Chapter Forty
“Arach toys with us and he’s sensed Emma.” Torin stood beside the center stone of the circle, his arms outspread to the wind. “Ye must end this now and send the beast back. Ye brought him here. Now make him go.”
“I cannot, Torin.”
“Cannot or will not?” Torin glared unblinking into the fading sun until his eyes stung for the want of tears.
“I told ye before, Torin. I never shouldha released the beast upon this world. He’s grown too strong over the passage of time. Arach has evolved into the highest level of demon.” The wind picked up, stirring the dried grasses around the stone circle until the rustling sounded like frantic whispers. “I did not jest when I said it would take the two of ye to rid him from this world. Train Emma but be quick about it. The longer ye take, the more brazen Arach will become.”
“I will not risk Emma to the likes of Arach.” Torin lowered his arms to his sides, resting his hands atop the sword at his side and the dagger at his waist. “Ye know as well as I do that the beast always tortures before he kills. Emma is too inexperienced to stand against such a demon.”
“Then ye’d best prepare her and show her the Ways quickly, Torin. For ye’ve no choice but to face the monster with Emma at your side. If either of ye make the mistake of facing Arach alone, then both of ye will be destroyed.”
“I will ne’er forgive ye for the misery ye’ve brought to me and my kind, old woman. When this is done, when Emma and I purge Arach from this world, I will come for you next.”
A humorless laugh rode the chilling breeze whistling among the stones. “I look forward to that day, my fine chieftain. I grow weary with this existence and I’m ready to be put to rest.”