Tate Hallaway - 04 Dead If I Do by Tate Hallaway

Author:Tate Hallaway
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2016-02-19T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 8

Eighth Aspect: Sesqui-Square

KEY WORDS: Minor Issues, Obstruction

Before I knew it, I had my coat and boots back on. The snow fell in huge, wet clumps. In the spotlight of the lonely lamppost in the cemetery, flakes rained down in a glittering white sheet. As I slogged my way along the side of the barn, I was grateful I ’d taken a moment to find my pink wool hat and fluffy blue scarf.

I tried to be sneaky, but each footfall made a splashing, spattering sound. The air, at least, had warmed slightly, but that also meant that the snowpack was melting into slush.

I was sure Teréza knew I was coming.

The barn was the classic, two-story wood structure. It had even been painted brick red at one point, though not much evidence of that still clung to the aged gray boards. Part of the roof had collapsed and, during the summer, barn swallows made their nests in the rafters.

But now, in the dark of winter, the place looked cold and dark and forbidding. At the door, I could smell the rot of accumulated years. The scent of hay mingled with skunk musk and the iron tang of rusted farm equipment.

Slowly, I creaked the door open wider. If Teréza hadn’t heard me sloshing up the hill, the loud groan of hinges gave my presence away. I could care less. I was done playing games. It was time for the direct approach.

“I know you’re in here,” I said into the cavernous darkness of the barn’s interior. “We need to talk. Woman to woman.”

Something skittered in the gloom—a soft, scraping sound of tiny claws on flagstone. I stepped farther inside.

I left the door wide-open, since the only light came from the yard light. Dirt-encrusted rakes and hoes hung on pegs along the wall. The rusted curved blade of a two-handed scythe blended into the shadows. Chains hung from the ceiling.

“Hello?” I ventured, a little less certainly. Then, hearing the timid echo of my own voice, I cleared my throat and tried again.

“Get out here. I’m done playing games with you.”

An amused, condescending chuckle drifted out of the darkness.

What I really wanted to do was crawl under a rock and hide. Instead, I squared my shoulders. She was dangerous, but so was I. Closing my eyes, I formed the image of a circle of protection around me. It surrounded me like a soap bubble, though there were tiny holes at the top and bottom. The bottom hole drew up energy from the earth. The top was there as a release valve, if I needed it. And I had a feeling I would.

“I’m not afraid of you,” I said, this time with the knowledge there was an invisible ring of protection around me, sounding like I believed it.

“Who’s afraid of the big, bad vampire?” Teréza’s voice intoned from beyond my sight.

“Show yourself.”

“I’m here. Can’t you see me, little mortal?” Slowly, Teréza’s features emerged from the dark. Shrouded by long, black hair, her pale face seemed to hover in shadows.

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