Page 103 of Nightshades

“We’re going to have so much fun,” Shade lies. “Open the door, Reba.”

She listens, completely entranced, and inserts an old gold key with a keychain attached to it. The door swings open, and Reba steps inside. The room is dark with a lamp in the corner, glowing a dim yellow light. There are stains on the carpet from years of not having a deep cleaning, and cigarette smoke hangs heavy in the air.

“What game are we playing?” Reba spins around to Shade, smiling widely.

It’s hard to believe I’m looking at the face of a killer. She doesn’t seem like the type, but evidence doesn’t lie. She’s good at what she does, but Shade is better.

I shut the door behind me and lock it, then close the blinds, not wanting anyone to know what was going on.

“We are going to play, ‘What’s your favorite nightmare?’” Shade replies, his roots sliding across the floor.

It’s always amazing to see his abilities come to life. The roots inch from his body, going where Shade wants them to. They move like arms or legs, smooth and natural.

“How do we play that?”

“It’s easy. You tell me your worst fear first.” The room darkens even more, the presence of the entity within him wanting out, wanting to feed.

The roots begin to wrap around Reba Lynn, binding her arms and legs together until she can’t move. Flowers begin to bloom, purple petals sprouting, and I know he is seconds away from releasing the poison.

“And then I’m going to make you relive it.”

“But I’ll be scared. That would be…a nightmare.” Reba’s eyes become sad, a frown tugging on her lips. “I don’t think I like this game.”

Shade grunts, the space darkening even further. Smoke releases from his skin, black and heavy.

“Let me see what you fear, Reba,” Shade growls, the nightmare diving down her throat to possess her.

Her eyes turn black, and her mouth parts to scream, but the poison releases, pushing its way into her system with every ragged, desperate breath she takes. Her shout gets caught, her eyes bulge out, and her face turns red. She stares at Shade in shock, and tears begin to drip down her face.

Fear.

And I don’t know how I’ve never noticed it before, but Shade tilts his head back, groaning as he drinks it in. I almost see it, an energy that hums around him, and if I’m not mistaken, he seems…bigger.

If that’s possible.

My throat becomes dry watching him, my heart racing with adrenaline while he absorbs all the fear he can.

Liquid heat pulsates between my legs, my clit throbbing from the unnerving sight. This. This is exactly what I wanted, what I needed, what I’ve craved my entire life.

I gasp when I feel the fear enter my body, and I have to grip the TV stand. My stomach warms, and a drowsy sensation causes me to feel like I’m floating, like I’ve had too much to drink.

Shade looks over at me, his gaze latched onto my stomach. It would make sense that our child would indulge in fear too. He is part nightmare after all.

“Take my hand.” Shade reaches for me, and I don’t think twice; I take it, allowing him to pull me under.

Reba’s eyes turn black, and I’m cast inside her mind. The suddenness of it reminds me of the fall of a rollercoaster from up high.

“Interesting,” Shade says, slowly spinning in a circle.

“Wow.” I don’t know how to explain where I am.

When I look up, something similiar to lightning veins and crackles.

“Neurons from the brain,” he explains. “We’re in the part of the mind where she holds everything she fears, but this, this is what she fears most.”

All that is around us is just a vast desert. Sand is beneath our feet. The sand seems endless.

“Being deserted?” I blurt, wondering how the hell this is her worst fear.