Free CoverBoys & Curses by Lala Corriere

of
chamomile and cypress lingered. The few notable extravagances were a pair of
woodcarvings—lions standing guard over the open space, a large altar framed by
white candles, and a most unusual statue on the desk.
    “Go
ahead. You can touch it. Almost everyone does. It seems to attract people like
a Buddha’s belly,” Dr. Coal said as he entered the room from behind me.
    “It’s
one of a kind. The ivory elephant is the symbol of good luck when his trunk is
lifted that way. He’s setting sail in the small wooden rowboat, the lowliest
form of transportation on the high seas, and he knows he’s a hefty load. That
symbolizes faith.”
    I didn’t
touch the sacred ivory, but my fingers glossed over the rich detail of the
carved stone base. “And the marble?”
    “Lapis
lazuli, actually. The gemstone of powers and hidden energies. And either the
artist knew that, or he was just happy to find a blue rock that resembled the
ocean waters.” He extended his hand. “You must be Lauren.”
    I
expected L.A. opulence, and I definitely expected the good doctor to be dressed
in no less that a silk suit and alligator shoes. Tie—optional. Instead he
greeted me himself, without a receptionist. Not even a receptionist’s desk. As Carly
had told me, there were few doors, not even to mark the entrance. He was
dressed in a casual Ralph Lauren beach look, with a white gauze shirt flowing
over white cotton drawstring pants, and leather sandals on his feet.
    Aware I
might have been staring, I darted my eyes back to the statue. “Very informal.”
    “Does
that concern you?”
    “No. Not
really.” A breath of fresh air .

 
    MOON
BLADE SLATHERED the counter with a coat of fresh blood. It didn’t matter for
now where the blood came from. Insatiable, the copper tang of the blackened
pool of liquid would make do to make the evening right.
                The Macarta black-handled Damascus skinner, along with a Springsteel and an assortment of fine daggers, remained tucked away in their sanctuary.
Rebuilding energy. Strengthening their pulse.
                Soon. Very soon.
     

 
    Chapter Twenty Two
    Let’s
Begin
    “WE
TRY TO MAINTAIN a family atmosphere around here and that goes for both the
community homes and our therapy rooms here at The Centre. For those that
insist, I have my wall of certificates and pedigrees, somewhere around one of
these halls.” He offered an easy laugh. “Do you have your questionnaire
completed for me?”
    I
understood what he was really asking. If I was going to see him, even one time,
I was agreeing to a true commitment. Most specific, the questionnaire made it
quite clear that I would be asked to make regular appointments—or sessions, as
they called it. When I thought about it, no matter what I claimed or fussed
about, time was on my side. I was young, my company was launched and with an
excellent and loyal staff, and so what if I had some major personal issues to
resolve before I fucked anything else up. One issue. Why did everyone I ever
love have to die? To expect that Dr. Coal could help me would be like me expecting
a white picket fence with two cats in the yard, and breakfast and bed served
by—well, someone handsome.
    I
wrestled and cast out any regrets or concerns. I caved into the serenity of
Harlan Coal’s office. And by caving, I had won. Twenty minutes hadn’t passed by
and to me it was as if Cinderella was there to greet me after I took a spin on
the teacup ride at Disneyland. I felt warm, comfortable and safe. Maybe I
wasn’t a lost cause and maybe I wasn’t going to need years of therapy.
    Maybe
someone would love me, and live.
    “Let’s
take a walk,” Coal said, and grabbed his dark sunglasses. He reminded me of
someone. A star, perhaps. Only a short time in L.A., and I was already inflicted
by the dreaded celebrity-watch disease.
    Coal
guided me on a quick tour of his office and compound. The halls boasted
slightly rounded angles. To the street-side, the