Page 1 of A Spark Of Revenge

ONE

Meyer

“Ten!” Lennox snarls.

I can hear the howl of a Demon as I race through the gates of the Castle, my feet pounding on the frozen path as I run for the cover of the snowy woods. Bitter cold air bites at my face as I run, and I hope I can get to the old church before Lennox or that other fucking Demon, Razar, can get to me.

My heart is pounding so loudly in my chest that I can hear it in my ears as I sprint through the dark, running off the trail that leads away from the Castle and onto the small path I followed earlier that day.

“Meyer!”

Creed’s voice echoes in the surrounding air, making my heart crack, his betrayal hurts more than everything else at the moment. I'm so freaking confused, and I know I need to take a moment to think shit through, but that won't be happening while I’m being chased through the forest with a soulless-eyed Demon hot on my heels.

“Meyer! Please wait!” Creed shouts after me, his voice slowly growing softer as I put distance between us. I gasp as I almost trip and fall into the deep snow I’m attempting to run through. In my panic, I moved off the path too soon, and the snow is hard to run through.

“Fuck!” I grind out as I hear something running behind me. Just keep going! I have to get to the church and find Valen. He can help me, I mentally tell myself, even though I'm not sure if that's true. Valen told me to run, and not to trust anyone. I thought he was being paranoid, but shit, he was right.

Only, I didn't have the time to run. I woke up to find those papers in the box on Lennox’s desk, and then Elaine came in… then Razar outside and… My mind spins as I try to refocus, my feet finally finding the worn-down trail to the old church I took earlier today. My pace quickens, and I almost scream in fear when the Demon chasing me howls loudly behind me.

He's too close. There is no way I can outrun him!

A lump of fear forms in my throat as tears prick the corners of my eyes. Shaking my head, I run as fast as I can, weaving around the dark trees of the forest. I almost sob in relief when I see the trees ahead thin out, opening up to the clearing the church resides in.

Another howl and the snapping of twigs makes me flinch and stupidly look over my shoulder, only to see the inky darkness of night. I squint as I keep moving, trying to see the monster chasing me, then gasp when my foot catches on a large rock, making me pitch forward into the small clearing. I hiss in pain as I catch myself with my hands, the sharp end of a rock slicing the palm of my hand.

Ignoring the burning sting and warm blood that now oozes from the gash, I jump to my feet and run toward the dark silhouette of the church only about fifty yards in front of me. I practically jump up the stairs and reach for the handle before freezing, my hand outstretched, as a cold sense of dread runs up my spine. I close my eyes for a moment and wrap my fingers around the frosted metal handle of the old door, praying it will open. When it doesn't, I know I’ve run out of time.

Slowly, the night turns deadly silent. The forest goes still, not even the soft sounds of the wind rustling the branches of the old trees above filter down to me. The snapping of a branch only feet away sounds much louder than it should, making me flinch, my eyes squeeze shut as I take a deep breath to steady myself. Building up what courage I have left, I peer over my shoulder and hold my breath as the black, soulless-eyed Demon stalks into the clearing with me.

A cold burst of excitement runs down my spine, making my teeth grind together in response as I watch with bated breath as the monster slowly approaches. The Demon tilts its massive head to the side, watching me closely as I turn to give it my full attention. It takes another step toward me, and I unconsciously step back, pressing myself into the wooden door behind me, never letting my gaze stray from its black eyes.

“Fuck,” I whisper when his mouth slowly opens, and I see its sharp teeth glistening with a black liquid. Venom. Lennox said their bites hold venom that can kill. A shiver of dread courses through my body as the Demon stalks closer, and the sound of my racing heart thunders in my ears.

“R-Razar?” I rasp, pressing my hands to the door behind me and praying for it to open. I ignore the sting of pain from the wound on my palm, choosing to watch as the Demon slows to a stop and stares at me. “Razar… please,” I start, unsure if he can understand me when he’s like this.

“Little Demon,” a dark, rough voice sounds from the opposite side of the clearing, drawing a startled scream from my lips as I twist and see an enormous man stepping into the clearing.

No, not a man.

A large, demented version of Lennox strides into the clearing. His fiery gaze is focused on me as the massive, dragon-like wings at his back spread wide before closing in tight, allowing him to move through the trees and walk closer.

“Did you really think you could outrun us?” he asks in amusement as he raises a taloned hand to run over one of the twisted horns resting on his temples. Holding my uninjured hand in front of me, I shake my head.

“Stop!” I snap, not wanting him or Razar, who has already halted his approach, to come any closer. My hand shakes in the air in front of me, and I desperately try to hide my gasping breaths as I eye his clawed fingertips. The scars on my back ache, and memories try to overwhelm me as I remember how it felt to be sliced open by claws so similar to the ones Lennox now sports.

Lennox scoffs but surprises me when he actually does as he’s told and stands in place. He eyes me a moment and scowls. “Why the hell are you trembling? You're stronger than this; toughen up,” he snaps, his smile fading into disappointment. Anger quickly replaces my fear, temporarily chasing away the dark memories of my past as I watch his cocky smile grow, and I glare daggers at him.

“You are a fucking, no-good piece of shit, Lennox Regalis! You lied to me!” I shout, quickly flipping him off with my outstretched hand and making the man in question grin wider in response.

“Ah, that’s better,” he says with a dark chuckle as he resumes walking toward me. “I had begun to worry you were broken there for a bit.”

“Stop!” I shout again, but this time he ignores it, nodding to Razar, who growls under his breath and stalks toward me as well.

“No,” Lennox says simply. “Unfortunately, I still need your assistance, and you will be staying with me. And I never lied,” he mutters, making my anger boil over.

“You just lied again!” I point out. When he doesn't respond, I glare at him. “And what if I don’t want to go with you?”

“I'm not asking,” he growls, eyes shining with more anger than amusement this time.

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