by J. E. Cluney
I prayed they could hold the house until Mr Brady arrived.
We hurried through the darkened tunnel, our shoes scraping on the concrete.
“What are these tunnels?” Rebecca asked as Cathy held up a glowing hand to light our way.
“Dad wanted a back door to escape, I guess if there was ever a situation like this,” Cathy murmured, her breath coming in small bursts as we raced down the narrow concrete tunnel.
“Where’s it come out?” Marcus asked, the exertion not bothering him in the slightest.
“A friend’s home business. Dad paid him well to allow us to do that,” Cathy added, her voice low.
We fell back into a tense silence, and I knew Cathy and Rebecca were worrying for their families.
I hated that we’d left them behind.
Why the hell was I so important? Why did it have to be me?
‘Because you’re a banshee. You’re the only one who can end it,’ Marcus said softly as he took my hand and gave it a gentle squeeze.
Right. I hated it though. Why couldn’t Sasha have been on campus or something? Then again, she would’ve become a target, and I wouldn’t wish that on anyone.
I would just have to suck it up and do this.
I’d killed before.
Kind of.
‘Not sure Walter counts,’ Skip said, and I grumbled at him mentally.
Was I really ready to kill someone? To take their life?
But this was Joseph Murphy we were talking about. A man who, as we were racing for our lives, was seeking us out to steal our magic and kill us. Who had killed god knows how many people in town.
How many of them had I known too?
Would I return to uni at some point and realize so many faces were missing?
Hell, the thought of returning to uni felt out of reach.
We just had to survive the now and make it through this hell we’d found ourselves in.
“Fuck!” Cathy tripped, and Marcus flitted forward to catch her, steadying her as she sobbed and leaned against the wall.
“Why is this happening? Why’s my father trapped out there? My mom… I…” Cathy sputtered, and I stepped forward, resting a hand on her shoulder comfortingly.
“They’ll all be okay. They’re strong, they can fight,” I murmured.
“How do you know that though? Even Lucas is gone, off on some grand mission to get the weapon to kill this bastard. What if it costs him his life?” Cathy sobbed, tears streaking down her cheeks as her body shook. The glow of her hand was faltering, and Marcus pulled out his phone and flicked on the light just as her magic extinguished.
Trish stepped up beside me, and I could see the pain and hurt for Cathy evident in her face. She wanted to comfort her, but to Cathy, she was only a stranger, so she held back.
“I don’t want to lose my family,” Cathy mumbled as she slid down the wall.
“Hey, it’ll be okay. Your father and brother are warlocks. They’ll find a way through the wardings and give him hell. You’re not alone in this either, I know exactly how you feel,” Rebecca said with a sigh as she knelt down. “I just left my family behind too, to be used as magical blood bags. But I have faith in those around us that they’ll find a way out of this mess. We just have to get to safety. Protect Allison. She’s the only one who can put him down once and for all.” Rebecca flicked her gaze up at me, giving me a nod as I chewed my cheek.
“I’m sorry. I know you’re in the same boat…” Cathy choked out as she took a few steadying breaths.
“Freaking out won’t fix any of it. Besides, us shifters are the ones who are useless here. You have your magic to fight, but we don’t. We can’t fight magic or shadow monsters like you can. Marcus has his speed, but he’s not really all too good either. Sorry,” she said, shooting Marcus an apologetic look, which he just shrugged at it.
She wasn’t wrong, after all.
“Only you and Allison have any power here really. I know she’s a banshee and you’re a powerful witch,” she said softly as she squeezed Cathy’s knee.
Cathy nodded as she wiped the tears from her eyes.
“You’re right,” she said with a shaky sigh. “Freaking out solves nothing. We need to move.”
“Wouldn’t we be safest down here?” Skip mused as he looked around the quiet tunnel.
“Considering Joseph is a warlock, if he figures out we’re down here, he could easily collapse the tunnel on us or flood it. Best to get back above ground,” Marcus said logically.
