Read Online Hexed by Michael Alan Nelson - Free Book Online Page A

“You should probably go now.”
    Lucifer understood her skepticism, but there was something about Olivia’s dismissive attitude that really rubbed her the wrong way. Part of her wanted to leave and just let Olivia deal with this herself, but that would be completely unfair. Olivia didn’t grow up in a world of demons and magic and monsters, human or otherwise. She didn’t know any better. As far as Olivia knew, Lucifer was just some crazy zealot come to preach the evils of her lavish lifestyle. Still, educating her might be a bit of fun.
    Lucifer rummaged through her trick bag until she found a silver Zippo lighter engraved with the image of broad, feathery wings. She reached toward Olivia, but she jumped from the bed when Lucifer got close. “What are you doing?” she asked, holding her arms up in a decent facsimile of a defensive position. “Get out of my house! I have a purple belt in tae kwon do, so you better run if you know what’s good for you!”
    Lucifer held her hands up in submission. “Well, lucky for me I have a black belt in running for my life. I just want to show you something. But to do it, I need a hair from your head.”
    â€œIs this part of your crazy cult thing? You use your phone to trick me, then try to fix me with your creepy homeschooled . . . voodoo or whatnot?”
    Lucifer held out her hand. “Olivia, please. Just one hair. I swear, if I can’t convince you, I’ll leave and you’ll never see me again. I promise.”
    Olivia stared at Lucifer’s outstretched hand, thinking. Eventually, she said, “Fine,” and plucked a strand of perfect gold from her head. “Take it. Little Miss Cray-Cray.”
    Lucifer took the hair, ignoring the insult. “Kenna, come closer so you can see, too.” Lucifer opened the lighter and flicked it to life. She slowly lowered Olivia’s hair over the flame until it began to curl and smolder in the heat.
    â€œOh, yes,” Olivia said, her voice flat and mocking. “Burning hair. I’ve never seen that before—”
    The hair suddenly split open at the end, peeling back on itself like the skin of a tiny banana. Thick black smoke rose from the withering hair and formed tiny wisps of fangs and claws born on sharp, angular wings before dissipating into the air with a foul and acrid stench.
    Both Olivia and Kenna stood in stunned silence until Kenna excitedly shouted, “Do it again!”
    â€œNOOO!” Olivia shot Kenna a look of utter shock and disgust before recoiling into the corner of her room, hugging herself.
    â€œWhat the hell was that?”
    â€œCalm down, Olivia—”
    â€œDon’t tell me to calm down! What did you do? How did you do that?!”
    â€œKenna, why don’t you grab that chair and put it in the center of the room for me, please,” Lucifer said as she pointed to the small wooden chair in front of Olivia’s desk. Lucifer walked over to Olivia and gently put her hands on her shoulders. “Olivia, look at me. Look at me.” Olivia’s wide blue eyes slowly rolled back to Lucifer. “It’s okay. You’re going to be okay. There’s nothing to be afraid of. Now why don’t you come over here and sit down in the chair.”
    Olivia pushed Lucifer out of the way and began violently tearing at her hair, yanking out thick blonde hunks with every pull. “Get it out of me! Get it OUT !” Lucifer grabbed her wrists and spun behind her, pinning her arms to her side in a bear hug. “Kenna, the chair!”
    Instead of getting the chair, Kenna was slowly backing toward the door. “Is . . . is that the demon?”
    â€œNo, this is just your friend panicking like I asked her not to. Now please, grab the chair and put it in the center of the room before I have to do something drastic!”
    â€œDrastic like what?”
    â€œKenna!”
    â€œOkay, okay!”
    Kenna