Cravings

“Excuse me, do I know you?”

Mandragora turned around and looked up the driveway. A woman with long brown hair pulled up into a ponytail stood in the open door of an SUV. Mandragora walked up the driveway, getting what she knew would be uncomfortably close for most people. The woman was dressed for the gym and held a large metal cup. She was leaning back and looked like she might swing her cup at Mandragora.

“My name is Mandy, I’m a little lost. Could you give me some directions? I’m looking for the Clark residence.”

Mandragora held out her hand to shake.

The woman hesitated, but shook hands.

“Kaitlyn. Nice to meet you. The Clarks? They live across the street.”

Kaitlyn nodded to the house straight across from hers.

Before Kaitlyn could get into her vehicle and shut the door, Mandragora grabbed Kaitlyn by the shoulder.

“What are you-“

Kaitlyn’s terror-filled-eyes locked onto Mandragora’s. Her knitted eyebrows eased as she relaxed.

“Good, is there anyone inside your house?”

“Just my husband.”

“Why don’t you introduce me to your hubby?”

Mandragora held out her hand. This time Kaitlyn didn’t hesitate. She took Mandragora by the hand and led her up to the front door. They entered the house and shut the door behind them.

“Did you forget something?” called a male voice from somewhere ahead.

“I’ve met a new friend. Come and meet her,” said Kaitlyn in a dull voice.

“What?” said the man as he came around a corner.

“Hello,” She stepped past Kaitlyn dropping her hand and offering it to the man.

“My name is Mandy. How are you?”

The man took her hand and looked her in the eye.

“George nice to mee…” His voice trailed off.

Mandragora smirked. His grip went limp. She dropped his hand and it fell to his side.

“Good, now that we got that out of the way I need to know everything you know about your neighbors across the street.”

“The Clarks?” said George. He was no longer looking at Mandragora but staring off into the distance.

“Yes, the Clarks. Come,” she led the couple into the front room where she would have a view of the house across the street. She sat down on the sofa.

“You,” she said pointing to Kaitlyn, “Rub my shoulders.”

She moved to stand behind Mandragora and began rubbing her shoulders.

“Sit down George, tell me about the Clarks.”

Doing as commanded, George sat down on the floor and began speaking. It only took a few minutes. George wasn’t a social person. But he knew enough. The Clarks were married with one daughter.

Mandragora rolled her head to one side closing her eyes, “Yeah, right there. That knot has been tormenting me all day.”

Mandragora opened her eyes and saw movement across the street.

Tapping George on the shoulder Mandragora said, “Quickly, go out there and talk to him. Find out what he’s doing this evening.”

George jumped to his feet and rushed out the door. Mandragora watched as he crossed the street and greeted the man.

“That’s enough dear, come here,” she said to Kaitlyn. She rounded the sofa, stopping in front of Mandragora.

“Lay down,” she patted her lap, “Rest your head.”

The woman climbed onto the sofa and rested her head in Mandragora’s lap. Mandragora pulled Kaitlyn’s long ponytail out from under her and splayed it across the couch cushion. With a gentle touch Mandragora brushed the woman’s eyes closed, tracing her long, dirty, black nails over the woman’s face.

“You have a very pretty face. I wish I could take it,” said Mandragora tracing the woman’s cheek bones down to her lips.

“Maybe once I’ve finished my assignment I can come back.”

Mandragora sighed, her hand moved to the woman’s throat. There was a twisting in Mandragora’s stomach. The spirit living within her stirred. She heard its voice in her head, ‘I grow weary of waiting. I need to feed. Give her to me. Let me devour her.’

‘Please, be patient. I will feed you soon. We can’t have people going missing. We don’t want to draw attention,’ Thought Mandragora.

The front door opened, Mandragora looked up to see George returning. He rushed to her side and dropped to his knees.

“It’s their anniversary. They are going out for the evening.”

“Good boy.” Said Mandragora patting him on the head. Her stomach growled. She closed her eyes and fought for control. ‘Patience,’ She reminded herself and the spirit. They were both starving, but she couldn’t let her hunger jeopardize the mission.

“Go upstairs and hide in a closet. You can come out in two days and when you do, you will forget that you ever saw me.”

“Yes, ma’am,” he said before racing upstairs.

“I want to spend a little more time with you,” she said to Kaitlyn. “I really like you.”

Mandragora traced her sharp, grimy nails over the woman’s skin watching goose bumps rise and fall. She heard the sound of a car door and looked up. The couple across the street got into their car and pulled out of the driveway.

Mandragora let out a disappointed sigh, “I need to go to work.”