“Right, shit,” Skip grumbled.
“Honestly, for a bunch of young adults, I think you’re all handling this incredibly well,” Trish chimed in from beside me, where Brad was holding her hand tightly. He really was awfully sweet to her, and I was grateful.
“We have to,” I said softly.
“It’s not like I’m too pleased to learn my granddaughter has to strike this bastard down, but it has to be done, and I’ll be right there with you all the way,” Trish said firmly as Rebecca helped Cathy to her feet. “I won’t let anything happen to any of you kids. You’re our future,” Trish said with a firm bob of her head.
“And I’ll help where I can,” Brad added as he squeezed her hand, causing her to give him a tender look.
“Well, let’s keep moving. Can’t be far now,” Skip said as Marcus took the lead, dragging me with him as he lit up our path.
“Hope no one here is claustrophobic,” Trish muttered. “’Cause I sure as hell hate being in such a tight little space.”
“You’re a werewolf. Don’t wolves live in dens?” Skip asked incredulously.
“Doesn’t mean shit. I’d rather be out in the open than trapped,” Trish shot back.
“Won’t lie, I do feel like the walls are closing in on me a bit,” Rebecca muttered.
I was just glad I wasn’t the only one holding the panic at bay from being in such a dark, confined space underground.
The underground bit only added to it. I could feel the earth around me, and it made me uneasy.
We continued moving quickly, only the sound of our sharp breaths and shoes scraping filling the darkness around us.
I was struggling to keep calm as my chest pounded and my breathing became more ragged. It really did feel like the walls were closing in on me, and considering Rebecca was drawing in fast, short breaths, I knew she was experiencing the same.
“There’s a ladder up ahead,” Marcus informed us.
“Thank fuck,” Rebecca muttered in relief.
We quickened our pace, reaching the steel ladder leading up.
Marcus handed me his phone before clambering up the ladder.
A dim light flooded down through the tunnel as he opened up the wooden hatch, and we all let out sounds of relief.
I went next, followed by Cathy and Rebecca, while Trish and Brad brought up the rear. Skip went last, wanting to make sure we were all out before he climbed up and Marcus helped him through the hatch.
“So, this is someone’s small business?” Trish mused as she eyed the shelves of potions and ingredients all around us.
“He’s a witch, sells all sorts of potions at fairs and whatnot,” Cathy said.
Rebecca was leaning on the nearest counter, sucking in mouthfuls of sweet air as the moonlight shone down through the skylight overhead and the windows along the wall.
“We’re only two blocks from the main street here,” Marcus said as he glanced out the window.
I closed my eyes, taking comfort in the fact I was finally above ground.
I’d never really thought I was claustrophobic, but then again, I’d never been stuck in a tunnel six feet under.
Fuck being buried alive. I felt true panic at the thought of all those who’d had such a shitty fate.
“Well, what now?” Trish asked as we stood in the small room. “Where do we go now?”
“We could hide out here? It’s as safe a place as any, right?” Rebecca asked as she turned and leaned her hip against the counter and checked her hair.
“This place will be lightly warded with witch magic, as I’d suspect most witch homes would be,” Marcus said as he scanned the room. “Cathy, is there anywhere else that is warded with warlock magic?”
“The police station is,” Cathy said after a moment of thought.
“Great, maybe we should head there,” Brad said.
“That means heading over another street. It’s not far, but at the same time, we don’t know what’s out there. It’s risky, going out in the open,” Skip said as he folded his arms in thought.
“I could flit us? I’d have to make a few trips,” Marcus suggested.
It sounded like our best plan of action.
“Right, that’ll work,” Cathy said with a nod.
“Someone’s coming,” Trish hissed, and the hair stood up on the back of my neck as we all crouched down low.
“Quiet, everyone,” Marcus breathed, his voice barely audible.
