Crimes by Moonlight: Mysteries from the Darkside by Charlaine Harris

Author:Charlaine Harris
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: Horror & Ghost Stories
Publisher: Penguin USA, Inc.
Published: 2010-03-11T05:00:00+00:00

WHEN Hope reached her new apartment, she dropped her stuff and collapsed in a purple armchair that had been left by the previous tenant.

She fell into a deep sleep and dreamed of a black wolf and a three-headed silver dog.

In the midst of sleep Hope said, “What a strange dream,” as if it were a TV show and not a dream. She awoke with a big smile and a great feeling of contentment.

“Party time,” she yelled. But when she saw the daylight outside and stared at her watch, she realized that she had slept the night through.

Thoroughly panicked, she rushed out without changing her outfit or washing her face or using the john.

First she had to stop at Pandora’s Jar and thank Aster again. No. She didn’t have time. She would see Aster later when she came home.

Except Aster was out on the street in front of her store and calling to her. “Good morning, Hope. I’m so glad you dropped by. I have a present for you.”

“I can’t now ...” The Greek woman was strange but sweet. In spite of her leathery skin, thick lips, and jowls, it was obvious that Aster had once been a beauty. She also had the oddest eyes—one green, the other black—they seemed to reflect dark light.

“Come inside. It’s a charm against any evil spirits that may be following you.”

What were a few more minutes? Hope walked into Pandora’s Jar. Her forehead wrinkled when Aster said something she didn’t quite get.

“I’m so sorry,” the old woman apologized in her guttural voice. “Sometimes I forget and speak Greek.” She pursed her thick lips, nodding wisely. “I’ll just have to teach you, that’s all.”

Aster walked Hope to a cheval glass mirror on an oak stand. “Sit.” The old woman stood behind Hope and slipped the chain over the girl’s head. “This is the Goddess Hecate. Keep her with you day and night, and you will always be protected.”

Hope gazed into the mirror at the charm, which was a small carving of a face. The face was deep green and flecked with red spots like drops of blood. It was enchanting.

Aster smiled and tilted the mirror so Hope’s face was the main focus. “Have a good look.”

More mesmerizing than the carving was Hope’s reflection. Not only had most of her pimples cleared up, but her port-wine stain seemed to have faded.

She touched her face in awe, grinned at her mirror image, and told herself that her imagination was working overtime.

Her hair was so lustrous. She was prettier. And thinner.

Utterly confused, she turned to Aster, who said, “You look very nice, my dear.”

“I know.” Laughing, Hope ran outside, caught a passing cab to the U.B.S. building, danced like a madwoman as the express elevator took her up, up, up, and barged into Vic’s office.

She was changed. More than her appearance. Her transformation had been as abrupt as an incantation and a puff of smoke. There had been no puff of smoke. Just a black wolf and a three-headed silver dog.

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