Page 73 of Demonic Affliction

Several winged creatures crawl to the front of the nest, staring at me with wet, unblinking eyes. I take a step into the clearing, and though they track me, none make a move to attack.

Willow…

I close the distance, and the creatures chitter, a wet clicking sound that reverberates deep in their throats. When I’m at the mouth, two of them creep forward, wings twitching, mouths spread wide in lipless snarls.

The sound that explodes from my mouth does not come from me at all. It’s something primal. Ancient. Evil.

Immediately, the creatures cower, scrambling back into the nest's dark mouth. Without thought, I follow, knowing inherently that they will not touch me. I do not know whether it is because of my tie to the Welwig or something else, but I do not care.

I duck inside the nest.

I move slowly through the darkened space. Slimy strands of the silken material cling to my shoulders, thick and wet, their feel making my skin crawl.

I find Willow at the far back of the nest, suspended by hundreds of those shimmering strands. Her body wrapped from ankle to shoulder, with only her pale face left bare. Her eyes are closed, but her chest rises and falls against the bindings.

Alive. She’s alive.

As soon as I reach her, I start ripping the strands away with my claws. The creatures creep closer again, talons clacking, mouths dropping open in soundless screeches.

“BACK!” I peel my lips back, baring my teeth in a vicious snarl. Just as before, the creatures lower to a cower, then slowly back up the walls away from me.

Satisfied, I turn back to Willow, carefully cutting her free from the last of the web. One arm under her legs, the other wrapped tight around her waist, I pull her against my chest, listening to the steady thrum of her heart.

The moment ends, and I turn for the entrance.

Unfortunately, it is now blocked by at least a dozen creatures. They don’t look like they will attack, but they also don’t seem likely to move out of the way unless forced to.

I set Willow down gently, safely out of the way. Then I go for them.

They don't fight back. Not really. They try, but the second my eyes land on them, the fight bleeds out of their bodies, and they surrender to their death.

Is it me? Or is it what's inside me?

I don't have time to answer the question. There’s a surge of power beneath my skin, and then the bloodlust takes over. I go somewhere else, somewhere distant, watching through eyes that are no longer my own. I see claws sink into flesh. I see wings tear. I see blood—so much blood. Carnage. Bodies.

I can't stop. I don't want to stop.

When I come back to myself, I'm on my knees, and I'm tearing the head off the last creature with my bare hands. Blood and sinew spray in a fantastic arc of violence. Blood soaks my skin, drips from my claws onto the frozen floor, joining the carnage littering the nest around me. I'm exhausted. Hollowed out. I don't know exactly how much of my soul I gave in order to accomplish this, but I’m starting to worry it was too much.

Willow…

Her name pierces the fog, the chaos, and the screaming. I blink, and for one blessed moment, I can think clearly. I let go of the head, and it thunks to the ground with the rest of its body.

Willow…

I crawl to her on hands and knees, dripping blood and shaking, and gather her face tenderly between my palms.

"Willow." Her name comes out cracked, barely a whisper. "Willow..."

Her eyes blink open, unfocused at first. They find mine, and my heart cracks wide open.

“Cin…” Willow’s voice is soft, hoarse. “Cin… you came for me…”

“Al…al…” I struggle to speak, to fight the energy rising, desperate to take over my body. But I won’t. I won’t let it. I breathe deep, pressing my forehead to hers.

“I will… always… come for you… Always.”

I gather her into my arms, careful not to nick her with my elongated claws. She makes a whimpering sound that tugs at my heartstrings, and I nearly fall to my knees as pain lashes through me.