Chapter 8

Sebastien

As I moved through my shop the next day, trying to focus on the tasks I had to complete, I could not help but replay over and over the memory of touching and teasing the innocent soul I was soon to possess. Almost like I was still drunk on the scent of her aroused body, I would catch myself gazing into the middle distance, my face contorted into a mask of dark desire. It wasn’t like me to have such little outer control over my emotions.

“Someone is a bit distracted today,” Toulouse teased, sniffing around the inventory I was stocking on the shelves.

“First of all, mind your own business. Second, there is no catnip in here, so get your furry face out of my inventory before I stuff you and sell you to an old woman.”?

“Touchy, touchy.” Toulouse hissed, then grumpily skulked away. A moment later, the bell at the door clanged loudly. I knew who it was before I even turned around. Her scent, now indelibly imprinted on my soul, filled the room like smoke from the finest incense. My chest tightened with need, and my cock twitched with its own answering desperation.

Luna.

“Bash?” she called. My soul and the ancestors sang in harmony at the sound of her voice calling my name with a hint of adoration.

“Luna! How lovely to see you!” I called to her, stepping out from the inadvertent hiding place where I was stocking shelves. One look at her distraught appearance had my entire demeanor changing, however. “My dear, whatever is the matter?”?

Had someone hurt her? I swore to all the Loa that they would not see the setting sun if that were the case. I would rip them apart, piece by piece. Setting the vials and potions aside, I quickly made my way to her.

“You would not believe what happened!” she all but gasped out, her eyes darting around frantically for a moment before their dark depths settled on mine.

“Come, come! Let me make you some tea, and we shall talk.” I guided her to the back as I had before, secretly plotting the death of whoever had wronged her. Part of me hoped she had finally uncovered the truth about her incredibly disloyal boyfriend. The truth was so very blatant, it didn’t take a psychic to see he had been unfaithful. Even though I was, in fact, gifted with the sight.

Moments later, with mugs of tea in hand, we settled in next to each other.

“Last night, you would not believe what happened!” she began again.

“Tell me everything, ma chère ,” I urged, taking a slow sip of my tea.

“There was an intruder.”?

I nearly spat out the tea. That was the last thing I had expected her to say.

“I’m sorry. What did you say?” I asked lamely, barely covering my consternation at having been caught. How much had she seen? I schooled my face to remain calm, reasoning that if she had realized it was me, she certainly wouldn’t have come here to tell me about it.

Moreover, the fact that she had come to me to confide in, rather than the police, meant that my careful machinations were working. She was beginning to see me as a place of safety, exactly as I intended. Now to play the part of comforter and protector, to solidify those feelings.

“You heard right. An intruder. In my home.” Her voice caught on the faintest whisper of a sob. I could almost hear her heart thundering rapidly from here.

Toulouse, the damned interloper, was bobbing and weaving back and forth between my ankles. I gave him a swift kick, to which he hissed and bit my ankle. The little devil. I shook off my thoughts of pursuing taxidermy long enough to refocus my attention on Luna.

“An intruder? Are you alright? Did they hurt you?” I asked, adopting a look of concern laced with reassurance.

“Yes, I was asleep, having the strangest dream—”

“You don’t say?” It was everything I could do not to smirk, but I maintained the role of supportive protector.

“Yeah. Anyway, I was fast asleep, and then I woke up because I—” she cut off abruptly, her pale skin turning a brilliant rosy shade as she blushed. “Anyway, I could hear footsteps, and then the sound came from outside the house, like someone running. I got up to see what was the matter, and sure enough, I found the window in my bedroom was unlocked. Bash… I never leave windows or doors unlocked. I’m a woman who lives alone in New Orleans. Someone broke into my house. And they were in my bedroom! They probably saw me—” She cut off again, blushing even brighter. Saw you moaning and writhing with pleasure, my puppet? Yes, I certainly did. ?

Damn. Apparently, I had been unsuccessful in my attempt to relock her window. At least she had not seen me, thank the ancestors.

“Take a deep breath, Luna. Nice and slow.” I guided her carefully through a few breathing exercises. Her eyes locked on mine, but my gaze continued to lower to the way her full breasts heaved, much as they had the night before as I touched and teased her.

Suddenly, she reached her hand out, grasping mine in a gesture I had not thought she would make, not yet.

“Bash, I need your help.”

My hand covered hers as I spoke, and I rejoiced at how desperate she was for my help. I kept my tone gentle and protective. “Anything, ma chère . If it is within my power, I will help you. And there is much that is within my power.”?

“I need something to keep me safe. Anything. Surely you have something,” she pled with me. Her eyes were locked on mine, seeking understanding and protection. The ancestors exulted. Just a bit more, and I would have her. She was so close to being under my control, I could nearly taste it.

I wanted to taste her.

“Not to worry. I have just the thing.” I led her to a table along the back wall, grabbing this vial and that before turning back to her. Table salt, powdered oregano, and mica powder were mixed together into a sparkly, impressive looking vial of junk. “This is for protecting your home. Sprinkle a thin line of this along the doorways and windows. Any entrance point.”

“Will it really work?” she asked, stepping closer to me as she took the vial from my hand, holding it up to the light to see the shimmering powder inside.

“Do you think it will work?” I shot back, curious about what she would say. Did she trust me yet? Had I done enough to earn her confidence to this degree?

With a sigh, she gave me a smile. The first genuine smile she’d ever given me.

“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.

I watched as a shiver ran down her spine. It was time to show her the truth.

With a flick of my wrist behind my back, the lights flickered and then dimmed. The cold fireplace roared to sudden life, flames flickering a poisonous green in the sudden darkness. I subtly caused my shadow to grow, furthering the illusion.

She gasped, taking a step back, and I smiled widely. I knew that in the sickly green light, my face was a truly frightening visage.

“Are you afraid, ma chère ?” I took one step towards her, then another. But she held her ground, even as I could see her shaking with terror. Her chin lifted as she shook her head.

Good fucking girl.