He moved as if he were going to start back down the stairs, but the shadow cleared the distance more quickly.
“Wait a second!” I called a breath too late.
The shadow shoved Oli. He tumbled down the staircase, hitting his head against the banister on the way.
“For every day you stay away,” it said, “I’ll do this or much worse to anyone who gets within spitting distance of you. Can you avoid a whole town of friendly neighbors, Octavia? Do you want to be the reason for so many accidents? We already know you can’t stand having the others on your conscience.”
It looked down the stairs and laughed. My tongue throbbed, blood sharp as it trickled down my throat. I pushed away from the doorframe, propelling myself into the same space as the demon once more.
A group of people had gathered around Oli at the bottom of the staircase. His husband held on to his head, resting it in his lap while someone else hurried to grab the landline and call for help.
“It’s fine,” Oli slurred. “I’m just…I think I tripped…”
Rae, Wilson, December, Jonah, and Nico were in the small group of people gathered around Oli. When they looked up to find me at the top of the stairs, a dark cloud of concern marred their expressions.
“Every. Day,” the shadow whispered; a faint memory of fingers around my neck made me flinch.
Rae started up the stairs, skipping two at a time.
“Until you come home to me,” it promised and released me as soon as Rae grabbed my shoulders.
“What happened?” she whispered, scanning my body for new bruises.
“I have to go back.” I barely registered her touch on my skin. Or the concerned voices below. I was underwater, and everyone above the surface had yet to dive in.
“What are you?—”
“As soon as possible,” I said, not for a second entertaining another option. “I have to go back to the ranch.”
EIGHTEEN
I swam against the tide,trying to get a hold of her. Octavia had her packed bag in her truck. She lingered in the inn lobby, waiting to be checked out. The innkeeper had yet to come back from the hospital where he’d taken his husband.
“Via,” Wilson insisted for the umpteenth time under his breath. “Would you just listen for a second? Stay one more night until we all figure something out.”
“I’m not staying. The message was crystal clear. One more night could be worse. What if the next person’s you?” She wouldn’t meet her brother’s gaze. Octavia refused to look at any of us after the accident happened.
The innkeeper’s car rattled into the parking lot. December was at the window, peeking through the lace curtains. When she turned to me and nodded in confirmation, my stomach lurched.
I hurried outside with my phone in hand. Gravel crunched under my limping step as I neared the RV for privacy. The call rang until the very last second. I breathed out a heavy sigh, pinching the base of my neck.
“I work fast, but not that fast,” Daylan grumbled, his voice scratchy from lack of sleep, or water, or socialization.
“I need you to tell me everything you know about fending off a demon,” I said quickly. “Defensive and offensive attacks.”
“Whoa, slow down.” Bedsheets ruffled on his end. “Why are you jumping the gun? I thought we had a plan. A nice, slow-burn plan. You practice creating the trap first, test it, and then we move onto the next stage.”
“We don’t have time for stages; this thing showed up at the inn.”
“Itwhat?” His voice was louder, consciousness finally pulling him through to the bright side of the morning.
“The demon was here, and it injured someone as a threat to lure Octavia back to the ranch,” I explained. “And it worked.”
“It followed you all. So that means…”
“It’s strong enough to leave the ranch. The primary source of energy isn’t the land; it’s her.” I winced, saying it out loud. Words were power, and this confession was like giving mine away.
“Your friend’s in for a ride.” Daylan’s laugh of disbelief made my jaw clench.
