Annoyed, I left. I was grateful to be a real head turner tonight, but I was a lonely head turner who just stood there stupidly. I angrily dialed for a cab, kicking rocks as I waited. “Well… I guess I can go ahead and toss that spell into the trash.” I sighed aloud as I looked up into the starry sky. It’s a real shame… I shook my head. I’m sure I’d be dead when the next time this perfect alignment will show… Even the stars are aligned perfectly too! I thought studying the stars.

I moaned out another frustration, fighting back tears when the sound of a car pulled up beside me. Ripping my gaze away from the crystals in the sky, I hopped into the cab, giving him the location of my house and then closing my eyes, enjoying the trip home.

“Miss…” The driver said, waking me up. “We’re here.” Nodding, I paid and got out. “Also….” he smiled before continuing “I hope you two love birds have fun, it sure is an interesting place for romance.” He winked, then rolled up his window and sped off. I stared after the car, still half asleep, trying to process whether I heard the guy correctly or not.

“Behind you.” A voice whispered into my ear playfully. Startled, I swiftly turned on my heels to face the owner of that voice. My hair stood on end as I stared up at him, no longer sure of my feelings from earlier. Thi-this is what I wa-wanted r-right? I thought, trying to convince myself.

“Y-you broke your promise…” I gulped out to him, trying to sound as bold as I could “Wh-which means all deals are off!” I turned away, trying to give him no room to answer but he grabbed my arm, forcing me to face him.

“Not in the slightest love…” He retorted calmly. “…Not my fault you didn’t see me and now it’s your turn to keep your end of the deal.”

Shocked, I stared up at him as his red eyes pierced back down into mines, causing the words I wanted to spew out to be lodged into my throat. He was handsome, but his aura was frightening.

“The book.” He said, answering the question I had yet to ask. My jaw slid open, realization hitting me like ton of bricks.

“Y-you played me? this spell was never mine was it? You wanted me to see what you wanted me to see… didn’t you?” I said weakly, staring at his eerie smile. My eyes veered behind him, glued to a familiar house. The house that was dead yesterday, was now alive and vibrant. The fire within it, danced along with shadows in the shape of something my brain couldn’t quite comprehend.

“I’ve been watching you for awhile.” He said, filling my insides with dread as he traced his thumb along my chin, sending a fury of goosebumps across my body. And that’s when I finally Understood, that it wasn’t me who had conjured him, but he who had conjured me. Trying to yank myself free from his grasp but failing miserably as he wrapped his arms around my waist and lifted me off of my feet like I was nothing. All I could do was pound my fist into his flesh, kicking and screaming in protest.

He leaned in and kissed my forehead “You’re my forever.”