Page 232 of Mayhem and Minnie

How the hell is no one hearing the noise? But then I remember the loud music playing on the ground floor and realize likely everyone is oblivious to what’s happening here.

The demon has almost entirely shed its human appearance, now taking the shape of a monster with no face. It has no eyes, no nose, only a large mouth with rotten teeth that it opens on a growl as it stops in front of me.

Oh, fuck. That shit stinks.

A smell of rotten flesh and sulfur hits me right in the face.

I turn my head to the side as I attempt to breathe some clean air.

This is so foul, I think I’m going to have nightmares about it for the rest of my life. Not the monster. Sure, it’s ugly as fuck, but not that scary. The smell, though? That shit is the most disgusting thing I’ve ever smelled in my life.

I take big gulps of air as I assess my surroundings to try to get out of this situation.

The monster is slower now. It’s in front of me, but it’s not moving. It’s simply…staring at me—though I don’t know how that’s possible with no eyes.

How does someone go about killing a demon? Do I recite a prayer? Make the sign of the cross?

Do I even know a prayer?

Damn it! I should have paid more attention in Sunday school.

As I’m racking my brain for some type of prayer that might keep this putrid thing away from me, it advances even more toward me.

“Smells good…” the same guttural voice from before speaks.

Just when I expect the demon to open that big and smelly mouth and swallow me up, I’m shocked to see it drop before me, lowering its head in front of me.

What the…

Its tentacles are now wrapped around me like a cocoon. They’re not touching me, but noxious dark smoke emanates from them, seeping into my skin.

I stand there, confused about the turn of events.

Is he not going to kill me? Not that I’d want that, but it would be more normal than the weird-ass kneeling thing this demon’s doing right now.

“Marlowe!” Minnie calls my name as she pushes the door open.

Detecting the motion, the monster shifts from its position, this time moving in front of me. Its tentacles are spread out around me like a shield.

“I’m fine,” I shout. “But if you could hurry and exorcize this demon or whatever it is that you do, that would be appreciated. It smells fucking foul here, Minnie.”

“Don’t move, Marlowe,” she grits out, coming farther into the room.

“Oh, trust me, I’m not moving,” I grumble.

If I shift my face even one inch, I’ll get another whiff of that pungent smell.

Blue shimmery light surrounds Minnie’s body. A long ice sword protrudes from her hand, her eyes focused on the demon.

It releases another loud howl.

Keeping some tentacles still around me, the demon uses the rest to launch an attack against Minnie.

She slashes at the tentacles, and as they fall to the ground, they transform into liquid tar. But it’s in vain, as others grow in their place.

“Your brother’s dead, Marlowe,” she points out as she continues slashing the tentacles.

“Right, as if I didn’t notice.” I roll my eyes. “Cara was the demon.”

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