Second Chance Magic
Page 17
Heather and Vivien didn’t obey. Instead they ran to her. They each took a hand, dragging her with them. She felt their fear through their touch.
“Beings tethered to this plane,” Heather and Vivien said in unison while they pulled her with them to the lobby doors, “full of rage and filled with pain. We call you to come near. We call you to face what you fear. We call you to your eternal hell. Pay the price with this final knell.”
Vivien slammed her back against the door, causing the small bell overhead to chime.
A loud screech responded to their words. Heather and Vivien knelt next to her side, huddling with her on the floor. The glass pressed into her back. She was too weak to stand.
Flames erupted over the demon’s body. It stood in front of the concessions. The screeching became louder and the fiery creature fell onto all fours to charge them. Vivien and Heather screamed as they hugged her from both sides. Lorna felt the heat and braced herself for the end.
The second the flames touched them it dissipated into smoke and ash. Lorna coughed as she inhaled a little. When Heather and Vivien released their hold, gray dust coated the sides of their bodies that had been exposed to the demon.
“We found out what that E-X notation in the book meant,” Vivien said, her eyes wide. “Exorcised.”
“William,” Lorna gasped. “I think he’s hurt. Upstairs.”
Lorna tried to stand. Vivien held her down, and told Heather, “Go.”
Heather didn’t answer as she ran toward the office.
Lorna struggled against Vivien’s hands, not caring that her body hurt because she needed to see William for herself. “You don’t understand. He didn’t come downstairs. There is no way he’d hide while I was—”
“Lorna, stop,” Vivien commanded. “Heather is checking on him. You’re in no condition to help anyone. I need you to tell me what hurts.”
Everything instantly came to mind. She looked down at her body to do a mental check of her injuries.
“Is anything broken?” Vivien insisted. “Did you hit your head again?”
Lorna slowly shook her head in denial. “I don’t think so. I’m sore and bruised. I landed on my hip pretty hard. What about you? Are you all right? When Heather called…” Lorna flinched and adjusted her weight to take the pressure off her hip.
“Am I…?” Vivien shook her head in disbelief. “I can’t believe you’re asking about me when your ass is the one that just got kicked by an otherworldly hell spawn. That thing really doesn’t like you.”
“How did you know what to do?” Lorna again tried to stand and this time Vivien helped her to her feet.
“I was looking through the book and found a tiny entry hidden along the spine of one of the pages.” Vivien supported Lorna’s arm as they walked toward the stairs. “Long story short, when we tried our drunken séance we messed up by trying to call too many people at once, and not doing it right, and we opened the gateway to let the demon through but didn’t close the door all the way afterward. I guess it’s a common side effect from summoning a spirit when there is any kind of hostility involved, which is why all those entries have the exorcised notation beside it.”
“If the demon followed him, does that mean Glenn is in hell?” Lorna might not love him anymore, but he was the father of her kids. That would always mean something. She tried to pick up her pace to check on William. Though with the way her hip hurt she wasn’t sure she could make it up the stairs.
“I don’t think that’s how it works,” Vivien said. “I think we just invited it into our world. Heather was right. We didn’t know what we were doing and shouldn’t have meddled. I don’t think Glenn lied when he said he didn’t hit you. That was the demon. But I think it’s over.”
Movement caught her attention as Heather emerged with William. Blood trickled down the side of his face, but he was awake. His eyes found her and he rushed forward.
“Lorna, what the hell happened? Are you all right?” His hands lifted as if to touch her but he stopped himself. “I’ll call an ambulance.”
“No,” Lorna said. “No more hospital stays. I’ll be fine.”
“This is not fine,” he countered.
“She’s a healer,” Vivien said. “She’ll be all right, William, don’t worry. We’ll all share her pain if we need to, but she will be all right.”
“Are you…?” Lorna reached to touch the side of her face. Her hand was covered in ash.
“That thing knocked me out,” William said.
“Demon,” Vivien supplied. “It was a demon.”
William’s eyes narrowed. It understandably did not appear to make him feel better to have a name for his attacker.
“Uh, Viv?” Lorna clutched her side.
“What is it?” Vivien slipped her arm around her back to help support her.
“Any chance that offer to move in is still on the table?” Lorna asked, trying to laugh.
“I’m insisting you do,” Vivien said. “I won’t take no for an answer this time.”
“Thank you because I don’t think I can sleep here.” Lorna nodded. “And boss, I think I’m going to need that few days off.”
Heather gave a short laugh. “You think?”
“Where’s your car? Let’s get her out of here.” William didn’t give them time to counter his suggestion. He slipped his arms behind Lorna and lifted her off the floor. He cradled her against his chest. It had been a long time since she’d been carried, but she wasn’t about to protest.
Vivien pushed open the door. Heather ran ahead with the keys to unlock her car. Lorna wrapped her arms around William’s neck as he carried her from the theater.
“Now, is this all of the rogue spirits and demons, or are there more?” he demanded.
“I think that’s it,” Vivien said.
“How can you be sure?” William asked.
“Because she’s claircognizant,” Lorna said.
Heather opened the door to her back seat.
William eased Lorna to the ground and helped her into the car. “I’m not sure I want to ask what you mean by that.”
Lorna waited as he ran around to the other side.
Vivien shut Lorna’s door before getting into the passenger seat. She turned around to look at Lorna. Heather climbed into the driver’s seat.
