Page 89 of To Dwell in Shadows
Help me!
Whispers and wails crashed over her like a hailstorm, their voices sharp and relentless. Selene held her hands up defensively. “Get back! You all need to step back!” When the spirits failed to comply, she shouted, “I said back off!”
Something in her tone changed the air around them. A large spirit Selene recognized as an Aurelian Lycah made a motion with his ghostly hand. The other spirits drew back, giving her some space.
When a few moved toward Sam again, Selene said, “I will speak to you all in a moment, but stay away from my mate. I mean it. Wait over there.”
The spirits reluctantly drifted over to the corner she pointed to. Selene fell to her knees beside Sam, whom Vanthee had covered with her coat. She touched his face, which was wet with tears and sweat. “I’m here, Sam. It’s okay.”
His eyelids fluttered slightly, but he didn’t respond.
Selene began to stroke his hair, noticing his skin was burning hot to the touch. She exchanged a panicked look with Vanthee.
“What do you think they did to him?” Vanthee asked.
“I don’t know,” Selene whispered. She glanced at the swarm of spirits—some watching her with pleading eyes, others glaring with contempt. When she caught the eye of the Lycah, he charged forward.
“Stop. Don’t go any further,” Selene said firmly. “What do you want?”
We want our vengeance!
“What do you mean?”
The Lycah pointed at Sam with a clawed finger.
He took our lives—all of us. And was never punished!
Realization crashed over Selene like a tsunami.
Vanthee shot her a frantic look. “What are they saying?”
Emotion overwhelmed Selene so completely she didn’t answer at first. Then, she whispered, “These spirits… they are all the lives he took in Aurelia.”
Vanthee’s eyes widened, and she covered her mouth with her hand. “Oh. That’s why the other competitors were screaming. They were faced with their regrets.”
Sam’s head lolled to the side. “What do you want from him?” Selene asked the Lycah.
To make him suffer as we did!
“Haven’t you already done that? I’d say he’s pretty traumatized.”
It’s not enough. He is the reason we’re trapped here!
“That’s not true. You can leave any time.”
“Translate, translate!” Vanthee insisted. When Selene relayed what the spirit said, Vanthee’s face knotted with indignation. “Tell them they should have followed me like they were supposed to! I can’t be responsible for every angry spirit who wants revenge?—”
“I know. It’s not your fault,” Selene said, cutting her off. She looked up at the Lycah. “Are you ready to go to the Afterworld?”
Yes!
Yes, I am.
Take me!
No, take me first!
The spirits who had hung back swarmed again, talking over each other and pushing their way closer to Selene.
