❝ 𝐖𝐇𝐄𝐍 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐁𝐄𝐋𝐋𝐒 𝐂𝐇𝐈𝐌𝐄,
𝐃𝐄𝐌𝐈𝐒𝐄 𝐖𝐈𝐋𝐋 𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐄. ❞
Saskia Vrana knows what to do when the Nights of Smoke come: Close the windows and doors. Don't look out into the darkness. Sacrifice and pray. And never dare to leave the co...
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HOW THE SHADOWS FEAST vi. to lure the prey
the fourth night
❅ ❅ ❅
THE VOICE HAD RETURNED.
At midwinter, it had been nothing but a soft whisper, easily mistaken for the wind that brushed the treetops and its sighs in the masonry. Since then, it had become more fervent each night.
All the last years, Katinka had been sure to be free again, that by entering the convent, she'd leave all the dark creatures behind, that it only took the power of purifying herbs, blessed candles, and prayers to never hear them again.
But there was this bodyless voice, slipping through the crack of the door, whispering in her ear, and reminding her of the cruel truth that her hopes had been nothing but foolish.
Where the darkness once had sunken its teeth into it never left again. It poisoned her flesh, bone, and blood. Yes, Katinka should've known better than to expect her curse to be lifted. All the begging and tears shed at her bewildered father's feet to send her away when she was still a child had been useless.
Today, these ancient walls were the only home Katinka had left, but they had all but abandoned her.
Ironically, beside her, Saskia—the cursed girl—peacefully slept. She seemed unbothered by what kept Katinka up at night and her knees cleaving to the cold floor despite clearly disliking the burning herbs and barely ever praying.
Katinka's eyes were fixed on the flame, hoping its light could burn the darkness fogging her sight.
I beg you, Bright Mother, keep the shadows out ...
"Put out the candles, child. Open the door." It was not Perhta who had answered her but that voice that had spoken from the hound's foul mouth.
"Go away," Katinka aspirated.
"But you begged for help in prayer. Here I am, answering."
"I did not pray to you." It was Perhta she called, and the Bright Mother did not speak in such venomous tongues.
A soft chuckle. "There is no use denying it. You already let me into your heart and soul. Why else would you hear me?"
This had to be a lie, of course. Howsoever this demon surmounted all the convent's protections, it could not be because of Katinka. "Leave me alone, please. Please."
"Isn't the silence of the world lonely?"
No, it's freedom, she wanted to yell, but instead simply said: "You do not belong here." Since when did demons pose such questions? Since when did they ask her anything at all?
No, this was different. Wildly different from all the ghosts, spirits, and demons. It seemed all too human, too powerful—and too cruel.
"And you do belong here?" asked the bodyless creature, almost amused.
