Bara turned around. She knew what she’d find. And there they were—not just one wolf, but a pack. One, two, three, four, five, she counted silently.

There was a white one, two black, one larger than the other, a red, and one brown. The silver wolf—Brynndalin—wasn’t there. Bara didn’t know whether to be relieved or disappointed. Then only one emotion was making itself felt. These wolves were as big as Brynndalin, their claws and teeth as sharp, their eyes as hard. Fear rose up and out of her gut and conquered her courage. She ran. The wolves followed.

Bara fought to take in enough air. She ran with more power than she thought possible, but got nowhere. Deepening snow prevented any real progress. Black shadows rose in front of her on the white snow. She waited to feel sharp canines bite through the denim of her pants, slice open the tender flesh of her ankle. Her only hope—her numb skin wouldn’t feel the pain. Heavy paws would crash into her back and propel her forward, too quickly. She’d fall. She imagined her small body, dark against the white snow, lying helplessly as the wolves tore her to shreds, but these wolves didn’t pounce, even when her pace slowed to a stumbling crawl. She stopped and collapsed to her knees, gasping. Still no attack occurred. She looked back over her shoulder. The wolves showing no sign of tiring were still there, pacing, waiting. She returned to her feet and backed away. They matched her pace, always keeping a distance of a few feet. One thing was clear. They weren’t going to kill her, at least not now.

Her voice echoed through the forest.

“Why are you following me? What do you want?”

The wolves did not speak. The wind whined with voices.

Free us too! We will reward you beyond your wildest dreams.

Bara understood. She faced not just a pack of wolves, but five Demen, incubi Courtney had called them. They would give her anything if she’d only do for them what she’d done for Brynndalin. Release them from the Slip. Get away! her thoughts screamed. Get away now! She ignored her fatigue and again fled, moving as fast as she might in the thick snow. Unperturbed, the wolves kept pace. They cajoled and coaxed.

Money!

Fame!

Power over all!

Eternal youth and beauty!

Love!

The larger of the black wolves came astride. We know who you love. We can make him yours. The red wolf joined him on the other side. Make it so you can have both.

Why keep running? She’d not outrun the pack. Bara slowed to a walk. Silently, she promised herself she’d not give up. Sensing her growing resistance, the wolves increased their efforts. They overtook her. Bara thought she’d assumed wrong. She hadn’t accepted their offer and now they were going to kill her. No. Instead they behaved like house cats, weaving back and forth across her path, getting so close they brushed her legs. Death was still not on offer, and the voices of suffering children spoke on the wind now.

Free me!

Free me!

Free me!

We are suffering!

You are the only one who can help.

Please help us.

Bara put her hands to her ears and kept moving forward. She told herself their cries of pain were only a ploy to get her to do the unthinkable and shivering, she continued.

The wolves noticed her discomfort.

You are cold.

We can make you warm.

We can make it so you are never cold again.

No more cold.

No more hunger.

No more pain.

No more pain.

No more pain.

Bara kept moving. The pack continued to follow. Persisting in their temptation, she persevered in her resistance.

Even the walls of Jericho fell, the wind told her. In time, the Great Wall of China will crumble to dust and so must your resolve.

Truth, Bara didn’t know how much longer she could hold out. She promised herself she’d never give over. These Demen wouldn't gain freedom. After what she’d already done, she swore she’d remain true. Even if it killed her, but she began to worry for her sanity. Ms. Korey had said that sometimes even being Clâvigen wasn’t enough. With each taunt, each temptation, her mind lost its connection to sanity. Resistance was only found with perseverance. One foot in front of the other, she reminded herself. One foot in front of the other. Do it again …

***

The Wisp and its sequel, the Tall Man, are available through amazon.com.

Photos are my own or available in the public domain.

Source
https://pixabay.com/photos/wolf-night-sky-moon-atmosphere-2559391/