With a roar of rage he tries to pull free, but is unable to move. A slow burn begins and his shapeless face looks at her. The black blade begins to glow red. “He is hungry for your soul, demon. Let’s not make him wait. Why were you following the girl? What drew you to her?” she demands.
His face shifts suddenly into focus. He is unable to hold the shadow form any longer. This demon is in multiple stages of rot. His face is half covered in stretched and graying skin. Half his nasal cartilage shows through, along with the bones in his neck, and jaw. His decaying flesh dangles loosely. Delighted at the disgust he sees in her face, he snarls, “She bares the mark.”
Displaying a black, jagged edged dagger similar to the sword, she aims for his only eye. Cocking her head, she shoves the black edge through his eye socket and pins his skull to the wall. His scream echoes through the alley and Elina feels the vibrations. More demons are coming.
“What mark, demon?” she questions.
Desperately he swipes at her with his free arms trying to grab her, “They are coming for you. I don’t have to tell you anything!”
“Oh, but you will tell me, demon.” Elina backs up and reaches for her power; creating a web similar to the web of a spider. She covers him completely, sealing him against the brick wall. Fading to shadow, she smiles leaning on the wall next to him. “This web is special, it hides you from detection. They won’t hear you, see you or smell you. I can wait.”
The demon stuck to the alley wall begins to spasm, in a weak attempt to break his arms and legs free. Going completely still, he feels his brothers near. He screams, rages, wails, and blusters to no avail. “What are you?” he whispers as the shadow demons creep by.
“I am the Keeper, demon,” she whispers into the cavity where his ear used to be.
In a panic, he tells her, “She is marked by a son of the One! Free me now, I have told you everything I know!” he says struggling to get free.
“How do we free her?” Elina asks, stepping from the shadow, cutting the web free, but leaving him pinned to the wall with her sword.
Sensing his freedom, he tells her “Only the one who marked her can remove it, or a Son of the Light.”
“Thank you,” she says. Elina starts to walk away, thinking about how she will help free Elsbeth. “Wait, Keeper, free me!” he roars.
“Oh right,” she says, and showers him in light. Glistening in the golden light, he begins to scream as it soaks in. Suddenly his screams turn garbled and he begins to melt like dripping wax. Elina watches as the muddy shadow swirls amongst the liquid light on the alley floor, then she pulls her skia free and walks away.
Elina waits patiently outside the medical hut for the others. They will come out soon. How to tell Elsbeth she has been marked? Hearing them return, she sighs, deciding to hold off for now. Until she knows how to cure her, she will wait.
Jake sees Elina and walks to her quickly with Elsbeth following, both clearly upset. “Elsbeth was attacked, where were you?” Jake angrily asks her.
In surprise she look as Jake, “I followed the shadows to see what I could find out, Jake but only after I knew Elsbeth was safe.”
“What did you see?” Elsbeth asks.
As he exits the medical tent, Ronnie walks over with Ruby behind him and says, “Why don’t we all meet at Polly’s and discuss this. Elsbeth should be resting after her scare.”
Elina looks at them and realizes they are drawing unwanted attention. “Good idea, I’ll ride with you Dad.” She heads to the car.
Quiet on the ride back, she says to no one, “I won’t be able to stay much longer. I have to move on soon.” Not seeing the scenery pass by, she wonders what will happen to them when she is gone. They must be able to protect themselves. In frustration, she lays her head back on the seat and rests.
After they park Elina jumps from the vehicle, “I need some air, I will be back soon” she calls to Ronnie while heading off into the woods. Not far into the trees she finds the small creek and follows it deeper. As she listens to the sound of the water rushing over the rocks, she smiles and takes a deep breath. Everything in her wants to reach for him, Malach. Her heart, her body, her spirit, but she knows she can’t. She won’t risk his soul. Elina begins to pace and mutter, “I have to find the second part of the book, but how? Maybe the connection will be with the other watchers. I have to find them!” Hearing a movement in the trees, Elina goes still. Drawing on the energy around her, she waits preparing to fight when she hears him stomping and grumbling under his breath. Sighing with relief, she turns to greet Jake.
Irritated Jake stomps through the woods. He is pissed. Every time they need her she is gone! Where was she? Seeing her smiling eyes, he walks up to her and realizes she has no idea how scared he was for her. He has seen her fight a horde or demons and do things not humanly possible, but that does not change his feelings. Damn her! Meaning only to scare her a little, Jake grabs her by her arms and jerks her body to his. Looking down into her
