INK: Fine Lines (Book 1) Read Online Free

fear.
    The dark figure turns around, and as it sneers its face takes on a hazy focus. This is the first time I’m able to see the thing’s full face at all. I think it is getting stronger every time. The first time, there was barely a shadow; now it seems to have form. I realize that over the last year I’ve watched the evolution of the Specter’s strength.
    It takes slow, fluid steps towards me. I look down and realize I’m standing in a pool of blood. I try to memorize the exact location of everything around me, for my work later.
    Gabriel hisses, “Come on.”
    I try to run, my legs unwilling. “I can’t move!”
    A voice invades my mind.  “I know you watch me, and I’ve been watching you, my love.”  The now-opaque figure is close enough to reach for me and envelope me in its darkness. It floods my mind with horrific screams and images of dismembered bodies, including my own.
    My screams join the others in my mind. “Gabriel! It knows I’m here, it’s in my head!”
    Gabriel runs towards me, slipping in the blood. “Get out of here!”
    The figure darkens once more and slashes at him with a blade, carving a deep slice in Gabriel’s forearm.
    A crimson stain grows across his sleeve. Gabriel tries to grab the knife. “Run!”
    My feet belong to me again and I can move. “I won’t leave you!”
    The Specter spins on me, but Gabriel jumps between us, pushing me back. “Get out of here!” he says, wrestling with the darkness until he’s knocked across the room, landing hard on the lawn mower. Now sure that Gabriel’s body lies still, the Specter turns to me.
    A hundred screams flood the room from deep within me. “Gabriel! No!”
    The demonic laugh ringing in my mind drowns them out.  “You, my love, are mine.”
    I bolt out the door.
    ***
    “Shay, wake up.” My shoulder is being rocked. “Shay?”
    Still gripped with fear and disorientation, I realize I’m not alone. There’s someone in the bed with me. “Aiden?” I turn quickly to look at him, my tone a little disappointed.
    “Are you okay? Were you having a nightmare?” Aiden pulls me in close.
    “Yeah, nightmare,” I say dismissively, moving away from his warm body.
    “You’re safe, I’m here.” He whispers, gently tightening his grip around me.
    I settle into his bare chest, surrendering to his embrace. I know I’m safe; I just can’t shake what I saw in my dream. I’m horrified and ashamed that those thoughts live inside me.
    Aiden takes a hesitant breath. “Who’s Gabriel?”
    “What?”  Did I actually say his name?
    “Gabriel—you were screaming out ‘Gabriel,’” he says, awaiting an answer.
    “Nobody.” I dismiss him, wanting to stop this conversation. I pull his arms tighter around me to quiet him.
    Aiden sighs, too tired to press for more information. He quickly goes back to sleep. After ten minutes of Aiden snoring softly I know it’s safe to get up. I unfurl his arms from around me, sliding out of the bed.
    At the door I slip on my combat boots and hoodie, then walk quickly to my studio. I don’t want to forget anything from the horrific scene. These nightmares have been terrible, but they are the root of my success, and I’m not letting them go.
    Stepping into the garage that Aiden helped me convert into my art studio, I kick off my boots. The lights come up, revealing the storyboard layouts for volume one, issue six of  Sanguine Specter  lining my walls.
    Issue one comes out this week, and issues two through five are in various stages of production. It’s always prudent to stay a few issues ahead of the game, since a series should be released monthly. The Specter has been very generous! I’m six months ahead of the game.
    Walking around the room, I inspect my creations closely while running my pendant back and forth along its chain.
    After regaining my bearings in the issue, I step over to my drawing table. I straighten my Bristol board, then draw ink into one of the antique art pens Aiden brought