Page 16 of Voodoo Doll
“Yes, I do believe it will.” That smile broke even wider, her eyes shining with hope.?
Splendid. One step closer to gaining her unquestioning trust.?
“Thank you, Bash. Thank you so much.” She squeezed my arm, pulling her purse up in search of her wallet, but with one hand, I stopped her.?
“On the house,ma chère. Just this once.” I gave her a smirk. She nodded in response, a look of relief and gratefulness on her face.
“Well, I should go do what you said with this, then. Thanks again, Bash.” she turned to leave.?
I put a hand on her arm and poured every ounce of care and concern I could muster into my next words. “Luna, before you go, don’t you think we should talk about your insomnia?”?
“My what?” She asked, her brows furrowed in confusion.?
“You can’t expect me to believe you’ve been sleeping well. Don’t lie to me now,chère.” I gave her a gently scolding look to keep her off kilter. Her response was immediate and perfect.
“How could you possibly know that?” she gasped softly, eyes wide in surprise.?
“The powers that I possess would make your deepest terrors pale in comparison. Comprehending the smallest fraction of them would break your mind.” My tone darkened slightly, and it had the intended effect. I saw — and felt — the fear well up within her at my words. Excellent. I needed her to trust me, but also to understand who held the power here.
Eyes wide, she didn’t even try to argue. “I don’t suppose you have a potion for curing insomnia, do you?” Her voice was meek and submissive, exactly as I had hoped.
Without a word, I turned to grab a small vial, handing it out for her to see.
“This should do the trick.” I handed her the greenish liquid.?
“What is it?” She eyed it warily.?
“It is a sleeping tonic for you. You simply place three drops beneath your tongue each night after your shower, and it will ensure you sleep like a baby every night,” I explained, letting some of the authority bleed out of my tone, returning to the caring and protective role. Truth be told, it was simply some water with a few drops of vinegar and food coloring mixed in. Not that she needed to know that.?
“Thank you, again, Bash.” This time, she leaned forward, wrapping her arms around me in a small, somewhat bashful hug.?
With that, she left the shop and went on her way.?
With a confident smile, I went back to stocking the shelves. This was developing perfectly. Soon, she would be mine.
“You do realize this means you won’t be able to have naughty play time with your favorite puppet tonight, don’t you?” Toulouse said sardonically.?
“Shut up, pussycat.”?
Fucking cat.?
The next morning,before I had time to do anything more than unlock the door, Luna was there, pushing her way through the front door and straight into my arms.?
“Bash! Oh, thank you, thank you, thank you!!” I pulled back slightly, surprised by the sheer enthusiasm of her greeting.?
“What’s all this for,ma chère?” I chuckled darkly.?
“You were right. It worked! I didn’t believe it would — well, I guess I did, but also, I didn’t. But then it did! It worked! I haven’t slept that well in weeks. It worked just like you said it would.” Suddenly, she stood back, looking at me with new eyes, and a recognition that lit up her face. “It’s true, isn’t it?” she said in barely a whisper.?
“Is what true, dear?” I asked, knowing full well what she was about to say.
“It’s all real, isn’t it?”
I smiled darkly, pushing her. “Say it,chère. Say what you really mean. Ask the question your heart already knows the answer to.”?
“You’re really a Voodoo priest, aren’t you?” she asked.?
My eyes darkened, my gaze narrowing on her curvy, petite frame with a sinister grin as I held my finger to my lips.?
