ExcerptedfromTheCreepypastaCollection,Volume2:20Stories.NoSleep.byMrCreepyPastaUsedbypermissionofthepublisher,AdamsMedia,adivisionofSimon&Schuster.Allrightsreserved.TheBeastofBatteredGrovebyChristopherMaximPamwasayoungwomanwitheccentrictastes.Sheenjoyeddarktales—narrativesinvolvingsupernaturalentities,witchcraft,andtheoccult.Despiteherloveforsuchthings,however,shehadnodesiretodabbleinthemherself.Theyweren’treal,afterall,atleastnottoPam.Littledidsheknowthatonadailystrollhomefromwork,thatbeliefwouldchange—everythingwouldchange.PamworkedasabaristaatalocalcoffeeshopinherhometownofBatteredGrove,abustlingbutquainttowninNewEngland.There,shewouldspendseveralhoursmakingvariouscaffeinatedconcoctionsanddeliciouspastriestoservetothegeneralpublic.Itwasasimplejob,andonethatsheenjoyed,butitstillleftherexhaustedattheendoftheday.Onedayinparticulartookalotoutofherbecauseshehadtoworkadoubleshift.Oneofhercoworkerscalledoutsick,andPamwasfartoonicetoleaveheremployershort-staffed.Withagenuinesmileonherface,Pamcontinuedtoservecoffeeanddessertstohercustomersthroughouttheday.Afterhershiftwasover,Pampulledoffherapron,gatheredherthings,andheadedforthedoor.Shecouldn’tgetoutfastenough.Thecoolnightairhitherfacegently,sendingarefreshingchilldownherspine.Itwasnicecomparedtothestuffycoffeeshop.Shetookadeepbreathofthisfreshairandlookedoffinthedistance.Shewasinnowaylookingforwardtothewalkahead.Herhousewasnearly5milesaway—alongandarduoustrekforanexhaustedbarista.Notonlythat,butPamlikedtoreadonherwayhome.Sheknewtheroutebyheartandcouldseeoncomingobstaclesoutofthecornerofhereyeassheread.Itwasanunorthodoxwaytowalkhome,butitmadethetimegobyalotfaster.Shewouldn’tbeabletoreadonthisnight,however,asshehadgottenoutofworkfartoolate.Moonlightwouldnotbeenoughtoilluminatethepagesofherlatestsupernaturalthriller.Shewouldhavetomakedowithout.Pamgrudginglybeganpower-walkinginthedirectionofherhouse.Shetookasharpleftoffofthestreetwheresheworkedandkeptgoing,hermarchneverwavering.Whilediligentlymovingforwardatabreakneckpace,Pamdecidedtotakealookaround,soastogivehereyessomethingtodo,consideringshecouldn’treadtopleasethem.Upondoingso,shenoticedthelocalpark.Itwassomethingshe’dneverquitefullyappreciatedbefore.Shealwayshadherfaceburiedinabook,soshehadnevernoticeditsbeautyoritslayout.

Theparkwassimplebutstately.Itwasverysmallinsize,butithadaregalelegancetoitthatmadeitappearlarger.Surroundingitsperimeterwasamodernstonewallequippedwithmarblepoststhatjuttedoutevery6feetorso.Theentrancewasarun-of-the-millchain-linkfence.Itwastheonlythingthatbrokeupthepatternofstoneandmarble,andbecauseofthis,itseemedveryoutofplace.Intheparkitselfwasnothingmorethantwobenchesandastatue.Youcouldn’tseethebenchesfromthestreetbecauseofthestonewall,butthestatuecouldbeseenuptoamileaway.Thestatuewasthatofa30-foot-talldeity.Youraveragepersonmightcallitanangel,butPamknewbetter.She’dreadenoughfictiontoknowthatitwasnomessengerofGod.Therewassomethingsinisterinitseyes.That,anditswingsseemedtoobirdliketobethatofanangel.Shecouldn’tquiteplacewhatitwas,butsheknewitwasabeingthatwasmaliciousinnature.Still,itspoketoher.Shefellinlovewitheverydetailofitsdesign,eventheseeminglyevilsmileitbore.Shewascaptivated.Whilestaringattheparkanditsstatue,Pamrealizedsomething.Justbehindtheparkwasanoldstonechurch.Itwasstillinuse—sheknewthis,butwhatshedidn’tknowwashowcloseitwastothepark.Therewasjustasmallpathwayseparatingthetwo.Shefounditfunnythatsuchanefariousstatueexistedinfrontofachurch,ofallthings.BeforePamwalkedpastthechurch,thoroughlyamused,herattentionwasdrawntothewoodedareabehindit.Shestoppedinstantly.Anideacametomind,onethatwouldpotentiallycutPam’swalkingtimeinhalf.Onhernormalroute,Pamhadtotraversemanyroadsandtakeseveralturnstogettoherhouse.Thewoodsbehindthechurchwouldbeastraightshothome,ifshedaredbravethem.Shewasn’tafanofwalkingthroughthewoodsatnight,butherdesiretogethomeinatimelyfashionoutweighedherdistaste.Aftermullingitoverinherheadforabit,shecrossedthestreetandbookedittowardthewoods.Shewasinarush,andthiswasherbestsolution.Pamwalkedintothewoodsconfidently.Shecouldfeelhernervesgettingthebestofheruponentering,butsheindulgedintheideathatactingwithoutfearwouldinfactrenderherfearless.This,however,wasnotthecase.Asshecontinuedherimpromptuhikethroughthewilderness,Pambegannoticingthingsthattriggeredheranxiety.Thetreesseemedtoarchoverhermenacingly.Itwasasiftheywerewatchinghereverymove.Sheknewtheyweren’t,butitstillmadeherfeelabitfrazzled.Shecouldalsohearthevarioussoundsofnocturnalanimalsinthedistance.Smallanimalslikeowlsandcoyotes—nothingparticularlyfrightening.Nonetheless,thesoundsmadePamuneasy.Asthestimulioftheforestsetin,Pambegantopanic.Herwalkbecamehurriedandsporadicuntiliteventuallyturnedintoarun.Whilerunninginthedark,Pamfailedtonoticealargetreerootprotrudingfromtheground.Itcollidedwithherankle,causinghertofallface-firstontotheforestfloor.Uninjured,butstillanxious,shegotupandassessedhersituation.Pamhadtwooptions.Shecouldturnaroundandheadback,orpressoninherpanickedstate.Sheestimatedthatshewasaboutathirdofthewaytoherhouse.Thefirstoptionwaslooking

