His words feel like a physical blow to my already wounded heart. His screams still haunt me, bouncing around my head like a never-ending nightmare. I squeeze my eyes close, shaking my head. This isn’t Riley. I can’t let myself be dragged under by the demon.
As I release a deep breath, I open my eyes to find Riley standing less than a foot away from me.‘Don't you love me?’he says.
My fists clench as I stare down at the brother I love more than anything. The boy who was taken from me, his memory tormenting me every day since. I could tell that this wasn't my brother as soon as I saw the cruel, calculating look cross his eyes. This is just the demon finding a new way to taunt me, playing with me. My mind clears, and I realize I hadn't let go of the dagger. With surprising speed, I swing my arm in an upward arc, and the demon staggers backward to avoid the blade. Despite knowing it isn't Riley, my hand can't bring itself to harm him. The demon morphs before my eyes, taking on the appearance of the woman from before. The contrast between her striking beauty and her unsettling red eyes creates a sense of eeriness.
A cruel, twisted smile curled her lips. “Your brother was delicious. His screams fed my hunger perfectly. I wonder if you will scream, too.”
She disappears, and I feel a sharp, stabbing pain in my back, and can't help but let out a low hiss. Spinning around, I’m met with an empty space. I turn again and my heart thumps hard in my chest as I come face to face with the demon. Before I can react, I’m knocked to the ground. The demon hovers over me. Her long nails sink into my shoulder, keeping me pinned to the ground as her face draws closer to mine. I look to the side and see my dagger lying in the dirt. I reach out my fingertips, just brushing against the hilt. I feel my frustration mounting and a low growl rumbles in my chest.
The demon begins to take shape, a sweet laugh falling from its lips. “You are mine now.”
I feel the sweat beading on my forehead as I scrape the dirt with my fingertips, trying to reach the dagger. Where is Ash?
Beads of sweat form on my forehead as I strain against the demon's grasp. I grit my teeth and let out a frustrated yell, the sharp pain in my shoulder making me wince. “You no longer control me,” I snarl.
The demon tips its head back. Its laughter is cruel and mocking, and I can feel my heart racing in my chest. But it gives me the chance I need. With a final effort, I stretch my arm those last few centimeters and feel my fingers wrap around the hilt of the dagger. Without a second thought, I thrust the blade into her chest, the force of it taking me by surprise. The demon's red eyes burn with wild intensity. I can feel its anger as it grabs me by the throat, throwing me across the ground. I tumble and roll, feeling the grass and dirt under my hands and body before I come to a stop. Quickly, I roll over to my stomach and snatch up the dagger, pushing to my knees in the dirt. Ash appears out of nowhere, looking me in the eye and giving a slight nod of encouragement. The demon's howl echoes through the trees as it rages against the spell that holds it captive under Ash's control. With a great amount of effort, I push to my feet and stumble over to where the demon is. The demon's eyes bore into me as I approach, each step making me feel bolder.
I stop directly in front of it, my breathing ragged as I fight off the paralyzing effect of its claws. “You no longer command me. You shall never feed from my misery or taint my world with your poison. I am free of you from this day forth. You will leave this world and never hurt another soul.”
The obsidian blade glints in the moonlight as I raise it up.
The demon’s eyes widen with fear as it jerks and thrashes wildly in a vain attempt to break Ash’s spell. Before it can get away, I sink the blade into its heart and mutter the words Ash made me recite the entire drive here. The ancient Latin words spill from my mouth with an ease I wasn't expecting. The demon shrieks as its body turns into black smoke.
Ash's hand gently comes to rest on my shoulder, and I slowly turn my head to look at her. With a soft and confident smile, she nods in approval.
“It is done. You're free now.”
I sag in relief, the dagger falling from my fingers. The sharp, throbbing pain from my injuries is becoming more apparent by the second. I lean forward and brace my hands on my knees, taking several deep breaths.
Out of nowhere, a wet nose pushes against my cheek. I tilt my head and my eyes meet the gaze of the white wolf. I let out a rough chuckle and drop my head again, sinking my fingers into its fur for purchase and strength. “How are you here?”
The white wolf whines in front of me, and I tip my head up to stare into its blue eyes, that have flecks of yellow flashing like lightning through them. The sight of them is so comforting, like coming home. It nudges me again and barks angrily at Ash.
I lift my hand and smooth it over the wolf's neck. “Hey, I’m okay. Ash helped me. I’m finally free.”
My vision fades in and out, and Ash crouches down next to me. “Are you able to walk?”
“I don’t know.” I sway on my knees.
Suddenly, a prickling sensation fills the air, and I watch in awe as the white wolf transforms in a swirl of mist. At least . . . that’s the best way I can describe it.
Then Salena is kneeling in front of me. I blink several times, confusion making my brain even fuzzier. I must be hallucinating or . . .
“Am I dead?” I turn to Ash.
She laughs, the sound carefree as she shakes her head.
Salena’s warm hands cup my cheeks, bringing my gaze back to her. “Are you okay?”
“Did you just. Are you? Was that you? Are you the white wolf?” Damn it. My throat feels tight and my head is foggy, making it impossible for me to express the words I want to say.
Salena’s thumbs stroke over my cheeks, and she gives me a weak smile. “Yes . . . I’m sorry I never told you.”
“You can shape shift? Are you like Ash?”
“No, I’m not like Ash. But I am a shifter, a wolf shifter.”
My head lulls slightly. “So, like werewolves?”
