Chapter. 41

Diana sat on a bench facing a water fountain, arms folded and sulking. Agnes had been reluctant to leave her to go wandering in Salem but Diana gently insisted that job hunting would go smoother without a chaperone. She went into every diner and restaurant to ask if they were hiring and came up empty. Diana tried corner shops and convenience stores and got the same story. She didn’t have the qualifications to enquire in the banks or specialist tech stores. She tried the clothing department stores and was politely turned down.

Salem was a big place. Diana knew she hadn’t tried everywhere yet, but she had hoped to have taken away with her at least one application form. No one has any vacancies? Really? She closed her eyes and enjoyed the breeze on her face. It was getting nippier now they were firmly entering autumn, but it was refreshing. The cool breeze ruffled her chiffon blouse and caressed her face, chest and hands-

Where Diana stiffened at the similar sensation to the astral touch of the shadow beast. Job hunting is all well and good to secure myself an independent future, but I won’t have a future if I don’t find out what the hell happened to me as a kid. How to protect myself from that monster now. Her hands were tied for how. Diana sat forward with her hands on her knees. I need Elaina to recharge before I can astral walk again. Next time I’m going into the past and I’m going to find out what happened after that thing threw me into the pit. What did it do whilst it was tethered to me? It didn’t follow me for the last 5 years the something broke the spell. Is it walking around free now? Or is it tethered to someone else now?

She had wondered about going for a walk in the forest and trying to find the ritual circle again. He could still be down there. His body, anyway. Surely if we killed his body his astral form would die too? Not that she could voice any of this. Diana even tried to write it down after the night of the protection ceremony and her hand froze in place over the paper. It’s some spell I’m under. I can’t tell anyone about him in any way. My voice isn’t bound just literally. My voice on paper is bound too.

“…good morning.” Diana blinked and looked to her left. A man stood there and he was smiling at her. He had long black hair to the middle of his back from a middle parting. It had a brown sheen where the light caught it and framed a very handsome face. High cheek bones and a square jaw. Clean shaven and deep mahogany brown eyes. His lips tugged into a smile that grew in confidence the longer she stared at him. He wore brown leather boots, jeans and denim shirt tucked into a brown leather belt with the top two buttons undone. He moved his hands to rest in his back pockets and smirked at her. “See something you like?”

Like a cold bucket of water had drenched over her Diana snapped out of her obvious gawking. She didn’t care how beautiful this man was with reddish brown skin and the start of firm pecks visible beneath his shirt. She wasn’t going to be taunted by an arrogant jerk.

“Oh sorry, I was day dreaming. A million miles away. Sorry who are you?” Diana folded her arms defensively. He seemed to enjoy himself even more at her attempt to gloss over her staring. He chuckled and walked over to her to sit on the bench beside her.

“I was named Ayal.” Diana thought that was an odd way to introduce himself. “You can call me that if you like? What should I call you?” He kept his hands on his lap but he leaned towards her with a dashing and hopeful smile. Diana cleared her throat and decided not nip this in the bud.

“…look.” She put her hands up briefly and then returned them to her knees. “I’m not having a great day so far so I’d really appreciate if you didn’t do whatever you think you’re doing right now. Thanks.” Diana leaned back in readiness to rock forward and onto her feet.

“Why are you having a bad day?” Ayal sat forward and leaned in to her eye line.

“My life is complicated and I’m not getting into it with a stranger.” Diana dismissed him and stood up to leave. “So have a nice day and bye.” She walked away from him, only to do a double take and nearly stumble when he was suddenly walking next to her.

“I’m sorry to hear you’re having a bad day. Here.” He offered her a business card. She didn’t take it and just stared at the weird pretty guy. “My family run a healing and cleansing spar and therapy centre. We don’t tend to give these out unless you win a promotion, but you look like you could use it. You seem burdened.” Diana scoffed and put her hands on her hips.

“Dude you have no idea.” I doubt they have any treatment that could get a shadow demon or the dark ones to leave me and my sister’s coven alone.

“Well it’s a free day pass so what do you have to lose? You might find yourself relaxed and well rested at the end of the day.” He nodded his big beautiful mahogany eyes down at the card and then back up to her wary ones.

“…” Diana eyed the card warily like it might bite her. I’ve never had a spa day. It’s not something a foster kid can go and afford, and I had bigger proprieties like getting an apartment and making rent once I had a job. “I don’t suppose you’re hiring at all are you?” Diana tried her luck and accepted the card with a shrug. “I’m not a masseuse or a specialist or anything but I’d work hard. Clean up, stack towels or shelves or anything like that.”

“You’re looking for work?” He lit up and put his hands on his hips. “Well come and see our place for yourself by using the pass. If you like what you see, I’m sure we can find somewhere for you to belong.” Ayal winked at her. “Oh let me give you my number so you can let me know when to book you in.” He took his cell out and failed to look very pleased with himself. Ayal held the smart phone in both hands ready. “What’s your number?”

“…erm…I don’t have a cell phone at the moment…” Diana blushed with embracement. “But I’m getting one soon. So you could write your number on the card?” Diana offered it back to him. “Then I can call to arrange coming over?”

“Sure.” He didn’t judge her and with a smile accepted the card. He reached into his back pocket and held a small pencil. He scratched it along one edge and then returned the pass to her. Diana had to chuckle at him. After his number he wrote ‘Call me. Someone as beautiful as you deserves to be pampered. We can see about that job too.’

“I am not dating you.” Diana chuckled at him, amused that he didn’t seem dissuaded. “I mean it? I’m interested in a job. Not to date anyone. Casually or otherwise.”

“Of course.” Ayal winked at her and half turned to walk away from her. “Oh.” He paused. “You haven’t told me what you’d like me to call you?”

“Diana.” She rolled her eyes.

“Diana.” She blushed at the seductive way he smirked around her name, and shook her head at his antics. He’s gorgeous, knows it, and far too tempting. I better stay away from him. Men that handsome are always trouble. “I hope your day improves. Mine just has. Call me. Or text if you’d prefer.”

“About the job, sure.” She mock saluted him and made her way back towards the super market. She could navigate her way home from there. Well I guess working at a spa would be a nice change? At least I’d smell of incense and sweet smelling flowers rather than coffee and burgers. She smiled, feeling much more optimistic, only to remember that her future wasn’t secure just yet. I need to astral walk ASAP. I won’t be safe until I have all the facts. Especially since I can’t talk to anyone about the shadow monster. I’ll have to do all the research myself. I’ve been nervous about going back into Isabella’s study since the attack last time, but I’m protected now so I should be safe to give her books another go.