As she headed toward shore and the man waving her in, she noticed thousands of rose petals scattered along the water, bobbing in the waves. They were fresh, as if they were just plucked, and their pungent perfume mixed with salt air smelled odd. The swelling water caressed her, pushing against her breasts like lover’s hands, pulsing along her thighs. The hypnotic rising and falling of the water lulled her into a dreamy reverie. What did the broad, firm muscles on the lifeguard’s chest feel like beneath her fingers? How would his lips taste pressed against hers?

  The vibration of the shark rippled the water around her seconds before it scooped her in its mouth. As it tossed her to chomp down, she flipped herself back and landed in the water. A scream pressed against her lips as she willed her arms and legs to paddle back from the creature circling her. The dorsal fin turned and tunneled toward her once more, slicing through the waves as it rapidly approached her.

  The shark cut the surface and raged toward her, torn pieces of some other meal wedged between its teeth.

  “No!” Adele screamed. “I won’t let you!” She beat at the snout of the shark with her hands. In her frenzy, she caught sight of the shore once more and realized how near she was to survival—and how far.

  She heard the lifeguard yelling at her. “Swim!” he cried. “You can do it. You’re strong! You have the power!”

  Adele looked at the shark as it circled again, ready to attack. She looked back at the lifeguard, close enough now to see his glistening torso and tight swimming trunks.

  The shark was gnashing its jaws, ready to taste her. She swung her arms, hoping to connect with the eye. She did. The shark howled and flinched, its unearthly roar nothing compared to the jelly mash dripping from her fingers. She flung the ruined eye back into the sea and swam as fast as she could, as frantically and amazingly as one does in a dream.

  Her body propelled through the water, the dark shadow of the shark close behind. She turned to face the monster again, punching it in its giant, thrashing snout and maneuvered herself over to the other eye.

  “You won’t get me,” Adele panted, pounding the face of the shark as it sought to tear at her with its massive teeth.

  “You can do it, Adele!” the lifeguard shouted.

  She paused long enough to wonder how the lifeguard knew her name and realized she would have no name if she didn’t finish the battle. Salt water stung her eyes as she and the shark wrestled and wrangled in the waves.

  Her lingerie was torn from her body by the snapping teeth and sank to the bottom of the sea—a lazy contrast to the flailing limbs fighting for life.

  She managed to grip the side of the shark and punch out its other eye. With a cry, she again paddled frantically toward the shore. The shark swam in circles behind her, the sea growing crimson with its blood.

  Adele barreled under the water and swam, imagining herself as a sea lion or otter effortlessly gliding through the ocean. When she broke surface, the scent of rose petal water assaulted her nostrils, and happily she swam the rest of the way to shallow water.

  When her feet could finally find purchase in the sand, the strong grip of the lifeguard held her by her arms, guiding her to the beach. He smelled of warm coconut as he effortlessly lifted her from the water and carried her to shore.

  The sun was bright in her eyes as she tried to see his face. His flesh was warm against her naked body, and she enjoyed the tightness of his youth.

  “You fought the shark. I knew you would,” he said joyfully as he set her down in the sand.

  “Who are you?” Adele asked. Every time she tried to look in his face, the light blinded her.

  “I’m the lifeguard,” he said.

  “But why are you here, in my dream?” she asked.

  “To cover you with rose petals, of course,” the strong-jawed man replied as he sprinkled rose petals along Adele’s naked body. She watched his glistening biceps and chest shining in the overpowering sun. His aura was golden and stretched out farther and farther in a shimmering haze. As she put her hands to her eyes to block the brightness in order to see him better, she was snapped back to reality.

  To her bedroom.

  Where she lay, cold and alone, on a dreary March morning.

  * * *

  Adele sighed and breathed
in the fading scent of roses. She looked up at the ceiling and saw the sun making a valiant effort to shine through the gray and dismal clouds. She thought about the lifeguard from her dream. Was he one of her spirit guides with a message?

  His aura had been so magnificent, emanating warmth and kindness. Adele stretched, enjoying the pull of her sleepy muscles as they twitched to wakefulness. She hugged the puffy, warm comforter one more time and braced herself for the chilly air.

