Page 40 of Insatiable Hunger

“Shit, shit, shit!” she cried hysterically. John raised the knife as she closed her eyes, swinging the weapon as she pulled the trigger.

John’s ears were filled with a high pitch ringing as he stared at the woman. Her wide eyes stared back, her lower lip quivering as she dropped her gun. Her hands trembled, reaching for the knife seeded deep within her gut, her blood dripping down her lower abdomen. Tears flowed from her fear stricken eyes, lowering as she tried to pull the blade out.

John tsked, leaning closer as his hold tightened. “I am afraid that will not do.” His hand glowed as he grunted, ripping the blade up and through the woman’s chest. Blood seeped from her gaping mouth as her body swayed, her soul barely hanging on. John leaned in, inhaling deeply as his lips brushed her cold cheek, and the woman withered in pain. “I want yoursoul,” he growled, kissing her open mouth, his tongue running along her blood as her eyes drifted back into her skull. He sucked on her lower lip, releasing it with a moan. The woman’s bodyfell limp, sinking further into the blade. He kicked her corpse aside, wiping the knife across his wet jeans. The injured creature groaned, struggling to its feet as it locked eyes with John. “I do not know if you possess a soul, demon,” John carefully positioned his stance, readying himself, “but I shall find out.”

The beast huffed, shaking its head, as if simply brushing off the bullet wound.Are you sure you can kill it?I asked, worried as I looked at the large animal, stalking nearer.

The two began to circle the other, moving in an odd unison as they both waited to strike. “Everything dies at some point, dear Cain.”

The animal’s skull widened, releasing a terrifying roar as it jumped towards John. He quickly rolled to the side, the teeth of the beast cutting his arm, a thin bead of blood dripping down his skin. The animal froze, frantically sniffing the air. It whipped its skull around, standing on two feet, its red eyes surging as they stared at John, breathing heavily. The same chittering from before returned, its head tilting again. It remained in that position, smelling the air, its tongue dripping from its mouth tasting it.What’s wrong with it?

John glanced at his arm, peering back at the animal. “It smells my blood.” As the words fell from his lips, the demon sprinted towards him with a crazed, feral hunger. John ran, trying to escape but it was no use.

The animal lowered its skull, swinging its damaged antlers, knocking John to the ground as his body rolled. He quickly scrambled to his feet, the knife gone from his hands, his breathing rapid. The animal rose, growling as it stood near.

“Enough of this!” John flexed his arms and raised his hands as blistering fire surged from within. The green flames seeped from his skin, slithering to the demon, taking hold of it. I watched in awe, enamored as John’s power engulfed the creature. It screamed, hysterically flailing while the fireconsumed it, burning it alive. The animal fell to its knees, gripping its skull as it shrieked its high-pitched cries. John’s hands curled as he stepped closer and smiled, watching the beast wither away. “As I said, Cain,” he clutched his hands into a fist, the demon disintegrating into ash, “everything dies.”

His power faded away until all that remained was a pile of black soot. Rain fell onto the ashes as the wind blew and carried them away into the night.

Snap.

John whirled around, catching a glimpse of a silhouette amongst the trees in the distance. “The Triad know we are here.” He searched the dirt, finding my knife, raising it to glance at his reflection. “Your friends must’ve stumbled upon them as well, which means they must be near.”

My eyes stared back at him.Find them.

Chapter

Thirty-Eight

ALASKA

Lazarus helped me redress, wincing lightly as his fingers fumbled with the buttons on my long sleeve flannel shirt. I stared up at him, concerned by his pain. “Hey,” I gently placed my hand along his cheek, his chestnut eyes raising to mine, “are you feeling okay?”

His face softened, a sweet smile greeting me as he spoke. “I’m good, darling. Though it’s probably not the smartest idea to be so active with fresh stitches.” He glanced at his stitches, his fingertips grazing the hand-sewn loops in his skin before looking back at me. “But this,” he lowered my hand, holding it in his, “was absolutely worth it.”

Lazarus gazed deeply into my eyes, a warmth rising in my chest, my heart tapping with bliss. “Here.” He raised his hands, unlatching his necklace. “I want you to have this.” He leaned forward, clasping the cool chain around my neck. My fingers grazed the metal, excited by the unexpected act.

“What’s this for?” I asked, glowing with a smile.

Lazarus grabbed my hand, giddy like a schoolboy. “You’re mine, dreamer, and I want everyone to know. Besides, it looks better on you than me.” He winked. I couldn’t help myself,beaming with happiness as he sat there with pride. Lazarus lowered his head, grinning as he ran his fingers along the inside of my palm. “Hey,” he raised my hand, inspecting it closely, “what happened to your cut?”

Unsure of what he was referring to, I peeked at my open palm. “Oh. Well, something weird about me, is that my wounds always seem to heal pretty quick.”

“Pretty quick? That was a nasty cut, Alaska.” He ran his finger along my skin. “It’s only been a few days. How are you able to heal so fast?”

I stopped for a moment, thinking. “I-I guess it has to do with my magic?” As Lazarus sat in awe of my ability, an idea struck my mind. “This might seem crazy but hear me out.” He lowered my hand, listening intently. “What if my blood could heal you too?”

“Not sure I understand the logic here, babe.” He laughed, slightly uncomfortable. “I don’t have magic or your blood—”

Before he could finish his sentence, I unlatched a large safety pin from my jean shorts and ran the needle point across my palm, pushing hard. The pain was oddly comforting.

“Alaska!” He tried to stop me, but I brushed his hands back. “What the hell are you doing?”

Exhaling, I stopped, staring at my bloody palm. Lazarus’ mouth remained open, gawking at what I had just done. “There. Now you do.”

Lazarus blinked, shocked by my action. “Alaska,” he sighed, “you shouldn’t have done that.” His fingers curled around my hand, delicately trying to figure out what to do to help. “I am not worth your pain.” His words were like mere whispers in the night.

My eyes watered, staring up at his wounded expression. “Lazarus.” He reluctantly looked at me. “You are worth everything.” I pushed my palm towards his bare chest. “Let mehelp you. Please.” It was as if I was begging him, desperately wanting my theory to be correct. I wanted him to heal. Ineededhim to heal.

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