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I probably shouldn’t be objectifying this guy when he’s just been held at gunpoint in my mother’s foyer but it’s hard to look away from him.
“If everyone could put down their weapons, we could have a civil conversation,“ I say, looking pointedly at Luke. “I think Malon is here to help us.“
“We could tie him up,“ Misha says.
“No, we’re not—Jesus Christ, can we just go to the living room? What’s he going to do? It’s fucking disgusting outside right now. Even when the rain stops, he’s probably not going to want to go out again for a bit.“
“Fine,“ Luke says, lowering the axe. He’s still holding it at his side. I don’t think he’s going to drop it any time soon.
Malon flashes me a grateful smile and I feel my heart drop in my chest. Maybe this isn’t a good idea. I don’t actually know this man. He could definitely be a threat.
It’s too late to think about that now. We’re walking toward the living room, Malon ahead of all of us. The tension in the room is almost unbearable, the slap of fish against the roof slowing until I can hear nothing but the slow drizzle falling from the trees and on the roof as the rain stops.
Sunlight floods my mom’s airy living room.
“Sit,“ she says, still glaring at him.
Malon does as he tells her, sitting down on the sofa in front of her noisily, his hands on his knees. Everyone else stands around the room, flanking him, with Luke standing by the door so that Malon can’t just run away.
Malon sighs, his shoulders slumping. “We don’t have much time.“
“Then you better start talking,“ my mom says, crossing her arms over her chest and leaning against the wall as she stares him down. “My patience is wearing thin.“
MALON
I’m not scared.
Not of the people surrounding me, anyway.
If these people didn’t look like they were so afraid of me, I would probably ask for a glass of water. Unfortunately, everyone looks terrified. I don’t really think that they’re going to be very receptive to what I have to say.
Trine is the only person who seems to want to listen to me. Even then, she’s skeptical. I can’t blame her. I would be skeptical too.
My gaze flits up to find Aura. I’ve heard of her–obviously, it would be hard not to hear of her–but she’s even scarier in person. I know she’s semi-famous, but it’s not about that.
There’s only one human being who has managed to survive a possession without an exorcism.
Her.
I’m not sure how she’s managed to do it. I do know she’s been subject to some sort of protection ever since the possession first started, but it’s not like I’ve been able to ask. Contrary to popular belief, I’m not friends with every single demon who exists. I can’t imagine having enough time for that.
“Well, are you just going to fucking sit there?“ Aura asks.
I grimace. “Right, sorry,“ I say. “I don’t want to scare any of you, but there’s a war coming. And I think, unfortunately, everyone in this room is on the front line. Except…who is that guy?“
“My husband,“ Aura says. “Ash.“
“Right, except Ash,“ I say. “I can’t see how you factor into this at all.“
Ash opens his mouth to answer, but Trine takes a step toward me. She kneels in front of me, tossing her blonde hair behind her shoulder, her wide brown eyes on mine. “What are you talking about?“
“You must’ve noticed it,“ I tell her. “It’s not just you who’s been having weird dreams or dealing with stuff like this. Everyone’s struggling. My, uh, people, they’re affecting creative people first. But that’s only because all of you have more pull than everyone else.“
“But why?“ Trine asks.
Misha takes a step toward her. He towers over me, making it clear that if I even move a muscle, things are going to get bad for me. I don’t care much about my own safety, but I know Trine has been through enough. I wish I didn’t have to burden her with this, but I don’t have a choice.
I wasn’t the one to choose her.
