Page 98 of Made to Be

Yes, the secret attic. I’d finally found it!

Thin rays of morning light leaked through subtle gaps in the walls, accounting for the constant chilly breeze whistling through. Clouds of disturbed dust swirled in the air from where I’d shoved open the small hatchway-like door to crawl up here. The space was tiny, about half the size of the spare bedroom it was situated above. The ceiling was low even for me, and I hunched slightly under the angled, creaking rafters to keep the cobwebs from snagging in my hair. It didn’t look like there was much here by ways of hidden treasure, as I’d so hoped. Heaps of old four-by-fours were piled along the one wall, and a neat stack of cardboard boxes and plastic bins sat along the other. I was eager to rummage through those, though. Whoknew what goodies I’d find in there. Probably just old decorations and dishes and clothes, but a girl could dream.

Now, how did I manage to find the hidden attic, one might ask?

Well, let’s just say I was one determined bastard. And this was a particular mystery that I just couldn’t leave unsolved.

Had I created a brand-new spell to specifically locate hidden rooms? Yes. Was it a little obsessive? Probably. Had it consumed an unholy amount of my time? Embarrassingly so.

But it had managed to lead me to a hidden door within the ceiling of the closet in the spare bedroom, the one I had set up for Cam. Ineverwould have found it without the seeking spell seeing as the doorway –hatchway?– was covered by a large chunk of drywall that had been built to seamlessly cover the entrance.

Why? I had no idea.

However, Cam had basically spent no time in that room before he’d claimed half of my bed. Then half of my room. I wasn’t complaining; I’d gladly shared my space with him with open arms. Or more like open legs.

I chuckled to myself as I strode directly toward the boxes and knelt to examine the neat writing on the sides. I squinted against the low lighting and cast a simple illumination spell, the little ball of glowing light appearing to hover just above me and casting a softwhite light over everything. One box was labeled “X-mas,” another “Fall,” and the semi-clear plastic bin appeared to have an assortment of clothes in it.

I could only assume these were Sylvia’s belongings. When I pulled those boxes to the side, I found a few more hidden beneath. Opening these revealed...

“Unholy shit,” I gasped as I stared at the collection of old romance novels.

And not just romance books; these were clearly of a mixed variety of contemporary, fantasy, and erotica. Probably more erotica if I had to make a quick guess. As I began nosily looking through the pile, my eyes snagged on a few gay erotica books with classic half-naked muscled men on the covers.

“Sylvia, we could have been such good friends!” I lamented to the empty room. “We could have formed a book club and everything. Alice would have joined!”

Well, these were certainly going to be fun to go through. I pushed this box to the side and found another filled with old VHS movies which I was also excited to find. More boxes revealed photo albums, high-school yearbooks, music cassettes, knickknacks, and other such mementos. One box was filled to the brim with crocheting paraphernalia complete with patterns and step-by-step guides. I pulled that out for Cam; he seemed like the type to like learning to crochet, the cutie pie.

“Sorry to go through your stuff, Sylvia. It will be cherished,” I said aloud, knowing Sylvia was no longer here.

After I had performed those cleansing and exorcism spells on the house – no priest necessary – not only had it prevented the piece of shit Ron from manifesting as a spirit to haunt us, but it had also gotten rid of Sylvia. I hadn’t been so sure it had worked, but Cam had confirmed he hadn’t seen signs of Sylvia during the days after. And ever since.

“But hell,” I continued talking to myself, “I’m glad you're gone so you'll never tell Cam anything more embarrassing than what Ali Cat already has. Like the shower incident. I know you were-”

“What shower incident?”

I let out the highest, loudest, most unbecoming shriek ever to escape me as I whirled around, still kneeling, eyes wide, and heart racing. I pressed my hand over my pounding chest as I spotted Cam’s head of dark hair peeking up through the square hole in the floor that led up here.

“Wow.” His gaze darted around the space. “You found the attic.”

His voice sounded impressed and I gave him a weak glare. “What, didn’t think I’d find it?”

He chuckled and climbed up through the hole. That was a feat in itself considering his broad shoulders and muscular frame. And with his height, he didn’t even try standing up, just remained on his hands andknees as he crawled over to me wearing a playful smirk.

I couldn’t help the rush of arousal that coursed through me watching him prowl toward me like that, all big and slow. Why was it so sexy?

“Of course, I knew you’d find it baby,” he told me once he’d reached me and the boxes haphazardly strewn around me. “You’re brilliant.”

“Oh yeah?” I teased, scooting closer to him, gaze sultry. “I think you’re just saying that to get in my pants.”

Cam leaned over a box so that his face was only an inch from mine. His eyes scanned my face before settling heavily on my lips. They tingled with anticipation under the attention.

“I don’t need to butter you up to get in your pants, Vic,” he purred.

Cam pushed the miniscule distance separating us to kiss me, slow and deep. I moaned against his lips. He tasted like vanilla and something fruity. Probably taste-testing one of his newest creations. Whatever it was, it was delicious. And so was he.

“No, you don’t,” I whispered against him.

He broke the kiss long seconds later to ask, “What did you find?” His eyes wandered over the boxes and few items I’d pulled out in my curiosity.