Demons Grasp

Chapter 1

After driving through the lush countryside for hours I just exited the last settlement - basically just three houses, a pub and a church huddled around a main road - before my destination. Just a few more turns and I pull up to a remote cottage in a wooded area. No other houses are in view. The cottage is small, elongated and built on a tiny hill. I park the rental car on the wide gravel path separating the cottage from a wide flower bed and get out. Stretching my stiff limbs I look around. There is absolutely no sign of civilization out here. Perfect.

Though, somehow I can't shake the feeling of being watched. The source of my discomfort is revealed to me immediately once I walk around the corner of the house. There are about a dozen brown cows standing on a field directly adjacent to the back side of the house, chewing lazily and eyeing me.

"Howdy!" No response. "Okay, then.", I sigh and pull out my phone to check the last Email from the owner of the home, to check the location of the house keys. They are hidden in a small hole in the side wall, just a few steps from where I am standing now. I slide the protective metal cover aside and, indeed, after brushing away some spider webs, I am able to retrieve the keys.

I walk back to the front of the house and unlock the door. The old wood must have shifted and won't budge. I have to put my entire weight against it before it finally swings open while making an ungodly, squeaking sound. Well, at least no one will enter through here unnoticed.

Leaving behind my bags and the provisions I bought on the way here, I step into the cottage to discover the lodgings. The main room is a large living room separated by a huge fireplace which can be accessed from both sides. To the left of it is a cozy sitting area with couches, armchairs and a tiny, ancient TV. The right side is dominated by a dining table. Three doors lead away from the living room. One, next to the sitting area, leads to the master bedroom with en-suite bath. The second one on the opposite side of the living room leads to a narrow hallway with a second bedroom and a storage room. And the last one, across from the front door, leads to a second bathroom and a tiny kitchen.

Just as I am heading back to the living room, I hear a car pull up. I rush to the door. Just as I am stepping outside, I see Jake opening the trunk and taking out a large backpack which he slings over his shoulder. Before he even gets the chance to close the car, I am next to him and fling myself into his arms. He lets the bag slide to the ground and puts his arms around my waist. "Hello, MC. Have you been waiting long?" ha asks. "Ugh. It felt like an eternity" I joke.

I look up into his icy blue eyes. He is just as handsome as I remembered. This is not our first meeting. A few weeks after Hannah's rescue he made good on his promise and we met briefly, almost in passing, for one blissful night. Watching him leave the next morning felt like a piece of my soul was ripped out of my body. But we both know that our time together will always be brief, until he manages to get rid of his pursuers for good.

Finally, our lips meet. The kiss causes my heart rate to skyrocket. I feel his tongue teasing my lips and I eagerly part them to grant him access. His grip around my waist tightens and I melt a bit further into his embrace. Suddenly, he breaks away. We both gasp for air. Barely breaking the contact, he locks up the car, picks up the bag and leads me into the cottage. The squeaky door falls shut behind us.