Chapter 39: Erevan

More and more Night Creatures emerged from the dark corners of the library, their grotesque forms slipping from the shadows like oil oozing onto glass.

Some of them, Rose recognized from old stories or past encounters, but most were completely foreign to her, unholy amalgamations of teeth, claws, and menace.

"I just love my life, you know," she muttered, her voice tinged with hysteria as she took a shaky step back, almost on the verge of tears.

Sure, Rose knew how to fight—she practiced daily—but she also knew her limits.

A hundred-plus Night Creatures? Nope. Especially when her powers were still locked up tighter than a demon's purse strings.

Could she take on the ones she was staring at now? Maybe. But the ones still emerging like an unending parade of nightmare fuel? No way.

"You know," she started backing away slowly, her voice dripping with forced bravado, "I'm way too pretty to die here."