prettygood,buteitherwayshe’dstillbewalkingthroughwoods,andshestillwantedtogethomequickly.Sheneededsomethingtodistractherfromtheperilsoftheforest,awaytostaycalmwhileshewalked.Theonlythingshecouldthinktodowasreadabook.Readingwastheonlythingthatcomfortedherduringtryingtimes.Shecouldreadwiththelightofherphone,butsheknewshewouldn’tbeabletowalkatthesametime.She’dmasteredthismethodofmultitasking,butitonlyworkedduringtheday.Therewasnowayshecouldseetheobstaclesbothbelowandinfrontofherinthedark.Itjustwouldn’twork.Aggravatedandscared,Pamdecidedtositbyatreeandreadforalittlewhile.Onechapterisallitwouldtaketocalmherdownenoughtokeepwalking.Plus,shewouldstillmakeithomeingoodtime.Knowingthis,Pampulledoutadarkfantasynovelbyherfavoriteauthor,JackGrovewood.ShewasatChapterThree,“TheWitch’sCabin.”Thebookwasabitdifferentfromhisusualtalesofhorror,butPamwaslovingitjustthesame.ItwasaboutamanbythenameofGarrett,aprofessionalmonsterslayerforhireinthekingdomofFereldor.Inthisparticularchapter,Garretthasbeenhiredtotakecareofawitchwho’sbeenkidnappingvillagerstosacrificeforherrituals.Pamreadportionsofthechapteraloud,assheoftendidwhenshewasbyherself:GarretttookoffintotheKorikariforest,hopingtofindthewitch’sshack.Theinformationthelocalshadgivenhimwasinvaluable,butthefactsweren’tallthere.Garrettwasleftgraspingatstrawsandusingeducatedguessworktofindher.Hisreputationprecededhim.Ifhecouldfindevenonesignofthewitch,heknewhewouldbeabletotrackher.Hewasahoundinneedofascent.Ahoundinneedofafoxtocatch.Whilesearchingforclues,Garrettbecameveryawareoftheforest’satmosphere.Somethingwasn’tright.Theairwasstaleandunwelcoming.Someofthetreeslackedthelusteroftheirliveliercounterparts.ThestrangestthingthatGarrettnoticed,though,wasthelackofnoise.Whenstandingcompletelystill,thesilencewasoverwhelming.Garretthadtraversedmanyaforestinhisday,soheknewwhatoneshouldsoundlike.Eveninpatchesoflittletonowildlife,youshouldstillbeabletohearthetreesswayinginthewindorcivilizationoffinthedistance.ButwhenGarrettwasstill,allhecouldhearwastheheartbeatinginhischest.Thatwasn’tnormal.Garrettdecidedthatthewitchmustbenearby.Hehadneverknownonetocausesuchpeculiaractivity,butwitcheswereacraftybunch.Youneverquitedidknowwhattoexpectuponencounteringone.Garrettknewthis,andassuchhekepthisguardup.Atanymoment,thewitchcouldstrike.Usingspells,shecouldbreaklimbs,putwould-beattackerstosleep,orevencausevividhallucinations.LuckyforGarrett,hehadbeenthroughalloftheseordealsandfarworse.Hewaspreparedforanything,buteventhebest-trainedhuntercanbetakenbysurprise.Makingcautiousmovementsandlittleheadway,Garrettdecidedtotakeadifferentapproach.Mostpredators

likedtotoywiththeirpreybeforepouncing;itmakesmealtimeintoamoreengagingaffair.Withthisinmind,Garrettwonderedifheshouldsimplymakehispresenceknown.Hethoughtthatperhapsifheshoutedforthewitchtoshowherself,maybeshewouldcomeoutofhidingandconfronthim,soastohavesomefunwithhernextvictim.Itwouldbedangerous,butGarrettwasconfidentinhisability.Heknewthatoncehehadherinhislineofsight,hecouldgoinforthekill.Usinghername,astoldinlocallegend,Garrettsummonedthewitch:“AmberTheWitchtress!Iherebycommandyoutoshowyourself!”Garrett’sthunderousvoiceechoedthroughouttheforest.Itmighthavescaredoffnearbyanimalshadtherebeenany.Still,hesawnoone.Garrettinspectedeverydetailaroundhim,butsawnothing.Nothingbuttreesandgloom.Justashewasabouttomakeanotherattempt,heheardsomethingcomingfrombehindhim.Itwasthesoftlaughofawoman:Itwasthewitch.Garrettquicklyturnedaroundandretreatedfarenoughtocreatearespectabledistancebetweenhimandhisvisitor.That’swhenhegothisfirstgoodlookather.Shewasbeautiful.Stunningineverysenseoftheword.Young,posh,enticing.Sheworearevealing,blouse-likeshroud.Itcoveredherhead,andonlypartsofherchest.Belowtheshroudwereoddlycraftedbritches.Theyseemedtoconcealmanyobjects,perhapspotionsandstolengoods.Inthewitch’shandwasawoodenstaff—nodoubthertoolofthetrade.Ofallofherfeatures,thethingthatstuckoutthemosttoGarrettwasalargeamuletthathungfromthewitch’sneck.Itcontainedastriking,blood-redgem.BeforeGarrettcouldobservefurther,thewitchspoke.“YouknowthatIamgoingtokillyousowhywouldyoudemandmypresence?Doyouhaveadeathwish?”Garrettknewnottoconversewithmonstrouscreatures.Ifthere’sonethinghe’dlearnedinhismanyyearsinthislineofwork,it’sthattherearefewthingsmightierthanthetongue.Anyonecanbeconvincedofanything,andfallingintoatrapatthehandsofdeceitandtrickerywasnotonGarrett’sto-dolist.Plus,whendealingwithasorceress,youhavetobiteyourtonguesoasnottomistakenlyactivateaspell.Someincantationsrequireasecondpartytospeak.Onewrongwordcouldbeacatalystforone’sowndemise.Inlightofthis,Garrettstayedquiet.“Thestrong,silenttype,eh?Let’sseeifIcanchangethat...”Pamclosedherbookandstoodup.She’dbeenreadingforlongenough,anditwasn’thelpingasmuchasshethoughtitwould.Itwasanescape,anditcertainlykeptherdistracted,buttheparallelsbetweenthebook’ssettingandhersleftheronedge.Severelyspooked,shedecidedthattheonlylogicalcourseofactionwastoforceherselftokeepgoing,whethershewasanxiousornot.Itwastheonlyway.Pamwasabouttostartwalkingagainwhensherealizedshecouldnolongerrememberwhichdirectionshe’dcomefrom,norwhereshewassupposedtobeheaded.Shehadbeenreading

herbookforsolongthatshehadforgottenherway.Herstomachbegantoturnwildlyasanotherstageofpanicsetin.Shewasallaloneinavastwastelandoftreesanddidn’tknowhowtogetout.Takingdeepbreathsandtryingnottofreakout,Pammadeaneducatedguessandchoseadirectiontowalkin.Twodirectionswouldleadherbacktocivilization.Theothertwowereunknowns.Thatmeanttherewasa50percentchanceshe’dwinduphomeorbackatthechurch.However,thatalsomeanttherewasa50percentchancethatshewaswanderingintoawoodedabyss.Theforestwasalargeone—thelargestinthestate,infact.Apersoncouldspenddayshikingthroughitsdepthsandstillnotseeeverythingithastooffer.Pamtriednottothinkaboutthis,andinsteadfocusedonthetaskathand.Denialwasalovelyfriendtohaveinthemiddleofthewilderness,buteventuallyPamhadtoadmittoherselfthatshewaslost.Shehadbeenwalkingforfarlongerthanitshouldhavetakentogethomeortothechurch,andherenvironmentwasbeginningtolooknoticeablydifferent.Itwasthesameforest,butthetreeslookedbizarreandoutofplace.Notonlythat,buttheyseemedtohavemarkingscarvedintotheirbark.Asoddasthisappeared,itdidnotalarmher.Shewassurethatshehadmerelystumbledintoadeeperpartofthewoodsthansheshouldhave,andthemarkingswerejusttheproductofpeoplewhohadbeentherebefore.Perhapshuntersmarkingwherethey’dbeen.Knowingthiswasunfamiliarterritory,Pamturnedandbeganheadinginadifferentdirectioninthehopesofmorepromisingresults.Beforegettingtoofarfromthemarkedtrees,Pamheardasoundcomingfromdeepinthebowelsoftheforest.Itwasanunnaturalgrowlcomingfromthedirectionshehadjustturnedfrom.Itwassubtle,butstillquiteloud.Itsoundedtoherearsliketherestrainedsnarlofalargeanimal.Chillstraveledupanddownherspineasshestoodinshock.Herbrainwastellinghertorunawayfromthesound,butshecouldn’tfinditinhertomove,atleastnotrightaway.WhilePamstoodthere,thesoundcontinued—agrotesqueorchestraofgrowlsandgroanswiththeoccasionalgrunt.Itwasbecomingnoticeablylouder,anindicationthatwhateveritwasmighthavebeengettingclosertoher.Still,shecouldnotbudge.Thesoundeventuallyreachedsuchahighvolumethatshecouldtellitwascomingfromdirectlybehindher.Shecouldalmostsmellitsbreathasitseeminglyseethed.HerfightorflightresponsefinallykickedinandPamtookoffasfastasshecouldintheoppositedirectionofthesound,butnotbeforeturningaroundandglancingatwhatitwassheheard.Shesawsomething,butfearcoupledwithdarknessmadeitdifficultforhertofullyprocesswhatitwas.Plus,shewastoopreoccupiedwithrunningforherlifetodwellonit.Luckyforher,thesoundfaded.Whateveritwasthatresideddeepintheforesthadnotfollowedher.Aftersprintinginonedirectionforasolidtwentyminutes,Pamfoundherselfbackatthechurch.Shewasdelightedtobeoutofthewoods,evenifitmeanttakingthelongwayhome.Shewashappyshemadeitoutalive.Thatwastheimportantthing.Thatwasallshecared

