Shifting Hearts Ch. 05

"Look!! We are not going to help you Sal; not with this! Jo's a mother! And Zeke needs his mother in his life! You are being extremely selfish, and I hate to see that since you are such a sweet girl. Please do not bring this topic up again. Okay?!"

Jo now sat dumbfounded along with Sallie; she had rarely heard her mother ever raise her voice, especially to someone whom she cared about. Even as a child, whenever Jo'd gotten into trouble – which had happened only rarely – her mother had not raised her voice even then. It was a sign that she had finally become fed up.

Sallie stood up slowly, with an expression of resignation.

"Fine. I understand. I am sorry that I angered you."

"You did not anger me, Sal. I care about you immensely, and I worry about you, and I am telling you, you trying to kill Mr. Salvatore is a bad idea! And not only that, but please take in consideration for us, your second family. Have you ever thought about us, and the price we would pay for helping you?"

At this, she couldn't do anything but hang her head in shame. They had repeatedly warned her about the dangers they might face, as a result of her actions; but until now, their warnings had never sunk in. She'd known she could be worrisome for them at times. And now she knew full well just how worrisome she was.

"Like I said ... I am sorry for being so worrisome for you. Please forgive me?" She looked up at them both.

"Honey there is nothing for us to forgive. You really need to forgive yourself, darling. You are one hardheaded little brat, that does not believe fire is hot until you actually touch it. Just listen to us, darling; we have known a few black, and grey witches, that have gone to their glory for doing what you are so damned determined to do. Just listen, be mindful!"

"I will, and again I am sorry Ms. Annie ... and Miss Mojo! I think I'll call it a night, and head on back home." She quickly made her way over to the door, hoping to ease the tension she'd caused.

"Sal, you don't have to go if you don't want to ..." She heard Jo say.

"No, I need to. I'll talk to you guys later. Bye."

Once Sallie had closed the door behind her, Jo let out a deep sigh. "Why do I have a feeling that Sal is going to do whatever she wants to do? And that she's going to end up in a world of trouble, that'll require me to get her out of?"

"Because you know her better than she knows herself. She's a silly skeptic; I will give her that. Hmmm. Anyways, I am going to bed. I did enough spell work for the day. Make sure you check on the baby, and check his diaper."

Jo rolled her eyes in annoyance. "Mother, I am going to check on my baby! You act like I am incompetent at times, with Zeke."

"You are not incompetent with Zeke, you are just forgetful. Make sure that baby gets a fresh diaper. Anyways I am heading off to bed. Sleep tight."

"You do the same." When her mom closed her bedroom door, Jo let out another breath of tension, and rested her head on the table.

"Damn it, Sal! Damn you to hell. What the fuck am I going to do? Dear Circe, help me with this."

vVv

Xavier had become truly agitated with his cousin. Every chance he'd had to get close to his mate, his cousin had always done something to distract them. Like what he was doing now: fucking this human he'd picked up at the diner! He knew his cousin was an egotistical, self-serving son of bitch, but he hadn't gotten a good dose of his personality until now. "Fucking idiot. Why does everything seem like an eternity when you are in a dire need for something? Why can't this asshole hurry the fuck up?" He'd been pacing around the living room, and now dropped down on the couch in a huff, eyeing the bedroom door, through which he could hear his cousin's grunts and the human's pained and pleasured moans. "God, I hate having to depend on others, especially on family, to get a job done!"

Their moans continued to get louder which further pissed him off. "Boy, I tell ya, family can be a pain in the ass. If the situations were reversed I would be eager to help him with his mate."

It seemed like his cousin was going to fuck that human forever, yet finally the moans and screams subsided. After a few moments more the door slowly opened, and the scent of hot, sweaty sex emanated from the room like a strong thick haze, as his cousin and the human, emerged.

"Have you gotten your fill yet, cuz?" Xavier could not keep the anger out of his voice. He exchanged glances with his shirtless cousin and the naked human. His gaze lingered over her. She looked like hell. She had claw marks all over her, bite marks, and bloody whip marks as well. But what really caught him off guard was the look in her eyes.

