Each week, I send out a story via my email newsletter. Each story is around 1000 words, sometimes less, sometimes more. The stories are in a variety of genres: supernatural, thriller, sci-fi, horror, and sometimes romance, and all of my stories typically feature a gay protagonist.
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This is story number 34 of the series. Enjoy!
The Book of Shadows
Lucas clung to the wobbling attic ladder as a thunder‑crack split the late‑summer sky, shaking dust loose in a gritty rain over his hair. The air up here reeked of hot tar shingles and the sweet‑rot of old cedar trunks, thick enough to taste on his tongue. A sudden draft—impossible with every window nailed shut—slithered across his neck like cold breath, and the cardboard tower he was rummaging through lurched, spilling yellowed photographs in a papery avalanche. There were also old newspaper clippings about 19th‑century trials involving people he’d never heard of.
From the wreckage slid a leather‑bound book. Its cover, slick as fresh blood despite the grime, pulsed with symbols that glimmered like live embers whenever lightning flashed through the cracked roof‑slat. As Lucas steadied himself, a prickling heat shot up his fingertips, and the attic bulb overhead fizzed to darkness, leaving him alone with the pounding of his heart and the silent, waiting tome.
“What’s this?” he muttered, running his fingers over the intricate designs.
A sudden image flickered across his mind—Nana humming while canning peaches in the sweltering summer kitchen, sunlight glinting off syrupy jars. The warmth of that memory clashed with the attic’s chill, and Lucas felt an unexpected sting of longing just as his fingers brushed the book’s surface.
The book fell open, revealing pages filled with cryptic writing and diagrams. Lucas felt a tingling sensation in his fingertips as he touched the yellowed paper.
“Whoa,” he breathed, pulling his hand back. “That was weird. And why was this hidden up here, Nana?”
A gust of wind rustled through the attic, though all the windows were closed. Lucas shivered, suddenly feeling like he wasn’t alone.
“Hello?” he called out, his voice echoing in the cramped space.
Silence answered him, but the air felt charged with an unseen energy. Lucas tucked the book under his arm and hurried downstairs, eager to examine his find in better light.
In the kitchen, he spread the book out on the table. As he flipped through the pages, he realized it was some kind of spell book or grimoire.
“Magic?” Lucas scoffed. “Come on, Grandma. I didn’t know you were into this stuff.” Yet even as he joked, the question burned brighter: Why would you hide this from me?
But as he read further, a chill ran down his spine. The book spoke of ancient bloodlines and dormant powers awakening. It described rituals to commune with spirits and harness elemental forces.
Lucas’s phone buzzed, startling him. It was a text from his boyfriend, Mark.
“Hey babe, how’s the clean-up going? Need any help?”
Lucas hesitated, then typed back: “Actually, yeah. I found something weird. Can you come over?”
Twenty minutes later, Mark’s pickup truck rumbled into the driveway. Lucas met him at the door, the book clutched to his chest.
“You look like you’ve seen a ghost,” Mark said, giving Lucas a quick kiss. “What’s up?”
Lucas led him to the kitchen and showed him the book. “I think… I think this belonged to my grandmother. It’s full of all this occult stuff.”
Mark’s eyebrows shot up as he leafed through the pages. “Whoa. This is some serious witchy business. You sure your sweet old granny was into this?”
“I don’t know,” Lucas said, running a hand through his hair. “But ever since I touched it, I’ve been feeling… different. Like there’s electricity under my skin or something. Maybe that’s why she never let me play in the attic.”
Mark looked at him with concern. “Maybe we should put it away for now. This kind of thing can mess with your head, you know?”
But Lucas couldn’t let it go. Over the next few days, he found himself drawn to the book, studying its contents late into the night. He tried a few simple exercises it described – focusing his energy, visualizing light flowing through his body. To his amazement, he began to see results. Small objects would shake when he concentrated on them. Candles would flicker to life at his command.
On night, Lucas fixed his gaze on a rusted nail and willed it to move. A tremor shivered through the air—then, with a metallic plink, the nail jerked three inches across the floor. Sweat prickled his scalp. He’d done it!
Each new feat brought a fresh pang of wonder—and the nagging thought: Grandma, what were you protecting me from?
One night, as Lucas was practicing in the attic, he heard a faint whisper.
