Death is a Girl

Chapter 56 - EPILOGUE - Black Magic Woman

That fucking knife...

Down an alleyway behind a shopping plaza sat two boys. One had broad shoulders, a ponytail, and a bulging gut, but was otherwise strong. He was halfway through a 16-inch sub with extra meat, mayo clinging to the corner of his lip.

The other, with black hair combed over one eye, leaned against the opposite wall, poring over an article on his cellphone. It was a missing person story, and the girl displayed was one he saw every time he closed his eyes.

He could still feel his hand against the hilt of the knife, the pressure of her body against his as he stared into her eyes that were already dying. Those eyes he couldn’t get out of his head—how wide they were, like she knew she was dead but just couldn’t believe it.

But the knife.

“God dammit.” Frank pushed off the wall and paced. “Why the fuck did we leave the knife there!?”

Donny swallowed and pounded his chest, forcing down a bite of the oversized sub. “You’re paranoid, man. Look, the article says missing, not dead, right? Nobody is ever going to look in that crypt. Guarantee they already checked the graveyard and didn’t find anything.”

Frank paced again, running his hand through his hair. “Her phone. She dropped a phone, remember? That’ll be enough to make them realize she was there, and they’ll check more thoroughly.”

“The article didn’t say shit about a phone. They missed it.”

“We have to go back,” Frank insisted.

“Hell no. That’s how you get caught. Don’t go back to the crime scene.”

“My fingerprints are all over that damn knife!”

“Bro… quit obsessing. If they never take your fingerprints, it won’t matter,” Donny said.

“Not to mention that little bitch Todd. He won’t answer my calls. He’s going to rat on us, I can feel it!”

“He’d be ratting on himself. He was there and kept quiet. He’s an accomplice after the fact. I told him that, remember?”

Frank turned, giving Donny a cold look. Something in his eyes made Donny turn away. Frank had been different ever since that day.

“Want to know why you’re so calm?” Frank said, walking toward him. “Because your fingerprints aren’t on the fucking knife.”

“Bro, quit being a pussy.”

“The fuck did you just say!?” Frank swatted the sub out of Donny’s hand. Its contents flew out, landing face down in a mess of bread and mayo.

“The fuck!” Donny yelled, standing up and balling a fist. He froze when he saw a knife in Frank’s hand.

“Don’t fuck with me,” Frank said.

“Dude… come on.”

Frank rocked his head back, flipping his hair away from his eye, and walked over to his bag. He couldn’t trust either of them—not Donny and especially not Todd. When it eventually all goes down, when that girl’s body is eventually found in the crypt, they are both going to turn on him.

Just get rid of them.

Frank took the book out of his bag.

They need to die.

The leather binding was unlike anything Frank had ever seen. It wasn’t just black. It was so black he wanted to stare into it forever. This book could open a new world to him. He knew that. He just needed to learn more and give it what it wanted. Blood. Todd would have to be first… that only made sense. It would be killing two birds with one stone.

“Look, my dad’s a cop, so I know this stuff,” Donny continued. “Nine times out of ten people, get caught because they start freaking out and do something stupid.”

“Something stupid?”

Frank’s mind raced as he flipped open the pages. It looked like gibberish. If he repeated the words, it would sound like nonsense, but as his eyes moved over the lines of text, he swore he could understand. It wasn’t just understanding; it was like there was a whispering in his ear translating, and he felt cold.

“Something stupid, like what?” Frank asked, his voice distant.

“Like going back to the crime scene or trying to cover up evidence,” Donny replied, oblivious to the change in Frank’s demeanor. “Just stay calm, and we’ll be fine.”

Frank turned a page, his eyes taking in a drawing of a complex circular pattern. Black chalk would be the best medium to transcribe it. He didn’t know how he knew that… but, he did know he couldn’t trust Donny to stay quiet. He had to act before either of them turned on him.

“Listen, Donny,” Frank said with an eerie calm. “I think we need to make sure Todd doesn’t screw us over. We should pay him a visit.”

Donny looked up, a hint of uncertainty in his eyes. “Why? He’s not going to say anything. He’s in as deep as we are.”

“Maybe. But if he panics, it’s game over for all of us. Better safe than sorry, right?”

“I guess, but he won’t answer his phone.”

“So we go to his house.” Frank snapped the book closed.

“Right… just got to get him to the door and he’ll probably come out. He’ll lose his nerve when he can’t just hide,” Donny agreed.

Frank smirked, preparing to slip the grimoire back into his bag when he noticed some movement at the end of the alley. He looked up, seeing two figures in dark clothing, the sunlight behind them turning them into silhouettes. What they wore on their heads, however, gave them away.

They each wore pointy hats, one about a head taller than the other. As they stepped into the shadows of the alley, Frank could see the shorter one was a girl. She had dark makeup around her eyes and lips, and her black-nailed hand clasped a staff, which she moved like a walking stick. It tapped against the ground with every other step.

