Oneiromancy


After the massive fall out on Thursday evening I had wanted to go back to London, but I was hesitant about leaving Dad. He had stated that he’d be fine though, on several occasions.

I wasn’t the only one to worry about him though. Daniel seemed just as concerned about his welfare. Mum did a lot for Dad, or rather she used to. Now she had definitely left him, what was he going to do?

My dreams had been relatively peaceful all night and I woke up that morning, feeling slightly cold. I was fairly warm blooded so it was unusual for me to get cold. I turned over and opened my eyes. My vision was blurred from sleep.

Once I was able to focus I smiled. I remembered last night and couldn’t help but grin. Jinxx was lying opposite me. His eyes were closed and I admired how peaceful he looked. I shifted closer to get a good look at him. As a demon, or whatever he was, it was hard to imagine him sleeping.

As though sensing what I was thinking he grinned. He wasn’t really asleep and I went to shift back until his arm slid round me and kept me close. Those startling blue eyes opened. He looked amazing even when just waking up.

“It’s difficult to imagine me asleep because I don’t require sleep.” He smirked.

“You are such a jerk. You let me believe you were asleep so I’d get closer.” I bleated.

He quirked a brow and lifted his head slightly, forcing me closer, pressing his palm to my lower back. I could feel my heart beating. It was a frantic rhythm that seemed to match my nerves. He dipped his head and for a moment I thought he was going to kiss me.

Instead, he nuzzled my neck, inhaling deeply as he did so. I let out a stuttering breath when I felt his lips graze the place where my shoulder and neck met. A trail of goosebumps rose on my skin, making me feel tingly and light-headed.

“You taste so good.” He murmured, nipping from my shoulder to my neck.

A whimper slipped past my lips. It was an embarrassing sound and it was soon followed by a gasp when I felt Jinxx bite down on my neck. It wasn’t a very hard bite, but it was enough to get a reaction. I felt him hum in approval and it sent gentle shivers down my spine.

As though confirming the prior statement I felt him press an open mouthed kiss to the area he had just assaulted. Another gasp slipped through my lips.

“Jinxx.” His name slipped out.

I felt him smirk against my skin. He was clearly enjoying my reactions. My entire brain had gone to mush at this point.

“That’s right, baby.” His voice was husky. “I want you screaming my name.”

I took another shuddering breath. The air tasted different somehow. It was sweeter and it felt thicker, like I was drowning. Again his lips kissed and nipped my neck, tasting me and making me gasp.

This time when Jinxx bit down, I felt him suck the skin harshly. The pain was strange yet not unwelcome. He continued for about a minute until he pulled back. His eyes met mine. I was breathing raggedly.

I was about to say something when his lips claimed mine. My hands that were balled into fists in front of me, gripped his t-shirt as I responded to him. A large part of me still felt nervous. I could feel my hands shaking.

His tongue grazed my lower lip and I parted my lips ever so slightly. He took that as a sign of consent and dominated my mouth. We were so different and yet I knew I cared about him. A rational part of my brain warned me that I didn’t know him fully.

Jinxx pulled back first and I was surprised. He grinned at my slightly dumbstruck expression and kissed me again, but very briefly.

“I don’t want to push you too much,” He sounded sincere and my heart melted. “But I will have you screaming my name.”

“Q-quit being a jerk.” I stuttered out, completely unused to being spoken to like that.

The sound of footsteps on the landing made us both look round. The footfalls stopped at the door and someone tapped on the door.

“Hey, you two. Hurry up and come downstairs. Dad’s made breakfast.” Daniel said. He sounded groggy. My brother had never been a morning person.

“Hope you’re not making out in there.” Jenny called.

I heard Daniel reprimand her, but it sounded half-hearted and I heard her laugh. I groaned and sat up, forcing myself to part from Jinxx.

He turned onto his back and sat up. He was on his feet before me. He held out his hand to me and I reluctantly accepted. We were together after all and I allowed myself to feel giddy with delight.

I stood too and we left my bedroom. True enough, Dad was downstairs, serving up breakfast. I could see Daniel in the back yard having a cigarette. Jenny was already at the table, chatting to Dad.

He seemed much better this morning and was laughing and joking.

“Look who finally decided to join us.” Jenny chuckled.

Dad turned round and smiled broadly. He looked so proud. I couldn’t help but grin at my Dad. I smiled at Jenny and she beamed back. She looked radiant this morning, not a hair out of place.

We sat down and she said good morning then turned her attention to Jinxx.

“Hope you two were behaving yourselves up there?” She waggled her eyebrows.

