Enveloped in flames, light streams from my chest.
There’s a thudding sound, and I turn my gaze to the window. A flock of birds has gathered outside. They beat the windows with their wings, again and again, and the thudding continues.
Adrial bellows.
I don’t dare look at him directly, but when I take a step closer, his feet shuffle toward the door. His bellow morphs into a high-pitch snarl. I stretch out my hand, my palms now spilling with brilliant light.
Pressure builds in the air, and all at once, it expels.
He’s forced outside, and when I hear the door slam upon him, I jump forward and lock it. I catch sight of him then, on the other side of the glass, and it nearly breaks my mind.
His skin is poxed, opening into tiny holes filled with black sludge. His eyes, large and inhuman, bulge like overblown balloons from his sockets. Worms slither around him and through his skin, wet and slimy, leaving viscous brown trails in their wake. His large grin eclipses it all, revealing a mouth flooded with blackened gums, broken teeth, and yellow dripping bile.
His grin dances, turning angry before becoming gleeful and sickening again. On fire, he cackles, a terrible final sound as he disintegrates to ash.
I twist away and cover my face with my hands, slumping to the ground. The birds snap their wings on the windows.
Everything feels like it’s melting. Gripping my chest, it feels like I’ve been torn open.
Curling up into an agonized ball, I sob.
Chapter15
Waiting for Darkness to Come
Summer
Terrified,I try to relax while shudder after shudder wrenches my muscles. Breathing is still a challenge. I crawl behind the counter, huddling against it and the wall, leaning on Zuriel’s legs.
Lifting my shaking palms to my face, I study them. The light has ebbed. The fire in my chest has lulled. Only a metallic taste in my mouth remains. Maybe I bit my tongue.
Ginny approaches me cautiously, rubbing her head against my legs. Stunned and bewildered, I peer up at Zuriel, wiping the crust from my eyes.
I’m safe.
I stare up at him for what seems like hours, my mind drifting in and out of a fugue. Raveling and unraveling, trying to make sense of things that don’t make any sense. Sleepily, my gaze trails after Ginny.
When she ducks out of sight, I straighten, jerking all over, and wrench my eyes closed.
Behind my eyelids, Adrial’s monstrous form remains, leering at me. It’s fading but not fast enough to keep my fear at bay. Try as I might, I can’t force him out of my head. My brands throb, tired and spent, reminding me that I’m not alone.
Reaching out, I slide my hand over the hooked claws of Zuriel’s large draconic feet and grip them. The stone is cold, and I lean forward, resting my brow on him, letting his coolness ease me. I stay there, just breathing.
I’ve nearly fallen asleep when the museum’s phone rings.
Fuck. I forgot about Dad!
I jump up and answer on the second ring. “Dad, I’m sorry. I was about to call you!”
“Summer,” he mumbles, annoyed. “Youpromised.”
“I know, I know. The time got away from me. I’m fine though, everything is good. I even saw Carol this morning.”
“The cat lady?”
“Yeah.” Guilty, I peer at Ginny as she jumps onto the counter. “I, uh, picked up a cat for the museum.”
There’s a moment of silence that makes my throat tighten.
