The Countdown Begins
The Countdown Begins
Vera didn’t move. Her grip on the wrapped dagger tightened until her knuckles ached. The cold metal beneath the cloth seemed to pulse faintly against her palm, almost alive. She stood resolute, trying her hardest to keep her nerves in check while she dealed with what she’d understood to be a force to be reckoned with.
“I want the girl first. Sandra. Bring her to me unharmed, and you get your dagger.”
Orishirishi tilted Eleanor’s head, the smile never fading. “After you hand it over, the child will turn up safe and sound. Just like little Tommy did. You have my word.”
Vera’s laugh was sharp and bitter, cutting through the fog. “Your word means nothing to me. I’ve seen what you do. I’ve seen what you are. I know what you think of us humans and what you intend for this town. You’re a monster, and you can’t be trusted. Give me the girl first. Then you get the blade.”
The demoness’s expression darkened after hearing the sheriff’s words. Impatience flickered across Eleanor’s wrinkled features like storm clouds gathering. She took a single step forward, the fog parting around her feet. “You test my patience, Sheriff. Hand it over. Now… before I lose my cool.”
Vera stood her ground, heart pounding so hard she could feel it in her throat. “No, I won’t.”
Orishirishi lunged forward. The movement was blindingly fast—a blur of pale skin and dark intent. But the moment she crossed an invisible line on the ground, she froze mid-step. Her body jerked violently, as if hitting an unseen wall. Confusion flashed across her black eyes. She tried again, pushing forward, but her feet would not move beyond the circle.
She was trapped where she stood, and she didn’t understand why. She looked down and noticed what it was that held her still. Etched into the damp earth beneath her was a perfect circle of ancient holy symbols—carefully drawn with salt and chalk.
A Hell’s Circle. An old, forbidden technique humans had learned long ago to trap beings like her.
Orishirishi’s smile vanished completely. She tested the barrier again, pushing with all her strength. The air around the circle shimmered faintly, resisting her. A low, frustrated hiss escaped her lips. Part of her was enraged by his insolence, but there was a part of her that was seriously impressed. She truly did not see this coming, and now she had to think of a new way to get what she came for.
“Clever,” she said, the word dripping with venom. “Very clever, Sheriff. You’ve trapped me. But this betrayal has a price. The child will die now. Slowly. Painfully. Because you broke our deal.”
Vera’s stomach twisted, but she kept her voice steady. “If anything happens to Sandra, then you’ll stay trapped here forever and I will make sure that every waking moment you spend here will be the worst hell you’ve ever been through.”
The demoness laughed—a horrible, layered sound that echoed through the grove like breaking glass. “Trust me, Sheriff. You have no idea what Hell is like. You think this changes anything? I have other ways. Other vessels. Other children.”
Before Vera could respond, the sound of approaching footsteps cut through the tension. Headlights from another vehicle swept across the grove. Kane’s truck pulled up beside her cruiser. Kane, Kivior, and Lina stepped out, their faces grim and determined in the harsh light. They walked forward together, stopping just outside the circle, everyone looking serious as they stared at the prey caught within their snare.
Orishirishi’s black eyes narrowed as she regarded the new arrivals. “The whole gang is here. How touching. I’m pretty sure that the preacher and his bitch are the ones who came up with the idea of trapping me in this circle. All I wanted was my blade, but now you all have incurred my wrath.”
Kane’s voice was rough, still carrying the bruises from earlier. “You’ll get your prize. But first, tell us where the girl is. We bring her back safe, then Vera hands over the dagger and breaks the circle.”
Lina stood beside her husband, her voice calm but firm. “No tricks. No delays. The child’s location. Now.”
“You already broke the first deal that I made with you. Clearly, you guys are the dishonest ones in this exchange here. How can I be guaranteed that you’ll fulfill your end of this arrangement if you didn’t do so the first time?”
“We took precautions against you, demon. You can’t blame us for that. However, if you tell us where the girl is and we bring her back safely, then we have every reason to give you what you want,” Kivior added.
The demoness stared at them for a long, tense moment. The fog swirled thicker around the circle, the cold growing sharper, biting into Vera’s exposed skin. Finally, Orishirishi spoke, her voice dripping with reluctant fury.
“The Hawthorne Library. She’s there. But you’d better hurry. In less than an hour, the rest of the spell activates. She will be led to the river… and executed.”
“How do we know you’re not lying to us, and sending us on a wild goose chase?” Kane asked angrily, waving his axe at her.
“You’re just going to have to take me for my word, hunter. Tarry along now. A little girl’s life is at stake.”
Kane, Kivior, and Lina exchanged quick glances. There was no time to doubt what the demoness had said, so they knew they had to take action. Without another word, they turned and hurried back to the truck. The engine roared to life, and they sped off into the night toward the library, leaving Vera alone with the trapped demoness.
Orishirishi’s black eyes locked onto Vera once more, the smile returning—cold, patient, and full of dark promise.
“How much would you like to bet that your friends won’t succeed in saving the girl?” Orishirishi taunted, laughing haughtily as she banged her palms against the invisible barrier.
Vera ignored the comment. Just standing there, hoping for the best outcome. Time was of the essence. The countdown had begun.