about.Thedarkandtreacherousforestwasbehindherandshewouldneverhavetogoback.Shecouldonceagainpartakeinthenormalroutinethatwasherlife.Orsoshethought.

•••Thenextdayatwork,Pamwaslessthanproductive.Shehadn’thadawholelotofsleepthenightbeforeandwasoutofsorts.Shehadthoughtaboutthebeastallnight,andwascontinuingtothinkaboutitatwork.Atleast,that’swhatsheconvincedherselfitwas.Thinkingbackontheordeal,shecouldswearshesawamassiveshadowloomingoverher,aswellaslargeredeyeswhensheturnedaround.Itkeptheruphalfthenightandconsumedhereverythoughtwhileworking.Sheendedupmakingseveralmistakesthatdayandevenspilledcoffeeononeofhercustomers.Becauseofthis,shewasaskedtoleaveearly.Pamacceptedthesituationandleftthecoffeeshop,hopingthewalkhomemightclearherhead.Thistimeshecouldreadwhilewalking,likesheusuallydid.Shehopedthebookwouldtakehermindoffofthebeast.Andso,sheescaped,backintothekingdomofFereldorandtheperilsofGarrettthemonsterhunter:Garrettawokestrappedtoachairinthewitch’sshack.AmberTheWitchtresshadcastasleepspellthatknockedhimoffhisfeet,thendraggedhimtohershackandrestrainedhim.Garrettcouldsurmiseallofthis,butfeltfoolishforfallingintohertrap.Hewishedhe’dneversummonedhertobeginwith.That’swhenhelosttheelementofsurprise—somethingthatheshouldhaveimplementedonhishunt.Heunderestimatedthewitch’sabilities.Thewitchwasnowheretobeseen.Garrettusedthistohisadvantageandlookedaroundtheroomforanythingthatmighthelphimescape.Whathesawsurprisedhim.Therewerenoaltars,pentagrams,spellbooks,potions,oranythingindicatingthatthiswasthelairofawitch.Instead,therewasafireplace,asmallkitchenarea,andbed.Wordslike“ordinary”and“cozy”cametoGarrett’smindwhengivingtheplaceagoodonce-over.Hewasbaffled.Ambercamethroughthefrontdoorwithapileoffirewoodinherarms.Shewalkedovertothehearthandsetthebundledown.Garrettwatchedinconfusion.Amberlookedoverandnoticedthequizzicallookonhisface.“What?It’sgettingchilly.Haven’tyouseensomeonestartafirebefore?”Garrettkepttohimself,stickingtohisruleofnotconversingwithmonsters.“Wereyouexpectingcauldrons,chalices,andvoodoodolls,isthatit?Well,I’msorrytodisappointyou.”Garrettlookedatherblankly.Amberplacedthefirewoodonthehearth.Shethengrabbedamatchfromherbritchesandusedittostartthefire.Garrettwaspuzzledbythis.

“I’mnotlikeotherwitches,youknow.IonlyusewitchcraftwhenIhaveto.Iuseitsolelytosurvive.”Garrettwasn’tsurewhattomakeofheratthispoint.Heendedupgivingintohiscuriosityandlistenedintentlytowhatshehadtosay.“You’reheretokillme,areyounot?Probablyhiredtoridtheworldofmeonceandforall?Well,thenI’msureyou’veheardthelocallegend,theonethatstatesthatIkillpeopleasaritualisticrecreation.Well,youshouldknowthatIfabricatedthistaletokeeppeoplelikeyououtofmyforest.”Garrettcouldnolongerbitehistongue.Herstoryhadrousedhiscuriosity.“Whatdoyoumean?”heasked.“Hespeaks!”Ambercackledabitbeforespeakingfurther.“Thefactofthematteris,Idokill.Ineedtoinordertostayyoung.ButIdonotkillhumans.Bloodisblood.Anybloodwilldoformyrituals.That’swhyIkillanimals.It’struethathumanbloodwouldworkbetter,butI’vedecidedtoplaynice.Idon’twanttobemoreofaproblemthanthelocalsalreadythinkIam.Truthbetold,you’rethefirstpersontocomeallthewayoutheretokillme.”Garrettstayedsilent,unsureofhowtoreact.“Look.Ifyouwantyourpayment,youcantakemystafftothevillagersandsaythatyou’vekilledme.They’llbemorethanhappywiththat.Icanmakeanewone.”AmberwalkedovertoGarrettandundidhisstraps.Hewasfreetogo.Insteadofleaving,however,Garrettwalkedovertothewitchandaskedonelastthing.“Icameheretokillyou.Iamathreattoyourveryexistence.Whyjustletmego?”“It’ssimple,really.LikeIsaid,I’mnot...”Beforeshecouldfinishhersentence,Garrettthrustabladedeepinhergut,makingsuretodigthesharpedgeinwhereitreallycounted.Hewatchedasthelifelefthereyesandshefelltothefloor.Garrettknewthatanyonecouldbeconvincedofanything,buthewasnotanyone.Hewasn’tabouttobuythewitch’sactandletherpullafastoneonhim.Evenifshewastellingthetruth,Garrett’sworkreliedonseeinghiscontractsthroughtotheend.Afterall,leavinglooseendswouldbebadforbusiness.

Beforeexitingtheshack,Garrettgrabbedthewitch’samulet.Helookedatitforamomentbeforesmashingitonthefloor.Itbrokeapartintoseveraltinypieces.Garretthaddealtwithwitchesbefore,andheknewthattheyallhadasourceofpower.HeguessedthattheamuletwasAmber’s.Ifleftintact,thewitch’ssourceofpowercouldresurrectthedeadwitch.Garretthadlearnedthisthehardwayononeofhisfirstcontracts.Nearlygothimselfkilledbecauseofit.Butnowheknewbetter.Helookeddownatthebloodredfragmentsonthefloorandsmiled.Hisworkherewasdone.Uponfinishingthechapter,Pamlookeduptoseewhereshewas.Tohersurprise,shewasbehindthechurch,standingdirectlyinfrontofthewoods.Shewastakenabackbythis,notknowinghowshewoundupthere.Shedidn’trememberwalkinginthatdirection,butthenagainshehadbeenbusyreadingherbook.Shethoughtthatperhapsitwasmusclememoryfromthedaybefore.Sheknewthiswasunlikely,butitwasthebestexplanationshecouldcomeupwith.Contentwithhertheory,Pamattemptedtoturnaroundandheadback.Beforedoingso,shelookedupattheforestagain.Forwhateverreason,thescenerymesmerizedher.Inthedaylightitlookedsurrealandotherworldly.Shefeltthatitwascallingouttoher,beckoninghertoonceagainenteritsunsavorydepths.Shecouldn’texplainit,butshefelttheinsatiableneedtogointothewoodsdespitethebeastthatlurkedwithinit.Thissuddenandpowerfulcravinggovernedhermovements.Pamwalkedbackintotheforestinadazedstupor,unabletocontrolwhatshewasdoing.Pamwoundupataclearinginthewoods.Sherememberedenteringtheforest,butcouldnotforthelifeofherrememberhowshearrivedinhercurrentlocation.Butthatwastheleastofherconcerns.Theclearing,itseemed,wasoccupied.Therewereseveralcloakedindividualsstandinginacircularformation,eachwiththeirownblackaltar.Theyseemedtobechantingundertheirbreath.Atthecenterofthiscircularformationwasnoneotherthanthebeast.Pamknewthoseeyesanywhere.Thebeasthadbeenflailingaboutandgrowlingferociously,unabletomove.ButonceitlockedeyeswithPam,itstopped.Thebeastwasdocile.Pamnoticedthatthechantinghadceasedaswell.Shelookedaroundandrealizedthatthecloakedindividualswerenowfacingher.Oneinparticularwalkeddirectlyintoherlineofviewandspoke.“It’sokay!Don’tbefrightened.Youcancomeout,child.”Pamdidn’tknowhowtoreact.Whatwashappeningwasunbelievable,butshesensednoillintent.Slowly,shesteppedintotheclearinganduptothecloakedperson.“You’rehere!Thisisagloriousdayindeed!”

