Hallowed Circle

I started back into the rows of cornstalks to make my way back to the house; it was barely sprinkling now. A few steps in, I heard a twig snap elsewhere in the field.

I stopped.

Probably a deer… unless it was one of Menessos's loyal beholders. If he commanded, any of those vampire-wa

This was my land, my twenty acres, damn it! I should feel safe taking a walk here, not paranoid.

Of course, if it were the fey already making their move…

Or… Menessos himself had told me of his enemies searching for ways to manipulate him via the co

A breath caught in my throat.

As I started moving slowly through the field toward the house, distant steps mimicked the rhythm of my own, attempting to disguise their presence. My hearing was definitely improved by the damnable stain I'd received, but I was far from grateful for that or any other «enhancements» it granted.

I came to an abrupt stop to avoid walking face-first into the broad web of a corn spider, then heard a snap behind me. Silence.

Stay calm. Think.

Gauging the last sound, I guessed my pursuer was about fifty feet behind me.

Adrenaline flooding my system, my flight instinct screaming, I bolted under the web and forward, using the biochemical boost to run for my backyard as fast as I could, swatting stalks out of my path. Though ru

Another bonus from the stain.

Air flowed more easily and deeply into my lungs, oxygen and adrenaline passed quicker into my muscles. My body was functioning like a new and improved machine, every component of the whole working more efficiently and smoothly, as if some residue that had always impeded the higher level of operation had finally been cleaned away. Like a long overdue oil change.

Was that residue my humanity? My soul?

I stopped dead in my tracks.

Another huge corn spider, black and yellow, hovered in the center of a dazzling web less than an inch from my nose.

Dropping to my knees, I fought to control and quiet my breathing and crawled underneath and beyond the web. I could hear steps approaching, following, but cautiously. Still, I'd be found. It was only a matter of time.

It was close. I sensed it.

I shot up and ran. Behind me I heard squealing, swearing, flailing. A big spider and its web across your face can elicit a startled reaction even from the toughest. But it wouldn't stop whoever it was for long.

I took off again, sprinting through the crackling stalks, feet sure under me even on the rain-slicked soil. I pushed for more speed, telling myself this was a race, not a chase. And I ran, ran for the clearing ahead, ran for home.

My mind flashed on a different cornfield in my memory, reminding me of how as a child I'd fled like this on an equally dark night. Then, I was ru

I collapsed that night, exhausted and sobbing, between the rows. The Goddess came to me there. The memory reminded me of Her comfort. That was something to hold on to, something to be inspired by.

I'll make it. I will!

My pursuer was gaining ground behind me, panting breaths like a locomotive rhythm in my ears. I suddenly felt exposed, like playing «It» and I so hated that game. It is just behind me… if it catches me, I'll be It! I could no longer trick myself into thinking this was just a race. Fear kicked in and a different chemical flooded into my bloodstream and seemed to soak up my energy. My breaths didn't do enough. My legs felt like lead.

Call on the ley! But I couldn't think of a spell-rhyme.

Chapter 4

"Persephone!"

"Joh

My pursuer was right behind me. I felt fingers grasping at my back, reaching for my fla

"Persephone!"

Joh

I burst from the cornfield and slammed right

into Joh

"Someone's out there." I rolled onto my back.

"I know, I can smell 'em. Erik." He nodded at Erik—the drummer for Joh

"Are you all right?" Joh

"Yeah."

He gri

Fighting to catch my breath, I couldn't laugh at Joh

"Hey, what's with the frown? You sure you're okay?"

"Yeah, fine. Just catching my breath."

"Frowns always happen for a reason," he said. Straightening up from his crouching position, he stared down at me and crossed his arms. "Fess up."

"Just winded and scared." I sat up, in the damp grass, still breathing hard. "It's nothing."

That wasn't true. There was plenty to frown about. Joh

Joh

I hadn't told him because he was still licking his wounds over his fight with Menessos. While I knew Joh

How could I say to him, "By the way, Joh

Maybe if I understood more about this Lustrata thing… but all I had were questions and no answers. Nana said the Lustrata was supposed to have a stain in order to have a reason to be a part of the vampire's world. Maybe Joh

"C'mon, tell me what's causing that furrow in your brow or I won't help you up." Joh

"I can't tell you. If I do it'll just embarrass me and you'll rub it in."