by N. Phillips
“I know, but that’s not gonna stop me. I explained the situation to Cassandra and told her I’m a solo artist from now on. I wanted to do this tonight for Bruce and Jerome and prove to myself that I can perform on stage alone. I need this moment, Ali. Deep down, it’s more than just the fame and the money. I need a transition to the next stage of my life. I can’t live with my dad anymore. I hate him.”
I separated our embrace and saw his aggravated expression. “I’m sorry things are this way. Is he still drinking a lot?”
“Yeah. He’s not the same guy who raised me and took care of Mom. I’m ready to move out and do things on my own, which is why I need your support tonight. It’ll be the first time I’m performing in front of a mature crowd and I can’t blow this. This could be the moment my music career really takes off and I can start my own life. With you.”
His words warmed my heart, but my mom’s icy gaze slid into my mind at the thought of not going home.
“Lucas, I really want to, but my parents have me chained down after what happened at the school. I’m not allowed out, especially late hours. I’m sorry.”
“What about Sophia the doll?”
I couldn’t hold back from bursting into laughter. “We both know that’s not gonna work. We used it one-time last year so we could sneak out to that concert together, but never again.”
“Come on; use the life-size doll in your closet. You even showed me how you did it, remember? You put the doll underneath your sheets, laid it on its side, then put the cosmetic wig from your old Halloween costume on its head and it looked like you were sleeping.”
Even he couldn’t resist the urge to chuckle after saying that. “I doubt my parents would actually fall for it,” I told him. “We don’t even know if it worked last time. Maybe they didn’t come into my room that night and that’s why I didn’t get caught.”
“Ali, last year your mom and dad were like the epitome of strict parents because they thought we were having sex already. Trust me, they came into the room.”
Disobeying my parents again would lead to the punishment of a lifetime, but I knew how important it was to be by his side. Were we back together? Maybe, maybe not. But I’d do anything for him, regardless of the situation.
“You’re crazy, you know that?” I said.
“Crazy about you? Yeah, I knew that.”
I smiled and rested my head on his shoulder.
“Alright. I’ll do this for you.”
After positioning Sophia the doll in my bed, I climbed out my bedroom window and ran toward Lucas’s car. After getting inside, he drove in the direction of the night club, anxious to perform for a crowded audience.
We arrived in front of the building after a short drive. He parked the car and grabbed his guitar from the back seat before the two of us walked to the front entrance. We then skipped a long line of impatient and agitated people waiting outside and approached the bouncer.
“Hey, my name’s Lucas Stewart. I’m supposed to be—”
“Back of the line, bud. Are you even twenty-one?”
The bouncer chuckled at his own question before looking me up and down. “Hey, your boy isn’t allowed in, but you can slide through these doors and wait until my shift is over.”
Ugh. My skin crawled at his invite. “No thanks.”
“Look, that’s my girl, alright? So chill out,” Lucas demanded, appearing small compared to the bouncer’s massive build. “I’m supposed to be performing here tonight. Cassandra Blackwood invited me.”
“I’ll check the list.” He flipped through a small pad, overlooking all of the names written on the paper. “Nope. Move along.”
The restless people waiting to get inside grew antsy. “Hey, What’s the hold-up?” one of them hollered.
“Shut up and wait,” I yelled at the rowdy pack before pulling Lucas aside. “Are you sure this is the right place?”
“Yes, I’m sure.”
The bouncer flexed his muscles and sized up Lucas. “You need to get lost before I escort you away from the building personally.”
The near confrontation was interrupted by a woman who stepped outside of the club doors. She wore a sleeveless mesh dress that revealed a serpent tattoo running down her left arm and onto her wrist, where the letter S was embedded into her skin. Even the shouting of the people in line diminished into whispers at her presence.
“Lucas Stewart. I’ve been waiting for you. Follow me.”
“Miss, his name isn’t on the list. He—”
The bouncer’s defiant speech was put to a halt after making eye contact with the woman.
“He’s coming inside.”
My eyes narrowed at the bouncer, whose sudden change in posture after the woman spoke made me worried. His chin dropped and his shoulders slouched as if he were hypnotized.
“Something’s not right here,” I mumbled, feeling a lingering sensation of lust and covetousness from the woman.
“Lucas, it’s a pleasure to meet you.” She brushed back her raven black hair and stared at him enticingly before glancing at me. “I see you brought a friend. I’m Cassandra Blackwood. Come with me, loves.”
We accompanied Cassandra into the club, walking through the buzzing environment illuminated with colorful flashes and filled with adults dancing in a crazed frenzy. A path of purple strobe lights led to a back room that hosted other musicians prepping for their performances.
“Is this where I’ll be waiting to go on stage?” Lucas asked, grabbing a water bottle off the refreshment table and gulping it down with haste.
“No, darling. This room is for those who haven’t made it yet. As my special guest, you’ll be treated to luxury.”
She pushed open a door and walked into a wide, fuchsia colored room containing lavender furniture and gold accessories. Lucas and I stepped inside and closed the door behind us.
