Page 56 of Witch's Promise

Sean's heart raced, adrenaline and the rush of using his long-dormant powers making him light-headed. He pushed through it, focusing on freeing Jessy. "I said run," he growled, slicing through the last of her bonds.

Jessy didn't need to be told twice. She bolted for the stairs, her bare feet slapping against the stone floor.

"Now then," Sean said, turning to face Riley fully. The shadows writhed around him, responding to his will in a way they hadn't in years. It felt right. Natural. Like coming home after a long absence. "Where were we?"

Riley's eyes narrowed, all pretense of amusement gone. "You're making a mistake, Sean. You could have been part of this. We could have ruled Salem together, shaped it into something greater."

"Greater?" Sean scoffed, disgust coloring his tone. "You mean more corrupt. More violent. No thanks. I've seen where that path leads, Riley. It ends in blood and regret."

"Always the martyr," Riley sneered. "Fine. Have it your way. But don't think this changes anything. You're still the same killer you've always been, Sean. No amount of playing hero will change that."

Riley's words hit Sean like a physical blow, stirring up the ghosts of his past that he'd been trying so hard to outrun. For a split second, doubt crept in, threatening to paralyze him. Was Riley right? Was he just playing at being a hero, pretending he could wash the blood from his hands?

But then Sean saw the manic gleam in Riley's eyes, the twisted sneer that spoke of a man so far gone he couldn't see his own madness. And in that moment, Sean knew. He might never fully atone for his past, but he sure as hell wasn't the same as this monster before him.

"Maybe you're right," Sean growled, shadows coiling around his fists. "Maybe I'll always be a killer. But at least I'm trying to be better. What's your excuse?"

Riley's face contorted with rage, all pretense of control evaporating. "I don't need excuses!" he roared, his hands erupting into flames. "I'm going to reshape this city, and if I have to burn it to the ground first, so be it!"

The first fireball came screaming towards Sean's face, so fast he barely had time to duck. The heat seared his skin as it passed, singeing his hair and leaving the acrid smell of smoke in its wake. Sean rolled, coming up in a crouch as another flaming projectile smashed into the spot he'd just vacated.

"Fuck," Sean muttered, his eyes darting around the room for any advantage. The basement was a deathtrap, all enclosed spaces and flammable materials. He needed to get out, to draw Riley into the open where he'd have more room to maneuver.

But Riley wasn't giving him a chance to breathe, let alone strategize. Fireballs rained down in a relentless barrage, each one harder to dodge than the last. Sean's shadows provided some protection, absorbing the worst of the heat, but he could feel his energy draining with each passing second.

"What's wrong, Sean?" Riley taunted, his voice dripping with malice. "Feeling a little out of practice? Maybe if you hadn'tbeen wasting your time playing underground fighter, you might actually be a challenge!"

Sean gritted his teeth, frustration and exhaustion warring within him. Riley was right about one thing – he was out of practice.

As another fireball whizzed past his ear, an idea struck. The flames, as deadly as they were, cast shadows. And shadows... shadows were his domain.

Sean's lips curved into a grim smile. "Thanks for the light show, asshole," he muttered. "Let's see how you like this."

With a surge of will, Sean reached out to the flickering shadows cast by Riley's flames. They responded eagerly, twisting and writhing at his command. Sean shaped them into razor-sharp tendrils, sending them lashing out towards Riley.

Riley's eyes widened in surprise as the shadow-blades sliced through the air. He dodged, but not quite fast enough. A tendril caught him across the cheek, leaving a thin line of blood in its wake.

"You little shit," Riley snarled, his hand coming up to touch the cut. "You think your parlor tricks can stop me?"

But Sean wasn't listening. He was already moving, using the momentary distraction to close the distance between them. He dove into one of the larger shadows cast by a fallen beam, feeling the familiar cold embrace as it enveloped him.

For a heartbeat, Sean existed everywhere and nowhere, his consciousness spread thin across the network of shadows in the room. Then, with a thought, he coalesced behind Riley, emerging from the darkness like an avenging spirit.

"Surprise, motherfucker," Sean growled, his fist already swinging towards Riley's exposed back.

But Riley was faster than Sean had given him credit for. He spun, a manic grin splitting his face. "You think it was that easy to get rid of me?" he cackled. "You thought wrong."

Before Sean's punch could connect, Riley vanished in a puff of smoke. Sean's fist whistled through empty air, throwing him off balance.

"Shit," Sean hissed, spinning around, trying to locate his opponent. "Since when can you fucking teleport?"

Riley's disembodied laugh echoed through the basement. "Oh, Sean. There's so much you don't know about me. So much you never bothered to learn."

Sean's eyes darted around the room, every sense on high alert. Where was he? Where would he-

The air in front of Sean shimmered, and suddenly Riley was there, mere inches from his face. Time seemed to slow as Sean registered the massive fireball forming between Riley's palms, far larger than any he'd conjured before.

"Goodbye, Sean,” Riley sneered.

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