Devil's Dance

It was nearly midnight when we pulled past the guards shack. The summer breeze was warm against my skin. The chirps and moans of the forest surrounded my senses. I loved this time of year although the humidity was a bit much. I didn’t know what Tessa had in mind but she had this infectious way of convincing me into the craziest things.
“I told you no one would be here,” she smirked following the road deep into the state park.
“Yeah, yeah,” I muttered. “What exactly are we doing here?”
“I told you Lexi,” she groaned, “we’re going to the beach.”
“At midnight, under the biggest damn full moon I’ve ever seen,” I grunted crossing my arms studying the night apprehensively. “You’re not still into that occult crap, are you Tessa?”
“Jesh Lexi,” she sighed dramatically.
“I’m serious Tessa,” I insisted as we parked near the access to the lake.
“Loosen up, we are just here to have a little fun,” she said turning to face me. Her hazel eyes were filled with mischief and her dark hair was curling around her elfish face from the heat. “You know fun, lively play, merriment.”
“Fine,” I sighed knowing it was a never ending argument. I looked over at the large black pick-up truck parked next to us. “Who’s that?” I demanded looking back at her. She was securing her satchel around her bikini top adjusting herself with a wink before leaving the car.
I slumped back into the car seat breathing out. If she was here to pick up some guy I’d kill her and if she was trying to set me up . . . I broke off shaking my head. “She isn’t stupid enough to do that twice,” I mumbled to the silent car. “She better not be that stupid,” I sighed opening the door grabbing my bag from the floor before making my way down the wooded path to the lake.
I stiffened at the entrance to the beach seeing a bonfire going. Great, just great, I groaned internally seeing a handful of guys sitting on the sand with Tessa in the middle. What in the hell was she up to? I moved to back up and bumped into someone. “Sorry,” I breathed turning from the heat fast before I could read too much.
“It’s cool,” he assured and I felt his studious stare but I kept my eyes downcast. “You’re Tessa’s friend right?”
“Uh yeah,” I muttered stepping away as he raised a hand toward me. I half looked up his tanned form to see him drop the hand again.
“I think she’s looking for you,” he admitted and I cast a sideways glance toward the fire. Tessa was standing looking toward the path. “Come on you’re here to have some fun right?”
“Right,” I sighed steeling the walls around my nerves. I could get through one night. I closed my eyes refocusing my mind to relax. I could always kill Tessa tomorrow.
I felt the heat of his skin close to me and drove back the connection that threatened my senses. “You’re kind of tense,” he observed touching my bare shoulder lightly.
“It comes with the job,” I answered intentionally vague. I stepped away from him moving to the beach a little faster than I normally would have. Tessa spotted me and smiled happily.
“Lexi,” she giggled running to me taking my hand. “What took you?”
“More like who,” the guy admitted and she looked past me to him. I felt the flare of emotions through her, intrigue, attraction, and a stab of jealousy. “Sorry for keeping your friend Tessa,” he purred. Her lips curled up seductively.
“Tessa,” I whispered and her eyes hit mine questioningly, “let go.”

The Law of Night

LAW OF NIGHT

CHAPTER ONE

Time moved around me in a blur. I couldn’t focus on it or anything. It was a time in my life when nothing mattered. I didn’t want to focus on life or responsibility or consequences. I ran from everything that was too difficult to cope with and settled down in the middle of nowhere looking for the easiest solution to scrape by.
When the opportunity came up to work part time in an old bookstore I jumped at the job. I worked afternoons with a sweet older woman named Lucy, Lucy Cole. It wasn’t the glamorous life I’d always dreamed of but I found it peaceful from the messed up stress I’d left behind.
After a few months of getting into the routine I’d all but forgotten why I’d come to Haven. It was the first day of summer and the sun was shining brightly when I pulled into the parking lot. I pushed up my sunglasses and got out of the car. I hit the lock button and strolled into the bookstore smiling softly at the chimes that announced me.
“Kali is that you hun?” Lucy called from the storage room.
“Yeah,” I said moving to the back office clocking in. “How’s business?” I queried.
“Slow,” she sighed walking out with a handful of books. “I was hoping you wouldn’t mind if I took off.”
“Leaving me in charge huh?” I teased grabbing the books from her easily. “Are these reshelves?”
“Yeah,” she agreed. “I hope this isn’t an inconvenience hun.”
“Nah it’s cool,” I assured moving around the bookstore deftly putting back the books. “Go on have fun with George I’ll be fine.”
I glanced over and Lucy blushed slightly, “oh you,” she grinned shooing me with her hand. “I’ll see you tomorrow,” she said waving a goodbye leaving the store with a chime.
I did my walk through checking the shelves for any misplacement’s. I just finished the horror section when the door chimed. I glanced to the front of the store and saw a shadow figure move fast to the right out of my line of view. My stomach sank with fear and I knew Lucy would be laughing at me.
She chastised me many times for hiding in the office while a male customer looked around. I told her precaution kept people alive she said I watched to many horror movies growing up in the big city. We opted to agree to disagree. She’d laugh and I hid. It was a thing.
I slid to the right trying to see who came in but the shadow form moved down an isle keeping out of my sight. I fought the urge to lock myself in the office and wait for the person to leave. So I did the next best thing I breathed out and steeled myself. I made my way to the counter in the middle of the store staying a few isles away from the form.
When I reached the counter I slid my hand beneath the Formica counter top and pulled down the two small pocketknives I had taped up under it. I lowered one slipping it into the ankle of my boot tugging my pants around it. I retracted the blade of the other cupping it my hand.
I sat down on the stool and waited watching the front door anxious for another customer, for anyone to come in. My spine ached from sitting so stiffly. I knew in my gut this held a level of insanity. It didn’t seem to change the fact that I was determined whoever was lurking through the shadows of the bookstore was a threat.
I heard the floorboard creak behind me and all of my hyped up nerves failed. I stood fast whirling on the potential enemy. I saw him standing at the far end of the row before he ducked left again. I tightened my grip on the blade and backed up toward the front door.