Cast of Characters (so far):
* Alan Blackwood - an artist with a troubled past; Miranda Blackwood's son, Jessica's ex-boyfriend.
* Bill Macintosh - director of the Bramblewood public library
* Brianna - a friendly financial estate administrator; Lucy's best friend, Daniel's girlfriend (until recently)
* Daniel - the sheriff of Bramblewood, kind-hearted and loyal; Brianna's boyfriend (until recently)
* Henry Finch - an attorney who used to work for Miranda and now covets her secrets
* Jessica Chase - an ambitious young attorney; Alan's ex-girlfriend
* Lucy - a shy librarian who sometimes glimpses the future
* Miranda Blackwood (deceased) - a mysterious recluse, rumored to be a witch
LUCY
Fire was seductive. I'd never thought of it that way before. I watched in fascination as the bright orange tendrils flickered over the wood, almost teasingly. Over and over again, patient and relentless, the flames danced and caressed, until the wood could no longer resist. It began to char and crack, helpless to stop the fire from its lustful feeding. What had once been solid and strong and full of life was now giving itself up to the heat, becoming one with it. Gradually crumbling in destructive surrender.
I'd been watching it happen for a while now. Sitting here in front of the fireplace, my left hand in the pocket of my robe, absently toying with the folded parchment there. Just a simple little piece of paper, yet it had ruined my best friend's mind - and almost mine as well. If it hadn't been for that stray thought about Alan, I'd probably be back there right now with my legs spread open, moaning and drooling as Henry fucked me into permanent submission.
Alan hadn't believed me when I told him about the parchment and what it could do. He asked me to show it to him, and the fact that I almost said yes made me a little worried. We'd had an amazing night - and morning - intimately exploring each other. Not just sex, though that had been exhilarating and earth-shattering, but also in those quiet moments where we just looked at each other and talked about who we were and what our lives were like. I wanted him, more than I'd ever wanted anything else. I wanted to learn all about him. I wanted him back here in this bedroom with me, even though he'd already given me more orgasms in the past twelve hours than I would ever have thought possible. But I didn't want him falling under that salacious spell, enslaving him with desire, making him my plaything.
Did I?
"If it can do what you say it can do, you should burn it," he'd said. And he was right. I knew he was right. So why was I finding it so hard to just fling the parchment into the fire?
I thought about that scene in the first Lord of the Rings movie, where that elf guy is urging the other guy to throw the ring into the volcano. "Destroy it!" the elf yells. But the human just smiles and says, "No." The ring has already seduced him, and there's no way he's ever going to give it up. Was that what was happening to me?
Despite last night, Alan and I were still little more than strangers. He had just come out of a relationship - how could I be sure he wouldn't go back to her? Or get tired of me? All I had to do was make him read the scroll, and he would be mine. I could make him do anything, whenever I wanted, as often as I wanted.
And then there was Brianna. Henry had turned her into a horny, depraved version of herself - a sex fiend who would do anything to please him, even betray her best friend. But with the parchment, all I needed to do was pay a little visit to Daniel at the police station. Get him somewhere private, show him these symbols, and turn him into a fuck-hungry brute. Just the thought of it sent a warm wave of intoxicating pleasure pumping through me, making me squirm.
I shook my head, trying to clear the lurid thoughts away. Why was I thinking about seducing my best friend's boyfriend - a police officer, no less? I already had Alan - why would I want someone else?
But those thoughts were still coming, one tantalizing scenario after another. Going back to his place, suggesting he bring his handcuffs. Lying naked underneath him, my wrists chained to the headboard. Watching him kiss my nipples, then my pussy. What would it feel like, having his cock surge inside me, knowing that every eager thrust would plunge him deeper into my power? Soon, I would be the one cuffing him. Sucking him, riding him, making him pump his cream and lose his mind. After one evening with me, he'd be happy to go and lock Henry away for life.
And Alan? Maybe I'd make him watch. Maybe I'd make him join us.
The fire was burning steadily now, and I felt as though I was caught in it. I hadn't wanted these obscene thoughts, but now they were slithering through my mind, making my breath quicken, making my heart beat faster. The heat licked my skin as I pulled my robe open and reached between my legs.
* * * * *
BRIANNA