When William sat next to her, Lorna answered, “It means that Vivien knows things to be real or not without always knowing why. If she says this is it, then I believe her.”
Vivien smiled and nodded once before facing forward.
William sat close to her, not putting on his seat belt. “Three days ago I would have disputed that fact, but at this point, I’m just going to go with it.”
“Good boy,” Vivien said.
“I’ll try to drive slow.” Heather backed up the car from the parking space.
Lorna closed her eyes. Everything hurt.
“Lorna?” William whispered in concern.
“I’ll be all right as soon as I can lay down. It’s been a long week.”
“You can say that again.” William kissed her temple lightly. “Hold on, hon. We’ll be there soon.”
Chapter Fifteen
“Hey beautiful.”
Lorna felt the stroke of William’s fingers caress her cheek as he whispered against her temple. He’d refused to leave her side as they lay in Vivien’s guest room. Lorna was happy for his company. She was especially glad for his help standing in the shower to get the demon ash off.
“Hey handsome,” she answered, not opening her eyes.
The bed felt warm and safe. Living with Vivien was not her ideal situation. Lorna liked being on her own, and she was going to miss her apartment, but that seemed like a small tradeoff for being able to rest.
“I have a confession to make,” William said.
She peeked at him briefly but decided the room was too bright to open her eyes so she closed them again. “What’s that?”
“You know when I said I thought I might be falling in lo
ve with you?”
Lorna smiled.
“Now I know I am. When Heather found me and I thought I might have lost you, I don’t remember ever being so scared.” He kissed her temple.
Lorna finally looked fully at him. His handsome face was close. A bruise had formed along his cheek where he’d been struck.
“I love you, too.” Lorna stroked his jaw. The words felt right. “I felt the same way when I heard you being attacked.”
“I have another confession.” His tone lowered and his eyes filled with promise.
“Oh yeah?” She started to turn only to stop as her sore hip reminded her of why she was on her back.
“You’re not the only one in this relationship with magic powers. I’m psychic too.”
Lorna leaned her mouth closer to his, wanting his kisses. “I know. You saw ghosts when you were a kid like your sister. Do you see them again?”
He shook his head. “No, my new power is that I can see the future.”
“Can you now?” She laughed. “Let me guess, does it involve coffee and donuts?”
“I’m going to ask you to marry me someday, Lorna Addams, and you’re going to say yes.” He leaned down to kiss her, stopping her from answering.
She chuckled against his mouth. Her sore body made it impossible to do the things she wanted, and she pulled away.
“So was that a hint? Do you want me to get coffee for you?” William asked.
Lorna widened her eyes and pretended to be surprised. “You really are psychic.”
“Don’t move. I’ll be right back.” He hopped out of bed and pulled his jeans over his hips.
“I couldn’t even if I wanted to,” she answered, watching him go.
Alone in the room she kept smiling. Life had a funny way of working out. The attacks had been scary, but somehow the positives outweighed everything else. This was her second chance at living and at love, a new chapter filled with friends and magic. Moving to Freewild Cove was the best decision she’d ever made.
She just hoped there were no more demons.
The End
The Magical Fun Continues!
* * *
Vivien’s Story:
Order of Magic Book 2: Third Time’s a Charm
* * *
Heather’s Story:
Order of Magic Book 3: The Fourth Power
Third Time’s A Charm
Order of Magic Book 2
Friends don’t let friends séance drunk.
Vivien Stone lost the love of her life over twenty years ago. Now that she’s in her forties with a string of meaningless relationships under her belt, she can't help but pine for what might have been. It doesn't help that she's somewhat psychic and can pretty much predict where a relationship is heading before it even starts.
When she and her best friends find a hidden book of séances, Vivien believes it's the perfect opportunity to talk to her lost love. But things don't go as planned and what was meant to be a romantic reunion takes a turn for the bizarre.
Maybe some things (and people) are better left buried in the past, and what she really needs has been standing in front of her all along.
Click HERE to Buy Now!
Third Time’s a Charm
The Fourth Power
Order of Magic Book 3
Heather Harrison sees ghosts. It's not something she brags about. In fact, she wished she didn't. Communicating (or not communicating) with the dead only leads to heartache, and for her it led to a divorce. For the most part, she's happy being single. She's got a good business, close friends, and a slightly overprotective brother. What more does a forty-something woman need?
When her two best friends beg her for help in contacting loved ones, against her better judgment she can't say no to the séance. But some gateways shouldn't be opened, and some meddling spirits shouldn’t be stirred…like that of her Grandma who insists she's "found her a nice man".
The supernaturals have come out to play and it's up to this amateur medium to protect herself and her friends before the danger they summoned comes to bite them in the backside.
Click HERE to Buy Now!
The Fourth Power
About Michelle M. Pillow
New York Times & USA TODAY
Bestselling Author
Michelle loves to travel and try new things, whether it's a paranormal investigation of an old Vaudeville Theatre or climbing Mayan temples in Belize. She believes life is an adventure fueled by copious amounts of coffee.
Newly relocated to the American South, Michelle is involved in various film and documentary projects with her talented director husband. She is mom to a fantastic artist. And she's managed by a dog and cat who make sure she's meeting her deadlines.
For the most part she can be found wearing pajama pants and working in her office. There may or may not be dancing. It’s all part of the creative process.
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