As Above, So Below

by Dana Isaly

She smiles, and it is terrifying. “Suffering is good for the soul, Branwen. Be brave. Remember, sometimes to reach the light, we must manipulate the darkness.”

waiting for karma to do all the work clearly isn’t working in my favor. She’s a slow bitch.

“That’s right. Pray to me.”

“Say it, witch. Say you’re mine.” “I’m yours, Roth.” I whimper. “I’m all yours. Always have been.” I wrap

“Good girl.”

I knew there was no going back for me at that moment. Signed. Sealed. She was mine.

“You’re alive because I couldn’t stand to see you dead.”

“If I’m alive, it’s only because you need me,” he says with a moan. His grip tightens on my hair. “And if I’m good, it’s only for you.”

My stomach is turning, the nerves bouncing around in there like popping popcorn. But even louder is my soul calling on me to do this. I’ve gone through enough pain and suffering at the hands of others. I’ve always been someone who avoided confrontation, never wanting to upset someone else just because I was uncomfortable. But I’m not that person anymore. You make me uncomfortable, I’ll make you uncomfortable.

As above, so below, what you reap is what you sow, and all that good shit.”

“You know, she really was going to let you live,” I tell him. “She has a heart of gold, my witch.” “Who the fuck are you?” he asks, his voice trembling as he tries to scoot away from me. “I’m your reckoning, warlock.” I smile. “And don’t worry. You haven’t seen the last of me. I’ll make sure of it.” I lean closer and whisper in his ear. “See you in Hell.”