She paused for a second, shaking her head, “I know, I don’t want to leave either, but I have to.”

She placed a finger over Kaitlyn’s motionless lips, “Don’t worry. I’ll come back for you.”

She cupped Kaitlyn’s face and smiled, “There, feeling better? Good. Time to get up.”

The woman stood up.

Mandragora followed and pulled out her wand.

“Give me your hand.”

Kaitlyn held out her hand. Mandragora grabbed her by the wrist and pressed the tip of her wand into Kaitlyn’s forearm. The head of a viper protruded out of the wand tip. Slithering out of the wand and into the woman’s skin as a tattoo. It slithered up her arm and out of sight under the woman’s clothes.

“There, now I won’t forget about you.”

Mandragora touched Kaitlyn’s face, “When I come back, I expect you to be single and to own a fast car. Go upstairs and sit on the bed. In two days you will forget you ever saw me.”

The woman turned and hurried upstairs.

Mandragora exited the house and crossed the street. She walked up to the Clark’s front door and knocked.

A few seconds later the doorknob rattled.

“You got here fast, I sent you a text like five seconds ago- Who are you?”

A pretty young girl stood in the open doorway. Her thick blonde hair fell in ringlets around her confused face. Mandragora looked into her eyes locking the girl into her hypnotic trance.

“Expecting someone?” said Mandragora.

The girl’s hands fell to her side, “My boyfriend.”

“Ah, having a little rendezvous, while your parents are out? Naughty, naughty.”

Mandragora wagged a finger at the girl.

“Aren’t you going to invite me in?”

The girl stepped aside and Mandragora entered.

“You are Lyanna Clark?”

The girl closed the front door. “Yes.”

“And you are fourteen?”

“Yes, I will be fifteen in two months.”

“Lovely. When is your boyfriend going to arrive. This is going to take a minute and I don’t want to be interrupted.”

“I’m not sure. Maybe ten minutes,” she said in a dull mechanical voice.

“Good, then let’s get the first step out of the way, come here.”

Lyanna approached Mandragora stopping less than a foot away. Mandragora was happy with the girl’s appearance. Prefect skin, full lips, and she looked so cute in her yellow dress and sandals. Mandragora twisted one of her blonde locks around her finger. It had been years since she had blonde hair.

“Are these curls natural? They look beautiful but if I have to pull and twist them for an hour… I don’t have the patience.”

Her stomach writhed. Feed, feed, I must feed. Mandragora could feel the desperation in the spirit’s voice. If she didn’t feed him soon. She pushed away the thought.

“Let’s continue, shall we?”

Placing one hand on Lyanna’s shoulder the other on top of her head, she tilted Lyanna’s head to one side exposing her neck. Mandragora cocked her head to one side. With an audible POP her jaw unhinged. Her mouth opened wider and wider. Two long white fangs descended from the roof of her mouth. As sharp as hypodermic needles. She sunk her fangs into Lyanna’s neck.

Lyanna flinched and whimpered as Mandragora pumped venom into her bloodstream. After several seconds Mandragora pulled back and reset her jaw.

Wiping drool from her mouth, she said, “Now, go upstairs and lay down. I will be there shortly.”

Mandragora watched Lyanna climb the stairs. There was a knock at the front door.

Once Lyanna was out of sight, Mandragora moved to the front door and opened it. A tall handsome young man was standing on the front porch. His smile dropped when he saw Mandragora.

He looked uncertain. His gaze scanned the house over Mandragora’s shoulder.

“Um… Is Lyanna home?”

“No. You need to leave.”

The young man was studying her face. A look of recognition rolled across his handsome features.

“You… It’s you!”

The young man dropped his hand towards his pocket. As he drew his wand their eyes met. He froze. His wand had just cleared his pocket.

Mandragora clicked her tongue, “No, no, no, no, we can’t have that. Give it here.”

The young man held out his wand. She took it.

“How old are you?”

“Eighteen.”

The spirit growled, ‘Give him to me. I grow weary of you using power without payment.’

Mandragora looked around the boy. There was no car parked on the street. He must have been dropped off. She took the young man by the hand.

“You’re a naughty boy. Lyanna is only fourteen. I think you better come inside. We need to have a little talk.”

Turning she pulls him into the house. The door swings shut by its self as he enters. Mandragora tows her prey into the living room. They stop in the middle of the room. Mandragora pulls herself against the young man’s chest looking up at him. He stares over her head, his eyes dull and vacant.

“You are very handsome,” she said as she grabbed him by the chin and forced him to look at her, “Why don’t you date someone your own age?”

She traced his lips with a dirty nail as he spoke.

