Taisyia by Marisa Maichel (the top 100 crime novels of all time txt) 📕

When I first met Taisyia, it was like all my troubles would end. Little did I know it would begin a journey to solve them.

I am a wolfman, and I wanted to suppress my form that full moon. Taisyia was the closest witch, another neighborhood away. I drove to her house. I had never met this woman before, so I didn't know what to expect. My body shook, and an uncomfortable feeling gnawed in my belly.
I knocked on the door, a part of me wanting to turn around and just lock myself up for the night. The door opened revealing a gorgeous woman. My mouth opened a bit as I stared. A classic beauty, but prettier. She was six foot tall, with beautiful dark blond hair. "Levin?" she asked. I gulped and closed my mouth.

"

Yes?" "Right this way, sir." she said. As she led me away, I studied her peasant crop top and full Gypsy skirt. Her feet were bare, with a silver ankle bracelet on each ankle. Her body was smooth, her ass full, chest full, small hands and perfect feet. She had a perfect body, better than Barbie.
Taisyia measured some ingredients and placed them in a pot. I noticed we were in a small room designated for potion making and spell casting. A few wands hung from an organizer. Astrology and spell posters hung from the walls, a few taped papers hung about them. I gazed at Taisyia, wondering if she was single and what it would be like to be her husband.
Something trickled inside me, saying Levin, something's not right. I ignored that little voice. I shouldn't have. Taisyia finished the temporary antidote and filled a wine glass with the green stuff, a few wolfsbane petals scattered in the liquid. I drank it, letting it fall into me. It burned my midsection.
I let it settle, and stared at Taisyia, who smiled at me. I was struck with one question: "Would you like to go out on a date with me?" She blinked. "I don't usually date clients." she said. "I promise you'll have a good time!" I realized I was desperate now. I moved a piece of hair out of my eyes.
Taisyia studied my hair. It's long and dark blond to light brown. I usually wear it in a bun or ponytail. It was in a bun now. Taisyia finally nodded her head. "I will date you." she confirmed with a touch of authoritiveness. I should have listened to that tone, but I didn't. All I could think about was our date and that she'd said yes.
I spent two days getting ready, not drinking much, eating lightly, making sure everything was perfect. I took some money out of my account. A lot, actually. Finally, The Day. I flexed my muscles, making sure I looked great. My hair was in a straight ponytail.
I smiled to myself. I glanced at a picture of Karon, my dead girlfriend. I know, Geez, that much pain at twenty three? Yes, that much pain at twenty three. I still miss her terribly. But she'd taught me how powerful love is. She came from India to meet me, then she died a year later of breast cancer.
I felt a tear trickle down my cheek. "You never give up, do you?" "Father!" I twisted around to face my father. I clenched my fists. "Relax, son." he said, touching my arm. I know it's crazy, but he's not much older than me. He's thirty seven, having had me as a teenager.
"Levin, I have a terrible feeling about this new woman." "You spied on me?" "I like to think of it as checking up on you. Levin, I'm serious. Cancel the date. She's not good news." "Fuck you." "Levin, I'm trying to protect you, keep you safe from my rival." He smirked. My last name is From.
"I don't trust you. I haven't trusted you since the day you tore our family apart! I was willing to forgive you if you explained, but I won't after that night with Karon!" His lip trembled. "I'll leave then." "Go! Get away from me!" I cried. He turned, formed into a beetle, and scurried away.
I felt pain explode in my chest. It hurt like hell. I hadn't felt this in a year. I got myself together and waited for the bell to ring. I watched TV until it did. Two hours passed, and I felt rejected. Suddenly, the doorbell rang. I rushed to answer it. There was Taisyia, in a pink houndstooth skirt and button up shirt. She looked shocked to see me naked except for my undergarments.
"Hope you don't mind this." I said, winking at her. She hesitated, and I began to worry. "I should go." she said, turning away. "No, wait." I said, becoming desperate again. "I'm sorry. I'll get dressed, then take you out." I dressed in a white flannel shirt and black jeans. I walked downstairs to see Taisyia going through an antique cabinet.
"Are you snooping?" I asked, "Oh Lord, no!" she said, even though I'd seen her do it. Besides, her face turned a light shade of pink, making butterflies crawl through me. I saw a spider on the ceiling. Mortimer From, my father. He has the ability to form into any creature he wishes, he's a shapeshifter. I am too, but I rarely change.
Except on a specific night every month. Anyways, tonight was the night. I usually ended up in Mortimer's house or a friend's house. Most of them are supernaturals or paranormals. The friend I 'visit' most often is Taka, my kitsune friend.
I let Taisyia take my arm, leading her to my car. I drive a gold 2007 Honda Accord, a beautiful car I take wondrous care of. I saw Mortimer walking down the porch on all eight legs. Soon, he'd hide in the bushes and change to something else, probably a dog or cat.
Taisyia looked bored. She put her chin on her palm, elbow on her window controls. Her hair swished a bit, making my head spin. I reminded myself to pay attention. Mortimer had formed into a cat, a grey tabby. He ran alongside the car, trying to keep up.
Suddenly, he formed into a jogger. Idiot. Everything was the same, his tank top, blond hair, everything. I ignored him, until Taisyia saw him. Who is that?" she said, licking her lips.
"Mortimer."

