Dreamwalker Read Online Free Page A

The chains that bound her fell away into dust as she took hold of Ander’s neck, the movement so swift and precise that Ander had no choice but to move to defend himself. He grabbed at her wrists with both hands, the blade pressed between her skin and his palm. She was far stronger than her vessel’s small frame should allow.
    Ander felt Draven pull him back despite his shouts of protest. As Ander and the demon broke contact the knife in Ander’s hand sliced through one of the tattoos on her arm. She shrieked at the sudden pain and tried to renew her grasp. With a sharp kick to the ribs Draven sent her flailing back into the rune bindings. Her head struck against the stone wall and she fell silent, her eyes closed. Blood trickled from her broken lip and the seething cut on her arm.
    For a moment it seemed to Josue as though the ink markings around the cut shimmered briefly before fading, and after that they seemed somehow different from the others.
    Ander and the soldier struggled, but though the two were equal in strength it was Draven who had the training. In moments he had his knife back and flung it across the room. Ander growled as he pushed away.
    “Why did you stop me?”
    “She’s the one who had you on the fray, friend.”
    “Let me kill it!” He made another lunge toward the motionless girl but was subdued by Draven. “I must!”
    “No!” The two men paused at Josue’s sudden interruption. The priest stepped forward and rested an urgent hand on Ander’s shoulder. “You cannot.”
    “Stay out of this, priest.”
    “You cannot.” He spoke more softly now, his words laced with concern. “Think, shaman. You know better than I that a demon must remain bound to its vessel. It cannot be allowed to go free. You would only harm the girl.”
    “I won’t have a rogue demon in my village.” Draven released his hold on Ander and rolled his shoulders forward in a gruff motion. “It’ll be on your head, Ander.”
    Ander clenched his jaw and turned away. It was right there, right there! The others didn’t understand. So much time spent searching, and now it was right there. At his mercy.
    But they were right. Killing the vessel would only release the demon, putting everyone at risk. Here and now, at least, it was contained. Ander sighed and let his shoulders drop.
    “Leave it here, then. I’ll see to things.” He straightened his stance and faced the two men. “But this demon has much to answer for, and I will see it done. One way or another. The vessel is just that – do not try to guilt me into thinking otherwise. That thing is no more a girl than the stones outside.”

 
     
     
     
     
    M idnight. The sky is clear tonight and gives way to the full moon that beams into the open window, illuminating the circle of runes that shimmer in the silvery light. But some are red now, stained with blood that trickles from the dead woman’s mouth. Her blue eyes are staring at nothing. Ander kneels beside her, his hands stained as well. He hears the faint feminine voice whisper help me. White light flashes from nowhere every few seconds. With every flash it reveals the demon crouched in the corner, a shapeless black mass. No, a girl. Such a small, unassuming girl. Watching. Watching. Pleading. Laughing.
     
    Ander gave his eyes time to adjust to the darkness. Dawn was a few hours off yet, but he was alert, jarred by his dream. He dressed and returned to the cellar, ignoring his instincts to write the details of his sleep. Beams of moonlight illuminated the small room and the girl who lay unconscious in her magic cage. Ander’s runic magic shimmered faintly in the light. With silent steps he knelt before the girl, his breath caught in his throat. The pale gleam of the knife in his hand reflected the light, forming a thin white stripe on the girl’s tattooed skin.
    He noticed the wound he had given her earlier. It was a shallow, almost superfluous cut, but the skin separated just enough to split one of the