Page 27 of An Oath at Midnight

She was coming.

The mother wasn’t all goodness and light. She wasn’t all evil and darkness either. She was both, she was everything, and I felt that now. It danced through me, over my skin, lifting goose bumps all over me.

I had to fight my fear to hold my ground. She had no corporal form, so when the mother did need to make an appearance, she inhabited the body of her massive pet serpent.

My heart thundered in my ears as the rattling grew louder, closer. There was a hiss by my ear, then hot breath brushing my skin before I felt a raspy, tickling sensation against my thigh. She was tasting my blood, making sure I was exactly who she’d called to her.

Open your eyes, daughter of Coven Thornheart.

Her voice echoed through my mind, and I made myself do as she bid—then bit back my gasp at the sight of her. She was massive, her huge head swaying, black eyes looking through me, as if she could peer right into my soul.

You’ve come alone. Brave or stupid?

“Probably a little of both,” I said.

She hissed, her head jerking forward, and I slammed my mouth shut.

There is greatness in you, child, if you choose to take hold of it, but it’s volatile. Your sisters, they were full of light. Not you. You have shadows, so many of them, and you are blind to so very much.

I stayed silent, her words sending a chill down my spine and terror through my heart.

You must complete the task I give you by the time the vines meet. If you fail, you will be unworthy of trial, and gifts past will be returned to the mother. If you complete your task yet fail to win your trial, again, your coven’s gifts will be returned to the mother.

“I understand,” I said.

Her massive head swung my way, her black eyes meeting mine. Your inner rage is a gag, a blindfold, it’s the heavy cloak you hide behind. If you can’t find a way to best it, child, you will fail this test. You will lose everything.

“I’ll do whatever it takes to pass this task,” I said, a knot in my stomach.

We shall see.

Her head jerked back suddenly. I didn’t have time to suck in a breath or brace before she struck. Her massive jaw wrapped around my torso, and she sunk her fangs into my body, my stomach and lower back. I knew it was coming, but still I stood there in shock as fire blazed through me, suspending me there for what felt like forever when it must have only been seconds.

Finally, she released me. I swayed, stumbling to the side, fighting desperately to stay on my feet as she spun and slithered back into the forest. Her venom pumped through me now, hard and fast, and my legs gave out from under me. I fell to the ground, naked and alone in the middle of the woods.

Darkness creeped in at the edges of my eyes…I grabbed for my bag.

But it was too late.

I passed out.

* * *

Groaning, I forced my eyes open. It wasn’t easy.

It was still dark.

And somehow, I was still alive. The demon blood had worked.

The fire had gone out, and thankfully, the demon I’d captured was still unconscious. I couldn’t see much of anything as I felt around for my clothes. The weakness was so strong, I ignored everything but Bram’s oversized hoodie and my boots. It was a struggle, but I finally pulled them on. Then grabbing my knife and pack, I fought to stand. It wasn’t easy, and it took almost all my energy, but I did it.

I stumbled back toward the trees, muttering a protection spell as I went, calling on my ancestors to protect and guide me, since I had no one else.

I tried as hard as I could, but with how unsteady I was, there was no way I could be quiet. I sounded like a goddamn elephant stomping through the forest. I stumbled over my own feet again and hit the ground hard. Darkness tried to creep into the edges of my sight—a rustling came from the trees to the right of me.

More demons. And I was about to pass out again. Fuck.

With the last of my strength, I jerked off my pack and pulled out several of the glass vials I’d put in there, crushing them in my hands. The glass cut through my skin, but that was the least of my worries.