Arto glanced over. “Yes, that’s the book I was talking about. Be careful, though. That’s an ancient text, one of a kind.”
“I’ll turn the pages carefully.”
“I don’t just mean that—the contents…”
He was right. Maybe this was a bad idea.
No, she dismissed the unreasonable fear as a knee-jerk reaction. This book might hold the key to the knowledge she sought. These were beings she recognized.
She probed deeper into the pages of this fascinating book seeking answers. As she progressed through the text, some of the scripts appeared more recognizable—Latin, French, Old English, and then modern English. She read the English references that delved into descriptions of what she’d encountered firsthand—portals to other realms, bleak and barren landscapes, and how to destroy demons through decapitation. She squirmed in the chair. Yes, she was on the right track. Although she’d already learned about cutting off their lifeline from heart to head from Arto, the more she knew, the better off she’d be. After all, knowledge was one type of power that could offset what she didn’t have with supernatural capabilities.
Janie spotted an illustration like the red, horned demon that had captured her. She stared at the monster, and it took several deep breaths before she could speak. “This looks like the one who kidnapped me.” The incubus had restrained her and taunted her with vile descriptions of how he planned to mate with her. Her heart pounded with a staccato rhythm.
The more you know…
Right. Raising her chin, she shook off the anxiety. She wouldn’t be afraid. Beneath the image, she read words aloud and attempted to pronounce the words in a language she didn’t recognize.
A chill crept over her skin, although no windows were open. She glanced around the room for the source of it. A fan or air conditioner? Nothing.
When she glanced at the book, dark wispy smoke swirled up from the pages. The ink of the words she’d read floated upward, separating above the surface of the page. Unease slithered along her spine.
“Arto?” Her voice trembled. “Did I do something?”
He moved closer. “Oh no. No, no, no.” His voice lowered with fear.
When she turned to him, his face was pale. He raised a hand and covered his mouth.
“What’s wrong?”
When he lowered his hand, his mouth was open, but he didn’t speak.
“Arto?” she prodded.
His pupils widened. “I don’t know for sure—but I think…”
When he left his sentence unfinished, she pushed, “You think what?”
His expression darkened with shadows. He exhaled with an audible breath. “Janie, I hope with all my heart and soul that what I think happened is wrong.”
Her heart rapped against her ribs. Sweat glistened on her forehead. She wiped it with the back of her arm and then straightened. “Tell me.”
“I think…what you said was an incantation. A powerful one.” His jawline twitched.
“Oh my God.” She raised a trembling hand and then dropped it to her lap. “Wh-what did I say?” she stammered.
Arto took a deep breath and exhaled with a slow whoosh. “You summoned a demon.”
CHAPTER4
ARTO
Janie’s blue eyes widened with stark terror as she stared at him. “What do you mean?”
Arto reached for the book and slammed the cover closed. Although it was ancient and priceless, it had to be dangerous. It might have been too late to stop what was started if what he feared came to fruition.
“I recognized some of the words you said.” He swallowed. “It sounded like an incantation. One that’s used to summon a demon.”
She crossed her arms around herself and shook her head. “No. I couldn’t have.” She leaned forward in the chair. “Please tell me this is a dark and very unfunny joke you’re playing on me, Arto. Please!”
