Page 1 of A Taste of Torment
1
I’ll Find the Devil and Make Him Pay
Passingthrough the wrought iron gates toward the intimidating Shadow Hills Academy is like taking my first steps toward hell, but I walk with my head high, because torment or not, I’ll find the devil and make him pay.
“You sure about this?” My mother’s voice is quiet as she wraps her arm over my shoulder.
“Yes,” I lie.
I lean into her touch, even though public affection is a tad cringe worthy just before I start a new school. Right now, I couldn’t care less. I’ve never been super close to my parents, but this summer… well, we needed each other.
Truth is, I’ve never been alone a day in my life. It just wasn’t my parents I relied on most. As I strain my neck to look up at the ugly brick spires of this stupid school, I realize that will end today.
This year, my sister won’t be with me.
It’s quiet out here. The surrounding mountains and forest are eerily still, as if no living soul were around for miles. I know that’s a falsehood and there will be crowds of people once I enter the building, but for the moment, there’s utter silence. Today is the first day of school, but I’m the only one arriving the old-fashioned way, it seems.
It’s not like most of thesethingstravel by car.
“We’ve gone through this,” my father says calmly. “Candice can make her own decisions.”
“But if they’re not for the right reasons—” Mom pulls me into her arms and buries her face in my hair. I understand my mother’s fear because I feel it too. Dark shadows press in from the back of my mind. Memories I’d rather forget. Attending this school will force me to face those shadows again.
“I just want to make sure you’re not having second thoughts,” she says. “You can always change your mind.”
“I know,” I whisper. “Thanks.”
Maybe next week, I’ll call her crying and ask her to pick me up. But for now, I’m sticking to my undoubtedly reckless decision. Being an active member of the magical community has always been dangerous, which is why my parents let us make that choice.
For the last three years, I’d chosen to avoid all things supernatural.
That changed when one of these monsters took something precious from me.
Avoiding this place now would be admitting defeat. It would be giving up on justice for her.
I could go to nearly any high school in the world, but I chose the one where literal demons reside—where my sister’s killer is hidden behind pretty brick walls and wrought iron windows—because I have something to prove. To myself and the monsters within.
Mom finally releases me, and I smooth out my blue plaid skirt that falls nearly to my knees.
Dad offers me a fist. I roll my eyes but complete his fist bump.
“Remember, if you have any trouble at all, we can put in a call to the Blackthorns,” he says.
“No,” I say too quickly and then force a smile. “I’m a big girl. I don’t want to ask for help fromthem.”
“You used to be friends,” he reminds me.
I swallow and then avert my gaze so he won’t see the whisper of fear that washes over me. Yes, I used to be friends withhim, the boy that now haunts my nightmares.
Curved talons crunch into the stone walkway of an otherwise normal neighborhood. Thick, scaled skin covering long, muscled limbs. Pitch-black, bottomless eyes.
I push away the memories before they overwhelm me.
That monster was my best friend. A boy both sweet and shy.
Normal.
Except, that was the biggest lie of all.
