Page 55 of Lost in the Dark

“A bat, Eliza? Really?”

“My name is not Eliza,” I growl. “I’m Libra, and I’m gonna kick your ass.”

“Are you now?” He advances on me fast. I swing the bat menacingly, but he ducks, forcing me to back up. “I’ve been waiting a long time for this day,” he says.

“That’s just sad. You’ve had ten years to become a better person, and instead all you thought about was revenge?”

“Oh, it’s not all I’ve thought about. Believe me, I’m going to have a long, happy life. Just as soon as I’m done with you.”

I threaten with the bat again, and he laughs. “You’ve gained some gumption, I see. But gun beats bat,” he says, pulling a handgun out of his pocket.

“All that planning, and you’re just gonna shoot me? Doesn’t sound all that satisfying,” I taunt. Making him angrier increases the risk that he’ll just fire and be done with it. But then again, maybe I can persuade him to take me back on in hand-to-hand combat. At least that way I’d have a chance. I’ve still got plenty of punches left in me.

Callister told me that Evan’s fear is based on humiliation, at his masculinity being threatened. Maybe I can use that. “Honestly, shooting me is the coward’s way out,” I say. “A real man would fight me. But then you’ve always been a coward who hides behind others. I guess I’m not surprised.”

Rage ripples across his features and his jaw goes tight. “You think that just because you learned to throw a punch, you can take me down? I’ve been to prison, little girl. You’ve got nothing on me.”

I feel my nostrils flare as my own rage seeps in. “I’m not a little girl. I was when you took advantage of me, you pussy-ass predator. But not anymore!” I launch myself at him, tackling him so that we land in a heap.

He manages to throw me off him and I land hard on my back, the wind knocked out of me. He’s on me before I can catch my breath, punching me hard right in the face. I writhe and manage to buck him off, but that only pisses him off more.

“Fuck this,” he says, raising the gun again.

He takes aim and I dive, rolling behind the old couch, which will serve as absolutely no protection if Evan fires.

Before I can do anything else, there’s a terrifying roar and a scream.

CALLISTER

I’m still contemplating the situation with Libra when I feel it: the sharp sting of terror coming from the only person I care about. A sliver of panic roils in my gut; Libra isn’t asleep, so this fear isn’t coming from a nightmare. I’d know if it were.

Something is wrong.

She may not be ready to see me, but she needs me. She’s afraid, and somehow, I’ve developed the ability toworry. I’m concerned for her safety. Who’d have thought that would ever be possible?

I’m not certain what I expected to find, but it isn’t the scene before me. Evan Adler is brandishing a gun as Libra cowers behind the couch. That bastard just can’t seem to leave her alone, and I’ve had enough. If punishing him in his dreams didn’t do it, I’ll take care of it right here in the human realm.

Moving on pure, angry instinct, I shift forms. Fortunately, I’ve spent enough time in his dreams to know his true fears, so I adopt a new guise: Something that’s a cross between a scorpion and a shark, with bits of bear and other nasties thrown in. I’m covered in scales and a carapace and everywhere are pincers, stingers, and claws. Not to mention way too many eyes. Evan looks horrified and I smile a feral smile, showing off all those rows of vicious shark teeth.

“No one touches her but me!” I roar. The possessiveness in me is wild and true: The idea of him or anyone else laying a hand on Libra makes me furious. I stalk toward him, pointed scorpion tail aimed at his heart, and he lifts the gun and fires.

The bullet hits my shoulder, an irritating side effect of being in corporeal form. I snarl and he fires again, the second bullet embedding right next to the first.

“Stop shooting,” I thunder, but he ignores me and takes aim again.

I erupt into a massive growl, expanding so that I’m at least nine feet tall. Evan yelps in terror and backs away, but I leap at him, knocking the gun from his hands and pinning him to the floor.

“What the fuck are you?” he yells.

“Your worst nightmare!” I roar. “The thing that will haunt your nights and stalk your days. You will suffer at my hand!” I raise a claw, ready to rip him to shreds, but he punches me in my wound site. I grunt and shift, and it’s enough for the worm to wiggle free.

I bare my teeth and growl, low and deep. “Get back here,” I command.

Evan glances at the couch where Libra is still hiding. “Whatever. That bitch isn’t worth it!” He turns and runs out the door, disappearing from view. I want to follow him and finish what I started, but for the first time ever, something outweighs my need for fear. I’d rather check on Libra and make sure she’s okay than track Evan.

Satisfied that he’s properly scared and unlikely to return at the moment, anyway, I shift back to my true form and help Libra out from behind the couch. Her eye is blackening, and I touch it tenderly. She winces and glances at the open door.

“Where did he go?” she asks, breathless.

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