  It wasn’t too bad, she thought as she slipped her arms into her blue terrycloth robe. She pulled it tight around her round body and tied the cloth belt. The look made her look plumper than she really was, but how she looked didn’t concern her when she was freezing to death.

  “Come on in,” she beckoned to the sun as she pulled open her purple curtains. She ached to feel warm rays on her face. There was no hope of a sunny day, but the promise of spring hung in the air. Melting ice from the roof splashed down her large bay windows. She sat down in the window seat and hugged a purple pillow as she stared out at the ocean. The sun struggled to shine through the heavy clouds. The ocean was nearly as dark, with only random sparkles flashing from escaping rays.

  “How many sharks are there?” she asked no one in particular. She shuddered, remembering how very real the orb of the shark eye had felt in her hand.

  The swell of the ocean hypnotized her for a moment, and she said a quiet prayer to the rising sun. She turned her attention back to the ocean and said a quick prayer to the creatures beneath the surface as well.

  When she was finished, she replaced the pillow and went into the kitchen to make coffee. As she ground the beans, she thought about her dream and the puzzling scent of roses. She had even smelled them upon waking. She sniffed the fresh coffee grounds. The musty mocha perfumed her nostrils, dismissing all thoughts of roses. This was a smell that grounded her.

  She left the coffeemaker to work its magic and went over to her computer in a little sunroom off the living room. This room had the same ocean view as her bedroom, as well as large bay windows with sea-green cushions. The room had several easels set up with paintings in varying stages of completion on them. The canvases all depicted people glowing with differently colored auras.

  Adele sat down in the large executive leather computer chair with a knitted afghan thrown over it. She pulled up the blanket she kept under the desk and wrapped it around herself as she moved the mouse to check her horoscope. Her fortieth birthday had just passed, and she had celebrated with many of her friends at one of the better restaurants in Hermana. In turning forty, she was more aware of her place in the world. Her horoscope helped her focus on what she needed to do to get in tune with the people around her.

  She subscribed to several daily columns, and, one by one, she pored over them. By the time she had finished reading, she took a moment to assess all they were trying to say.

  A stranger will enter your life, and everything will change.

  Strangers entered her life every day. She ran a lingerie boutique that was often a regular stop for tourists. In her art classes, students came and went on a regular basis. Each one touched her life in some way, whether it was a story they shared or just the straight exchange of goods for money.

  She smiled, and her gaze strayed back to the ocean.

  How exciting it would be to meet a stranger who would bring real change to her life.

  * * *

  Adele was just finishing her dusting when the first customer of the day walked in. It was Ursula, one of the women she knew from her monthly circles at Lucy’s house.

  “Good morning, Adele,” Ursula said.

  “What brings you out so early?” Adele asked, putting away her cleaning supplies.

  “I’m having one of those days. I couldn’t sleep and all my bras are bugging me. So I thought it was time to pay you a visit.”

  Adele chuckled. “For a minute there, I thought maybe you hooked up with someone and needed an emergency outfit.” She winked.

  “I wish. No one is really going to be lusting after these old bones anytime soon.” Ursula sighed. “So I guess you might as well show me practical and durable.”

  “As you wish,” Adele said, leading the amply-endowed Ursula toward the full-figured-woman side of the store. Ursula stared at the dizzying array of colorful bras.

  “Times have sure changed. I remember when practical and durable was pretty damn ugly,” Ursula laughed.

  “Me too.”

  Ursula was older than Adele, though it wasn’t obvious by how much. Ursula was one of those timeless women. Adele had asked her once and learned she was a Libra, but Adele should have known—Ursula was classic Libra, with youthful energy and a sly wit.

  The women searched through the bras, and by the end of nearly an hour of modeling and choosing, Ursula selected five different styles.

  “You’re just one of those women who likes to get your shopping over with, aren’t you?” Adele laughed as she wrapped the bras in green tissue paper.

  “For bras, yes. Shoes, I can shop for hours, each and every day,” Ursula laughed. She looked at the clock. “Oh my, it’s nearly eleven. I have a client at noon, so I’d better get back.”

  “Thank you,” Adele called after Ursula as the woman hurriedly pushed through the door with her packages.

  Once Ursula left, there was a steady trickle of customers wanting various pieces of lingerie. Adele flew around the shop, helping the ladies, encouraging them to try new styles and complimenting them on their choices.