"He's so delicious!" Jealousy enveloped me. She leaned toward me, straining to see the unknown jogger. "Do you know his last name?"

"From." I answered. She looked at me, eyes wide.
      "He's my father."

"He looks so young. How old is he?"

"Thirty seven. He had me at fourteen." She shook her head.

"That's too young. Children of teen parents are highly likely to develop problems." I ignored that last jab. I figured she didn't know she was hurting me, until I saw a slight smile. Another red flag waved in my head and heart, but looking into her eyes, I felt calm, wanted. Safe.
I drove to a nice restaurant that serves daiquiris. And I needed one, like now. We placed our drink orders, me with a strawberry daiquiri and her with a gin and tonic.

The ride home was silent. We hadn't talked much, except when Taisyia asked about her looks or said something about herself. She liked the color indigo, and her favorite animal was a tiger. Hmm. She asked me if I like oral sex. I didn't know how to respond to this. It was dark now, and eerie. I was uncomfortable driving at this time of night, especially on a Full Moon night. I rubbed my eyes as I pulled into my driveway. Mortimer was sitting there on the doorstep, in grey tabby form. He jumped up and followed me into the house. I was tired and not in the mood to talk. I'd been in a sour mood all evening.

I took off my clothes, brushed my teeth, crawled into bed. It was soft and warm, and I could feel my father jumping onto the bed and licking me. I ignored him. I felt him return to human form and touch my arm

"Sleep, baby," he cooed. "Sleep, my child. I will be here tomorrow. I love you, my only son. Rest, my only child!" That was a song he used to sing me. He rubbed my tender back, and I could feel pain all over. I tried to forget it, but it's the type of pain that comes with a full moon. I felt myself convulse. Something wasn't right. Taisyia's potion was supposed to work! But no, I was changing. Hair grew all over my body, my stomach and chest expanded and tightened against my boxers, and my nails grew into claws.

"Easy! Relax, kid. I'm here. I'm here. Easy, easy, easy," Mortimer repeated, holding me down. "Baby, calm down!"

"I'm trying!" I cried. Mortimer formed into a gorilla and held me down with incredible strength. Finally after almost an hour, I finally relaxed. Then I started crying. "I don't understand!" I cried. "Her antidote was supposed to work!"

"No one does this, except on purpose. Listen to me carefully, Levin. Stay away from Taisyia. She is bad news." my father said. I listened this time.

I recovered from the incident quickly. Taisyia called me a few times, but I ignored her calls. Mortimer was right, there was something not right about her. I nursed my daiquiri at my favorite bar. They were a club that was actually a bisexual club with both male and female strippers. Classical music played over the speakers. It was beautiful. Me, I was lonely. I hadn't spoken to anyone since that night, not even my friends Taka or Mitchell. I had braided my hair and stared at my drink, thinking.

"You look lonely, sweetheart." a voice said. I looked up, and a young man with short blond hair had lifted my chin up gently. You could tell he was one of the strippers, because he was nearly naked. A beautiful dark-haired woman caressed my shoulders. She touched my chest, making me gasp. She quickly pulled her hand away. Strippers are allowed to touch the patrons, unless the patrons ask them not to. I didn't ask either one of these people to stop touching me. I relaxed softly.

"Honey, look at me." the young man said. I looked at him.

"There's something wrong. Tell me about it." He and the young woman grabbed my hands and pulled me into a sex room. The man unbuttoned my jacket and caressed my belly. The young woman ran her fingers through my hair.

"I met a girl the other night. I thought I fell in love, but she spoke only of herself and she flirted with other men. I've tried, but I can't stop thinking about her." I answered.

"Forget her. Flirt with