Itwasawoman.Abeautifuloneatthat.Longblondehair,anelegantredcloak,andgorgeousredeyes.Pamwasawestruck,thoughshedidn’tknowwhatthewomanwastalkingabout.Shewasalsoabitnervousasthebeastwasstandingdirectlybehindher.Thecloakedwomannoticedthis.“Nottoworry!Thebeastwillnotharmyou.Itcan’t,infact.Youareitsmaster.”Pamwasdumbfounded.Shedidn’tknowwhatthewomanmeant,norhowanyofthiswaspossible.Itallseemedlikeaweirddreamtoher.Forbetterorforworse,itwasalltooreal.“I’mitsmaster?”Pamasked.“Yes.PerhapsIshouldexplain.Come.”ThewomangesturedforPamtowalkwithherovertothebeast.Pamobliged,thoughstillnervous.Thisallowedhertogetacloserlookatit.Thebeastwasenormous,thesizeofasmallhouse.Itlookedlikeabear,butnotquite.Inplaceoffurwasapeltofdarkness—ablackauramadeupofaswirlingenergyofsomesort.And,ofcourse,therewerethosestrikingredeyes,notunlikethewoman’s.Thebeastwasintimidating,thoughseeingitupcloseindaylightmadePamlessscared.Shethoughtitwascute,inaway.Especiallyconsideringitnolongerwantedtokillher.“YoumaycallmeAbaddon.IamtheleaderoftheClanoftheRedWolf.Wehaveexistedformanycenturies.Ourdoctrineissimple.Weseekdivinitythroughnature,andtoprotectallwildlife.”AbaddonspokeforquitesometimeabouttheClan,revealingallofitsinnerworkingstoPam.Shelearnedthattheyworshipadeitycalledthe“RedWolf.”Histeachingshadbeenpasseddownfromgenerationtogeneration,allowingtheClantoflourishtothatday.ShealsolearnedthattheClanuseddarkmagicforvariousreasons.Theblackaltarswereusedtohelpstrengthenanddirectthismagic.“Weweretryingtocalmthebeastbeforeyourarrival.”

Pamwasstillconfusedastohowshefitintoallofthis.ShewaitedforAbaddontoexplainfurther.“OneoftheRedWolf’steachingsspeaksofanancientbeast;onethatwillonedayawakenfromitsslumberandaidtheClaninprotectingtheEarthfromfurtherdestruction.AftermanyyearsofresearchingthewordoftheRedWolf,wewereabletounlockthesecrettowakingthebeastintheformofanincantation.”

“SowhyamIitsmaster?”Pamasked,wantingtoknowmore.“Wakingthebeastdoesnotmakeyouitsmaster.It’snotthatsimple.Thebeastmustchooseitsmaster.”PamwasnoticeablyperplexedbyAbaddon’sstatement.“Itismyunderstandingthatyouwereinourforesttheothernightandhadarun-inwiththebeast.Ithastakenalikingtoyoueversincethen.Thatiswhythebeastchoseyou.”AplethoraofemotionsandquestionswentthroughPam’smind.Shedidn’tknowhowanyofthiscouldexist.Itwaslikesomethingrightoutofoneofherbooks.Shewasfindingitevenhardertocometotermswiththefactthatshe,herself,wasatthisstory’sepicenter.Pamneededtoknowmore.“Whatdoesthismean?”sheasked.“We’velearnedalotaboutthebeast,butweareunsureofhowitistoaidusinourendeavors.Wedoknowthatitpossessesapowerfulmagic—farmorepowerfulthantheClan’s.Wealsoknowthatasitsmasteryouaretheonlyonewhocancommandit.”Pam’sheartsunk.Herworldhaddrasticallychangedinamatterofmeremoments.Darkmagicwasreal.Supernaturalcultswerereal.Monsterswerereal.Bypurecircumstance,shehadstumbleduponadarklayerofrealitythathadapparentlyexistedsincethebeginningoftime.Andinherhometownofallplaces.Thisgreatlycomplicatedherlife,andshewasn’tsureshewantedanypartofit.“WhatifIdon’twantthis?WhatifIrefusetobeitsmaster?”AbaddonlookedbewilderedwhenPamaskedthis.“Itcannotbeundone.Youandthebeastareone.Youshareabondthatcannotbebroken.Didyounotheeditscallwhenitdrewyououthere?”Pamlookedupatthebeast.Itgruntedindisapprovalandwalkedaway.Itthenproceededtoliedownlikeadogwould,attheedgeoftheclearing.ApparentlyPamhadoffendedit.“Youneedtospendtimewithit.Gettoknowit.We’llmeetyoubackhereinonemonth’stime.Hopefullybythenwewillhavediscoveredthebeast’spurpose.”Abaddonbeganwalkingaway.“Wait!”Pamexclaimed.Abaddonstoppedandturnedaround.

“Yes?”“HowwillIevenfindit?”Pamasked.“Thisiswhereitlives.Itwillguideyouhere,justasitdidtoday.”AbaddonandtheothermembersoftheClanformedasmallcircleoutsideoftheclearingandheldhands.PamcouldhearAbaddonspeakinginanotherlanguagewithgreatconviction.Aftershefinishedspeaking,PamwatchedastheClanvanishedbeforehereyes.Shelookedaround,shocked,asshenoticedthatthealtarsweregoneaswell.Thinkingthatperhapsshesomehowhallucinatedtheentirething,Pamcontinuedlookingaround.Toherdismay,shehadnot.Thebeastwasstilllyingattheedgeoftheclearing,pouting.Pambeganpacingaroundwildly.Amillionthoughtswentthroughherhead.Sheknewneitherhowtocomprehendhernewrealitynorwhathernextcourseofactionshouldbe.Asshepaced,awaveofanxietyovercameher.Shebecamefrantic.Hermovementswerewildandsporadic,butshecouldn’tcontrolthem.Shealsocouldn’tcontrolthetearsthatbeganrunningdownherface.Itwasjusttoomuch.NoticingPamwasdistressed,thebeastwalkedoverandnuzzleduptoher.Shecouldtellitwastryingtocomfortherandthistookheroffguard.Allatonce,hertearsstopped.Heranxietyvanished.Thebeastseemedtohaveaneffectonher,onethatmadeherfeelsafeandrelaxed.Shereachedherhandupandstartedpettingitonthechin,noticingthatitactuallyhadfurunderneathitsblackaura.Thebeastseemedtolikethis.Havingbondedwiththebeast,Pamdecidedthatitwastimetogohome.Shewasmentallytaxedaftereverythingthathadhappened.Sheknewtherewouldbealongwalkaheadofhertoo.Shelookedupatthebeastonemoretimetosaygoodbye.“I’mgoingtogohomenow.Okay?”Thebeastcloseditseyes.Itsaurabecamelarger.Aloudhummingsoundresonatedfromitspelt.Pamwasconfused.Withinamatterofseconds,shewentfromlookingupatthebeast,tolookingupatherhouse.Shewasnolongerinthewoods.Shewashome.Pamsmiled.Hernewfriendcoulddoamazingthings.Feelingalittlebitbetterabouteverything,shewentinsidetogetsomerest.

