Things were calm at Crook House.
In the weeks that followed the dream, the DANGER signal was never tapped again. I never saw the Harpy again, or sensed the Sinner. Liam wrote me messages. The spirits could sense other things outside the house, but they never came close. A message had been sent and understood. This house was protected. He said I shone like a welcoming beacon to some, and a ominous warning to others.
I planted the black stone in a dream, and watched as a mauve sapling grew in the dreaming soil. I wondered what it would grow into? I knew it would be something bright, something resilient. A piece of the ethereal land around the house bequeathed to this sleeping place. A green bridge, a tree made of dreams and lust. God, what fruit it would bear. I would sit under this tree, and invite all the spirits to shelter here.
The next long night would be at the equinox. I was looking forward to it, I knew there would be no intruders, no uninvited guests this time. Just us. We could all talk freely, reconnect, rejoice. It would be wonderful. Until then I kept the house and watched the board. Waiting.
Still, the house was never quiet. Carver visited again, and we talked more about the house and its history. He stayed in the guest room, and I heard Becky pleasuring him at night. The next morning he'd looked both elated and drained.
He visits regularly now.
Tony came by. Carver sent him to do some specific survey work, and to do some general maintenance. I told him how the house worked, and heard him drop tools during lunch. I found him in the study, being stripped. I asked the house to take care of him, and it did. He wouldn't be lonely any more.
Eric's girlfriend was another visitor. Abby was twenty three, and quite nervous. I opened the door and let her in, I told her how the house worked as gently as I could. I took her to the bed room and showed her the blackboard. She watched as Eric picked up some chalk and started to write. She was a lovely girl, blonde, curvy. Grief had dulled her, and the way she laughed and then cried when she watched Eric write moved me greatly.
I left them alone, and looked in on them a few hours later. When I did, I could hear moaning. I didn't want to be indiscrete, but I needed to know they were okay. I opened the door and found Abby naked on my bed, she was lying there, writhing while an invisible lover pumped himself into her. Her head shook from side to side. Her heavy breasts were being lightly licked and squeezed by hands that weren't there. I realised this was how I looked, when I was being taken. It was a strange and stirring sight. She turned her head, and I realised Eric was nibbling her neck. She tried to put her arms around him, but he wasn't there. This must have been a familiar gesture. Abby had been laughing, but now a terrible sadness seemed to wash over her.
I hesitated, then I entered the room and sat with he, hugging her tight. "It's still real," I said. "Love's not something you need to see, or hear, it's still there."
She nodded, and I felt her hug me back. What we had here made up for all the things we had lost. I left them alone, and I could hear her giggling as I closed the door behind me.
Abby also visits regularly. This house is for all the lovers.
Bella, especially.
I was standing by the front door, waiting for her. I was thinking of Abby and Eric, and the new life that had started to occupy the house. I wanted Bella to belong here. We'd had a couple of nice quiet dates, where we'd focused on getting to know each other. It had been nice, we had laughed so much. She'd made me feel so comfortable about myself. She had teased me about our playful phone calls, and I'd told her how special they made me feel. Being powerless and being hers. Now I only came when she let me. She sometimes called me at night and let me touch myself while she listened. Sometimes I was allowed release, sometimes not. The last time I had begged her. I wanted her to like the sound.
"Does it ache, honey?"
"Yes Miss Bella."
""Good. You're so pretty when you're desperate."
I had groaned, delighted. She was getting very comfortable with our dynamic. She had a stern dismissive voice that she put on now, that I just adored.
"Oh... Please can I cum, Miss Bella?"
"No. But soon," she'd whispered. "That is, if you've been good."
I had cradled my phone in the dark. The spirits were giving me space. They knew what was happening. They knew love when they saw it.
The next morning Bella had called, she said she wanted to come and spend some time with me at the house. She said she was ready. My heart tried not to hope too much. I imagined us filling the house with laughter, with passion. I'd fantasised about lots of things. Some were simple, us cuddling up together. Others were more dramatic, her tying me up, or chasing me naked through the many rooms of the house.
I shook my head. Whatever she wanted to give me, it would be enough. But what could I give her? What did I offer? For some reason, happiness always fed my doubts.
My head dropped a little. I was a good person, wasn't I? I always tried to help people. I wanted to make Bella smile and laugh. I wanted to be someone who was special to her. Whatever it was she needed from me, I would try to give her. What more was there?
A knock shook me out of my reverie.
I opened the door, smiling. Bella was there, green eyes and black lipstick. My heart skipped. She smiled back and walked in.
I took her coat, and admired the sleek black dress she was wearing. She looked stern, impressive. We caught up and chatted a little, I led her into the kitchen and poured us some wine. I told her the house was calm, that everything here was calm now.
"Not too calm, I hope?" She eyed me over her glass.
She was wearing a little mascara, it really evoked her green irises. Her gaze was penetrating me. I felt nervous. "Did- did you read everything I sent you?"
Bella nodded. She was being slow, deliberate, with her words. I liked this. It felt like she was leading, and I was following. "It was all very interesting. You like some very dirty things, don't you, Lara? You're quite a dirty girl."
She said it so lightly.
I just smiled like a fool. I had to get my brain back into gear. "Um. Yes. I suppose I am, Miss."
"How important is it, to have someone to share these things with?" She asked it quietly. The kitchen felt hushed. I wondered if the spirits were around us, leaning in. urging me on.
I took a breath. "It's everything. I don't have it and I crave it."
"Crave it?" Bella's eyes were locked on mine. Fuck. Everything I had sent her was about power, control, submission. Bondage, and the psychological effect of it. The surrender and the reward. I felt she had devoured everything, knowing how important it was to me. She knew I wouldn't have sent it to her if it wasn't something I needed her to understand.
Her hand reached across the counter and slid over mine. "I want to try," she said, "I want to give you what you need."
I had to look away. It was absurd, how vulnerable a little love could make you. I nodded and looked back at her.
"I'm going to take care of you, Lara." Her hand stroked mine. "I brought some... toys for us to play with. Would you like that?"
I nodded stupidly. She had put a lot of effort into this. She'd left a suitcase in the lobby, only now did I wonder what might be in it? She had me wholly invested in every word that came out of her mouth. Right now I belonged to her. It was a thrilling feeling. I didn't want it to ever end.
"Good girl." I felt like she was stripping me with her eyes. Bella was looking at me in a different way. Our dynamic had changed. I was lesser now. A servant. A plaything. A willing slave. I felt the change inside me, and shivered with glee.
