Demon Eye by B B Reed

Author:B B Reed [Reed, B B]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2020-06-22T22:00:00+00:00

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The Spine

The following week dragged on, though it was not without contentment. Halena continued her leisure reading, finding new places to hide while she read, and minded the house maids. The end of the week drew near and the witch was stopped by one of the maids, Hilde, as she came by for her rounds, “Lady Ravenwood has called for you to join her at luncheon, along with Miss Serl. Try not to be late.”

Halena nodded and before she could ask more questions, Hilde had disappeared into one of the guest rooms for cleaning. It seemed like yesterday she had that first dinner with her and Inka instead of a month. She looked forward to the prospect and took care to dress for the occasion. Clean clothes, nothing fancy and somewhat ill-fitting had to do for now. Her nighty was folded up and stowed away in a drawer, then the needles on the nape of her neck tittered. She froze as the voice of her shadow groaned to life in her thoughts.

You sloth. You are letting them wither and waste your talent.

Her face creased with a grimace and she moved like she heard nothing, refusing to entertain the taunts. A low, droning growl dragged out while she walked down the hallway towards the dining hall, noting the painting on the wall as she passed through. She kept walking, and walking, and walking. She should have been there by now, why did it take so long? The lovely painting passed her a third time, then the true length of the hallway made her stomach flip. In the distance, it twisted into a curving spiral, all lamps and paintings glued in place. The growl was deafening, like rushing water.

Do not think you can be shared, frail flesh. She does not own you like I do.

A voice echoed through the roaring, incomprehensible noise, then something grabbed her by the shoulder. Like rubber, the twisted hallway snapped back into place at an incredible speed, making Halena flinch at the coming impact. Her eyes opened to see Inka standing before her and released her, a frown on her lips, just as surprised as the witch was, “Are you okay? You’re white as a ghost.”

“N-No, I feel fine.” Halena deflected out of instinct.

Inka gave her a look, a mixture of frustration and worry written on her face, “You were walking in place. You didn’t respond when I called your name.”

Her heart lurched up into her throat, stammering, “I’m… I’m very tired. I didn’t get much sleep last night and must have… dozed off and slept—sleep walked out here.”

“You dressed yourself even?”

“I was already dressed from this morning.” Halena innocently added, then nodded towards the doorway to the main hall, “Let’s get some lunch, I promise I’ll rest after we eat.”

Inka studied the witch in pensive silence and then sighed in defeat, “Fair enough. We best not keep Lady Jeanne waiting.”

They file into the dining room, and Halena ran a hand down her face, a sheet of sweat gathering on her hand.

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