Free Dance For The Devil by S. Kodejs

reminding her to be silent, then pulled up his own hood, so she could no longer see his features. By now so me others had entered the foyer and they too began to put on the ritual cloaks. Jason moved away and Amy followed him, through the hall and down a flight of stairs, to the basement.
    **
    By the time they were served – coffee for him and herbal tea for Cari – Jake regained some sense of control. “Okay, mystery woman, I’m ready. What are you going to do, tell me my fortune?”
    “Something like that,” Cari said, smiling softly. She reached for his hand and studied the lines. “This past year has been a difficult time for you.”
    Jake leaned back and smiled sardonically. “What are you, a gypsy?”
    “No,” she said sweetly. “I’m a witch.”
    He waited for the punch line but it never came. Finally, squirming a bit, he asked, “Pardon me?”
    “A witch. A neo-pagan witch. It’s my religion. Sometimes I sense things, like today, with you. I sensed you would be here, and here you are.”
    Jake pulled his hand back. A third of a million people in this city and he hooks up with a nutcase. That figures. Par for the course considering the way his life was going right now. Next interesting woman he met would probably be a serial killer.
    “Don’t be alarmed. It’s not what you think.”
    “How do you know what I think? Oh, God, don’t tell me you know what I’m thinking.”
    “Well, it’s fairly apparent, it’s written all over your face. You’re thinking I’m crazy and you’re wondering how to get out of here without causing a scene. How’s that for accuracy?”
    “Bang on.”
    She laughed lightly. “You’re also thinking that I don’t look like a witch.”
    “You don’t.”
    “I left my broom and cauldron at home.” A slight pause. “That’s a joke, you’re supposed to laugh.”
    “Ha ha.”
    She shifted in her seat. “I know you’re uncomfortable, and I wish I had time to set you at ease, but I need to tell you something important, and I need enough credibility so you’ll believe me.”
    “You think that telling me you’re a witch buys you credibility?” His tone was incredulous.
    She brushed a lock of hair from her eyes with impatience, and reached for his hand again, holding it firmly as he attempted to pull away.
    “You are in danger. No, not you, exactly, although that may come. No, someone very close to you... a child. Your child.”
    The hairs prickled on the back of his neck. “You expect me to believe you see that from looking at my hand?”
    “No. I dreamt it last night. I’m holding your hand so you’ll stay and listen.”
    He studied her for a moment. She was truly lovely, st aring at him intently. Ethereal almost, with her fine, translucent skin and wide green eyes. Too bad she was loco. Nuts. Totally off her rocker. First woman he’d met that interested him slightly and she was off the deep end. First his ex-wife, and now this one. Was there a pattern developing here? Did he have a neon sign plastered to his forehead which screamed: Only the mentally unbalanced need apply? Jake turned away in disgust.
    “Please, listen to me, if only for a moment.” Cari squeezed tighter. “Remember, I didn’t seek you, you came to me.”
    “By accident.”
    “No, for a reason. Things happen by great design, you know. Not by coincidence.”
    “Look,” Jake said firmly, although not unkindly. “I’ve got to go. It’s been... interesting. Thanks for the coffee.”
    She let go of his hand. “Alright, but here’s my card. It lists my business number, my home number and my cell phone. You should be able to reach me anytime. Plus, I’m writing down my home address. Please don’t hesitate to call me anytime if you need me, even if it’s the middle of the night. Okay?”
    Jake hesitated before pocketing i t, his glance flickering over the card. It looked normal enough. “I’m sure that won’t be necessary.”
    “I hope not.” She stood up and dusted some