“Lyanna isn’t my girlfriend. She’s friends with my girlfriend’s sister. We just met the other night. I just wanted to have a little fun.”

Mandragora felt the spirit within her surge. She could hear its voice inside her head. ‘Give the little creep to me. I need to eat. I need to eat.’

She couldn’t deny him again. If she didn’t feed him soon it would be her soul that he ate. Mandragora put one hand on either side of the man’s face and pulled him into a kiss. She drew in a breath taking the boy’s breath away. It was like a siphon, once it got going his soul rushed out of his mouth and down her throat. She let go of his face and he dropped to the ground, his vacant eyes open. Mandragora wiped her mouth, reveling in the feeling of power that radiated from the spirit within her. He was satiated, for now.

Using the boy’s wand she transfigured him into a small porcelain wolf figurine. She picked him up and placed him on the mantle over the fire place.

Leaving the living room Mandragora climbed the stairs to the second floor. She found Lyanna in her bedroom, laying on top of her neatly made bed. Her hands were folded across her ribs. Mandragora smiled. She looked like sleeping beauty. Except her eyes were open. Mandragora sat down on the edge of the bed, running her fingertip down Lyanna’s cheek.

“Silly girl, so desperate for love. You are far too trusting. I need to take your memories now. Don’t worry, you won’t feel a thing. It will all be over soon.”

Mandragora placed her hand on Lyanna’s forehead. A raging torrent of memories rushed up her arm and hit Mandragora’s mind. Her hair whipped and snapped as if in a wind. A second later her hair settled. She removed her hand.

“There, that wasn’t so bad, now was it?”

“So the curls aren’t natural,” Mandragora sighed, “Pity.”

Mandragora ran a finger over Lyanna’s lower lip, “This next part will be unpleasant, but it needs to happen.”

The monstrous spirit inside her stirred restless with hunger filled anticipation.

“I need to make room inside your body, at this point your soul is just in the way. Goodbye, Lyanna.”

Lyanna’s memories flashed through Mandragora’s mind. She paused for a second before cupping her face and gently giving Lyanna her first and last kiss. Her soul resisted, a testament to how strong she would have been. In the end her soul broke free and slid down Mandragora’s throat and into the jaws of the creature living within her. Closing her eyes Mandragora reveled in the feeling of power that washed over her.

‘The soul of an innocent is so delicious,’ cooed the spirit.

‘Don’t talk with your mouth full. It’s rude.’

They both chuckled.

Lyanna’s empty body relaxed. Mandragora tilted her head to one side to inspect the bite mark on her neck. A red inflamed ring encircled the two dots left by her fangs. The body was ready.

Using the wand she stole from the boy she pressed it to her temple. After a few seconds the spell engaged. The wand fell from her hand. She begins to shrink. Her arms merged with her body, her legs become one. In less than a minute her human body was gone, replaced by a small red and black snake. Her forked tongue flicked out tasting Lyanna’s scent as she slithered over her folded hands, over her chest and up her neck. The forked tongue flicks over Lyanna’s lips, Mandragora could taste the scent of her peach lip gloss.

Lyanna’s empty body offered no resistance as the snake pushed its way into Lyanna’s mouth and down her throat. Lyanna’s arms lash out. Clawing and grabbing the bed spread as the body convulsed. The last of snake’s tail disappeared. The body fell still.

First, a finger twitched. Then a foot. Lyanna’s body sat up and turned, putting her feet on the ground. Mandragora flexed her new hands, testing each limb. With her eyes closed she ran her fingers through her new thick blonde hair.

It’s nice to be young again.

The spirit was still savoring it’s food and didn’t reply.

With a sigh of contentment she picked up the wand from where it had fallen. She attempted to stand, but fell back. On her second try, she got to her feet and slowly walked across the room to the Lyanna’s vanity. She picked up a letter off the table. It was a letter Mandragora had seen before. One she had received a long time ago, addressed to her.

To Lyanna Clark,

We are proud to inform you that you have been accepted into The Cetus Academy of Magic.

Pointing the wand at the ground a snake shot out of the tip.

“Tell Peridian, stage one is complete. I’ll be on the boat by the end of next week.”

The snake hissed and slithered away. Mandragora sat down in front of the vanity and picked up a small tube of peach lip gloss. Rolling it onto Lyanna’s full lips and making little popping sounds as she smacked her lips. She leaned onto the desk, resting her chin in her hand. Mandragora let out a long sigh of contentment as she stared at her new pretty face. For the first time in a long time she felt excited for the future. She was going back to school. Back to The Cetus. The thought of all the innocent souls she could devour had the monster writhing within.

‘Patience, we must have patience.’