Page 13 of Because You're Mine
Hearing the room fall silent, I slowly pried my eyes open and was relieved at seeing everyone in the room go still. I glanced upat Donovan to see him watching me. His breathing was slow and ragged, and I knew the sleep potion I had given him was starting to take effect. Grabbing his hand, he didn’t put up a fight as I led him through the restaurant and out the door.
“Come on, baby. Let me get you home,” I spoke softly to him as I led him to the passenger seat.
After making sure he was secure, I checked the back seat to make sure my spell book was still in place. I’d snuck it in when he was in the shower earlier. Hearing sirens in the distance, I hurriedly made my way into the driver’s seat. I barely had my own door shut before I was speeding onto the streets.
“Might as well enjoy his truck for the last time.” I patted the steering wheel. “I think I’m going to miss you the most.”
As I drove through the busy streets of Milly Grove, a wave of sadness ran through me. There were so many nights I would lie in bed and wonder what it would be like to live in the city instead of the woods. I used to sit inside the Spell Nook and burn all types of candles and incense, hoping that one day, I would have the view, cars, money, and life of someone esteemed. Riding under the street lights and glancing at the tall buildings that surrounded me, I couldn’t wait until I was able to retreat into the darkness of Sunset Valley. This spell hasn’t been what I’d hoped, and I no longer want to be attached to Donovan. The whole experience had flipped all of my wants in life, and I couldn’t wait to be the lonely witch I once was.
“I need to grab a bite to eat.” My stomach growled as soon as I came to a red light in front of McDonald’s. It was almost eleven, and I needed to make it to Sunset Valley before midnight to summon Gertrude. “I don’t want to push my luck.”
Checking my text messages, I heard the sound of someone honking their horn. Since my light hadn’t changed, I knew it couldn’t have been for me. Once I heard someone calling myman’s name, I realized my assumption was wrong, being that I was driving someone else’s car.
“Donovan!” I jerked my head over to the right of me, eyes expanding, when I noticed Janelle’s black Lexus pulled up beside me. She’d turned her radio down and was yelling out of her driver’s window. “Answer your fuckin’ phone, nigga!”
Heart beating a mile a minute, I panicked and floored the gas pedal, disregarding the incoming traffic. Horns blared as I zoomed in and out of traffic, while trying my hardest to avoid an accident. As reckless as I was driving, I wouldn’t be shocked if I got pulled over for speeding. Running into my friend was the last thing I expected to do tonight, and I hope his windows were dark enough that she hadn’t noticed me. Driving in silence, I periodically glanced behind me to make sure Janelle didn’t decide to follow me. If luck were on my side, she would have her man back by tomorrow, and all of this would be behind us.
Lost in my thoughts, I didn’t realize that I had finally made it to the eerie woods of Sunset Valley. Taking a peep at Donovan, I was relieved to see that he was still asleep. As I pulled down the dirt road that led to my cabin, I rolled my window down to take in the night’s air. The breeze was warm but did nothing for the chills that had begun to run through me. There were no stars in the sky, only the rare blood moon that shone above. If I wanted to rid myself of Donovan and the Binding Shadow, tonight was the night to do it.
“Please let this work,” I spoke meekly as I neared the clearing to summon Gertrude. “I’m all out of options.”
Finally at my destination, I waited a few seconds, holding my breath to ensure Donovan wouldn’t awake when I exited his truck. If he were to get up and see us here in the clearing, I don’t doubt he would kill me. With my eyes on him, I removed my heels before reaching behind me into the back seat and retrievedmy bag with my spell book inside. I closed the door behind me, asking the universe for its mercy.
The feel of the wet land at my feet gave me a sense of peace with each step I took. I missed being able to be in my own space, living a life of solitude, and working on my spells. I missed connecting with the universe. I missed my previous life of just being Sabrena, the little witch who lived alone and dreamed of a better life. Having the one I thought I wanted was a wake-up call to not play with certain spirits. I’d been doing fine before choosing to practice black magic on someone. If it was a lesson to be learned from all this, mission accomplished.
Coming into the clearing, I exhaled the breath I’d been holding from the trauma of the last few weeks. In the spot that I needed to be in to summon Gertrude, I dropped my bag to the ground before closing my eyes.
From the shadows and air, far and near
I call and command you to appear
With my hands raised high, I said the chant repeatedly. It wasn’t long before the air around me began to shift with a dark entity forming around me. Slowly, I opened my eyes and watched as Gertrude’s home appeared just as it did many times before. Sitting on the porch in her old rocker, the elder witch locked eyes with me instantly.
“Ahh, if it isn’t little Miss Sabrena.” She croaked as she peered at me with her snarly glare. “Back so soon? I figured you’d be enjoying life with your new beau.”
I snapped at her, already irritated with her tone. “Listen… I’m not here for your bullshit. The spell didn’t work out the way I needed it to, and I want to do a reversal. I don’t want?—"
“Ah hahaha!” She placed her wrinkled hand on her belly, throwing her head back in deep laughter. “My child, do you think it’s thatsimple. Once you have summoned the Binding Spirit, there is no going back.”
Not wanting to hear what she was saying, I ran past her and entered the Black Window. I wasted no time making my way up to her attic to perform the detachment spell. I had been researching it for days, so I had faith it would work. Upon entering the sacred space, I immediately walked over to her wall of herbs and supplies to gather what I needed.
“Okay, Sabrena, you can do this,” I whispered as I sprinkled salt around my spot on the floor. “Make your intentions known to grant the wishes you seek.”
Sitting on the floor, I lit a black and a white candle to represent the darkness that had come into my life and the pureness I needed to cleanse it. Taking my spell book from my bag, I opened it to the spell’s page. Reaching back into the bag, I removed a sheet of paper and a pen. Sitting Indian style, I took a deep breath to center myself as I began the ritual.
I thought I wanted this love, but it wasn’t true
Unbind him from me and bring him back to you
Chanting it over and over, I reached into my bag and removed a Ziplock bag that held some of Donovan’s hair tied in a knot. Writing his name on a sheet of paper, I cut the string, dropping it into a fireproof bowl. Adding fire to the sheet of paper, I also dropped it inside. I continued to chant the words as I watched the paper burn, turning into ash. The candles began to flicker, and I couldn’t help but beam in excitement. It was working, and I would soon be free of Donovan. As I spoke the words one last time, the room went completely dark.
“You dumb, silly girl,” a grave voice whispered into my ear. “You think just because you burn some paper and rhyme a few words that you can rid yourself of me?” He chuckled menacingly. “You’re mine, Sabrena.”
Feeling myself being yanked from the ground, I screamed in horror. I opened my eyes to see what was going on, but the only light in the attic was the one from the blood moon. In the corner of the space, Gertrude rocked in her chair without a care in the world as she watched the dark figure engulf me.
“Gertrude, please!” I cried as it threw me into a wall on the other side of the room. “Please help me!”
“Help you?” the spirit laughed, levitating me back into the air. “No one can help you, because you’re mine!”
