Chapter 81

Something trailed him in the mist; something feral that threatened not only his life, but also his soul. Growls rumbled from concealing shadows, but Roddy walked on, unaware, unconcerned. I opened my mouth to warn him, but it was as if my vocal cords were frozen—I couldn’t get a sound past my lips.

Roddy knew I was there behind him, and he turned to face me, smiling his pleasure. He was smiling as the thing barrelled out of the darkness and tore at his throat.

He was smiling as he died.

“Roddy,” I shouted, my voice breaking. “Oh God, no!” I began to weep

“Tommy! Tommy!”

His beloved voice was calling me, and I opened my one good eye, but I could see nothing beyond the horror that lurked in that wood. It confronted me, its slavering jaws agape, while my lover’s blood dripped from them.