Page 2 of Mortal Magic (Shadow Shifter)

She smiled reassuringly. “That makes sense. It’s scary, but hopefully the visions will become less frequent in time. I appreciate the incite Dr. Henry.”

“Tell me about your job. Things are still going well?” Dr. Henry asked.

Riley nibbled the inside of her cheek. “I got laid off at the post office, but I’m volunteering at dad’s care home.”

“That’s good. Staying busy and spending more time with your father are excellent ways to heal. I would like to see you engage in more social activities outside of the care facility.”

A red light flashed on the wall, signaling Dr. Henry’s next patient had arrived and her hour was up.

Riley forced a smile. “Honestly, I’ve been pretty focused on dad, but I’ll make an effort to be more social.”

Dr. Henry walked her to the door, smiling encouragingly as she welcomed her next patient.

Riley descended the stairs of the private offices located above the café. She popped in and grabbed herself a coffee and a banana nut muffin before exiting onto Main Street. She took a sip of her drink as Marvin approached.

“It’s good to see you, Riley. How is Daniel? We’ve missed you at church,” Marvin said.

Riley swallowed the hot liquid. “He’s the same. I’m sorry, I haven’t been back since dad was moved to the care home. I’m volunteering there and it gives me more time to spend with him.”

“Your father is an amazing person. He helped so many people. We were devastated by his diagnosis.”

Riley forced a smile. “He loved the church. Many of the patrons still come to visit him. I really appreciate their kindness.”

Marvin squeezed her shoulder. “He spent so much time there after your mother died. I thought you two planned to stay forever,” he teased.

“That’s true. It was comforting for both of us,” she said.

“Well, you take care of yourself and your father. I hope to see you soon.” Marvin tipped his hat before continuing down Main Street.

Riley took a bite of her muffin before returning it to the paper bag. Her appetite dwindled as she thought of the people she had distanced herself from. Who was she blaming for her father’s condition? For her mother’s death? For her attack?

She ducked down a side alley. One she had taken dozens of times to connect to the street she lived on. The rusty blue garbage bin was in its usual spot, overflowing with cardboard and black garbage bags. It reeked of stale meat and rotting vegetables. Leftovers from the shelter that was nearby.

Her entire body froze as the low growl echoed from the shadows. She turned, searching the cracked pavement and the surrounding buildings, but she was alone. Her combat boots kicked loose gravel, skittering along the cement as she quickened her pace.

Riley’s heart stuttered in her chest as the shadows coalesced into the dark demon of her dreams. A vision come to life as oily lips curled over yellow serrated teeth and gnarled black fingers reached for her.

CHAPTER2

No. No. No.This couldn’t be happening. Black mist swirled off the demon’s shoulders as his slick skin solidified. Every detail was exactly like her vision. From the gray claws to the gnarled fingers and glowing red eyes. If anything, he was larger than she imagined, at seven feet tall. His disjointed legs seemed too small for his large torso, as if a sturdy breeze could topple him at any minute.

Riley dropped her coffee and muffin as she stumbled backwards. “You’re not real. You can’t be real.”

“Priestess. Come with me now.” The demon’s voice grated on her eardrums. A cold unnatural sound that threatened to relieve her stomach of its recent snack.

She backed up as the demon advanced on her with outstretched arms. His spindly legs swaying under his large upper body. “Get away from me,” she snapped.

“You must meet the master. No pain if you come quietly,” he said.

Riley recalled the vision she’d had several times. While there were small differences, the location and the results were always the same. In the last one, he had told her his name.

“Halak,” she whispered.

The demon stopped, dropping his arms. “How do you know Halak's name?”

Riley considered the question. If this was the delusion, why bother lying to herself? “I thought it was my imagination. The visions can’t be real.”

Halak cocked his head unnaturally to the side. “You are human. How do you foreshadow?”

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