  When Gus entered the store, Adele was surprised to see it was nearly three. Gus’s large, broad body blocked the door for a moment as his brooding, dark eyes searched around the shop. When he spotted Adele, he entered, his face straining to smile.

  “Are you here for the outfit?” Adele asked him. Gus nodded.

  “You called Natasha to say it’s in?” he asked.

  “She told me. Well, let’s have you try it on and see how it fits,” Adele said.

  Adele went into the back and retrieved a large package that had been shipped from Manhattan. She pulled out the custom-designed leather vest and pants.

  The rich leather smell filled the shop.

  “Mmm,” Adele sighed. “Don’t you just love the smell of leather?”

  “Sure,” Gus said uncomfortably, staring at the pants.

  “Here, go try them on.” Adele gave him the clothes and waited for him to dress. She stood quietly while the sounds of snaps and zippers came from the other side of the curtain. At last, he pulled it back and stood before her. Adele could feel the animal magnetism oozing from him. His broad chest and rippled abs peeked out from the vest.

  “Turn around,” Adele said as she studied the vest. “It doesn’t hug your T-frame as tightly as it should.”

  “No?” Gus asked, turning sideways to try to see.

  “You’re wearing it like that, right?”

  “I guess,” he said, running his hands through his short, dark hair.

  She looked down at his trousers and indicated for him to turn around again. They hung loosely from his waist to his feet.

  “I don’t wonder if you’ve lost weight since you were measured,” Adele mused as she knelt beside him. She pinched at the leather.

  “I probably have,” Gus said. “Who knows? I don’t keep track. I’ve been awfully hungry lately.”

  “I’m sure.” Adele nodded. She stood up and went over to her counter. “We’re going to have to send this back. Natasha would kill me if I let you leave here looking like that.”

  “Well, I was planning to get dressed again,” Gus joked. The laughter didn’t quite reach his eyes.

  “I know. But I mean, for this price, it should look much better,” Adele said. “The whole point of custom-made is that it fits perfectly. That’s what you’re paying for.”

  “Sure. As long as it’s done in time.” Gus frowned, gazing at something far away.

  “It will be, don’t you worry,” Adele promised.

  Gus ap
peared lost in thought for a moment. He shook his head and patted his stomach.

  “Sorry,” he said. “Stomach’s rumbling.”

  “A long time since you’ve eaten?” Adele asked.

  “Let’s just say I can hardly wait ’til Natasha and I go to Boston. The big city has everything one desires.”

  “That’s for sure.” Adele smiled as she put the package with the suit in it under the counter. She leaned on the counter. “So I take it you and Natasha are still pretty tight?”

  Gus nodded. “She’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”

  “She’s pretty happy with you too.”

  “Really?” Gus’s face took on a boyish look of innocence and wonder. Adele smiled, seeing what had melted Natasha’s cold heart.

  “Yes, really,” Adele replied.

  “Sometimes I feel like she’s angry at me. And I’m not sure why.”

  “Don’t worry about her. She’s that way with everyone. It’s who she is, what she is,” Adele said. She took Gus’ hand. It was large and warm, and when their fingers touched, she saw flashes of red and glimpses of sharp, jagged teeth. The nightmare came back to haunt her.

  “You’ll be fine,” she said as she looked up into Gus’s eyes. She tried to see through him, past him, to unearth what it was that made him so unusually sad.

  “Do you think spring is ever going to come?” Gus asked.

  Adele continued to stare through him as she replied. “It’s only March. It’s on its way. I could feel it in the air on my way to work this morning.”

  “I could smell it too,” Gus said. His eyes fell upon a bin of thongs. He plucked out a black velvet one adorned with lace and pearls. “Do you think Natasha would like something like this?”

  Adele nodded. “Any woman would love to have a fussy little thing like that given to her. It’s so pretty.”

  Adele lightly stroked the delicate black lace edging. She studied Gus’s strong jaw and high cheekbones. She still couldn’t imagine how he could shapeshift so quickly, yet that was one of the wonders of nature.

  “We have matching ones for men,” Adele said, steering him toward another bin. She picked through until she found a black velvet man’s version with support straps hidden inside.