Free Cassie (The Coven's Grove Chronicles #3) by Virginia Hunter Page B

you do.”
    Dread filled Cassie’s heart, as she suddenly recognized the voice. The monster. She glanced up. The unholy thing looked less human than it had the last time she’d seen it. More skin had been torn away to reveal long, sinewy muscle, partially covered by a boney carapace. Long fingers, tipped with black talons, steepled together in front of a broad mouth, filled with rows of jagged teeth. The creature squatted nearby, with that horrid smile that never seemed to go away. Between them lay Caleb, still unconscious, and bound. A line of blood stained his forehead from a gash above his hairline.
    No. This can’t be happening . She squeezed her eyes shut.
    “That won’t make me go away, little one,” the creature purred, as it leaned in closer. “I will always be near you.” Its breath stank of rotted flesh.
    Cassie gagged, and pulled away.
    A grisly hand wrapped around her neck. “Why shy away, Sweetling?” the thing whispered, as it dragged her back. “We have unfinished business, or do you not remember that day in Mr. Garber’s classroom?” Its other clawed hand ran along her body in a twisted attempt at tenderness.
    Cassie couldn’t stop the surge of power that bubbled up from her shock and revulsion. How does it know that?! She curled up into a ball, and kicked out at the creature as best she could. “Get away from me, you sick fuck!”
    The creature knocked her clumsy attack aside. “It’s always better when you fight,” it breathed, while continuing to paw at her. The truck suddenly came to a halt, giving the creature pause. The doors swung open, and crisp sunlight filled the compartment.
    Cassie reeled from the brightness, closing her eyes again.
    “Carreau! Come,” someone commanded from outside. There was a moment of quiet, then the trailer jostled, as the monster moved away and climbed out.
    Relief washed over Cassie. Whoever had called the monster, no doubt, must be a villain as well. He had, however, saved her from the creature’s affections, at least for the time being. She cracked her eyes open to let them adjust to the light. When she could finally see, there was a man squatting between her and Caleb.
    “Hello Cassie. I can’t express how happy I am to see you.”
    “What the hell?” She was taken aback by the man’s appearance. He looked just like the monster before it had changed into a monster back at the restaurant.
    The man smiled. “You must have many questions.”
    “No shit,” she retorted. “Like, who the hell are you?”
    “J’onn,” he answered.
    “That’s great. Do you turn into an ugly meat stick like your twin out there?”
    J’onn shook his head. “No. Carreau is a demon, I am...well, something else entirely.”
    That explained a few things. Like the fact that she was going crazy. Things had been bad enough in her life, but this shit right here took the cake. “What do you want, J’onn?”
    He flashed his pearly whites at her. “Your power, my dear. I want your power.”
    “You can have it. It’s been more trouble than its worth, trust me.”
    “Oh, I think I can make use of it. I’m glad you feel the need to unburden yourself of such a gift. Though it won’t make this any easier for you I’m afraid.”
    Gunshots went off outside. The demon roared, and a woman screamed. J’onn appeared unconcerned. He stood and motioned toward the doors at someone she couldn’t see. “Take them to the barn.”
    Men dressed in black winter jackets climbed into the trailer, and took hold of her and Caleb.
    “Be wary of that one,” J’onn pointed at Cassie. “She is stronger than she looks.”
    Cassie and Caleb were dragged out of the trailer. Snow covered the ground as far as the eye could see. Groupings of trees spotted the landscape, most of which were near a two story farmhouse. The men carried them toward an old red barn not far from the house. As they passed the front porch, she could hear a slurping noise, and saw the demon gorging itself on some poor