Part One - Chapter Four

Cherem missed sunlight. He thought as he looked into the pond. An everlasting fog surrounded him. The fog prevented him from taking deep breaths. He was never able to stay here long, but he wished he could stay and watch her forever. Every time he saw his reflection, he was reminded of the monster he transformed into. He tried to keep the pain hidden from everyone. He wore a façade, and part of him enjoyed playing the monster.

He failed with the last three women. He thought if he tried to find someone to replace Lily he could forget about her. He realized quickly that he was wrong. No one could replace her. She was different, and she would be his. Now, Cherem saw that there was another man, a cop, who threatened Cherem’s and Lily’s happiness. Cherem couldn't influence anything that Lily chose to do; however, he could prevent men from moving into her life. He had done it before, and it would not be the last time. He’d have Lily save in his arms. No other man could have her.

Cherem frowned as he watched the scene in the water.

“Thanks for the date. Even though you decided to either glare me into sitting straight or stare me into a puddle of mush, I enjoyed your company. I know that doesn’t make any sense. But I never make much sense to begin with,” Lily said walking away from Derek’s car. Derek followed close behind her. She turned toward him and nearly tipped backwards. Derek caught her and pulled her into his arms.

“Derek, what are you doing?”

“Hugging you.”

“But why? This is our first date.”

“Lily, I’m not kissing you. This is only a hug.”

Rattling noises surrounded them.

“What in God’s name is that?” Derek nearly shouted, releasing Lily and shoving her behind him. He pulled his gun from his holster against his chest and spun around.

“Leave,” voices whispered and repeated. The wind howled, and the sky darkened. The branches ushered them away as they swayed.

Derek pulled out his phone and sent a text to Myles asking for back-up. “Lily, I want you to go back into the house. It’s not safe out here. Promise me, you’ll stay in the house no matter what, all right?”

Lily smiled. “I promise.”

 

Cherem laughed. No one will steal her away from him. He had been waiting fourteen years. He needed Lily more than she needed him. She was predestined to be with him. She may have forgotten, but according to his people, she brought God into Silver Stone. No matter what he had to do, he would keep her safe. Even if he had to murder, Cherem would make sure that she’d stay his �" forever.

***

Myles Jacobson woke with a sudden sharp pain at the back of his head. The last thing he remembered was opening the back car door and lying down. He had been on duty when he stepped into the woods to take a whiz when he felt a presence. His nose tickled, and then he felt sleepy. Voices were shouting his name. He rubbed his head and got out of the car.

“Sir, we lost sight of them.”

“Lost sight of what? Give me an update.”

“We followed Ross, who had been chasing after your sister. We followed him into the back woods. He yelled for a flashlight, and before we knew what happened, your sister, Ross, and the perpetrator disappeared. We’ve been searching for a few hours, and we have found nothing.”

Myles cursed and shoved the officer out of his way as he said, “Call for back-up immediately. And show me where you lost sight of Ross.” He’d be damned if he allowed that b*****d to kidnap his sister; he already lost his best friend. He refused to lose anything else precious to him.

He shoved through brush and branches. He swung his flashlight around, shouting Lily’s and Ross’s names. Many bright lights swayed through the darkness. The long, skinny trees created patches of deep shadows. He hoped nothing hid in those shadows, waiting to jump out. Myles pulled out his notebook and aimed his flashlight at the wavy, unreadable handwriting.

“There has to be something in these notes,” Myles shouted out of frustration. He had to realize the clues. There had to be something in his past. Myles thought and quickly remembered Jaxson. He had been kidnapped too, but why?

“Leave,” a voice whispered from behind him.

Myles dropped his flashlight and turned around. He took a step back and tripped over his flashlight. With jumbled movements, he swept the flashlight up and aimed the light at the creature. A large man with long brown hair, the face of a buck, and antlers stood as though he might pounce on Myles if he made any sudden movements. Frozen, Myles could only stare in horror up at the creature.

“Leave,” the buck man repeated. “You do not belong here.”

Myles’s lips quivered as he attempted to find his words. He finally opened his mouth on a shout for help. Two buck men, hiding in the shadows, came to stand in the light.

“He has been chosen,” the smallest of the deer men said.

“King Cherem has asked that we bring this man into our world,” the second said with a soft voice as he crossed his arms and leaned toward one side.

“But doesn't the king know that this man will transform �"?” the buck man with long brown hair questioned.

“It has been decided,” the smallest of the men interrupted.

“Did you kidnap my sister?” Myles stood up, grabbed and directed his gun at the bucks. “Answer me, damn it.”

“We are not the ones who took your sister.”

“What about Jaxson? My friend from fourteen years ago. You were the ones who took him, weren't you? And don’t lie to me.”

“We were the ones who took him.”

“Where are they? Where are Ross, Lily, and Jaxson?”

“If you want to know, come with us.”

“No.” Myles stepped forward. “You will bring them to me, here. Or I will shoot all three of you.”

“You can shoot, but we will not die.”

Myles wavered and shook his head. “You’ll die, because I never miss.”

“Our master requests your presence,” one of the buck men said. They transformed into their animal form.

In less than a moment, Myles had been surrounded by antlers; the gun knocked from his hand. He could hear shouting off in the distance. His back-up would arrive, but they’d be too late to stop this madness.