Ash Return of the Beast

CHAPTER 32



Six Days Later…

Cowl awoke to the vague, disturbing sound of a voice inside his head. He knew the source of the voice. He knew he was changing, growing weaker as the Beast within grew stronger each day. There was no turning back now. It was all far beyond his control. Cold and shivering, he drew the covers up around his chin.

The voice spoke again. ‘You are a worthy servant, my friend. Gelal, the seventh offspring of the Old Ones––’

“Yeah, I know,” Cowl said in an off-handed tone. “He that invades the beds of women like an incubus…”

‘Indeed, that very one now stands with the others at the Gate of the Abyss, waiting to come forth. Well done.’

Cowl struggled to sit up. “How long have I been asleep?” His voice was hoarse, his mouth dry.

‘Six days.’

“Six days! What the hell? What, exactly, is happening to me? I feel so––”

‘What you are feeling shall pass. The metamorphosis is nearly complete. Our energies are merging. An equilibrium of sorts shall soon enough settle your discomfort. Trust me. That which we each desire most is soon to be realized. Number eight is next. And then, your ‘Someday’. Simple as that.’

“And you? What about what you want?”

‘After the ninth sacrifice has been accomplished I will need you to acquire the one thing that will give me the power to realize my goal.’

“One thing? And that would be––?”

‘That, my friend, would be The Keys of the Gate Keeper.’

“The what?”

The Beast laughed quietly. ‘When the time is right. Now sleep.’

As if under a powerful hypnotic influence, Cowl’s eyes closed instantly, his consciousness quickly fading to black.