Black 21: (Golden Hills Legacy of Black 21 Book 1) (18 page)

Marissa jerked
back in her wheelchair and opened her eyes. “He’s coming for you. The man.”

Daisy snatched
her hand back as if on fire.

“Yes, yes. He’s
coming and he wants you to be his forever. He wants your power, Daisy. You
mustn’t let him have it or he’ll control the world. You hear me, girl?”

“Do you mean
Jack Red?" She wanted to make absolutely sure she understood.

“Of course I
do. You must marry Christian Stone. He loves you more than that town of his.
Jack never intended on you being with Christian, it was only a ploy to get you.
He’s wanted you since you were born, maybe before. He put Rose and my son
together thanks to your weak man of a father, Richard Lock,” she spit his name
out.

Eric’s eyes
widened. “You really are a witch,” he whispered.

Her violet eyes
flashed at him. “I don’t like that term. I’m a gypsy princess. At least that’s
what I call myself. And so are you, Daisy. But your powers are stronger than
mine because of my son being who he is, a man of God and one who destroys evil
entities,” she said. Her eyes flickered to Daisy’s throat. “I see you have his
cross. It keeps Jack from reading your mind and hearing your words, but don’t
count on it to save your life. Only you can do that.”

“But how?” her
voice quivered.

“You must go to
him at this big event happening on September 5th, Black Twenty-One, I guess
it’s called, and dress and act the part. Eric will bring you and you must kiss
Jack, and while you are kissing him, take your cross out and press it against
his heart, or where his heart should be.”

“I thought you
just said the cross won’t save my life?”

“Not in
ordinary circumstances, but in his church, it will destroy him. But you’ll have
to find the strength to walk in there like you own the place, and be able to
plant that kiss on him without him snaking his arm around you and killing you
first, making you his immortal queen,” she said, coughing, running out of
breath. She grabbed her inhaler and took a couple of puffs.

“Do you need
your oxygen tank?” Daisy asked, eying the machine next to her bed.

“I’m fine,
child. Don’t ever smoke, bad for your health,” she said hoarsely.

“I’ll remember
that,” Daisy quipped, feeling a kinship with this woman.

Marissa turned
to Eric. “If only I were a hundred years younger...”

They both
laughed, needing to release the tension building in them.

“So get yourself
ready to go back to this Golden Hills town. It’s gonna be a great
shindig!" She cackled at her own joke.

“Ok, I
will...Marissa? I’m not sure what I should call you,” Daisy said.

“Call me
Granny. I’ve always dreamed of being called that. I didn’t even see this
coming!” she smiled, clapping her hands, showing missing teeth but glowing
bright eyes.

“Granny it is!”
Daisy clapped.

“You’re one
beautiful girl. My son did good. Do you look like your mother with that red
hair?”

Daisy fished in
her purse and pulled out a picture she had carried forever of her mother.

“Oh, my. Can I
touch it?”

Daisy handed it
to her and watched her close her eyes.

“She was a good
woman, very kind and loving. I can see why my Mark loved her, not just for her
beauty but for her pure heart, even in those evil conditions. You have that
goodness, and Jack wants to possess it. You already went there with him, didn’t
you, girl,” she eyed her with a knowing.

Daisy nodded,
dropping her head.

“Don’t feel
ashamed. He plays dirty. You were sucked in against your free will, something
God doesn’t do.”

Eric asked
then. “What about God? Won’t He help Daisy?”

She returned
her gaze to Eric. “Dear boy, don’t you know by now? God’s in her already, ready
to do battle. He’s in you, too! That’s what Jack’s afraid of. God doesn’t show
up like Jack does in sheep’s clothing. No, no, no. That light you feel inside?
That’s God. You just have to believe.”

Tears formed in
Eric’s eyes as in Daisy’s.

“I’m not afraid
anymore. I can do this,” Daisy stated and Eric nodded, grabbing her hand.

“You must, for
if you don’t Eric will die,” Marissa said.

“What?” Daisy
shook her head. “What’d you mean die?”

“He’s made a
deal with Jack and Jack wants you. If he knows what you’re up to and sees the
cross coming out, he’ll strike Eric dead in a poof of flames,” she said,
snapping her fingers. “And you’ll lose Christian forever,” she added.