I nearly died of embarrassment at her question. She laughed at my face and so did Dad. He had never been prudish. He had always been the exact opposite of Mum.

“Why should we? You jealous, or something?” Jinxx smirked.

Jenny let out a loud laugh and I wanted the ground to open up and swallow me. Daniel picked the perfect time to walk in and sit down.

“It sure is noisy in here.” He grinned.

Jenny and Daniel then started laughing and joking whilst Dad served the breakfast. After everything was eaten and the kitchen had been tidied, Jenny and Daniel said their goodbyes.

I guessed it was my turn next and I gave Dad a hug and promised to call him every day. I kept looking back as we walked down the driveway. Would he be all right on his own? A part of me thought about my Mum.

Would she stay in touch? She might with Daniel, but I figured she’d just disown me. I wasn’t going to live up to her expectations and this thought seemed to follow me all the way home. It wasn’t till we were half-way through the train journey that I felt a bit better.

I glanced across at Jinxx. He was gazing out the window at the countryside as it raced past in a bur of green. That rational side of me had won out in the meantime and I decided I needed to know more about him.

“Hey, Jinxx?” At the sound of my voice he glanced at me and smiled. “Where are your parents?”

I wanted to hit myself. That was the worst way I could have possibly asked. It sounded like I was a creeper. He looked confused for a minute before his expression became indifferent.

“They’re dead.” He said, monotone.

“I’m sorry,” I mumbled. He simply shrugged. “How did they die?”

“They died in 1901 during the third plague outbreak.” This time he seemed more remorseful.

I wasn’t expecting that answer at all and it floored me for a few minutes. I gathered my nerves and met his gaze again. 1901 was over a hundred years ago. It seemed impossible. It was impossible.

“How old were you when they died?” I asked, less scared now and more curious.

“I was two.” He seemed to be analysing me again for any trace of fear, or doubt.

“Wow, you’re old.” I blurted out.

He chuckled and looked away briefly, almost shyly. I felt like I was getting close to knowing him and understanding who he was. I was about to blurt out my next question.

“No more questions for now, babe.” He was looking at me again. No anger or annoyance though.

“Why not?” I felt my resolve falter at that.

“Because you know enough for now,” He sighed. “I promise I will tell you more about me.”

I nodded, holding up my hand, pinkie finger extended. He arched a brow and linked his own pinkie with mine, using it to pull me closer and I cuddled up against him.

************************************************************


Night fell on the pocket dimension. Baal felt himself growing impatient. In the human world he observed the sun dipping below the clouds, creating a dusky glow that humans seemed to like.

He grunted and nestled back into his pronged chair. He was just beginning to grow aggrieved when the gateway to the dimensions opened. He dismounted the chair and heaved himself down the steps into the other dimension.

“The prodigal son returns.” He sneered at the younger demon.

Jinxx turned and glared at him. Baal sniffed the air and sighed. No souls again, but not just that, the younger demon reeked of humans.

“It might have worked,” Jinxx retorted. “Except I’m not your son.”

“The rose wilts, boy.” Baal snapped, nodding his head towards the flower.

Jinxx glanced at it and then back to the smirking demon. Baal sensed a calmness and was bemused by this sudden development.

“I won’t be here much longer,” Jinxx smirked. “Sorry to disappoint you, but I’ve found someone.”

Baal threw back his head, a gruff laugh erupted from his lips. What a mockery this was. He levelled a steely glare at the younger demon.

“You? Who would love you? No one. The spell will never be broken,” Baal couldn’t help but laugh again. “You will remain here forever, wretched boy.”

Jinxx stepped back and Baal watched, ever calmly. The dimensional rift was still open, as though the younger demon planned to leave again.

“Where are you going?” Baal snapped.

“Somewhere that’s none of your business.” The younger demon retorted.

“The human would allow you to sleep in her bed?” Baal questioned, bemusement present in his tone now.

This was unexpected. Perhaps the younger demon hadn’t been lying. This human clearly cared for Jinxx if she was willing to share a bed. Humans only did this with those they cared about. Baal felt his temper flare.

“Cease this mindless behaviour or I will have the girl’s head decorating my dimension wall.”

Jinxx chuckled and back-stepped again, glaring at the older demon.

“And I will have your fat corpse as a carpet, or maybe I could feed you to the hellhounds.” He turned then and vanished, leaving Baal furious.

The older demon gnashed his teeth and ventured back to his dimension. His temper was ebbing away like a flame. This human, this girl, would have to be eliminated.

Notes

Hey everyone I'm back. Been on holiday to Italy all of last week. Had a great time.