“Help us…”
He spun around, heart racing. “Who’s there?”
A shimmering form appeared in the corner – the translucent figure of a young woman in old-fashioned clothes.
“Oh my God,” Lucas gasped, stumbling backward.
The spirit’s lips moved, but he couldn’t make out the words. Then, as quickly as it had appeared, the apparition vanished.
Lucas scrambled for his phone, dialing Mark with shaking hands.
“You’ve gotta come over,” he said when Mark answered. “You’re not gonna believe what just happened. And I think it has everything to do with Nana’s book.”
An hour later, Lucas had filled Mark in on everything—the developing powers, the ghost sighting, and his growing suspicion that his grandmother had hidden more than heirlooms. Mark listened with a mix of awe and skepticism.
“Look, I believe you’re experiencing something,” Mark said carefully. “But are you sure this is safe? Maybe we should talk to someone about this.”
Lucas shook his head. “Who would believe us? Besides, I think… I think this spirit needs my help. Our help.”
Mark sighed, but there was a glimmer of excitement in his eyes. “Alright, Ghostbuster. What’s the plan?”
They decided to attempt a seance that night. Following instructions from the book, they set up candles in a circle and joined hands.
Mark forced a grin “If the ghost asks for my social security number, séance is over.”
Lucas chuckled and then closed his eyes. All at once, he began to chant in a language he didn’t understand, the words flowing from him as if by instinct.
The temperature in the room plummeted. The candle flames stretched and danced. And then, in the center of the circle, the young woman appeared again.
This time, her voice came through clearly: “Thank you for hearing me. I am Emma, and I need your help to right an old wrong.”
Lucas and Mark listened in stunned silence as Emma’s story unfolded. She had been falsely accused of witchcraft in the 1800s and executed. Her spirit had been bound to the property ever since, unable to move on until justice was served.
“But how can we help?” Lucas asked. “That was so long ago. And what does this have to do with my grandmother hiding that book?” He then remembered the pile of old newspaper clippings. One woman who was executed in one of the witch trials was named Emma. Was this the same person?
Emma’s form flickered. “The truth lies buried with me. Find my remains, and you’ll find the proof of my innocence. Only then can I be at peace.”
With that, she faded away, leaving Lucas and Mark in shocked silence.
“Well,” Mark said after a moment, “I guess we’re going grave hunting. And maybe we’ll figure out Nana’s secret in the process.”
The next few days were a whirlwind of research and clandestine digging. They scoured old town records and used Lucas’s developing magical abilities to dowse for Emma’s burial site. Finally, in a forgotten corner of the property, they unearthed a small box containing a journal and a locket.
The journal detailed the conspiracy against Emma, naming those who had falsely accused her. The locket contained a portrait and a lock of hair – proof of a love affair with a prominent married man, the likely motive for the false accusations.
As Lucas held the items, he felt a surge of energy. The air shimmered, and Emma appeared once more.
“You’ve done it,” she said, her face radiant with joy. “Now, might I ask of you one final task. Take these to the historical society. Let the truth be known.”
Lucas nodded. “We will. I promise. And then I’m going to figure out why my grandmother guarded this power so fiercely.”
Emma’s form began to glow brighter. “Thank you. Both of you. Your kindness has freed me.” She turned to Lucas. “And you, descendant of my sister. The power in your blood is awakened. Use it wisely, and never forget the responsibility it brings.”
With a final smile, Emma dissolved into motes of light that swirled around them before fading away.
Lucas turned to Mark, tears in his eyes. “Can you believe what just happened?”
Mark pulled him into a tight embrace. “Honestly? I’m still processing. But I know one thing – my boyfriend’s a freaking wizard, and that’s pretty cool.”
Lucas laughed, the sound tinged with wonder and a hint of nervousness. “Yeah, I guess I am. So, what now?”
“Well,” Mark said, taking Lucas’s hand, “first we keep our promise to Emma. Then… I guess we figure out what this new magical life of yours looks like. Together. And maybe we’ll finally understand why your grandmother hid the Book of Shadows in the first place.”
Lucas squeezed Mark’s hand, feeling the magic humming beneath his skin. It was the beginning of a new chapter, full of mystery and possibility. And as they walked back to the house, Lucas knew that whatever challenges lay ahead, he wouldn’t face them alone.
THE END