My shoulders tense, and I let out a menacing growl under my breath.
Ash steps forward, both hands landing on my shoulders. “You got this. Stay focused.”
Before I can reply, she spins on her heels, running for the trees, and disappears. I stand here for a few moments, gathering myself. I can do this. Thoughts of my brother and all I’ve suffered over the years send anger running through my veins. The thought of it coming after Salena makes me vibrate with rage.
I can barely see through the dark as I start down the path toward the lake. I concentrate on putting one foot in front of the other. Everything looks so different now. The moonlight does little to light my way, and I trip several times on exposed tree roots. My hand automatically goes for the stone in my pocket, my thumb running over its smooth surface. I calm somewhat as I stop in a small clearing by the water’s edge. Riley and I never made it to the water that night. The water is so still and serene, with a thin layer of fog softly resting on the surface.
I close my eyes and take several deep breaths, my heartbeat slowing down to a somewhat normal pace as an eerie silence settles over the area, lasting several long moments.
That’s when I hear it.
The soft sound of a woman singing.
It floats in the air, wrapping around me, but instead of the fear I’ve been expecting, anger shoots through me like an arrow. I whip around, muscles tensing as I search the woods behind me. All I see is a thick fog rolling over the forest floor toward me.
My muscles tense and my fists clench as I brace myself. The fog reaches me, swirling around my feet, climbing up my legs. My fingers flex, itching to reach for my gun. I know it’s of no use, it just makes me feel safer.
The singing started off so soft that at first I thought I was imagining it. But it’s growing louder, and now it sounds from all around. I slowly turn in a circle, my growl echoing in the air. The sound of my brother’s screams and the cracking of his bones fill my head. Instinctively, I reach up and cover my ears, but it does nothing to stop the sounds from echoing around me.
I sense the spirit drawing closer. The air ripples with its hunger. I can feel its need to consume me. A cool chill covers my entire body, then a soft voice fills my left ear. It’s too quiet for anyone to hear, but I understand.
‘I knew you’d return one day.’
I spin around, ready to strike out, but there is nothing there. A chuckle fills the air. Burning hot pain slices down my side, and I look down to see red seeping through my shirt.
“Show yourself!” I shout, my fingers flexing on the dagger’s handle as I slowly pull it from my pocket.
A shape takes form at the edge of the clearing, the demon coming into focus. It draws nearer, seeming to float just above the ground. Its long claw-like fingernails are dripping with my blood. It looks just like it did all those years ago. I never got a look at it back then. All I saw were fleeting glimpses of shadows.
The demon moves into the moonlight, and I can make out the face of a young woman. Snow white skin reflects the moonlight. Its hair is pure black. But its red-rimmed eyes are what send the tiny hairs on my neck standing on end. The form flickers between woman and shadow. A sick feeling twists my stomach as it smiles at me.
I stand frozen to the spot, unable to move my feet. It’s as if they’ve been frozen solid. Panic rises in my chest, and my eyes close. When I open them again, the demon is a foot away, leaning in closer. I jolt, shocked by its nearness. The demon jerks back and swings its arm, hitting me in the chest with an insane amount of force.
I fly through the air, my body colliding with a tree, before I land hard on the unforgiving ground. Sprawled on my back fighting for my breath, I crane my neck to keep my gaze on the demon. I don’t want to take my eyes off it again. If I am to die, I will stare death in the face.
Its crimson gaze burns into me, my vision clouded and unfocused. I can feel a trail of blood dripping down my arm, but I feel no pain. At least not yet. Ash said its claws have a paralyzing effect. That with a few swipes of its claws, I won’t be able to do much. It had already sliced my side.
Soft whispers float on the air as I watch the demon stalk closer again. “I’ve waited so long for your return. You have been my most prized pet over the years,” it hisses.
I stumble to my feet and charge forward, intent on taking it to the ground.
“I’m no fucking pet. You are done tormenting me!” I shout.
The demon swirls into a cloud of shadows, her laugh echoing around me. I spin in a circle.
“Come out and fight me,” I growl.
I'm breathing heavily, my teeth gritted as I get ready to attack the demon, but then I notice him standing in front of me. He looks exactly as he did the last time I saw him.
“Riley?” I whisper, my voice hoarse.
Riley tilts his head, his dark hair hanging in clumps over his face, partially obscuring his expression.
‘You left me.’
Ice fills my veins at his softly spoken words. “No, I didn’t.”
‘That demon took me and you just laid there.’
