Page 74 of Haunting the Hunter

This book whispers of power. Thrones beyond flesh and influence, beyond coin. But its voice is sweet, and all sweet voices in darkness are lies. I feel myself slipping closer to temptation each day, and still, I cannot burn it. Something in me stays my hand.

Should I fall to this evil, may this journal serve as warning to my bloodline.

We are not chosen. We are bait.

—R. H.

I feel her heart racing. This is the first I’m learning of this as well. So, it was Rholand who found it, buried under a church no less. This just keeps getting more and more interesting. Callisto holds the old journal in her hands as she sits, trembling. “My Gods… This is Jonathan’s father… He found the grimoire. There’s nothing on him in any of the Covenant books I’ve read,” she murmurs quietly.

“And why would there be? Clearly the man seemed against it.”

“Good point,” she agrees absently. “They wouldn’t put anything on paper that’s contradictory to their twisted rhetoric. And what he says about the grimoire… he’s not wrong. I’ve noticed it, too. Is that why you stop me every time I try to use it?” she asks, and I feel a small burst of pride in my clever little witch.

“Who says that’s what I’ve been doing?”I tease.

“Don’t fuck with me,” she scoffs, gently setting the journal down. “Every time I use that thing, shit would happen, and now I know it was you. You’ve been protecting me, haven’t you?”

I don’t respond. She’s right in a way—I don’t want her to use it. However, I’ve haunted, threatened, and scared her… how could she think I’ve been protecting her? She speaks up, interrupting my thoughts, her voice surprisingly soft.

“Look, I hate to admit this… but I doubt I would have put two and two together if it weren’t for you. So… thank you.”

I pause, a strange warmth filling me.

“I didn’t help you… I haven’t helped you. I’ve been a nuisance at best,”I say honestly, disliking the way she passes over her own strengths. She pieced that together herself. She underestimates herself far too much.

I weigh my next words carefully.

“You have me trapped in your body, little witch. That’s not easily done. You care about others despite them being the cause of your suffering. You have a good heart and should stop questioning yourself. Everyone makes mistakes, but we learn from them.”

I can feel her thinking and the way her emotions swirl around her. She is confused but grateful. She can feel that I’m being honest, despite still questioning my intentions. She speaks slowly.

“Do you know how I can separate us? Has this ever happened before?”

“No. Not by a human, or a witch. My best guess? It’s our connection… or you’re simply something else entirely. Or maybe you just want me inside of you,”I say, my tone flirtatious as I preen at the idea…

She shakes her head, unable to hide her smile. “I won’t begin to try and understand what you mean by that, and you wish. Do you have any useful ideas?”

“Fear is a good motivator,”I say nonchalantly, mentally licking my lips at the idea.

“Yeah… No thank you, but nice try. Anything else?”

“You could allow me to take control. Then I may be able to pull myself out,”I muse idly.

“And how do you suggest I do that…?” Her voice sounds hesitant but intrigued.

I rumble softly, almost purring the words into her mind.“It’s easier if I show you. Just relax for me.”

I push my influence into her as best I can, causing warm sensations to flood her body, centralizing at her core and sliding lower.

“What are you doing?” she breathes, her face flushing as she shifts in her chair at the feeling.

“You need to let go for me.”I whisper the words softly to her, dragging my consciousness along her own.

Her mind spirals and I feel her giving in. She wants to, she wants this, but there’s hesitation. She sucks in a deep breath and leans into the feeling, letting go.

Her head tilts back as she quietly whispers, “Okay.”

She lets go and I can feel myself begin to seep out of her skin and slowly materialize. Her eyes are still closed, chest rising and falling with her deep breaths. Once fully formed, I grab her hand and pull her into me.