Page 38 of Dima's Vision
The thing half wearing Maddigan’s face steps forward, out of the shadows of the veranda. That’s when I notice it. There are more in there than just Maddigan. Glimpses of men I don’t know flicker across its face, never settling on one for too long before locking back into the face I know well.
It’s moving close to Dima, to the man who saves me with his presence and I want to rush forward, to move Dima out of its way, but the speed at which the thing moves is shocking. One moment it’s there, nearing Dima, the next it’s in front of me. I jolt at the shock of it being in my face, and also at the familiarity of it. There’s more than just Maddigan in there, someone else I know is hiding there, but I’m just not sure who.
The thing tilts its head, as if studying me. “You still think you can win this don’t you? Your little guns and knives wont work against me, Krissssstiana.” It moves behind me, the coldness of it seeping into my bones as it leans forward, its tongue darting out to lick my ear. “Your little toyboy isn’t going to help you either.”
Dima opens his mouth but nothing comes out. He’s frozen as the thing wearing Maddigan’s face rushes to him, circling him and sniffing at his groin like a dog. It turns to me, a lascivious smile on its face, “I can see why you like him.” Its hand darts out to rub Dima’s crotch, his cock soft behind his trousers. “Ugh. Can’t get it up, huh? No matter. I’m not after that anyway. I’m after this. Little. Gift. Right. Here.” The thing walks its fingers up Dima’s body, tapping away on every word until its finger stops right at Dima’s temple before waving its hand in the air, slamming Dima into one of the huge white columns and pinning him against it.
It wants Dima’s gift. With a power like that it’ll be able to find whoever it wants. Catering for the tastes of depraved men willing to pay enough. Then it’ll feed off the terror.
“You’re sick. And mark my words. Iwillkill you.” I hoarsely sneer out. My throat is killing me but I will never show weakness.
“I don’t know how you can when I have your little gift.” it points to the virgin looking version of me, still standing like a dumbass in the middle of the garden. She could have run, and got some help, but no.
It curls its finger in a come hither motion but White Kristie stays rooted to the spot. And that’s when I see it. First, a spot of red on her gown. Then the spot grows, a dark red stain blooming across her chest. A look of peace comes over her face, and then turns to me, smiling softly.
My hand rises to my chest, as a slight ache begins there.
“Ved’ma Moya,” Dima calls, his voice returned. “Look at me.”
My gaze finds his, blazing blue staring into me, grounding me as I feel something pull me towards White Kristie, away from Dima.
“Stay with me, Kristie, stay with me.” Dima’s broken voice carries on the wind and terror flows through me because I’m right here. I’m right in front of him. I’m not going anywhere even if the pull toward the woman in white feels overwhelming.
A car door slams in the background, Dima’s head snapping in that direction. His eyes widen and something akin to hope flares in his eyes. The thing wearing Maddigan’s face drops its hand in surprise, a gross sneer pulling at its messed up features as my brother Gabe painfully shuffles closer, his leg dragging behind him as he places himself between The Thing and White Kristie.
The ache in my chest grows and my knees start to buckle, the only thing keeping me standing is Dima’s voice on the wind urging me to fight. Urging me to stay with him. I lock my knees, planting my feet even though the pain in my chest feels as if my heart is being torn out.
“Kristie!Ved’ma moya! Stay with me! Stay with me!” Dima screams.
The pain intensifies and then…nothing. Everything stops. The way it does just before a storm hits. Dima’s large hands wrap around my biceps, pulling me into his large body, his arm banding around me, hand over the residual ache in my chest.
“I’ve got you, I’ve got you,” he whispers over and over.
I’m not sure what happened, but I do know it has something to do with Gabe. He’s standing between us and the thing, his lips moving, but I can’t hear a word he’s saying. His gold eyes glow impossibly bright and the wind picks up, swirling around us, my hair whipping around my face, in stark contrast to Other Kristie. Her gown and hair still, as if she is standing in the eye of the storm.
A pained screech fills the air, echoing off into the fading sun as the thing with all the faces rises in the air, limbs bent at impossible angles, back bowed as its bones crack, fingers curled with pain.
“It’s time for you all to leave,” Gabe commands, his voice strong as his gold eyes glow impossibly bright in the dimming light.
Shadows swirl around the thing’s body, darting this way and that, sulphur permeating the air until all that is left is Maddigan’s face on a small body, crumpling to the ground. Gabe nods once at the form, then turns and shuffles toward white Kristie. She smiles gently at him, allowing him to wrap her in his arms. He whispers something in her ear, and she nods, pulling back grinning at him. Pressing his lips to her forehead she disappears in a puff of white, like a dandelion, floating away on the breeze.
The ache in my chest dissipates as I watch her float away, a feeling of pure joy working its way through my veins.
“You’re free to live now, little sister,” Gabe says, his gold eyes holding mine as a tear tracks down my cheek.
A whine and a splutter draws our attention to the broken figure on the ground, Gabe’s face morphing from gentle to pissed.
“You stole what wasn’t yours to take.” Gabe roars, his strength coming back to him with the release of those souls as he stands tall and raises a hand, willing the broken figure to stand on its shaky legs. “Time to rest now, brother,” he says quietly, slowly curling his hand into a fist.
I suck in a breath as Maddigan’s face crumbles and falls away from the form below it, like black sand, landing on the wooden boards of the grand house veranda, sifting between the cracks, leaving in its place someone I know very well.
Chapter 16
Dima
“You!” Kristie whispers harshly, her body vibrating with pure rage.
“Yes, me,” La Madrina answers, a smug look on her face as her head tilts, looking at Kristie with a bored look on her face.