Dark circles had formed under her eyes that were not there before, and as she looked up, her gaze looked unfocused, tired, yet it showed ecstasy as well. "Damn, Mannie, what the fuck did you do to her? Hmmm. You could have taken it a whole lot easier!"

"Easier?! Boy, what I did to her was easy. I normally don't fuck humans because they are so weak, and fragile. I like my sex hard, and kinky, but with this little honey I could not resist. She's a hot piece of ass. Do you want a go with her before I drop her off? Her pussy is still warm, and juicy."

Xavier rolled his eyes in irritation. "No!! I don't want to fuck that human, and no, you will not go and drop her off now. You will find my mate, like I have been begging you to do for the last day or two! I am growing impatient, Mannie. Help me get my mate!"

"Alright, alright. No need to get all fussy with me. Just give us a minute. Abigail!"

Seconds later, a tall demon appeared out of thin air. She looked up at her master, and slowly bowed her head in acknowledgement. "Yes, sir? How can I assist you?"

"Take this human, clean her up, dress her, and then drop her off at the corner of Monroe and Wilburn."

"As you please, sir. Come on missy. Let's go." She grabbed the human's hand gently, and they shimmered out of the room.

Xavier could not wait any longer to speak his piece. "Why you got to be so damn egotistical when it comes to others' needs and wants?"

Ermanno gave his cousin a bemused look.

"Egotisical? Have you met me just yesterday? You know who, and what, I am. We have been stuck to each other since the time you were born. Now, I promised that I will retrieve your mate, and I am, but first things --"

"Oh God, more bullshit from you." Xavier cut him off.

"First things first. I need to scope out the room she was staying in; that way we can finally get a lead on her, and I am going to need you to think really hard Xavier, give me everything you know about this girl. She is your mate, and instead of you yelling at me to find her, you need to assist me. Now, please, is there anything you can think of that will lead to this girl?"

Ermanno straightened his back, and raised his head a little higher, and looked him straight in his eyes.

Xavier stared back at him for a moment before averting his eyes. Ermanno had asked him this question before. He had found it hard to remember much about the one he loved, given that he had hardly taken notice of her before, and in fact had treated her like shit. Leaning back on the couch, he began to focus on memories of his mate. But images of what had just happened in the adjacent bedroom kept flashing before his eyes, in rapid sequence. He finally realized that he could come up with nothing, and let out a sigh of sadness.

"Okay ... I guess, ummm. Try to think of your mate this way. Picture her in your bedroom ... think of her scent, her natural scent, the scent that you love, X. You are going have to stop thinking like a human and let your wolf take over. Feel her energy, feel her presence, envision her as yours."

Xavier did exactly as his cousin directed. As he delved deeper into his inner thoughts, he sensed his cousin moving closer to him. Ermanno's fingertips brushed against Xavier's temples, and an electric shock went through him. It was not painful, but instead felt exhilarating.

Ermanno could feel his cousin's thoughts pour into him through his fingertips. His hands grew warm as the thoughts flowed. Sifting through the river of images, he finally found one of Sallie that he could use; and he was ready. "Roscoe!" His voice suddenly resonated throughout his home.

Xavier's eyes flew open at his cousin's booming voice. "Did it work?"

"Hold your horses, X. Roscoe, come here, boy!"

"Who are you calling?" Xavier got his answer, when seconds later he heard a low, vicious growl rumble from within the room. "Oh my god, what is that?"

"Ha ha!" Chortled Emmano. "You are going have to spend more time with me in The Abyss! This is a hellhound! They were originally humans on earth, who have done unkind or unjust things to humanity, so when the time comes for judgment day their soul goes to hell, and they either get tortured, become a slave to a demon, or work for a powerful lord or a king, as a hellhound. This is one of my favorites. Say 'hi', Roscoe."