“As ambassador of the club, I’m granted special privileges that no one else can have,” Cassandra stated, her fingers trailing down Lucas’s arm. My brow raised at her subtle flirting, and I noticed he was gaping at her voluptuous body. “I want to share my exquisite taste with you. I loved the band’s music, and I saw something special in you the moment I saw one of your videos online. With my connections, I know I can turn you into a star.”
Bothered by his obvious compulsion toward her, I wanted to voice my annoyance over his ogling, but didn’t want to make a scene and ruin his chance at stardom.
“Lucas?” I called out his name. He appeared to be in a daze, like he was under a spell or something. “Lucas, can you hear me?”
“Yeah, Aliyah?”
Tugging him a few feet away from Cassandra, I asked, “Are you alright?”
“Uh, yeah, I’m good. A little nervous, though. Critics speak louder than fans these days, so if I screw this up tonight, I might turn away any A&R reps that were interested in the band before I went solo. I need to go out there and give it my all. For Bruce, Jerome, and you.”
“And you will,” I assured him, kissing him on the lips and making sure Cassandra saw it. “I’ll be right here supporting you. If you want, I can come up with a cheer on the spot.”
He chuckled as I did awkward poses until Cassandra interrupted me. “Lucas, you’re up next. I’ll be watching you.”
“Thank you for this opportunity, Miss Blackwood. I’m very grateful.”
He turned to me and smiled. I wrapped my arms around his neck and said, “Go out there and kill it.”
“Will do.”
We kissed once more before he separated to walk on stage. Cassandra approached me and asked, “Girlfriend?”
“Yes.”
“Adorable. You appear much more suited for him than that other girl.”
“Other girl?”
“Yes, what was her name? Raven? Ruby?”
“Was it Robyn?”
“Ah, yes. Her,” she muttered in displeasure. “She is my most obnoxious fan. She constantly finds a way to message me despite my efforts at ignoring her
. I almost discarded my invitation for the band to perform tonight due to her persistent annoyance. Thank goodness Lucas got rid of her. He only needs me to become the star he desires to be.”
Cassandra’s choice of words made me uncomfortable, and I started to wonder if Lucas being under her guidance was a wise decision.
“Come,” she beckoned to me with a swing of her index finger. “You don’t want to miss his performance, do you?”
I followed her backstage, where we was able to see Lucas perform in front of a large audience. It was amazing to hear him combine the band’s original sound with his solo performance, and I couldn’t resist head banging to the music.
“I’m so proud of him,” I voiced out over the booming reverberation. A quick glance at Cassandra had taken me out the experience, however, as I caught her glaring at a particular woman in the crowd.
The evil within her began to pour out in the form of black aura. The darkness was strong, but something about it was alluring, almost magnetic.
“I’ll be right back,” she said, walking past me toward a staircase that led to the upper floors. Not wanting to ignore my instincts, I trailed behind her up the dark stairwell until we were on the top floor where the lighting equipment was stationed.
“What are you doing?” I questioned, watching her fiddle with the wires that were attached to a large projector above the people in the club. It started to swing due to her tampering.
“Stay out of my business, little girl. Go back downstairs before I have you escorted out of the building.”
Looking over the railing, I noticed the female directly under the projector was the same person Cassandra had glowered at in the crowd.
“Now I see what you’re doing. I knew something was off about you.”
A menacing grimace was cast on her face. “I suggest you run along now and not meddle in my personal affairs.”
“No. Why are you trying to kill that woman?”
“The floozy you see below us is guilty of sleeping with my ex-fiancé. She killed my relationship, so why shouldn’t I kill her?”
“Because it’s wrong.”
She exploded into ridiculing laughter. “Oh, my. You are quite the pacifist, aren’t you? This is my last warning: go away, or I’ll make your life a living hell.”
She must’ve figured I’d run away; why else would she turn to look down at the throng of people and ignore my presence? It didn’t take longer than a few seconds, though, for her to look back at me and say, “She’s gone. This is your fault, you annoying brat. I’m going to make you pay for ruining my night.”
“Try it, lady. All I have to do is call the police and tell them what you were doing. You won’t have much of a career behind bars.”
She took a deep breath and stood with a relaxed posture, appearing to have given up on her nefarious plans. It wasn’t until a bone-chilling surge shot through my body that I knew my problem with Cassandra Blackwood was just beginning.
“I don’t think you know who you’re dealing with,” she said as she started circling me like a vulture. She stopped when the two of us were face-to-face. “Perhaps you need a reminder of who I am.”
My knees grew weak staring into her emerald eyes. What’s wrong with me? I wondered, feeling a warm sensation take over. “What are you doing to me?”
“Hush. You’ll be feeling much better very soon.”
Her fingers trailed along my collarbone, making me immobile. I could only feel my heart beating fast in my chest as butterflies erupted in my stomach and soft moans escaped my lips. My mind was now flooded with sexual desires.
“Lovely, isn’t it? You know, I may forgive you for ruining my plans if you decide to have a little fun with me right here. I can make you feel better than Lucas ever could.”
Resisting her temptation was near impossible, but I wouldn’t go down without a fight.
