Prologue

Anna

I smiled at the young girl chained in my basement. Her tears flowed silently down her cheeks, and I couldn’t resist cupping the soft skin of her face and using my thumb to feel the wetness.

“We all have a purpose in life.” I crooned to her. “Yours is at hand.”

“Puh… puh… please.” Her bottom lip trembled. “Please let me go.”

“I promise, I will release you soon.” I leaned in and licked the other side of her wet face. “Now be a dear and let me work in peace today.”

The ball gag I used to keep her silenced previously sat on the small table to my left. I removed it to feed her breakfast, and now it was time to put it back in place. Her head jounced, rattling her chains as I tried to insert it. She kept her lips pressed together tightly, leaving me no choice but to cause her pain.

Not that I minded causing any of my special girls pain, I loved hearing their screams and seeing them beg and cry fueled my lust.

Here in the basement my leggings and tee shirt worked well enough to keep part of me warm. My blond hair was swept up into a messy bun on top of my head, I smiled at the girl as my icy fingers flicked her nipple before pinching it in a hard twist. Her mouth fell open as she moaned in pain, and I crammed the gag in place to mute her. She could scream tonight before the ritual while we play with her.

“If you would’ve been good, I wouldn’t have had to hurt you.” I tapped the side of her face growing harder with each pat. Her body shook with tremors as I secured the gag in place. Drool seeped around the ball and seeing her lovely body this way gave me a rush of lust.

“Soon, my dear. Soon” I nodded and left the basement, switching off the light leaving her in darkness.

I had potions to mix, hex bags to make, and tarot readings to do. I didn’t need any distractions today.

Chapter One

Anna

13 years old

Tonight for my birthday my mom and grandma are taking me to a special class with them. It’s a reincarnation hypnosis class and I can’t wait to see what other lives I’ve lived!

My family wasn’t like other families. We didn’t go to church; we didn’t worship a single deity; we didn’t even do the silly holidays others did. Some of the kids at school didn’t understand, but others did because their families celebrated what they called Pagan holidays.

I liked the Pagan holidays, dancing around a maypole, trading Yule gifts, leaving out gifts for the Lord and Lady. It made me feel special, like we were part of something bigger.

I sat quietly at my dressing table and finished styling my long blond hair, taking care to set the curling iron back on the special mat to protect the antique wood. My mom loved antiques, and she made it a point to furnish our house like it was the turn of the century. She always reminded me that things weren’t made like they used to be and we should take care of what we have.

Looking into the mirror in front of me, I stared at my reflection. My dark eyes never needed much to make them stand out. I still took my time doing my make-up. All day I felt like something magical would happen, so tonight I wanted to look perfect when I stepped into the class.

I wanted people to see me as an adult, not some silly child.

My reflection in the mirror had me looking behind me at my bed. Mom told me it was a bed fit for a queen, and when I inspected the intricate headboard and posts, I finally understood why. Whoever crafted this bed did it by hand. They carved it special for someone. Perhaps they were royalty. Whoever had it before me took care of it, and now I had to do my part.

Chores sucked, but I took my time dusting and cleaning my furniture, pretending to be a servant to a queen, and I needed to be sure she approved of my skills.

My eyes slid to my reflection again, taking in the deep red velvet bodice, embroidered with gold stars and symbols. It hugged my newly formed curves and made my small breasts stand up high.

Instead of the servant, I pretended to be a queen. I blinked my eyes and touched up my mascara, lifting my head high. Mom and dad thought my new gown from Gran looked too grown up for me.

Pfft. Peasants.

My eyes rolled back in my head, hearing them fighting downstairs with Gran about it while I finished getting ready.

“This fighting is silly, Jamie, and beneath you.” Gran snapped.

“You need to step out of this and let me and Vivien work things out, Ramona.” I heard something slam. “Now.”

The silence that followed carried an eerie edge with it, and I heard footsteps on the stairs.