The Long Shadows of October by Triana Kristopher

Author:Triana, Kristopher [Triana, Kristopher]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Grindhouse Press
Published: 2019-09-16T16:00:00+00:00

“There’s still time,” her wraith said. “Fate remains uncertain. But you have to get everyone out of that house before it’s too late.”

Kayla tilted her head. “Wait a minute. If you’re my double then how do you know all of this when I don’t?”

“Because the others have told us; the shadow people . They know the secrets.”

At the sound of their name the spindly creatures moved behind the spirit doubles, lurking in the hollow like smoke, having been there all along, but unseen, bending the light like black holes.

Kayla took a step back. “What are they?”

“They are all that remain of the ones Hazel has taken, but hasn’t imprisoned behind the walls of the manse, those she’s killed but does not desire. Every victim has had their soul stolen, and Hazel has stolen their image so that she may use it to lure further victims. Without their souls and images they are forced to become shadows of their former selves. They too are neither alive nor dead and cannot rest until they are freed, but some don’t even want to be free; some are still seduced by her and totally devoted. They’re trapped in the purgatory she has created—their souls in the house, their shadow selves banished to the forest of Black Rock Mountain, the source of the power.”

Kayla put her fingertips to her temples. “This doesn’t make sense.” Tears of frustration brewed in the corners of her eyes. “I don’t understand. Why would Joe kill me?”

“Because that’s the way Hazel wants it. She will seduce him and he will become her slave. Once she has his undivided devotion she will make him prove his love by killing you, thereby surrendering his soul to her while offering yours to the dark forces within the mountain. She will keep your body image, and you will become one of the lost, one of the shadow people, banished to these woods for all of eternity.”

Kayla took a deep breath, her skin tightening.

“What about Mrs. Snowden, who hired Joe and Danny? I mean, she must have found out what her daughter was doing. She must know what she’s become.”

The wraith nodded. “She does. She fears her daughter but still loves her. She’s all she has in this world now, and while she didn’t lead her daughter to the dark arts, she too has dabbled in sorcery, long before Hazel did. Her maiden name is Breen. She comes from a long line of Celtics, many of them masters of the craft. It’s in the Breen blood. They cannot escape it.”

Kayla crossed her arms. “So the bitch set us up?”

“Yes. The bitch set you up .”

Tubular music echoed through the hills like owls calling. The city clock chimed, ringing once for each hour of the day, and with each clang of the bell the wraiths receded into the leaves that spun into dust devils at their feet.

“Wait!” Kayla cried out.

But they were already vaporizing behind the veil of leaves, a gray froth finding the afternoon shadows and nestling there.

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