I could hear the blood pumping in my ears as the minutes ticked by, a soft breeze rattling the windows of the small room. This little shop must be separate from the main house, like a backyard studio, considering the building set-up.
I sucked in a breath and held it as I heard the faintest of footsteps outside.
Trish shot me a look, her eyes flickering golden as she prepared herself for a potential fight.
Skip was couching beside me, and he slid his hand into mine and entwined our fingers.
Rebecca’s eyes were flicking around softly, and I wondered if she’d just shift into a mouse to avoid trouble. That’d sure make life easy. Or a bug. No one would find her.
I’d never heard of bug shifters, were they even a thing?
The thought was gone in an instant as the handle on the door started to turn, and we all tensed up.
Marcus readied himself, and as soon as the door opened, he flitted forth.
He cursed as a blast of magic sent him flying backwards, slamming hard against the shelves and causing a crash of bottles on the floor.
Trish lurched forward, but gasped in pain as she fell to her knees, along with Skip, Brad, and Rebecca.
“That’s enough of that.”
A crippling shiver ran down my spine at the awfully familiar voice.
“Emma?” I murmured as I slowly stood.
Emma stood in the doorway, a twisted smile on her lips that was most definitely not her. Her glassy eyes only confirmed that.
“Best not try to fight me. I’m powered up by a warlock,” she said, although her voice was haughty with an underlying tone, like another voice was speaking through her.
Cathy’s hands glowed as she stepped forward, while the shifters in the room appeared to be trapped on the floor with magic.
“Don’t you try a thing, witch, or I’ll burn you up,” Emma snapped as she held up one hand, which ignited into flames.
“Don’t,” I said instantly as Cathy only hesitated. She looked like she was prepared to try anyway.
But I could sense the power Emma was emitting. Cathy, even being the daughter of a warlock, was not strong enough.
Marcus was back on his feet, but I mentally commanded him to stand down.
“This isn’t you,” I said as I stood firm before her.
“On the contrary, this is all me. But not your friend Emma,” Emma said, her mouth curling up into a wicked grin.
“Who are you?” Marcus asked as he glanced down at our immobilized companions.
“My name is Lana, I died long ago. But that darling warlock brought me back, placing me in this body with the request that I carry out his orders. After that, I’m free,” she said with a delighted shrug.
“He won’t let you be free,” I growled out.
“Oh, he will. He’s made a vow with magic. He will be held by it.” She smirked.
“What does he want?” Skip growled out from the floor through gritted teeth as he struggled against the magic. I could see his muscles straining as he tried to rise, his face tense as he exerted himself to no avail.
“Power, followers, the usual. He wants to be a grand ruler,” she said blatantly as her fiery hand extinguished and she moved closer. “And Allison. He wants your power for his own.”
“So he can kill?” I asked softly.
“Well, that’ll be part of it,” she said with an amused expression.
Whoever this person had once been, she was dark and twisted. Evil.
“Are you a witch?” Marcus questioned.
“Yes. We all had to be witches in order to take control of the psychics. We’ve been powered up by the warlock though. Nothing can stop us,” she said.
“You’re awfully talkative,” Rebecca spat as she managed to lift her head up.
“There’s no grand rush on things. He will get her. I’ll see to that,” she said with conviction.
“How’d you find us then?” Marcus asked as he stepped closer to me, but Emma held up one finger in warning, causing him to halt.
“Easy. When this lovely little witch helped her speak with her mother, she used this one’s own magic to assist. It left traces inside this witch, which I harnessed to track her. Wasn’t that hard, really,” she said with a shrug. “Tell me, Allison, are you afraid?” she asked sweetly, cocking her head as she stalked forward.
I could feel Skip fighting the magic holding him down, desperate to defend me. Marcus was clenching his fists, but I mentally begged him not to move.
I was scared of what she’d do to him.
“Emma, you can fight this,” I hissed.
