When he can, I heard the hag’s voice whisper inside my head.
“I gave you a new invention, babe,” he continued. “Helped with your healing and wrapped you in cotton wool. I’m helping you.”
“Tony, you’ve…” I took a breath. “Is this about you being fired?”
His grin dropped. “Huh?”
“You’ve taken it badly,” I said, knowing full well I walked on eggshells. But fuck it. “I’m sorry things went wrong. But you’re a talented actor. There’s got to be more jobs out there for you.”
Although he was a drunk-driving piece of shit who deserved to wear the shame.
He smacked his lips. “Says who?”
I didn’t know how to answer.
“People hate me now. I went from there,” he pointed at the ceiling, “to here,” he jabbed his finger at the floor. “No one wants me. I’m tainted goods, babe. They say I should do some reality stuff to boostmy profile in a year or so. Let things cool down for bit first.” His nostrils flared. “No way.” The smile returned. “I’m answering a spiritual calling. You’ll see. Everyone will see.”
Fuck. This was bad. “What calling?”
“If you stay, you’ll have ringside seats to the action. And you’ll have the best life. I’ll give you everything you’ve ever dreamed of.”
Oh, I wouldn’t be staying here any longer than necessary. My ex was unhinged, wounded by his firing, and all my temptation had been tossed into an incinerator.
But one more question. “How are you a were-creature and a witch?”
He chuckled. “Because I made it possible.”
My anxiety did the Tango. “Care to tell me how?”
He looked up at the ceiling. “Don’t leave me. I want you with me on this.” Eyes back to me. “Unless you want to do things the hard way. You always liked things hard, didn’t you? Fucked me hard, whipped me hard. Just how I liked it.” His flesh began to ripple, his eyes widening along with his grin. Fangs burst form his gums as his mouth spread, flesh tearing bloodlessly, his head changing shape.
Oh. Fuck.
He fell onto his hands and knees, crying out in pain, clothes tearing open, his entire body shifting and growing, fur bursting from his skin.
Time to go.
I launched myself off the bed, feeding off a surgein adrenaline. I expected to find the door locked, but it came open.
“Don’t go!” Tony cried, his voice distorted. “Don’t go!”
My heart felt like a gong on drugs. I barreled into a dimly lit hallway of more peeling wallpaper and windows so filthy they kept the outside at bay.
I hurried across the bare floorboards, passing closed doors, reaching a stairway and a bolted front door.
“Isaac!” Tony wailed, voice filled with agony. “Come back! Come back! Come back!” His screams practically shook the house.
Terrified out of my fucking mind, my powers still on lockdown, I slid the bolt away and yanked the door open, sprinting into the rain.
I ran through an overgrown garden, surrounded by darkness aside from lampposts beyond the hedge lining a quiet street.
From what I could make out, there were no other houses around.
Where was I? And did I go left or right?
“Isaac!” Tony roared as a series of crashes came from the house.
I glanced over my shoulder, already soaked to the skin. Most of the house was hidden by the night, only hints of its dilapidated state on show.