“You’re a sick, psychotic bitch. I’ll never—”
My rebuttal broke into silence after she touched my waist and moved her hands down to my hips.
“What was that? Did I hear you say you want to kiss me?” She grabbed the loops of my jeans and tugged me closer.
“Stop it, please. Why am I feeling like this?”
“After my ex-fiancé left me for that wench you saw downstairs, I realized something. Why have one man when I can have anyone I desire? As you can see, I can make any man or woman fall prey to my every whim with just a simple look or touch. This world is ruled by sex, and I just so happen to be the woman everyone lusts for.”
My mind was losing the mental capability to think, and all I could do was crave for pleasure and satisfaction. No longer could I fight the urge to neglect our embrace.
“Now do you know who I am?”
“Yes, Cassandra. Yes, I do.”
“Do you want our lips to touch, darling?”
“Yes. Kiss me now.”
Our lips were inches away from joining before a familiar voice was heard close-by.
“Ali?”
My body and mind return to normal after Lucas’s calling. I ran into his arms.
“What’s going on here?” he questioned. “I was looking for you after my performance. Is everything alright?”
“Lucas, we need to go. Now. Please. Let’s just leave.”
“Ali, what happened?”
“I wouldn’t worry too much about her,” Cassandra said. “I believe the pressure of having a soon-to-be famous boyfriend is dawning on her. She’ll be alright. If you can stay loyal, that is.”
“She doesn’t have to worry about that. I hope you weren’t putting thoughts in my girlfriend’s head.”
She curled her lip and tittered. “You have no idea.”
Yanking his arm to pull him away, we both walked down the dusky stairwell in dismay at her parting words.
“I’ll be in touch.”
CHAPTER 16
Lucas and I navigated through the club to make our way back to the entrance when my eyes widened after bumping into someone. I couldn’t believe who it was.
“Mya?”
“Aliyah?”
“What are you doing here?” we exclaimed simultaneously.
My eyes squinted at the guy standing next to her, whose brown bangs covered his left eye. It was Lucas who spoke out first.
“Connor?”
He shot Lucas a forced smile. “Hey, Luke. Good job tonight.”
My brows knitted at the sight of him holding Mya’s hand. “Are you the reason why my fifteen-year-old sister is here? How old are you?”
“Uh, hey, Aliyah. I don’t know if you remember me. We had class together last year.”
“Answer the damn questions.”
“I chose to come here on my own,” Mya confessed. “His brother does security here. He let us in through the back, not that any of this is your business.”
“It is my business. You don’t belong here.”
“And you do? You’re only two years older than me. You have no right to dictate my life and stop me from having fun and experiencing a different scene with my boyfriend.”
Lucas stepped in Conner’s face. “Dude, what the fuck? Aren’t you a senior?”
“Yeah.” he replied, scratching the side of his head and backing away. “But we’re not having sex, I swear.”
I shook my head in disapproval. No way was I allowing this to go on. “Mya, you’re coming home with me and Lucas. That’s final.”
“No, don’t tell me what to do. I’m going home when I feel like it. Mom and Dad know I’m out.”
“Do Mom and Dad know you’re at a twenty-one and over club?”
“No. Do they know you’re outside, period?”
Our verbal confrontation left the guys mute and distraught. It wasn’t until Connor spoke that our bickering concluded.
“Mya, maybe your sister’s right. We’ve been here for a while, and you got a feel for what it’s like. We should head home and call each other in the morning.”
She huffed. “Why is it
that I have to be the perfect daughter while she can do whatever she wants and Mom and Dad will still spoil her? It’s not fair. I have the better grades. I have something that I’m passionate about. I have a plan for my future. What does she have over me that gets her so much attention?”
Her words stung, and I didn’t have an answer to her question, nor did I want to argue anymore.
“But fine, whatever.” She shrugged and turned to Lucas. “Can you bring me to your car?”
“Yeah. Come on.”
I sent Connor a dirty look as I walked past him to follow Mya and Lucas. After we made our way out the club and into the car, I recalled the conversation with my mother and started to wonder if my rash and irresponsible actions had been influencing my sister all along.
When we arrived at the house, I unbuckled my seat belt and looked back at Mya, who sat with her arms folded in the backseat.
“Wait for me outside the front door. We’ll go in together.”
She got out the vehicle and slammed the car door shut before stomping toward the front of the house. Lucas waited until she was further away before speaking.
“When are you going to tell me what happened?” he asked, placing his hand on my thigh. My leg jerked back in response. “Ali, what’s wrong with you?”
“Cassandra Blackwood tried to kill someone tonight. I stopped her, but afterwards, she...”
“She what? What did she do?”
“She put me under some kind of spell and I was paralyzed. I couldn’t move. After she touched me, I had no control over my body. If you didn’t show up, I don’t know what would’ve happened.”
The confused expression on his face contorted into a scowl. “She violated you. I’m going back to the club to confront her about this.”
“No, you need to stay away from her. She’s not normal. I didn’t sense any demons around her, but she has some kind of seduction ability. Promise me you’re not going back to that place.”
He sat in silence for a brief moment before exhaling. “Alright, I promise to stay away from her.”