“Your sweet Emma is currently enjoying a wonderful dream of a holiday with her little shifter boyfriend. She doesn’t want to fight that. She has no idea what’s going on. Not anymore. When she got that odd little message to you, harnessing the magic of yours she still had in her system to dream walk, well, I hadn’t expected that. So I took extra precautions,” Lana said with a sigh.
So that dream, Emma had been reaching out for help.
“Enough chit chat, you’re coming with me. He’ll be so pleased when I hand you over,” Lana said, then giggled softly in delight.
She started forward, and Marcus made a move too.
I cried out for him to stop, but Lana simply waved her hand, sending him smashing through the window like a rag-doll.
“Stay away from her!” Trish snapped, her eyes glowing golden as she struggled to stand.
“Such loyal family and mates. All trying to protect you. To save this wretched little town,” Lana mused, pouting softly before grinning.
If she took me, Joseph would be unstoppable. Only a banshee could stop him. And with my touch of death, no one would be able to get near him again.
He would make everyone bow to him or join him, or he’d destroy them. He’d even have the power to overthrow the Council most likely.
I couldn’t let that happen.
I wouldn’t.
“You’re not taking me,” I stated, causing her to frown as she stepped closer.
“I’d like to see you try to stop me,” she smirked before lurching forward.
My banshee writhed and cried out inside me, begging me to let her take over. I had to trust her right now. I was out of options.
So I closed my eyes, handing over the reins willingly.
The power surged through me, and as I opened my eyes again, I could feel my banshee taking over, my eyes filling with blackness as I screamed. My hair was floating around me as the eerie scream tore forth from me, and Lana’s eyes widened, terror flashing through those glassy orbs as my hands clamped down on her wrists. The skulls burned like never before, but I pushed through it, having faith in my banshee side.
Just don’t hurt Emma.
‘I won’t,’ my banshee promised deep within.
My feet rose off the floor as energy and power rippled through me, and Lana screamed, her eyes lighting up with a blinding white light.
My banshee twisted her magic, shoving it forth into Emma’s body as Lana wailed, her scream mixed with Emma’s echoing
cry.
My banshee tugged backwards, and I watched on in shock as she yanked the spirit from Emma’s body.
I stared at the ghostly form before me as Emma collapsed to the floor.
This woman looked rather crazy, with her frizzy, messy hair and bloodshot eyes. She was wearing an old maid’s outfit, and her face twisted into a snarl as she glared at me.
My hands burned once more, and Lana tossed her head back with a bloodcurdling scream as she exploded into a bright light and dissipated before me.
I knew right away that my banshee side had destroyed her spirit, moving her onto the next life, no longer allowing her access to the spirit world.
I floated back down to the floor, and my banshee withdrew as my hair fluttered down to my shoulders and the burning in my hands vanished.
“What the fuck was that?” Brad gaped as he helped Trish to her feet, while Skip helped Rebecca.
“She pulled the spirit out and destroyed it,” Marcus answered as he stepped through the doorway, looking unscathed despite his encounter with the window.
“Emma,” I gasped as I knelt down beside her, releasing a breath of relief as she groaned and opened her eyes. They were no longer glassy as she gazed up at me.
“Allison?” she mumbled, and Marcus was beside us in an instant, helping her sit up and supporting her.
“Yeah, it’s me,” I murmured as I took her hand gently.
“You got her out then, huh?” she mumbled as she gazed around at all of us while she got her bearings.
“Yeah, I got rid of Lana,” I said with a nod.
“Thank God. She took over as soon as my mom and aunt discovered her. I hope they’re okay,” she said as her expression switched to worry. “And George, oh God, is he okay?”
“He’s fine. Your mom and aunt are gone though. They’re both psychic witches, right?” I asked carefully, and she nodded after a moment with a slow blink.
“So they’re probably possessed too. At least that means they’re most likely safe. Sort of. We need to find them. You can free them too, like you did with me,” she said hopefully.
“Yeah, we’ll do that. How are you feeling though?” I questioned as she tried to stand but decided against it as she paled.
