Page 90 of Bewitching Her Monsters
“Youlikethe way I look?” I try not to be insecure, but after Rob, it has been harder to accept that men want all my curves and imperfections.
His shadowhand strokes my hip and trails up my side. “I enjoy all your softness, your plump ass, and full tits.”
“But usually, you’re attracted to males, aren’t you?” I ask, because that’s what it appears to be from his memories.
“I’m attracted to the individual. I believe the closest thing I am is what humans call pansexual or omnisexual nowadays. Yes, typically, I enjoy my males big and brawny, but not necessarily. And I often delight in my females being curvy and soft. Which isn’t a common trait for supernatural women.”
“Most supe women are thin?” I wonder aloud.
“It’s what got me in trouble. Witches are human-born, so they are often thicker. When I was just awakening to my powers, I was attracted to such a witch. She tortured me for a month until I was on death’s door. Fortunately, Maxum saved me from that fate. Then years later, I let my guard down and trusted another witch. She tried to end me too.”
“Oh, my god, I’m so sorry.” I almost reach for him, then realize he might not want my touch.
“Oh, myGoddess,” he corrects and places his hand in mine. “Those witches are why I hate your kind, but they aren’t the only ones who have committed horrible deeds.”
“So you believe all witches are your enemy?”
“Maybe not. Being inside you, here in the shadowscape, I merged with your spirit… I see not all witches are cruel.”
“Ichanged your mind?” I’m a bit surprised since he’s been clearly anti-witch.
“You offered yourself willingly, while also knowing I could possibly do you great harm when I fed.”
“I was nervous, but didn’t believe you were a bad person.”
“Jade,” his use of my name is disarming. “I’m afraid you’re too trusting.”
“And you aren’t trusting enough,” I add.
“Perhaps.” He nods. “But I’m older than you, and I’ve had more experience with deceit. I’ve had a dozen people close to me attempt to end me. Rob was just the last of them.”
“What did Rob do?” I ask. “I don’t remember a thing.”
“He knows you’re a medium,” Osen explains. “He attempted to trigger a mind-control spell that he has in place. He chanted a phrase and then asked what you knew about me and the ASO investigation.”
I curse, anger rising up in me. Rob’s violated my trust more than I could have ever imagined. “Rob hypnotized me to do his bidding? Like a sleeper agent?”
“Yes. Technically, you were working for my enemy.”
I sit in shock, but as I process this, I find it fits with my strange ‘dream’ experiences, his interest in my dreams, and why he was with me when he didn’t seem to like me all that much. “Go on.”
“Well, since I had taken over your body, his spell didn’t work on me. He realized right away that it wasn’t you he was speaking to. He attacked with a spell I’ve never seen before.”
“He tried to… kill me?”
“It was a very close thing. I don’t know if he was only trying to exorcise me, kill you, or both.” Osen’s shadow wraps around me like a hug. “But I was able to keep you bound to your mortal coil. I shared my energy with you….”
“Why?”
“Because I recognized you were a victim, just as I was.”
I want to believe him, but part of me is now souring to look for the best in others. Perhaps everyone is only out for themselves. They have played me for a chump.
Arran and Maxum only dated me to get information about Osen.
At least Maxum didn’t lead me on and play with my emotions. We had brunch together and nothing more.
When I think about what Arran did with me sexually under the guise of liking me… hurt stirs in my soul.
