Astaroth's upper body became more substantial as he reached through the mirror, his gloved hand solid and open in invitation. “Join me.”
“Hell no,” I breathed. Frantic, I pulled at my knees to get my legs free.
His voice was closer, full of an agitated mirth. “Why resist? Your future is inevitable.”
I looked up to find his elbows propped on the mirror's frame, chin rested on a palm as if he were bored and waiting for me to give in. The smoky outline of the rest of him never solidified.
“I’m not pregnant.” I pulled on my legs some more. “Let me go.”
Astaroth's hands danced in the air, twisting over and around each other like a magician performing a trick. Enthralled, I couldn't look away. Dangerous awareness raced over my damp skin. Horrific things happened if you looked away. I wasn’t sure how I knew that, but I did. When his hands stopped, the wishing stone dangled from a fingertip. It didn't sway or move, almost pulled by some force greater than nature to keep it stationary. The energy focused on me, as if the stone itself could see me, or maybe it was him that could see me through it.
“You hadn't worn your necklace in so long. Then you took it off as soon as you got the chance.”
I gulped.
“Why is that?”
I ignored his question and stopped struggling. “This isn't real.”
Astaroth's chuckle tickled my ears. “Isn't it though?” He reached out, the necklace remaining motionless. “Put it on,” he commanded as the carpet released me. “Now.”
With a shaky hand, I reached for the bathroom door.
“Uh, uh, uh,” he tisked.
Fingers twitching, I raised my hand to take the amulet. It lifted and drifted toward me. Cool against my palm, the stone throbbed in a soothing rhythm. The chain dropped from his finger when I pulled it closer. Faster than humanly possible, his hand caught mine and squeezed my fist. The silver bit into my flesh, and I gasped. I'd like to say I was trapped and couldn't move, but the truth was I froze. Fear took the wheel, and it slammed on the brakes.
Astaroth's hand warmed me through the glove. His grip loosened, but he didn't release me. Instead, his thumb moved in feathery light circles over the back of my hand. My breath hitched, and my heart raced. I couldn't bring myself to step awayeven though I knew I should. His touch slid to my wrist. My thundering pulse made his thumb dance on my fevered skin.
“Oh, how I have missed you.”
The longing in his voice pulled my gaze to the mirror. His reflection solidified like the hand that had somehow made it to my cheek and drew me closer to the glass. Those dark eyes full of stars looked at me as if I hung every single one. For a blissful moment, losing myself within infinity, I wish I had.
Self-preservation kicked in, and I jerked away and grabbed the bathroom door, leaping around it. As I yanked it closed, his arm shot out of the mirror, stopping when his fingers curled around the aged wood, holding it open.
His voice caressed every inch of me. “Soon.”
