[Complete] An old mansion. A stranger with a gift. And a mysterious disappearance of a family.
***An Open Novella Contest 2023 Shortlister***
***2nd Place Best Cover at The Massive Awards***
***Bronze Winner at the Throne of Awards***
***Third Place...
Claire got out of bed. Her maids were already waiting for her to wake up. They brushed her hair as she brushed her teeth and spat at the basin one of the maids was holding. They stripped her from her nightgown and dressed her in a blazing red robe. They did her makeup, not too much but just the right amount. And, then, they escorted her to a car that would take her to the church.
It was an early Sunday morning and the assembly was just a few hours away. She entered the church through the back door and positioned herself inside the room right behind the altar.
All of the staff bowed at her, including the preacher who listened to her every word.
The man asked, "For our annual Day of Sacrifice, who do you--"
"We'll sacrifice no one," she interrupted.
"But the blood and fire--"
"I'll put my blood in the cauldron. That will suffice."
"But, blessed one--"
"That will suffice."
At last, the preacher relented. "As you wish." Then he left her.
Claire looked at the mirror hanging by the wall and saw that half of her reflection wasn't hers. She was used to it. Used to seeing half of Jonathan's face and half of his body as half of hers inside a mirror. Jonathan's true form was a monster with many hands, many limbs, and different body parts he consumed from the people he once ate or possessed.
Like a spider.
Linda went inside the room and asked her if she would like tea. She obviously declined. Then the caretaker asked her, "How is your husband?"
To which Claire replied, "He isn't my husband, Linda." She looked in the mirror again. "He's my pet."
"I love you, Claire."
"Shut up."
"Together forever."
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