She pauses, her gaze drifting momentarily as if lost in the weight of memories. “Long story short, I’ve been leaving offerings to Octavia for years now. You see, she speaks to me. So, in return, I give her what she wants. What she needs.”
“Such as body parts from dead women you butcher?” I say sharply.
Elaine shifts in her seat, her fingers absentmindedly stroking the plastic on the cushion as though seeking comfort in it. “You don’t miss a beat, do you?” she continues, her voice growing more serious, “Magic always comes with a price.”
“A life for a life?” I say questioningly.
Her eyes narrow, “Exactly.”
“So, you’ve been killing these innocent women for her then? And as payment, she keeps you young?”
Elaine claps, her laughter filling my ears. “You are very bright, Dani… Yes. I killed the women. I did that so I could summon Octavia. You see, she hasn’t been able to physically be here in many, many, centuries… but she knew you would come. She knew you would set her free… I just simply did the dirty work to help make her strong for when she arrives. And Danika... she is stronger than ever!”
I stand up from the couch, pissed. “How the fuck does any of this make sense! You are a murderer, Elaine! You murdered innocent women so you could what, tell Octavia how much you love her and stay young?! You’re fucking sick!”
“Oh, Dani, cut the theatrics. Octavia needed blood and souls, and I needed certain body parts for her spells to make them stronger. She needed someone strong-willed to help her, and that someone was me. You know, she can make you powerful, too. She has promised me so much… you’ll see!”
“This is so fucked up! You’ve been butchering women like cattle all to stay fucking young and kiss Octavia’s feet?!”
“I have not butchered them… they willingly sacrificed themselves to Octavia, allowing me to drive the sacred knife through their hearts. Then, I offer their bodies up to the shadowmires, and they give me their protection in return. As a warning, I drew the symbols you found during your little crime scene hunt. The symbol of Octavia.”
Elaine gently rolls up her sleeve, revealing the delicate skin of her inner arm. There, etched into her flesh, is a symbol that appears almost alive, the edges inked into her skin. It’s the same haunting mark that marred Erin’s body and was carved into the bark of the trees. It seems to pulse with energy like it has a heartbeat.
Elaine pulls a knife out from underneath her and holds it to her skin. Blood drips down the dark symbol as she slices through her skin, laughing. She starts to chant something in a language I don’t recognize, and the lights flicker.
“Now that you’ve freed her, she has come to save us all!”
Suddenly, Dax and Killian appear from their shadows, catching Elaine off guard. They grab my arms, but just as we are about to vanish into the shadows, a thick fog begins to creep along the ground, curling and twisting like restless spirits.
From the mist, a figure appears, draped in a flowing black gown that clings to her every curve, reminiscent of the haunting vision that had invaded my nightmares. Her beautiful violet eyes sparkle like shards of amethyst, cutting through the fog and locking onto mine with a predatory intensity.
Dax and Killian gasp, their expressions morphing into a blend of fear.
Elaine falls to her knees, kissing Octavia’s feet.
Fucking disgusting coward.
“Dax, Killian, it’s a pleasure to have you both join our little gathering,” Octavia says with a sly smile, her voice dripping with menace.
In an instant, Dax and Killian are hurled through the air, their bodies crashing against the drywall with a heavy thud; the impact sends dust particles swirling in the dim light. They slide down to the floor, immobilized.
I feel a surge of adrenaline as I instinctively rush toward them.
“Dani! No!” Killian’s desperate shout echoes through the room. But his warning comes too late. Octavia is one step ahead of me.
Suddenly, an invisible force seizes me, yanking me off the ground. I feel weightless for a brief moment before being pulled back towards Octavia, who stands with her arm outstretched. With a fluid gesture, she lowers me back onto my feet, the ground returning to me as if I were merely a marionette and she is my puppeteer reasserting control over me.
I gasp for air and hold my throat.
“Let them go, you fucking bitch!” I shout.
“You can come out now,” she calls out.
Elaine claps her hands like the psychopath she is. “All hail Octavia!”
Octavia quickly turns her head towards Elaine, “I’ve had enough of you. You’re too clingy.” With a slight flick of her wrist, she snaps Elaine’s neck.
I stifle my scream with my hand clamped over my mouth.
