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“Because of the bond?”
He nodded. “Yes. Let me know if it gets worse again, alright?”
“Okay.” I gave him a quick hug and separated. “Let’s move.”
The path ahead was exactly the same as my visit before. Nothing seemed different for several long minutes . . . until nothing was the same at all and everything changed. TheEthermorphed into another nightmare and this time I knew the cause was related to the rogue witch, Samhain, and the evil presence in Mystic Hallows.
I was being purposely targeted.
A flurry of feathers reached my ears and I turned to my left, fascinated by the plump raven that landed only a few short feet away. The bird tilted its head to the side and cawed loudly before flying back up again and perching on the branch of a nearby tree.
A low fog rolled in gentle waves across the asphalt and began to grow, puffing as it climbed higher and visibility became nearly nonexistent. The thickened air seemed to inhale and hold its breath as if waiting for someone . . . orsomething. A rattling sound could be heard behind us and off to either side. The ground rumbled lightly as I turned, trying to peer into the heavy darkness and dense air.
“Guys?” I asked, keeping my tone low.
Knocking raps seemed to bounce off the hard ground and were eerily similar to the sound of rattling bones. I almost lost my balance as the ground shook and noises like mini explosions filled my ears.
The caw of the raven caught my attention again as it hopped a few trees away in the opposite direction of the encroaching noises. I wondered briefly if the bird was trying to beckon me to follow.
How odd.
“Cassie?”
Gabe’s voice sounded too far away.
“Guys?” I repeated, worried for the first time.
That was when the battering ram slammed into my shields as I screamed, my head pounding with each brutal hit. I knew it was the rogue witch instantly. The familiar weight and heavy burden of evil blanketed my body and I couldn’t stay upright. Falling to my knees, my hands rose to either side of my head as I began to chant.
“Ancestors hear my call. Come one, come all. Banish darkness, harness light, fill me with the strength to fight.”
A surge of adrenaline and power hummed along my skin with a velvety violet spark and I hopped to my feet, no longer tortured by the constant banging, and hammering of my shields. Spinning as I heard a commotion behind me, I turned in time to see the fog lift and dozens of human skeletons approach. They were armed with long broadswords and fat round shields made of wood and reinforced along the edges with thick bands of steel. I was tempted to laugh as the bone men grinned a macabre display of faded white and yellow teeth, some gaping with empty spaces.
Really?
I stood my ground, not the least bit intimidated.
It would take more than this to defeat me.
Their bones rattled as their bodies swayed, each skeleton swinging their pointy sword with a surprisingly accurate and skillful display. Their deadly aim cut too close as I stepped backward and narrowly missed having my entrails spilling onto the misty ground. Several swipes zipped through the air as I took another step back, raising my hands and conjuring the elements.
Lightning and fire blasted the ground and pounded the skeletons. Some fell to the ground as they were defeated while others continued to fight, crawling over the bodies of one another while the bones smacked and cracked in their haste. The sordid air burned my nostrils as the heat of the flames scorched the bare earth.
Where was myCosan?
“Gabe? Ryder? Damian!”
It was as if they disappeared or never came with me. I couldn’t hear any of their voices. None of their tall muscular frames were close. Not even the scent that had become so familiar for each man lingered in the air.
What was this? Sorcery? Blood magic?
More voodoo?
Just when I thought this nightmare couldn’t become worse . . .it did.
A hissing sound filled the air as I spun, coming face to face with a giant serpent. Green scales slithered along the ground as the tail rose and rattled, the sound frighteningly loud as I screamed and hurled fireballs into the main section of its massive body. The forked tongue darted from its mouth right before giant fangs glistened in the flickering flames.
The serpent moved closer as I blasted everything that I had into the creature with the hope that I could slow it down. My mind blanked as I jumped and missed the tongue as it darted forward, saliva dripping from those deadly pointy fangs. The snake coiled its body as I backed slowly away, the mist swirling as it thickened the air once more.