•••Thenextdayatwork,Pamwasfarmoreproductive.Shestillcouldn’tgetthebeastoutofherhead,butthistimeshewasn’tfrightened.Thistimeitputherinagoodmood.Reflectingon

thepreviousday,sherealizedhowremarkableitwas.Shewonderedhowmanypeoplecouldsaythey’dseendarkmagicatwork.Shewonderedhowmanypeoplecouldsaytheywereamagicalentity’smaster.Thinkingaboutitthrilledhernoend.Shefoundtheadventureofitalltobealluringandintoxicating.Shewasalsogrowingslightlyattachedtothebeast—likeonewouldwithanewpet.Shecouldn’twaittoventureouttotheclearingandseeitagain.Becauseofthis,sheworkedtothebestofherability,keepingafastpaceinthehopesofleavingearly.Whilemakingapastryacustomerhadordered,Pamwondered:didthebeasteat?Ifso,whatwoulditlike?Afterthinkingaboutitoverthecourseoftheremainderofhershift,Pamwhippedupapastryofherowncreation.Itimplementedalloftheingredientsthecoffeeshophadtooffer.Shehopedtherewouldbeatleastoneflavorintherethatitliked.Shewrappeditup,placeditinapapersack,andheadedoutthedoor.Pamventuredtotheedgeoftheforest,pastryinhand.Shecouldn’twaittogiveittothebeast.Beforesettingfootintheforest,however,shefeltthatstrangefeelingagain.ThismusthavebeenwhatAbaddonwasreferringto,shethought.Itwasthebeastguidinghertotheclearing.Understandingthis,Pamgaveintothetrance.Justasbefore,shearrivedattheclearinghavingnomemoryofthewalkthere.Gatheringhersensesaftersnappingoutofthetrance,Pamnoticedthebeastsleepinginthecenteroftheclearing.Withoutgivingitmuchthought,sheranovertoitandbegannudgingittowakeitup.Thebeastdidnotbudge.Pamdecidedthathernextcourseofactionwouldbetoyellasloudasshecould,givingthebeastanicknameintheprocess.“Oh,Mr.B!Wakeup!!!”Theauraaroundthebeastmadeitdifficulttodetermineitsgender,butPamhadahunchthatitwasa“he.”Itsnicknamereflectedthis,alongwitha“B”thatstoodfor“Beast.”Itwasn’tthemostcreativenicknameintheworld,butPamlikedit.Toher,itfitjustright.Aftershehadscreamedinhisearforafewmoments,“Mr.B”finallyarose.ThebeastinitiallygruntedatPamforwakinghimbuteventuallynuzzleduptoher.Hewashappytoseeher.Hewasevenhappierwhenshepulledoutthepastry.Sheunwrappeditandplaceditnearhisnose.HesniffeditforafewmomentsbeforeabehemothofatongueflewoutofhismouthandgrabbeditfromPam’shands.Thebeastswalloweditwithoutchewingandbeganrunningaroundtheclearingindelight.ItwassafetosaythatheenjoyedPam’screationverymuch.SeeingthebeastrunaboutmadePamhappy,andremindedherofthedogshehadhadasachild.Itpassedawaywhenshewasyoung,butsherememberedplayingfetchwithitandhavingsomuchfun.Thisgaveheranidea.

Pamlookedaroundabitandfoundahugebranchthathadfallenfromoneofthetrees.Shepickeditupwithbothhandsandyelledacrosstheclearingtothebeast.“Hey,Mr.B!Fetch!”Pamthrewthebranchwithallhermight.Thebeastturnedandsawitflyingthroughtheair.Heimmediatelyrantoitandjumpedintotheair,successfullycatchingitinhismouth.HethentrottedovertoPamanddroppedthebranchatherfeet.Pamcouldn’tbelieveit.Mr.Blookedlikeagiant,monstrousbear,butactedjustlikeadomesticateddog.Shedidn’texpecthimtoactuallyplayfetch,nordidsheexpecthimtojumpthroughtheairlikethat.Shecouldswearhestoppedinmid-airforasecondwhenhecaughtthestick.Knowingthatthebeastcouldunderstandher,andwonderingwhattheextentofhispowerswere,Pamaskedhimaquestion.“Mr.B,canyoufly?”Assoonasshefinishedthequestion,thebeasttookoffintotheair.HeflewallaroundtheclearingbeforelandingrightbackinfrontofPam.Shewasstunned.Intrigued,sheaskedanotherquestion.“CanIcomewithyou?”Thebeastkneeledbeforehersoshecouldclimbontoitsback.Bothnervousandexcited,Pamdidso.Thebeasttookofflikearocketintothesky.Pamheldontightly.Shecouldfeelthewindinherfaceandthespeedastheydartedthroughtheair.Itwasexhilarating,apureadrenalinerushforher.Shecouldhardlycontainherexcitement.Thetwoofthemflewforhoursallaroundtown.Pamwasgivenaliteralbird’seyeviewofBatteredGrove.Fromahighaltitude,shesaweverylaststructurethatmadeupthetown.Sheevensawsomeofitsresidentsgoingabouttheirdailyroutines.Pamwasawestruck.Afterflyingaroundforagood,longwhile,Pamandthebeastheadedbacktotheclearing.Theyplayedafewmoreroundsoffetchbeforethebeastbecametuckeredoutandlaiddownontheground.Alloftheflyingandrunninghadgottentohimandheneededabreak.Pamnoticedthisandlaiddownwithhim,upagainstoneofhislegs.Whilelayingdown,Pamdecidedtopulloutherbookandstartreadingaloudlikeusual.ShewasonChapterFour,“FragmentsofDeceit.”Whilereading,somethingweirdhappened.Outofthe