The taller was an old man, his clothing more dark blue than pure black now that he wasn’t obscured by the sunlight, and he had an impressive long white beard.

“Well, now. I do believe you boys have something that belongs to me,” the old man said.

***

Arietta took in the two boys. They were the ones who had dragged her brother into a murder and were the cause of his spiraling depression. She suspected they’d been making his life miserable even before the day in the graveyard. The fact they coerced him into stealing from the shop said enough.

“Don’t know what you’re talking about, old man,” Frank said, clutching the book tighter to his chest.

Arietta adjusted her hat, curling her fingers to observe the runes on her nails. They sensed no magic or danger. These boys were not mages. “How foolish,” she said, her voice a soft, dangerous whisper. “If you were capable of waking that grimoire, at best you would become its slave.”

“Fuck off,” Frank retorted, raising a middle finger.

Arietta arched an eyebrow, momentarily perplexed, but then she laughed. “Oh, you truly do not understand.” She continued her approach, the sound of her boots echoing ominously. Grandfather had agreed to let her handle them, and do whatever she pleased in exacting vengeance for her brother. Therefore, he stood back and observed. So rare it was she got a chance to use magic offensively. She just hoped the curses she prepared would make Grandfather proud.

Frank stiffened, his eyes darting between Arietta and Atomyst. Donny held his ground, folding his big arms and staring her down. Then, Frank flipped open his switchblade and pointed it at her. “Like I said, I got no idea what you’re talking about, and this book is mine!”

Arietta raised her staff, aiming it at Frank. “You have no idea what you’ve gotten yourself into, but I’ll be happy to educate you.”

Frank lunged forward, but before he could close the distance, Arietta whispered an incantation. The runes on her nails glowed, and a burst of energy shot from her staff, knocking the knife from Frank’s hand. He stumbled back, eyes wide with shock.

“What the hell?” Donny exclaimed, stepping back.

Arietta continued her advance as Frank scrambled for the knife, but the ground beneath him twisted, and the pavement cracked. He looked down in horror as roots and vines snaked up from the earth, ensnaring his legs and pulling him down to his knees.

“Holy shi—g-get her, Donny!” Frank yelled, struggling against the magical bindings.

Donny hesitated for a moment, then charged at Arietta. She simply raised her hand, and with a flick of her wrist, sent him crashing into the wall with a forceful gust of wind. He slumped to the ground, dazed.

“Do you understand now?” Arietta asked, canting her head. “No… of course, you don’t. You couldn’t possibly understand. But you will.” Her black lips curved into a smile, her teeth unnaturally white against her dark makeup. As she kneeled to be at eye level with Frank, he tried to reach for the book, but the vines seized him. “Look into my eyes, boy,” she commanded. “So, you’re interested in black magic? You wish to summon spirits and wield forbidden powers?”

Frank’s eyes widened with a mix of fear and fascination. “I... I didn’t know,” he stammered. “I didn’t mean to kill her!”

Arietta’s smile faded, replaced by a stern, almost pitying look. “I don’t care for your excuses,” she said softly. “You toyed with forces beyond your comprehension, and you dragged my little brother into it.”

“Todd?”

“That’s right. I love my little brother, and I’ll never forgive you for hurting him.”

She placed her hand on Frank’s forehead. The runes on her nails glowed brightly as he grimaced, no doubt feeling a searing pain in his mind.

“This is what you sought,” Arietta whispered. “The darkness consumes those who are unworthy. You wanted to play with demons? Fine. I’ll show you some real monsters. For the rest of your life, you will see them in every dream and every shadow. You will know no peace, and your existence will be fear.” She tilted her head and gave a shrill laugh. “Unless, of course, you learn to conquer the darkness. But I doubt it. I’m sure your mind will break first.”

“What the fuck are you talking about!?”

The runes glowed brighter. “Es’cathari’ delora nyx’thali nox’en lumine. In’voras mi’thar, a’luskera! At’nox umbrata ferox thall domina!” Her nails dug into his scalp, and Frank screamed, his eyeballs rolling into his head as Arietta laughed.

“Wh-what the hell are you doing to him!?” Donny yelled. Flicking his eyes between the wizard and the witch. He seemed to struggle with a decision, then finally made his choice and ran, trying to escape down the alleyway. However, he didn’t get far; Atomyst, who had been standing away, suddenly stepped out of the alley walls and blocked his path.

“I’m afraid you can’t leave yet. I made a promise to my grandaughter, after all, and she’s having quite a fun time.”

Donny backed away fearfully, glancing at Frank. The vines had retracted, but Frank lay curled into a ball, crying. “Wh-what is this?” he bawled. “Stop it! Make it stop!”