“Okay, Granny,
I was feeling good until you threw that at me!”

Marissa
laughed. “Oh, but you do have my wicked sense of humor, child! You must promise
to come visit me more. And bring your handsome friend here,” she winked at
Eric, rolling her bony shoulder in a suggestive manner.

They both
busted out laughing again.

“Oh, and make
sure to have my son bless the cross before you go. It’s been so long, and he
can say a prayer over it and over you. Promise me you’ll do that?”

“I promise,
Granny. Thank you for all you’ve done for me today. I hope I can live up to
your expectations,” she said, standing and bending to kiss the older woman on
the cheek.

She grabbed
Daisy’s hands. “You must or I’ll never see my only grandchild again."
Tears pooled into her violet eyes.

Father Mark
Paul came out to the altar, and greeted them with joy. “I’m so glad you came
back to me, Daisy. Nice to meet you, Eric,” he said, holding his hand out.

“You, too,
sir." Eric shook Father Paul’s hand.

“Please…call me
Mark. We’re family,” Mark said, smiling.

Daisy hugged
him and kissed his cheek.

“So, you’ve met
Marissa,” he asked, pulling her arm through his arm. “I know she loved you.
Tell me, what’d you think of my eccentric mother...your grandmother,” he
grinned.

“Well, at first
she was a little rough, but then she grew on us,” Daisy admitted, smiling.

A deep laughter
bellowed from her father. “Oh, that sounds like her. Come...sit,” he motioned
for them to follow. “Tell me what’s on your minds.”

They followed
him to the first row of pews and took a seat.

She touched his
robe-covered arm. “You look happy.”

“I am. You did
that for me,” he patted her hand.

At least she
did something good for someone. She was beginning to lose hope. She returned
his warm smile.

“You do good
for all, Daisy. Don’t ever think you don’t,” he stated.

“Reading my
mind?” she teased. “I know...it’s the curse.”

He chuckled.
“Yes, the curse as my mother refers to it. I now consider it a blessing, but
it’s all in your perspective, I guess,” he said, shrugging. “My mother told me
you needed a little help.”

She nodded
after seeing Eric’s encouraging smile. “She said maybe a prayer over the cross
and to bless it again in holy water.”

“Of course.
That’s the easy part. The hard part will be for you to let go of any fears you
may have regarding this event, because when you have fear, nothing can work.
Understand?”

“I’m trying.
Sometimes I just feel like an average girl with normal problems, but then it
hits me – it’s way more than that. I think why was I chosen? Why does God want
me? Why does Jack want me? I’m tired of trying to be so strong and just want to
go back to bed,” she smiled sadly.

He laughed
softly. “I know, child. There’s a lot at stake here. I’m sorry for your
troubled soul. Try to see it as a wonderful gift you’re being given. There’s a
reason you were chosen, and it certainly isn’t because you’re an average girl.
Be honored in this rite of passage,” he said and then turned to Eric. “You’ve
been such a great friend to my daughter. Thank you, Eric.”

Eric beamed
with pride and nodded. “My pleasure, Father...or I mean Mark. Daisy will always
have a special place in my heart, no matter what happens,” he stated, glancing
at Daisy.

Mark clapped
his hands. “Ok then, on with the show. Oh, my mother did want me to tell you
one more thing, something about a girl named Bessie, I believe? She’s the one
asking you to help her. My mother said she needs you to help her find Leon so
they can go in the light together. Do you understand that?”

Tears glistened
her eyes and she nodded. “I do. So much sad history in that small town.”

He nodded.
“You’ll know what to do when the time comes. Also, and this might be a little
sensitive, but absolutely no physical contact. Do you understand? Not even a
kiss. You need to be pure of mind and body to gain strength,” he said speaking
to both of them. “Or darkness will weave its way back into your soul.”

Eric cleared
his throat. “That shouldn’t be a problem. We’ve come to terms with our
relationship.”

Daisy gave a
half smile and sighed. “I can do that. What about hand holding?”

“Only if it’s
truly meant in friendship. Anything sexual can ignite certain chemical
reactions,” Mark said sternly.