cornerofhereyeshesawaperson.Lookingupfromherbook,shenoticedamanstandingbeforeher.ItwasGarrett.Shecouldn’tbecompletelycertainofthisatfirst,butinspectinghisfeaturesmorecloselyledhertobelievethatitwas.Heworeclothingaccuratetothetimeperiodinwhichthebooktookplace.Hehadblackhairandfacialhair,aswellasascaracrosstheleftsideofhisface.Hiseyesweremutated,lookinglikethoseofacat.Hangingfromhisbackwasalargeblade.ThesewereallfeaturesthatGarretthadinthebook.ItwasexactlyhowPampicturedhim.PamlookedatGarrett,whowasjuststandingstill,andthenlookedbackatthebeast.HewasunfazedbyGarrett’spresence.ThisledPamtowonderifhehadsomethingtodowithit.Sheslowlylookeddownatherbookandcontinuedreading.Whiledoingthis,shekeptacloseeyeonGarrett,lookingupperiodicallyassheread.Indoingthis,shenoticedthatmorethingsandpeoplestartedtoappear.Garrettbeganinteractingwiththem,actingoutexactlywhatwashappeninginthebook.Pamwasbewildered.ShelookedbackatthebeastandnoticedthathewaswatchingGarrettintently.Sherealizedthatthebeastmusthavebeendoingit;hewaslisteningtoherreadandbringingthebooktolifetowatchtheeventsunfold.Becauseofthis,Pamstartedthechapterover.Thistimeshemadesuretoreadloudandclear,knowingthatMr.Bwaslistening.Shewantedtowatchasmuchashedid:Garrettreapedtherewardsofthewitch’sdeath,happytoputanothercasetorest.Beforemovingontohisnextcontract,hedecidedtotakeacoupleofdaysoff.Evenaprofessionalmonsterhunterneededabreakeverynowandagain.Assuch,hestayedataninnlocatedinthetownhehadkilledthewitchfor.Withoutthewitchtheretoterrorizethetown,heknewhecouldrelaxwithoutanydistractions.UnfortunatelyforGarrett,hewasdeadwrong.Earlythenextmorning,afterapartialnight’srest,Garrettawoketothesoundofbangingathisdoor.ItwastheInnkeeper,theretoinformGarrettthatanangrymobhadformedoutside,demandinghispresence.Garrettwasnottoothrilledaboutbeingdisturbedatsuchanhour,especiallyafterdealingwiththetown’sproblemforthem.Heassumedtheyhadanotherjobforhim,andeventhoughhehadnointentionofworkingthatday,hedecidedtogreetthetownsfolkandheartheirpleaanyway.Hepreferredtoturndownacontractinperson.Uponopeningtheinndoor,Garrettwasbombardedwithaccusationsfromthetownsfolk.Theythrewnamesaroundlike“liar”and“fraud.”Theyaccusedhimofnotkillingthewitchlikehehadsaidhedid.Garrettwasnotamused.Heshoutedforeveryonetobequiet,andaskedthepersonconductingthemobforanexplanation.Thishappenedtobethevillageleader,thesamepersonwhohiredGarrettinthefirstplace.GivenGarrett’sintimidatingdemeanorandbrutalreputation,everyoneshutupatonce,allowingthevillageleadertospeak.

“Thewitchhasstruckagain!SheleftMr.Abernathydeadonhisownfarm,lyinginoneofherpentagrams,constructedofhisownblood.Youtoldusthatsheperishedattheendofyourblade,butshelives!Howcanyoucallyourselfahunter?”Garrettdidn’tappreciatethetonethevillageleadertookwithhim.NoticingGarrett’sdispleasure,hetookafewstepsbackwardoutoffear.Garrettthenreplied,“Takemetohervictim.”Themob,equallyangryatGarrettastheywerefrightenedofhim,ledhimtoMr.Abernathy’sfarm.There,Garrettinvestigatedthescene.Lyingonthegroundwasnoneotherthantheoldfarmerthevillageleaderhadspokenof,completelydrainedofblood.SaidbloodwasinfactusedtoformapentagramaroundMr.Abernathy.Garrettnoticedthatsomethingelsewasamiss.Therewasamarkingjustbelowtheman’sneck,abovethecollarofhistunic.Uponrippingtheman’stunicopen,GarrettdiscoveredthatMr.Abernathy’sentirechesthadbeencarved.ThemarkingsspelledoutamessageinthelanguageofGarrett’syouth.Thelanguageofhispeople.“Rah’diafhgieess’eavnaegiepeahdaeriedess’eav.”Roughlytranslated,thismeant“Garrettthewolf,Garrettthefool.”Itwasamessagemeantforhimandhimalone.Notmanypeopleknewthislanguage,andevenfewerknewthatGarrettwasfluentinit.Thewitchwassomehowstillalive,andshewantedGarretttoknowthathe’dbeenoutsmarted.HerlatestvictimwasalaughatGarrett’sexpense,andnotonethathewouldtakelightly.HewasdeterminedtofindAmberandkillheronceandforall.Garrettimmediatelyleftthecrimesceneandenteredtheforest.Heheadedtowardthewitch’sshack,knowingthatshewouldbetheretogreethim.Shewasacockysorceress,butapparentlyhadthejuicetobackitup.Evendestroyinghersourceofpowerwasn’tenoughtokillher.Garrettknewshewasn’tscaredofhim.Shewantedtoseetheangerandfrustrationinhiseyes,knowingthathefailed.Itwasafirstforhim,andsomethingthathecouldn’tlethimselflivedownifleftunfinished.Hehadtotakecareofherasquicklyaspossible.Garrettfoundtheshackinnotimeatallandwaltzedthroughthefrontdoor.There,sittinginthechairGarretthadoncebeenstrappedto,wasAmber,lookingaspleasedasever.Unmovedbyherpresence,Garrettlookedaroundtheroom.Hewassurethattheamuletwashersourceofpower,butifthatwerethecase,she’dbedead.Hewonderedifmaybehegotitwrongandhertruesourceofpowerwashiddenintheroom.“Hello,Garrett.Happytoseeme?”GarrettturnedhisattentiontoAmber,knowingthataftershegloated,shewouldmoveinforthekill.Hewantedtoholdoffonthisforaslongaspossiblewhilehesearched.“Happyasever.Killingyouthefirsttimewasfun.I’mgladthatIhavethechancetodoitagain.”

Amber,knowingthathewasusingwittomaskhisfeelingsoffailure,laughedatGarrett’ssenseofhumor.“Oh,Garrett,comenow.DidyoureallythinkI’ddiesoeasily?”GarrettsmirkedatAmber,stillcombingtheroomforanyclues.Nothingstoodouttohim.“Andtheamulet.Howdareyousmashsuchanexpensivepieceofjewelry.Ihadtostealthatfromroyalty,youknow,anditwasnoeasytask.DidyoutrulybelievethatIwouldbesodumbastowearmysourceofpoweraroundmyneckintheformofaneye-catchinggem?Aretheotherwitchesyou’vedealtwiththatthick?Howpitiful.”Amber’scondescendingwordsconfirmedGarrett’ssuspicions,butnotintimetodoanythingaboutit.AmbergotupoutofthechairandreachedoutherhandtowardGarrett.Hislegsandarmsstoppedworkingashefrozeinplace.Hewasunabletomove.Whileinthisstate,Ambergrabbedhisimmobilebodyandthrewitontothebedinthecorner.Amberfollowedsuitandstraddledhimatthewaistwhileholdinghisarmsdownwithhers.Hecouldn’tliftafingertofendheroff.Allhecoulddowaswatchasthehorrorunfolded.“IcandoanythingIwanttoyourightnow.Anythingatall,andnoonewillcometorescueyou.That’sthedownsideofbeingaloner,Iguess.ButI’llneverknowthatfeeling.Becausethere’snooneouttherepowerfulenoughtostopme.”Garrettlookedintohereyesandfeltnothingbutdread.Shehadhimrightwhereshewantedhim,andhewaspowerlesstoopposeher.“Iwasn’tlyingwhenIsaidIneedsacrificestostayyoung,youknow.ButdoyouknowhowIkillmyvictims?Idevourthem.”AmberproceededtosinkherteethintoGarrett’sneck,tearingachunkofhisskinoffusingnothingbutthestrengthofherjaw.Shethenswallowedhisfleshwholeandlickedherlipsupondoingso.Garrettletoutascream,butstillcouldn’tmoveamuscletohelphimself.Whilegroaninginpain,Garrett’seyeswandered.Henoticedsomethingleaningupagainstthewallintheoppositecorneroftheroom.Itwasthewitch’sstaff.InallofGarrett’syears,he’dneverseenawitchperformmagicwithouttheirtrustystaff,butAmberhadjustdonethis.Garrettknewthatshewasnoordinarywitch,andperhapsthismeantshecouldperformspellswithouttheaidofastaff—butthenthatbeggedthequestion,whydidshehaveone?AmberwentinforanotherbiteandtoreoffanotherpatchofskinfromGarrett’sneck.Hescreamedinpainandthenstaredatthestaffagain.Heknewwhathehadtodo.Focusingallofhismightintoonearm,Garrettbegantomoveit.Itwasslowatfirst,butthroughsheerstrengthanddetermination,hewasabletoregainfullcontrolofit.Usingthatarm,GarrettpushedAmberaside.Shefelltothefloorwithaloudthud,hittingthebackofherhead.Shepassed

