Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 80563 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 403(@200wpm)___ 322(@250wpm)___ 269(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80563 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 403(@200wpm)___ 322(@250wpm)___ 269(@300wpm)
The man looks like he’s been hit by a car and then dragged through the woods. His physical body is deteriorating at a rapid pace, yet he’s still walking around.
“Speak, demon,” Callie demands.
The possessed man suddenly acts scared. “What’s happening? Where am I?”
“You don’t fool me.” Callie steps closer and I look away from the demon to admire her. She’s wearing a high-collared black dress that ends past her knees, and has a dark cloak tied around her neck. Her face is set and she stares down the man without any fear.
This woman is fucking incredible.
“What is your name?” she asks.
“Please, help me!” The man rocks back and forth, eyes widening with fear.
“I know you’re possessing that body,” she continues “Tell me your name.”
I rush to the man, and grab him by the shirt collar. “I suggest you listen to the lady.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about!” he presses
“Maybe the demon left.” Kristy’s voice is thin and shaky.
“Maybe,” I say, knowing it’s a possibility. “I know a way to find out.” Without any hesitation, I draw my fangs and bite the man’s neck, careful to avoid arteries or major veins. Right away, I can tell he’s possessed. I turn my head and spit out the putrid blood.
“He’s possessed,” I tell the witches and wipe my mouth with the back of my hand. “His blood is rancid.”
“You can taste the difference?” Callie asks.
“Yes. When a human is possessed, their blood tastes rotten.”
“Sulfur,” she suggests.
“Yes.” I look back at the man. “Want me to kill him for you?”
“Not yet,” Callie says, though I don’t know what she’s waiting for. Is she going to try to do an exorcism? I don’t think witches have the power to preform[HW13] them, and even if Callie could, this body is too far gone. Without the demon keeping the man alive, he would have died a long time ago.
Callie holds out her hand and lowers the ball of light. I let the man go, pushing him down against a tree.
“Tell me your name, demon,” Callie tries again.
“You are not worthy to speak my name, unclean witch!” Foamy saliva drips from the man’s mouth. The demon inside has poisoned his body, and if there’s any trace of him that’s still alive, the poor fucker has to be in agony.
Callie brings the energy ball closer to the demon, eyes narrowing. She’s staring at him in question, but I see a desperation in her eyes. She’s searching for something, an answer to a question that’s eating her up inside. I know because I recognize the look from personal experience.
“What do you want with me?” She asks and brings the energy ball even closer, causing the demon to let out a yell from the pain. It’s toying with her, and it’s pissing me the fuck off. Growling, I move closer. Between me and Callie, the demon doesn’t have much time left on this earth.
Callie stares him down, heart speeding up as she looks at the demon. For a brief moment, the anger leaves her face and her expression is full of pity. I don’t think she feels bad for the demon, but for the man the demon possessed.
“Can you hold him spellbound?” she asks, pulling the energy ball back. “Try to get into his mind and make him talk?”
If the man is alive, there’s a chance. “I can try,” I reply. “There might not be much of his mind left.” I kneel down on the forest floor, making my face level with the demon’s. I look into his eyes, searching for even a shred of humanity to grasp onto. The man’s eyes are empty, and it’s almost like I’m looking into mirror.
The vast emptiness did take him over. It hasn’t claimed me yet, and with Callie standing behind me, I don’t feel like it will. I force my will deeper into the man’s mind, and find a tiny hook of sanity. I grab onto it and pull, until he’s under my command.
“What is your name?” I ask.
The man opens his mouth, fighting against the demon inside of him that’s trying to keep him from obeying me. Drool drips from the man’s lips but no sound comes out.
“Why did you attack Callie?”
A strangled noise comes from his throat as the demon causes the man’s body to twitch, trying to break my hold.
“Gate…gate…” he pants.
“Gate?” Callie echoes.
“Keep talking,” I command.
“Gate…gate…keep…gatekeeper.” The words come out forced and breathy, as if it took all the energy and life left inside of him to speak. The demon takes over, breaking my hold. He jerks away and throws himself on the energy ball hovering in the air.
His body sizzles for a few seconds before collapsing onto the ground. The demon killed itself before we could get more information, which can only mean one thing.
Something—or someone—would do far worse to it than we could. It’s working with or for another. Callie could still be in danger, and the thought of anyone else harming her causes anger to ripple through me. I don’t know Callie. Shouldn’t care, but I do.