Ghost (The Halloween Boys #1) (106)
The creature stood on knobby two legs but had the body of a large goat, with enormous bloody horns to match. I’d seen many monsters at Hallows Fest, but nothing like this.
The giggle sounded. The giggle I’d heard in my daydream earlier . . . eerie and echoing. A little girl’s laughter.
“So why not grab me? Why the letters and games?”
“Luck seems to be on your side. Somehow, every time a demon went right, you went left. And being invisible made it difficult. If you weren’t actively frightened, you were damn near untraceable. Nonexistent. Sometimes we could see you through your dead father’s skin. But we had to keep scaring you. What better way then with what scared you most? Your dead daddy. Wretched fellow, head full of horrible thoughts.” The goat-thing continued stirring. “But then something curious happened. Your fear went away . . . and we couldn’t find you again. Come to find out, you’re fucking an Archdemon.” Her laughter was sinister and hideous. “Wow, I sure do love a plot twist. When you’re as old as I am, you always see them coming, but I didn’t see this one. No, I did not.”
“Who are you? Why do you want me?” My voice was strained.
It ignored me. “However, you picked the most arrogant son of a bitch Archdemon amongst us. Him and his crew are thoughtless. Wreckless. Think too highly of themselves. But hell, even the witches didn’t know what you are so maybe I can’t blame them for not seeing it. I mean, that’s a part of your schtick right? No one can see you coming. Clever.”
“What am I?”
“Hmm . . . honestly, it’s easier for me if I don’t tell you. Poison time!” She giggled. “You’re so afraid.” She laughed again. “It’s delightful. Just delightful. It tastes like . . . some human thing I don’t remember. You’ll work just fine. I’ve been chasing you long enough I would hope you’d work fine, anyway.”
“What—”
“Don’t bother speaking. You won’t be able to remember soon, anyway. Little smoke ropes, so fun. James doesn’t know how to use them.”
James. Who was James? My head was fuzzy, and my shoulders felt like a weight pressed upon them.
Then I remembered the talons. I searched, trying to angle my chin. “Raven,” I rasped.
“Oh, your filthy crow? Over there.” She gestured with a hoof.
Lying on the ground, limp, unmoving, was Raven. His perfect black wings were outstretched in the worst way. Grief stung at my ribs. “Fuck you,” I ground out as hot tears flooded my eyes.
Something inside me screamed to give up. Let her have me and let it be over. And then I remembered his blue eyes, his smile. I remembered breakfasts, and crossword puzzles, and trips to Fenrir. I had to get out of here. They needed me. I needed them. My family.
“Nasty language for a lady. You don’t deserve such a fine dress.” She giggled again and turned to face me. “My dresses were finer. . .” Each step she made clanked against the tile floor. She was so tall and moved in an unnatural way. And aside from just the terrifying look of her and her dark fur from hoof to horn, she didn’t look particularly strong. But I knew that wasn’t true. The life draining quickly from my body let me know this was a powerful and malevolent force. “You’re not that pretty. I was prettier than you. My hair was so blonde and fine when I tied it in blue ribbons,” she said wistfully. “If you look ugly now, just wait until I’m done with you. You’ll be hideous. Here, drink this.” A gangly limb pushed a bubbling drink at my face. I had to be smart. I couldn’t cry and panic. I needed to outsmart her. And I was running out of time.
“Liar,” I choked out.
She recoiled, red eyes flashing. “Excuse me?”
“Look at you, there’s no way you’re more beautiful than I am. You’re lying. If you’re going to kill me, or do whatever it is you’re going to do, you may as well be honest.”
She heaved a piercing shriek so loud it shattered glass. I only hoped that somewhere, somehow, Ghost heard it. Or Onyx, or Wolf . . . the witches . . . vampires . . . somebody. Where was everyone?
“I was the talk of Ash Grove, to be married to the town physician. We were going to travel and have babies . . . ,” she trailed off, something in her eyes shifting. But it was gone as quickly as it came. “I don’t have to prove anything to you. All I have to do is bring you to my master and I’ll be rewarded. Finally, I’ll be freed from this wretched form for a newer, less farm animal one.”
“Who’s your master?” I asked as the cup touched my lips. My chin dangled now, I was almost spent. She pressed the goblet rim into me and pulled my hair, tilting me back until hot liquid dripped into my mouth and down my chin, causing me to choke as it trickled down my throat. She looked pleased. That couldn’t be good.
Her goat-like head angled, and she watched me through rectangular irises. “I could play with you first though. My master would never know. It’s an ugly form, to be sure, but it’s better than mine. How about we trade?” She giggled. “Oh, if we trade, do I get to fuck an Archdemon too?” She laughed maniacally.
“Ames would never touch you. Pretty or not. And you won’t touch him either. I won’t let you,” I said through gritted teeth. The ropes tightened on my wrists and a new one wrapped around my neck, squeezing like a snake. I coughed a wet choke. I didn’t want to think of why my throat felt wet and sticky.