Xavier looked at the tall, skinny, black creature with mingled disgust and awe. It was as tall as a wolf, but was very thin, and smelled god-awful. How his cousin could endure the smell was beyond him. He watched his cousin reach over and caress the dog between its ears. "Ew," said Xavier.

"Roscoe, this here is my cousin. He lost his mate, and he misses her a great deal. Would you be a good boy enough to fetch her for him? You would be rewarded greatly. Do you understand? Do you know how to find her? Do you have a feel on her scent?"

When the hound nodded in affirmation to all of his master's questions, Ermanno wasted no time sending him off. "Good! Now, go. And remember: don't hurt anything in any way, shape, or form. Just grab her and bring her back here."

Xavier watched the hound growl in response, and disappear. He waited a few moments before allowing his worry to set in. "And how is he supposed to find her?"

"By her scent, silly. Hellhounds are awesome trackers, maybe even more so than your average wolf. Trust me, X, I love you like the brother I never had. I would not try to hurt you in any way, shape, or form, and the same goes for your mate. So, please calm down and be patient. Roscoe will be back shortly, with your mate in tow."

Xavier let out a huff. "Thanks Mannie. Thank you for everything."

"You're welcome, X. You know I would do anything for you. Anyways, sleep tight. And if you want a quick fuck, just call on one of my servants, or tell Abigail to bring the human to you."

"Naw, I am good though, but thanks anyways."

"Well suit yourself. I am going to make a few calls, and head to bed."

"Alright, then. 'Night."

vVv

Sallie woke up feeling a pang of sadness. "Well, well; another miserable day. Hopefully today I'll get lucky, and get a damn job."

She eased herself out of the bed wearily, and padded to the bathroom for a shower. The moment she stepped in her tub, she willed lukewarm water to cascade all over her. "Mmmmm. This feels better." She could feel the tension washing away, as she ducked her head under the spray of water.

"Pine, pine, let me smell pine," she chanted. The delightful scent of pine slipped into her nostrils.

"Ah, thank you, Isis," she murmured.

She had stayed under the shower so long that the skin on her fingers had become wrinkled from the excess moisture.

She stepped onto the cold tiled floor, then turned and looked at herself in the mirror, touching her face. "Ugh! I look like shit this morning. Hopefully a beauty spell will be able to change that. Or maybe, a good strong coffee with a hint of vodka, will do." Reaching for a towel, she slowly wrapped it around herself, trying to smile. Back in her bedroom, she sat on her bed facing the window, and stared into space, letting the residual water droplets evaporate on her skin. As she watched the sky, a flock of black birds flying by caught her eye. She opened the window, hoping one of the birds might be her lover.

Letting out a sigh of disappointment, she turned to her bedroom mirror to get a good look at herself. Her hair was wet, and matted, so she wasting no more time and conjured up a beauty spell for her hair and makeup. It was a simple incantation, requiring her to apply both of her hands to her hair to straighten it, and then to her face to apply a small amount of makeup; but it could not completely erase the tired look in her eyes.

"Well, I at least look somewhat better. Now, what to wear?" With a snap of her fingers she opened her closet door and willed a pair of pants to come to her. She held them against her chest and looked in the mirror. "Hopefully, you'll help me land a job today. Alright let's get this show on the road."

vVv

"Well Ms. Jenkins ... everything looks good: your resume is impeccable, and you came dressed to impress. Everything looks fine ... in fact, everything is too fine. I can't have you working here," the woman said.

"Come again?"

"Ms. Jenkins, you might be a little too much for this company. I mean, good lord, you seem almost like a Wonder Woman of the working world!"

"Are you saying that I am overqualified?"

The woman leaned forward in her desk chair, and gave Sallie a stern look. "That's exactly what I am saying. A person like you is too much for this position! Hell, if the CEO and directors got a look at your credentials they might put you in my position, and I cannot have that. I am sorry, darling but you did not get the job."

Sallie sat back, flabbergasted. How in the fuck can someone be overqualified ... to work in a damned cubicle? She thought to herself. Her eyes darted over at the woman.