She felt heat
bubble up in her face. “Oh, I understand. So if one feels it but the other
doesn’t, it still can have an impact?" Her eyes flickered briefly to Eric.

“Yes. Don’t
chance it if that’s the case.”

Eric spoke
hoarsely. “I can’t even hold my best friend’s hand, even in support? That’s
nuts!”

“No, son, it’s
not. Daisy needs to be clean. Would you rather she die at the hands of a beast
so you could hold her hand?”

“With all due respect,
that’s pretty dramatic,” Eric scoffed.

“I’m stone
serious. It weakens her. Your feelings for her are palpable. Pheromones are
literally oozing from your aura.”

Daisy’s eyes
widened, and pitied her friend.

It was Eric’s
turn to turn red. He nodded. “Fine. I get it. No touching at all,” he said,
pain flaring in his eyes.

“Not until it’s
over, anyway,” Mark added. “I pray it ends in our favor." He turned to
Daisy and held her hands. “Your mother would be so proud of you.”

“I know she
already is. I’ve heard her voice in my head, giving me guidance and hope. I
know she’ll be there with me." Daisy smiled, wiping an escaped tear.

Mark nodded and
smiled. “I hear her sometimes as well if I really listen,” he drifted off
before returning to the present. “Okay then! Let’s go bless this cross and
pray.”

***

Silence filled
the car on the way back to the hotel. She allowed Eric to drive so she could
focus more on all that transpired the past day and what lay ahead. Every so
often, she glanced at him and caught his jaw clenching at some hidden thought.
She knew it was better not to speak about what her father had brought up.

She wanted to
reach out and touch him, hold his hand, but she restrained herself, knowing the
dire consequences. She knew it killed him as well.

Eric finally
spoke while at a red light. “I’m staying at Jessica’s tonight, if you don’t
mind. I just need to be away from you for a bit. Would that be okay with you?”
he asked, deep concern furrowing his brow.

Clearing her
throat, she nodded. “That would be fine, Eric. I understand." She gave a
small smile.

“Well, I’m sure
you don’t understand, but that’s okay. I’ll be back in the morning." He
continued driving.

“No, I do. You
take all the time you need.”

“We don’t have
that much time, Daisy. His birthday’s in a couple of weeks. We need to get you
clean. Green diet and juices, right?”

She nodded.

“Okay. We’ll go
straight to the store now and then I’ll drop you off. Use the blender in the
cabinet.”

“Right.”

“You’ll be
fine, Daisy. I know you don’t believe you are, but I know the strength in
you." He parked in front of the grocery store.

“I know. I just
hate that it’s pushing you away. I know this hurts you, and I’m so sorry,” she
whispered through tears.

“Hey, no more
crying. I’m a big boy. You showed me love is out there, even for me, and that I
deserve to be happy. I may not end up with you, but I know it’s possible to
have true love. You gave me that, so don’t ever be sorry.”

“I wish I could
hug you right now. I really do love you, you know." She blew him kisses
and he caught them.

They jumped out
of the car, put money in the parking meter machine, and walked in the store.

***

“You sure
you’ll be okay tonight? I’ll just be down the hall if you need me. Text if you do,”
Eric instructed after grabbing some clothes.

“I’ll be
fine…just go. If you’re a big boy, then I’m a big girl. I’ll make my yummy
blended dinner and get some sleep,” she grinned.

He swung his
red duffel bag over his shoulder. “Okay. See you in the morning, Daze." He
stared at her for a few moments, smiled, and walked out.

After he left,
she proceeded to the kitchen to make a smoothie dinner. She threw in some kale,
spinach, Romaine, coconut milk, water, as well as fruit such as pineapple and
banana to sweeten it up. She poured it in a tall glass and sat at the kitchen
table, sipping it. Her face puckered, making her shiver, and then got used to
the tangy taste.

As she was
finishing the last of it, someone knocked on the door. She placed her glass in
the sink and walked to it, peeking through the peep hole. She backed up and
nearly swallowed her tongue.

“Daisy, it’s
me. I know you’re there. Please open the door,” Christian said.

Her heart
pounded at the sight of him. “Hang on." She checked her appearance in the
mirror on the wall before she opened the door. “How’d you find me?”

