Page 4 of Michael
An abrupt cackle escapes him. “You’rethe witch,” he rebuffs. “Don’t you believe in magic? This is hilarious.” He looks around the shop as if seeking an invisible audience of sycophants to cheer him on. Maybe there is one. A pack of ghosts. I don’t know.
“I believe in magic all right,” I lash out, snatching the necklace away from him. “I just don’t trust you.” This time, I study it more carefully. The gleam has dimmed into a low pulsating light.
“You should,” he whispers, subdued.
Warm tears rim my eyes. “I did once, and look where it got me.” My voice comes tinged with bitterness and pain. “I ended up pledging my soul to you.” I look away and toss the necklace into my bag.
Richard heaves a heavy sigh and leans a shoulder against the wall. “Again. You should have read the fine print,” he says under his breath, and his demeanor turns almost sweet as his finger brushes away a stray lock of hair from my face.
For all his tenderness, a tide of fury sweeps through me, burning like molten lava. My jaw clenches tight. “There was no fine print,” I all but bark. “It was a fucking Ouija board!”
The demon idly picks at his nails. “Tomato,tomato…” He exhales. “Sweetheart, I don’t make the rules.” His stern stare cuts to mine, hazel eyes burning with demonic fire. “Ibreakthem.” He takes a moment for his vicious words to sink in, his face grave as a tomb.
A gloomy silence spreads across the shop.
“This is it, Amanda,” he adds with the same firmness. “Pack your bags. This New Year’s Eve, you’re coming with me.”
To hell,he means.
“Not if I can help it,” I breathe, sheer dread tightening my throat.
His eyes darken with wicked delight. “I’ve gotta say, I admire your resolve. Anyone in your place would be thrilled to be bound to me. I’m as good as it gets down there.”
“That’s hardly reassuring,” I tell him.
“If we were home already, I’dpunishyou for that kind of backtalk in such ways that would make you cry for more,” he purrs.
His dark vow shoots a thrill through my being. I can’t help it. But it’s washed away as rage rekindles in my veins. “Go away, Richard Emmert,” I mutter. “Get out of my shop.”
“Ow!” He winces, faking heartache. He leans closer and curls a lock of my hair around his finger. “No need to be so snippy.”
“That’s it.” I jerk away and grab my bag and keys. “You want to stay? Fine. I’m leaving.”
I march to the door.
“Aw! Come on, sweetie pie! Don’t be like that!” he says in a charming tone. “Come back! We can still have fun!”
I’m not listening to another word of his. Without giving it a second thought, I slam the door and lock the shop, never once making eye contact with the demon.
“Amanda!” he calls, standing on the other side of the glass.
“Fucking devil…” I mumble, turning away.
I start walking, not even caring about a destination. Anywhere will do as long as it’s far away from Richard.
I didn’t realize demons could be so obnoxiously clingy. So what if I made a deal with him? It was years ago. I was too young and stupid. All I wanted back then was to get noticed by the cutest boy in class. And I did. But obviously, it didn’t last. I never imagined the price to pay would be so damn high.
Tears blur my vision as I reach the street’s corner.
I can’t spend an eternity in hell at the beck and call of Richard Emmert.
I just can’t.
Slowly, I lift my chin, drawn to the sudden music that reverberates through the air. A small group of people huddle around the building’s Art Deco styled entrance. Dazzling neon lights line the club’s façade and ignite the evening sky.
I read the gleaming sign on the wall stating the nightclub’s name, “DeLux Café”, and pushing my way past the chattering crowd, I mumble to myself, “It’s just what I need.”
CHAPTER3
