Shelter Me From Darkness

Chapter 3

Piper

The dog growled again, pulling to a stop as it fully stepped out of the treeline, allowing me to see exactly how big the fucking thing was. It was larger than I thought it was.

Definitely not a normal dog. Possibly a mesh up of something from the energy of the Between.

I watched the creature, unable to tear my gaze away from it. We both stood still, each watching the other. I swallowed slowly. My stomach tightened painfully. Even if I regained control over my legs to actually back away, I could never outrun it.

"Nice doggy." There was a tremor in my voice. I hated that it was there, and that fear had such a tight hold on me.

Taking a slow breath, I managed enough control over my legs to move. The crunch of gravel under my feet sounded like a foghorn as I took a step back.

The dog bared its teeth.

"Nice doggy, you definitely don't want to eat me."

The dog moved. Quicker than I could track. I stumbled backwards, in a desperate attempt to get away. Losing my balance, I landed flat on my ass. Hard enough to jar my entire body from the impact. The dog drew level with me. I scrambled back, heart stuck in my throat.

"Foolish mortal."

Words brushed against my mind gently, a mocking tone unmistakable. A dog had never insulted me before.

Don't me stupid. Thoughts raced through my mind, searching for names of creatures that could take the shape of a dog and speak telepathically. It wasn't a demon. I knew that much; it didn't carry the scent of fire and brimstone with it. Nor did its energy give off the taint that could accompany demons. Not that I had experience with them.

"Harsh." It came out barely louder than a whisper. I'd been afraid for so long it felt like I'd forgotten to be anything else. I hated it. Hated that fear ruled me in such a way now when it never used to. Edmund had taken far more than free will from me.

Clawing at the shreds of my courage as best I could, I wrapped my anger around me like a cloak. Anger could shield me when I had nothing else left to give, and fuck knows I had more than enough anger to use.

Opening my Witch-sight I observed the dog. Noting the cool energy that emanated from it. Phantom energy. The type of energy that I had knowledge of. There was a marking etched on to its forehead, gold against black fur and glowing with power. It was a mark I recognised. One I had on my skin.

A wheel, a visual maze with three distinct whirls that connected at the centre. Hecate's wheel. It wasn't a black dog. No, the creature before me was a Mormolyce. A servant of Hecate, a female phantom that could take the shape of a black dog or wolf.

Was it possible that Hecate had in fact heard my plea for help once again?

I was more aware of her presence today than I had been in a while. The touch of her magic still lingered on my skin, and her power in the Between pressed down against me. Was it a surprise when I was standing at a crossroads? I could taste her magic on my tongue.

The Mormolyce moved closer, snapping me out of my thoughts. Eyes warily narrowed as I watched her. I wasn't sure of the phantom's place among mortals and immortals. They were the remnants of souls that had pledged themselves to a deity. Serving in both life and death and no longer a part of the cycle of rebirth.

Her power made my skin tingle and was far stronger than I expected, almost as if there was a trace of divinity mixed into her essence.

I would need to tread carefully. Especially as her voice was also the voice of Hecate. Not that being respectful ever hurt anyone.