“It’s nice to
see you, too. May I come in before I answer any questions?”

He stood there
even more handsome than she last remembered. His dark hair tussled from the
wind, his skin touched by the sun, his black eyes piercing hers, those full
lips.

“Well?” he
persisted with a hint of amusement and irritation mixed together.

She swept her
arm to beckon him inside.

“What, no
hug?" He held his arms out.

Her father’s
words rang in her ear. Absolutely no touching if there’s more than friendship.
“Uh, I’m sick! Have a bad cold and don’t want you to get it. Can I get you
something to drink?”

“Funny, you
don’t look sick, but sure. I’ll have water." He sat on the couch and
looked around. “Nice hotel room. So tell me, where does Eric sleep?" He
gazed directly into her eyes.

She grabbed a
bottle of water from the fridge and handed it to him. Moisture coated her body
as she took the chair next to him. She looked down at her hands in defeat. “He
has his own room,” she mumbled.

He opened his
water and drank, never taking his eyes off her, obviously wanting more answers
about her situation.

“So you’re with
Charlotte now?”

Christian
nodded and shrugged simultaneously. “You could say. It’s only an arrangement,
Daisy. I don’t love her.”

“Oh." Heat
pricked her skin.

“Do you love
Eric?" He set his bottle on a coaster.

She sighed and
said another lie, not wanting him to touch her. “Yes, very much." Her eyes
evaded his.

“I don’t
believe you.”

“I do. I plan
on being his date at his birthday ball.”

His dark eyes
seared her soul. He shook his head. “No way. I can see you’re lying, Daisy! I
can feel your love for me right this moment. Come here,” he pleaded.

She shook her
head, frantic for something to stop this. “I’m sick!”

“No, you’re
not! I miss you so much, Daze. When I heard about you and Eric, I tried to
pretend I could live with it. But I can’t. Just seeing you now and remembering
that night...our night,” his breath clipped. He motioned for her.

“No,” she said calmly.
“There’s more to this than you’ll ever understand. I can’t be with you,
Christian." Her fingers itched to touch him. It took everything in her
power to keep her hands to her sides.

“You sleeping
with him?”

It took
everything in her to keep the lie going. “Yes. We make love all the time.”

His eyes blazed
and then narrowed. “Wait, I thought you said he sleeps in a different room?”

“What? Oh, he
does, but we sneak into each other’s rooms. It’s more fun,” she added. “I had
to get over you, Christian. It’s what’s best for me...for us. Charlotte is more
suited for you." Her chest constricted at his hurt expression.

“Where is he?”
he asked through tight lips.

Her mind raced
at what to tell him. “He’s visiting with some friends today and staying the
night.”

He gave an
exasperated sigh. “Would it be all right if I slept on the couch for tonight?
Or I can get a room if you prefer. I’m just too tired to drive home, especially
after your news,” he said, still in shock.

Her heart went
out to him. She wanted so badly to hold him, kiss him, to give him all her
love. “That’s fine. I’ll get some sheets and blankets. It pulls out." She
went to the linen closet and grabbed sheets, blankets, and a pillow. Christian
already had the bed pulled out when she returned. The thought of him sleeping
out there terrified her. “Need anything else?” she asked.

“You.”

“Christian...”

“I know you
love me, Daisy. Whatever you’re trying to do here, I’ll let it go. I’ll be gone
in the morning.”

“Help yourself
if you get hungry. I’ll be down the hall." She realized what she just said
when she caught his molting stare and corrected herself. “For food or drink.
Good-night." She closed her bedroom door and leaned against it, closing
her eyes. She touched her cross and wanted to yank it off.

After thinking
about it, she walked in her bathroom and stared at the lipstick message on her
mirror. Closing her eyes, she pressed her palm to the chalky texture and
concentrated. A vision of Charlotte appeared before her. Daisy saw her chanting
and writing the message. “Charlotte.”

It all made
sense. She must have known Christian didn’t love her and that he loved Daisy.

She threw her
nightgown on and slid into bed. A couple of hours ticked by before she sat up,
bathed in sweat.

She didn’t care
anymore. She just wanted Christian. All she ever wanted. She slid out of her
bed and made her way to the living room.