Page 62 of Autumn of the Witch

“I can’t imagine growing up with so many people.” Micah stretched out in the sun. “Or parents getting help with their kids. Maybe that’s what mine should’ve done. Gone to someone else.”

“Should’ve brought you to us, boss. We’re loud, but we’re all right.”

It was strange, picnicking with Sasha, talking about their families as if they had nothing to worry about but the usual challenges of life.

They watched the sun fall over the horizon, painting the sky a glorious orange and red. It was calming enough to dull the edge of Micah’s nerves, and he let himself lean against Sasha’s shoulder as shadows slowly spread across the field.

“Wait for it,” Sasha whispered.

Dusk settled over Lukos, and the darkness deepened as stars shone through gaps in the clouds. Sasha tensed and stood up, and Micah followed his gaze to a figure gliding across the grass. It headed toward them, moving faster than a deer, than a snow cat, but it didn’t seem to be running. It was like it was sliding over ice, and when it came close enough for its pale hair and smiling face to be visible, Micah was on his feet next to Sasha.

The shadow person stopped at the door. It tilted its head, so like Viv’s, and slid a hand over the invisible barrier.

“Witch boy,” it said. “Human. Let me in. Let me see my Vivian.”

“Not a fucking chance.” Sasha’s voice shook, and he was clenching his fists, muscles strained tight.

The creature stroked the air again, tenderly. Lovingly. “Let me in. I need my Vivian.”

“She isn’t yours,” Micah said.

“Yeah,” Sasha snapped. “Daria.”

The creature tilted its head to the side again, but it moved too fast, too far, with the crack of rotting wood. “I know that name. It is of me.”

“So she did make you,” Sasha said. Micah had never seen him so angry. “But Viv isn’t yours. You’ll leave her alone.”

“She isn’t safe,” the thing wailed. “I need to find her. Please. Please let me in.”

“No,” Micah said, then froze when he heard Viv’s voice behind him.

“Stay out, shadow.” She was standing at the top of the steps, wrapped in a shawl, glaring at the creature.

Then it saw her. It keened, and its mouth opened wide, wider, wider still, the blackness inside stretching and cracking the lovely, delicate face. Teeth formed around the edge of the hole, sharp and curved, and its limbs twisted until it was on its hands and knees, crouching like a spider with its pale hair wild around the pit of its mouth.

“Vih—Vihv—” It writhed, hands contorting, throat undulating as if a nest of snakes was squirming under its skin. “Vivian!”

“I saidstay out,” Viv said, and the creature slammed into the barrier. It was thrown back, scattering bits of moss and twig, and flew at the door again. Its teeth snapped, and its gaping mouth pulsed as it howled like the wind over the hills in winter. Micah felt sick. Sasha was rocking on his heels, fists up, gaze flicking over its distorted body.

Then it started to dig, and Micah staggered back, pulling on his magic. Fire fell over the creature, and it howled again, covered in dirt and grass, teeth extending until they reached out of its mouth like an insect’s antennae testing the air. Micah called another flame, and violet lightning arched from Viv to sear the creature’s body. Leaves and lumps of rotting tree bark fell to the ground, and Sasha kicked the burning shell to pieces.

“Sasha!” Viv’s voice was harsh with dominance. “Get inside!”

Sasha hesitated, and Micah saw it: another figure emerging from the woods. Sasha made it to safety just as the creature scuttled toward them, already contorted beyond recognition and wailing Vivian’s name.

They ran. Sasha grabbed Viv on the way down the steps, and they locked and barred the door while the creature howled on the other side of the barrier.

“Fuck,” Micah whispered, stumbling to the bedroom. “Fuck. Viv. Viv, we need to kill that thing.”

“We’ll use the puppet spell,” she said, then squeaked as Sasha grabbed her, dragging her to the bed. “Sasha!”

“Babe, I don’t ever wanna see that shit again.”

“It’s okay. We’ll kill it. We have… we have a spell.” But even Micah could feel the hesitancy in her voice.

“That spell you made, with the door.” Sasha spoke into Viv’s chest, his voice muffled. “It’ll hold up?”

“Of course.” Viv tugged at his hair, and he looked at her. She kissed him softly. “Even I can’t dispel it. Micah cast the spell, so he’s the only one who can break it.”

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