Arietta patted his head in a mock show of comfort. “Oh, don’t worry. The first day is always the worst.” Then she stood slowly, her eyes revealing themselves from under her hat as she locked her gaze with Donny. Her makeup was like a sinister black mask further shadowed by the brim of her hat, her eyes seeming to glow within some otherworldly darkness. “Now for you… clearly you are not the ringleader, but nor are you innocent. So, I do believe a punishment is in order.”

“Hey! It wasn’t me! It was all Frank! E-even Todd can tell you that.”

Arietta smirked. “You ran down a girl half your size, assaulted her, kept her from leaving, and your actions led to her death.”

“That’s not how it happened!” Donny yelled.

“If you keep lying, I’ll take your tongue… Now… for you, I see a world with no pleasure. Food will taste like sand, a cold drink will burn your throat. You will live devoid of joy; every sensation will be pain, every pleasure an agony.”

She raised her hand, and the runes on her nails glowed once more. Donny felt a cold shiver as her magic took hold. He tried to back away.

“Please, don’t do this,” Donny begged, his voice shaking. “I swear I didn’t mean for any of this to happen!”

Arietta’s eyes narrowed, her expression hardening as she ignored his pleas and began to chant. “Es’cathari en’delos, mi’salor en’tovara, este’lita mi’vantos en’fala en’ombra!”

“Please! Stop!” Donny screamed.

The curse complete, she placed her hand under his chin, her nails threatening to stab his throat. “This is what you get. You killed an innocent kid and messed with a family of mages. It’s too late for ‘I’m sorrys.’ Now take your friend and go.”

***

She watched them flee down the alley, Frank whimpering the entire time as Donny helped him. Her gaze remained stoic as she watched them go.

Her grandfather walked over, placing a hand on her shoulder. “Those were powerful curses. It wouldn’t surprise me if they end up taking their own lives.”

“It’s still more than they deserve.”

“And you’re comfortable being the judge of that?” he asked, looking into his grandaughter’s eyes.

She met his gaze with a smile. “But of course.”

The old wizard’s lips curled. “Good. When wielding dark magics, it must be done with confidence. Otherwise, you open yourself to danger.”

“Yes, I know that.” She walked over to the discarded book. All this trouble because they wanted to steal a grimoire and play at summoning demons. How foolish.

She kneeled and reached for the book. The warning runes on her nails began to glow, and she froze. “What…” Her eyes widened, staring at the book. She heard whispers emanating from it. Had this truly come from their shop? She gasped and stood, backing away. “Grandfather! This grimoire is—”

The old man chuckled. “Seems they had awakened it after all. How surprising.” He walked over to the grimoire, and with no hesitation, his hand calmly grasped it as he picked it up. Arietta stared in disbelief, clutching her staff. She saw a crooked smile reveal itself under his white beard, but then she blinked, and in an instant, it was gone.

“Ironically, I would say your curses were a kinder fate than what would have awaited them.”

Arietta’s eyes widened. “Grandfather… where did it come from?” Her fingers remained tight around her staff. That book was dangerous. Those boys couldn’t do much with it, but in the hands of someone who could harness magic…

“It has been in our family’s possession for many years,” Atomyst explained. “Sealed, of course.”

“Then why have I never seen it? And how did it end up in Todd’s hands?”

“That is a mystery, but perhaps we can ask Todd later. For now, I’ll return it to the shop and make sure it is secure.”

Arietta paused as she watched him walk ahead. She felt uneasy. Could it be that her own power was just too weak? She wondered… why is it she feared to even touch it, yet her grandfather held it comfortably.

“Grandfather… should we not destroy it?”

He looked over his shoulder. The old man’s eyes twinkled with amusement. “Destroy it? That would be both foolish and dangerous. Powerful artifacts like this grimoire are not so easily eradicated. Destroying it could release the essence it contains or unleash a curse upon us.”

Arietta frowned, her grip tightening on her staff. “But if it’s so dangerous, why keep it at all? Why not bury it somewhere it can not be found?”

Atomyst turned to face her fully, his expression grave. “Because knowledge, even dark knowledge, has its uses. And our family has always been the keepers of such secrets. We cannot simply bury our responsibilities. Besides, understanding these artifacts gives us the power to protect ourselves.”

She nodded slowly, still feeling a lingering unease. “But how did Todd get it?”

“That, I plan to investigate, and we will ensure it never happens again… Regrettably… I’m sure the responsibility is mine. I haven’t had to mind it in so long that I neglected to check the seals.”

It was unlike him, Arietta thought. A grimoire that powerful would be akin to keeping a loaded gun in the house, and the magical version of “gun safety” is something Grandfather always took with the utmost seriousness.

“Come along now, Arietta,” he called, snapping her out of her thoughts.

As they made their way back to the shop, Arietta couldn’t shake the feeling that something was amiss. The whispers from the grimoire seemed to echo in her mind just from coming near it. She glanced at her grandfather, who held the book with such ease, and wondered how he couldn't be bothered by it as well.

THIS IS THE END OF BOOK 1

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