outonimpact.GarrettfelthislimbscomealivewhenAmberhitthefloor.Thinkingquickly,herantotheothersideoftheroomandgrabbedthestaff.Heplaceditonthehearthinthefireplaceandpulledoutamatch.Beforehelitit,helookedbackatAmber.Shewasbeginningtocomebacktohersenses.ShelookedupatGarrettandrealizedwhathewasdoing.“NO!”Ambershoutedatthetopofherlungs,beggingGarrettnottodoit.Thiswashiscue.Helitthematchandthrewitatthestaff.Inaninstantitburnedintoacrisp.Amber’sshoutingceasedatonce.Garrettlookedbackandshewasgone.Onlyherclotheswereleft.Shehadtrulybeendefeatedthistime.Garretthadsucceededinprotectinghisreputationasano-nonsensemonsterhunterforhire.HehadfinallyputanendtoAmberTheWitchtress,thewomanofthewoods.Pamfinishedreadingthechapter,aswellaswatchingtheeventsofitunfoldbeforeherveryeyes.Shewasamazed.Trulyamazed.Shehadneverenjoyedreadingabooksomuch,andthatwassayingsomethingconsideringwhatanavidreadershewas.Shelookedbackatthebeastandnoticedthatheseemedsatisfiedaswell.Healsoappearedtobeverytired.Pamwastoo.Hereyelidsweregrowingheavierbythesecond.“Mr.B,it’stimeformetogohome.”Muchlikebefore,Pamwastransportedtoherhousewithinasplitsecond.Shestoodthereforamomentbeforegoinginside.Thinkingbackonherdayandallthewonderfulthingsshewasabletodowiththebeast,Pamsmiled.Hecoulddoanything;thepossibilitiesweretrulyendless.Shecouldn’twaittospendmorequalitytimewithhernewfriend.Pamwascontent.TheweekspassedandPamandthebeastenjoyedmanymoreadventurestogether.Theyplayedfetch,flewaroundtown,andreadsomemorebooks.Theyevenwentoffandexploredtheforestafewtimes.Everythingwasgoingwell,butitcouldn’tlast.Eventually,thepair’sroutinewouldbedisrupted,andthatdaycamesoonerthanPamthought.Oneday,uponreachingtheclearingafteralongday’swork,Pamsawafamiliarsight.Insidetheclearingwasthebeast,asheusuallywas.Inadditiontohim,however,werethemembersoftheClan,backtotestthebeast’spower.Abaddonstoodinfrontofhim,waitingforPam’sarrival.Pam’sheartsank.ShehadalmostcompletelyforgottenabouttheClanandAbaddon.Shegotsocaughtupinbondingwiththebeastthatitnearlyslippedhermind.Haditbeenamonthalready?Pamhadlosttrackoftime,surprisedhermonthwasupalready.Forsomereason,thepresenceoftheClanleftherworried.AccordingtoAbaddon,theirintentionsweregood,butPamcouldn’tbecertain.Still,shewalkedovertogreether.

“Hello,child.Itakeityou’vebondedwiththebeast?”Pamnoddedinapproval,stillunsureofhowtogoaboutconversingwithAbaddon.Shewasintimidating.“Good,good.Wehavesomegreatnewstoshare.IndoingfurtherresearchontheRedWolf’sword,wewereabletouncoveranincantationthatwillallowthebeasttoaidusinourendeavors.Ihaveithere.”AbaddonpulledoutaparchmentfromhercloakandhandedittoPam,wholookedatitinconfusion.“It’sinLatin,butdon’tworry.Icanhelpyouwiththepronunciations.”Pamremainedsilent,stillconfused.Abaddonnoticedthis.“Child,youneedtocastthespell.Youarethebeast’smasterandonlyyoucancommanditsmagic.Weneedyourhelpinordertocompletethetask.Worrynot.Itisallwewillaskofyou.”Pamwasreluctant,butgaveintoAbaddon’swishes.Aftergoingoverthelanguageforabit,shewasreadytorecitetheincantationinitsentirety.Beforedoingso,Pamwantedanswers.“WhatwillhappenwhenI’vecastthespell?”Pamasked.“Tobecompletelyhonest,wearen’tsure.Theonlythingweknowforcertainisthatthiswillhelpimmenselyinfortifyingourideals.Protectingtheboundariesofnature,onceandforall.”Pamwasn’tsoldjustyet.Shewantedfurtherassurance.“Willhebesafe?”sheasked.“Youmeanthebeast?Yes,ofcourse.Noharmwillcometoit.”Stillhesitant,Pamchosetobelieveher.Sheconvincedherselfthatitwasherenvironmentmakingheruneasy,whatwiththeredcloaksandblackaltarseverywhere.ItlookedliketheClanwasgettingreadyforwar.ButPamknewtheywerejusttheretoobserve.Theywerereadytohelpifanythingwentwrong.Atleast,that’swhatshehoped.Withoutfurtherado,Pamtookastanceinfrontofthebeastandbeganrecitingthespell.Whileenunciatingthewordsofadeadlanguage,Pamlookedupatthebeast.Heseemedtobeatadrestless.Shewonderedifitwastheincantationdoingthisandstopped.Abaddonchimedin.“Don’tstopnow.You’redoingsowell!”

Pamcontinued,chalkingupthebeast’sdemeanortothesamereasonshefeltoff—allofthepeoplestaringatthem.Pamalsofeltagreatpressure.Shefeltlikeshewassavingtheworld,andonelittlescrew-upcouldcausethewholethingtobackfire.That’swhy,afterutteringthelastword,awaveofreliefwashedoverher.Thatreliefwasquicklyreplacedwithasenseofall-encompassingtrepidation.Aswirlingvortexofblackenergyshotoutofthebeast’saurawithgreatforce.Itwasafrighteningtornadoofpuredarkness.ItspiraledtowardAbaddon,who,witharmsoutreached,gladlyacceptedthegift.Asherbodysurgedwithdarkmagic,shecackledindelight.Pamwaspetrified.Shehadnoideawhatwashappeningandstoodstill,makingsuretoavoidtheblastofenergythatwasconnectingAbaddonandthebeast.Aftertheinitialfeartaperedoff,shewasabletocomposeherselfandthinkclearly.Thisiswhenherfearwasreplacedwithanger.Abaddonlied.Sheknewwhattheincantationwoulddoanditwashurtingthebeast.Shewasstrippinghimofhispowerandretainingitforherself.Shewasaconniving,power-hungrywomanwhoneededtobestopped.PamranovertoAbaddonwhilescreamingindisgust.Abaddon,withtheflickofherwrist,castheraside.Pamfelloverontotheground,unabletomove.“Youdon’tunderstand,child.Thisisthepowerweneed.Stoppinghumanityistheonlywaytoprotectnature.Theyaretheonetrueevilinthisworld.Theyneedtobeended.”AsAbaddonsaidthis,severalmorespiralsofenergyshotfromthebeastandintotheblackaltarssurroundingtheclearing.Pamnoticedthattheothermembershadtheirarmsreachedupward.Sheguessedthattheywererecitingspellsoftheirownandcollectingthebeast’senergy.TheClanwasharvestinghispower,onedropatatime.Pamfeltsick.Lookingoveratthebeast,Pamsawhowbadlyhewasstruggling.Justlikeher,hecouldnotmoveorfreehimselffromtheclutchesofAbaddonorherhenchmen.Tearsbeganrollingdownherface.Shewishedshecouldhelp,butshecouldnot.Allshecoulddowasscreamindismay.“Mr.B!Mr.B!”ThebeastlookedoveratPamandgroanedloudlyindistress.Thebondtheysharedwasstrong,andhefelttheneedtohelpher.Buthewasinthesamepredicamentthatshewas.Neitheroneofthemcouldliftafingertohelptheother.Instead,theywereforcedtowatcheachother’sundoing.Pamcontinuedtoscreamoutatthebeast,wishingshecouldhelp.Eventually,thetormentbecametoomuch.Intearsandoutofluck,shesuccumbedtohermentalexhaustion.Pamlostconsciousnesswhilestillscreamingatthetopofherlungs.Whileoutcold,Pamdreamt.Inherdream,shefoundherselfinthewitch’scabin—theonefromherbook.Itwasempty,but