"What a jealous stupid bitch you are! I just need a fucking job, to pay bills, and survive ... but evil, cold-hearted, jealous bitches like you make it so damn hard out here for women like me, just because of your egos. Kick rocks, bitch." She stood up quickly, snatching her things from out of the woman's hands, in her haste. Just as she was about to leave she threw her head back over her shoulder, and focused her mind on the fish tank behind the woman.

"By the way, your breath smells like rotten fish. Bye." She stepped out and slammed the door behind her, then paused outside the office. Five seconds later she was rewarded by the cracking sound of glass shattering, followed by loud screaming.

A smile spread across her face at what she had done. She couldn't help but snicker a little bit. "Serves that bitch right." And with that, she was off to her next destination.

}*{

By the end of the day, Sallie had inquired about jobs at every establishment there was. She had even tried getting hired as a waitress, but at every one she had found that they weren't accepting applications because they could not afford to hire anyone at the moment. Her feet were getting tired from all of the walking. Finally, she neared her last stop: the mall, and found herself praying that someone would give her a job. While side-stepping other pedestrians on the busy sidewalk, she'd thought she'd felt a prickly feeling at the back of her neck. However, when she'd glanced behind her she'd seen nothing there. When the entrance to Oak Ridge Mall had finally come into view, the sight had put a pep in her step.

Suddenly she heard low, subtle, growling sounds coming from behind her. This time when she looked back over her shoulder, she got the shock of her life. A big black dog was following her. She glanced around at the other pedestrians to see if anyone else had noticed it, or was running away in alarm at the sight, but no one seemed to have noticed.

"Oomph." She felt her body bump into a soft yet hard body. She looked up to see that she'd run into an older man with salt-and-pepper hair, wearing horn-rimmed glasses.

"Are you okay, miss?"

"No! There's a dog chasing me! Look!" They both turned to look in the direction she was pointing, but neither saw anything there.

"A word of advice, sweetie: hurry and get yourself out of the sun. This heat might be too much for you."

"What? Oh, ugh." She watched the man walk away, and thought about what he had said. Maybe the sun is getting to me.

But as she took a few more steps, she heard the growling again. This time it was louder. She looked behind her again, and felt her heart pounding in her chest. Whatever this thing was, it looked bigger, meaner, and even more frightening than before, and yet people still walked on by like they did not see anything. When the thing began to move toward her at a faster pace, she began to run.

She tried to avoid everyone as she ran from the thing chasing her. "Oh dear lord, help me, please!" She ran faster until she spied an alley ahead, and ducked into it. "Oh goodness gracious of life!" She put her left hand over her rapidly beating heart, and slid down the brick wall to rest her bottom on the ground.

After a few moments her heartbeat eased, and some of the fear had subsided. Her sweat had started cooling on her skin and she remained in place a few moments longer, trying to steel herself to get back up and continue running ... when she heard the growling again. It was right next her ear! She looked up in time to see vicious yellow teeth, evil red eyes, and big human-like paws. Her nose caught wind of an awful smell.

With what little energy she had left, she looked at the face of her attacker with fear, and hatred. Hatred enough to summon magic to kill him. But the hatred was short-lived when the beast disappeared, enveloped in darkness into which she too found herself; and then she was out like a light.

)*(

She closed her eyes and felt herself floating, drifting within a grey void. As she moved in slow motion, flexing her fingers and toes, moving her body, suddenly hers met with another body, this one hard, and rough. Her eyes shot open, only to see her former boss and the bane of her existence lying on his side, on what looked like a bed, gazing at her with a funny expression on his face that she couldn't read.

"Hello, my lovely." He was just laying there, watching her scramble up on the bed with him, and didn't seem at all surprised to see her. The initial warm smile on his face faded, however, when a wad of spit suddenly landed on his face. With a quick movement he grabbed her and pinned her down on the bed. She thrashed about furiously, but was unable to move.

"Nice, real nice. But no worries, I am going claim that tongue of yours, in more ways than one." And without further words, he kissed her.