therewasafirecracklingonthehearth.Almostimmediately,panicsetin.Pamwaswellawarethatshewasdreaming,andknewwhatwashappeningaroundherlifelessbodyintherealworld.Shehadtowakeup.Evenifshecouldn’thelp,shehadtoatleasttry.BeforePamcouldattemptanyofherusualmethodsforwakingup,someonecamethroughthefrontdoorofthecabin.ItwasAmbertheWitchtress.Shewasbringinginfirewood.ShesetthewooddownbythefireplaceandlookedoveratPam.“Ihopeyou’renotcatchingacold.Itisfairlydraftyinhere.”Pamdidn’tknowhowtorespond.Amberwas,afterall,acreationofPam’smind,nottomentionabloodthirstywitch.AlmostasifshecouldtellwhatwasonPam’smind,Amberaddressedtheseconcerns.“Oh,don’tworry.I’mnotgoingtoeatyou.Though,youdolookdelicious.Iamheretoansweryourquestions.”Thoughinahurrytowakeup,Pamfelttheneedtostayandunravelthemysteryofherdream.Itfelttoherasifsheneededto.“Whatdoyoumeanyou’reheretoanswermyquestions?”Pamasked.“Well,whatisitthatyouneedtoknow?Theremustbesomepressingmatteronyourmind.”Pamwasperplexedbytheplotofherdream,butcontinuedtoconversewithAmber.“Ineedtohelpmyfriend.”“Good.Let’sstartthere.MaybeIcanhelp.”Amberseemedconfidentinherreply,whichmadePamabitangry.“No,youcan’t.You’renothingmorethanafigmentofmyinnerpsyche.”“That’sjustit,isn’tit?Youneedtohelpyourfriend,andI’myou.Togetherwecancomeupwithaplan.”Pamwastakenabackbythisresponse.Itwasunorthodox,butAmberwasright.Perhapssomegoodcouldcomeofheruntimelyslumberafterall.“I’llaskagain,whatisitthatyouneedtoknow?”Amberasked.Pamthoughtforamomentbeforeresponding.“Doallwieldersofmagichaveasourceofpower?”

Amberlookeddelightedwhenaskedthisquestion.“Nowwe’regettingsomewhere.Yes,allmagicalentitieshaveasourceofpower.”JustthenGarrettcamethroughthefrontdoorwithsomemorefirewoodandplaceditbythehearth.“She’sright,youknow.”GarrettputsomelogsonthefirebeforewalkingoverandstandingnexttoAmber.Pamfounditoddseeingthesecharacterssidebyside,notateachother’sthroats.Garrettthenexplainedfurther.“Allmageshaveasourceofpower.IncludingAbaddon.Asanexpertinidentifyingtheseweaknesses,Icanhelpyoufindhers.”AmberlookedoveratGarrettandlaughed.“Expert?Youcouldn’tevenidentifymysourceofpowerandIpracticallyhandedittoyouonasilverplatter.”“Layoff,wouldyou?Iwashavinganoffday.Let’shelpthegirlout,here.Maybethesourceofherpowerishercloak.Thatmakessense,right?”“Acloak?Really,Garrett,andyoucallyourselfamonsterhunter.”“Hershoes,maybe?”Pamlistenedasthetwoofthemsquabbledbackandforth,comingupwithmoreandmoreridiculousguessesastowhatAbaddon’ssourceofpowermightbe.Shecringedateveryguess,knowingthatnotoneofthemmadeanysense.Notasingleone.Thatiswhenithither.ThetwocharactersfromherbookfailedtohelpPamdirectly,butinsteadinspiredanideathatshehopedwouldwork.Assoonasthisideasprangtomind,shewokeup.Gatheringhersenses,Pamlookedupatthebeast.ItwasstillbeingdrainedbyAbaddon.Withouteventhinkingaboutit,sheputherplanintoaction.“Mr.B!WeneedGarrett!Bringhimhere!”ThebeastlookedoveratPamandunderstood.Withwhatlittlepowerhehadleft,heconjuredupGarrett’scharacter,justashehadwhenPamreadtohim.Pamshoutedagain,thistimeatGarrett.“Abaddonneedstobestopped!Goforherheart!Killher!Killhernow!”

PamknewthattherewasnosourceofpowerforAbaddon.Thiswasnotaworkoffiction—itwasreallifeandshewasahumanbeing.Ablowtotheheartwoulddoherinjustlikeitwouldanyoneelse.Atleast,thatwasthehope.GarrettimmediatelydrewhisbladeandranafterAbaddonatfullspeed.Noticingthis,sheattemptedtoflinghimasidelikeshe’ddonetoPam.Itdidn’twork.Perhapsitwasbecausehewasn’treal,orperhapsitwasbecause,evenashewasbeingdrained,thebeast’smagicwasstillmorepowerfulthanhers.Pamcouldn’tbecertain,butshecertainlywasn’tcomplaining.PamwatchedasGarrettranuptoAbaddonanddeliveredthefinalblow.Hethrusthisbladerightthroughtheleftsideofherchestbeforecompletelyvanishing.ThedarkstormofenergyclearedupandAbaddonfelltotheground.Shewasdead.Assoonasherdisciplesnoticedthis,theyswiftlyretreatedintotheforest.Theiraltarsvanishedintothinair.Theordealwasover.FreefromAbaddon’sspell,Pamgotupandranovertothebeast.Hewastryinghisbesttostandup,buthislegsgaveway,causinghimtofalltotheground.Toomuchenergyhadbeendrained.Hisauraofenergyhaddisappeared,revealingagrayfur-likesubstanceunderneath.Thebeastwasdying,andPamknewit.Evenstill,shecouldn’tacceptit.“Mr.B!Getup!Youhavetogetup!”Shepoundedonhisfur,pleadingwithhimtoproduceanothermiracle,buthedidn’thaveitinhim.Shestoppedpoundingonhimandbegancrying.Withthelastofhisstrength,thebeastrestedhisheadupagainstPam,thendrewhisfinalbreath.Hewasgone.Beforeshecouldmournthelossofherfriend,adaggerwasthrustthroughPam’sheartfrombehind,killingherinstantly.TheattackerwasnoneotherthanAbaddon,aliveandwell.AfterpullingherbladeoutofPam’slifelessbody,theothermembersoftheClancameoutofhiding,pleasedthattheirmasterhadnotsuccumbedtodeath.Astheygatheredaroundher,sheopenedupthefrontofhercloak,revealingthewoundonherchesthealingatarapidpace,aswellasaredamuletthathungfromherneck.“Thatwasacloseone.AfewmoreinchestotheleftandI’dbeagoner.”TheClankneeledbeforeAbaddonoutofrespect,thankfulthatshewasnothurt.“TheRitualhasbeencompleted.ThebeastofBatteredGrovehasfallen,anditspowerisours.Nowourworkmaycontinue.Wemustshowtheworldwhoweare.Wemustshowthemourstrength.Thetrialsarealmostcomplete,butthereisstillmuchtobedone.Letusventureontoournexttask.”