The Awakening

Chapter 5: The Awakening

"There she is..."

The masked cultist's voice rang out like a bell of doom, sharp and cold.

Avery's breath hitched as every hooded figure in the room turned their heads toward her. The air seemed to thicken, heavy with dark energy. The glowing symbol on the altar pulsed faster, like a heartbeat — and the shadowy figure rising from it began to take shape. Its twisted horns curled like jagged roots, and its eyes flared with crimson light.

"Run," Liam whispered again — but this time, Avery couldn't move.

She was frozen, her eyes locked on the shadowy form. The demon's gaze pierced straight through her, like it was reaching into her soul. The whispers in her head returned — louder this time, more urgent.

"You cannot run... you cannot hide... you will open the gate..."

A hand grabbed her wrist, yanking her back to reality.

"MOVE!" Liam barked, dragging her toward the tunnel.

The cultists sprang to life, their robes sweeping across the stone floor as they surged forward.

"Don't let her escape!" the masked man snarled.

A blast of icy wind shot through the room, knocking over torches and plunging half the chamber into flickering shadows. Avery stumbled on the uneven stone floor, her legs shaking. The whispers were still in her head — stronger now, like something was calling her back to the altar.

"Don't look back!" Liam snapped.

But she couldn't help herself. As they reached the narrow staircase, Avery glanced over her shoulder — and her heart stopped.

The demon's form was rising higher now, its twisted horns scraping the ceiling. Its fiery eyes locked onto hers, and in that moment, Avery felt something cold slither through her chest — like fingers wrapping around her heart.

"You are mine..."

A cold pain shot through her ribs, and she cried out, clutching her chest.

"Avery!" Liam turned, his face pale. "What's wrong?"

"I... I can feel it..." she gasped. "It's inside me."

Liam's expression hardened. Without warning, he swept her into his arms and bolted up the stairs.

"Hold on," he growled.

Behind them, furious shouts echoed through the tunnel. Footsteps pounded closer.

"They're catching up!" Avery cried.

"Not for long," Liam muttered.

He reached into his jacket, pulled out a small metal vial, and flung it over his shoulder. The glass shattered on the stone steps, and a sudden burst of blinding white light filled the tunnel.

The footsteps halted. The cultists screamed in pain as the flash forced them back.

"What was that?" Avery gasped.

"Blessed salt," Liam panted. "Burns like hell if you're corrupted by dark magic. They'll recover... but we've bought ourselves a little time."

They burst out of the tunnel and into the freezing night air. Avery staggered out of Liam's arms, her breath coming in ragged gasps. The Golden Gate Bridge loomed above them, its towers vanishing into thick fog.

"Are they... are they still following us?" Avery choked out.

Liam scanned the darkness. "Not yet," he muttered. "But they will."

Avery leaned against a metal railing, pressing her palm to her chest. The cold pain was still there — faint but steady, like a needle buried deep in her heart.

"I think..." she gasped, "I think the demon marked me."

Liam's face darkened. "Then we're out of time."

Back at Liam's Apartment

The ride back was a blur. Avery barely remembered climbing the stairs to Liam's apartment or sitting down on his worn-out couch. Her head pounded, and her chest still ached with cold pressure.

"You need to rest," Liam said, handing her a glass of water.

"I can't rest," Avery shot back. "The cult knows who I am now. They'll come after me."

"They were always going to come after you," Liam replied. "Tonight just sped things up."

He sat down across from her, his expression grim. "That mark... it's a connection. The demon's power is inside you now."

Avery's stomach twisted. "So what? Am I cursed?"

"Not exactly," Liam said. "But if they get close enough... they can use that connection to control you."

Avery's blood ran cold. "You mean... they can force me to open the gate?"

"Yes," Liam said quietly.

For a long moment, neither of them spoke. The room felt too quiet, too dark — as if the shadows themselves were listening.

"But there's a way to break the connection," Liam added firmly.

"Tell me," Avery said.

"We need to find the Heartstone," Liam explained. "It's an old relic — a powerful charm that can sever dark bonds like this one. If we get it before the blood moon, you'll be safe — and the cult can't use you in the ritual."

Avery's pulse quickened. "Where is it?"

Liam exhaled slowly. "That's the hard part. The Heartstone was stolen years ago. The last person to have it was a warlock named Calder Price."

"Warlock?" Avery repeated. "Are you telling me witches are real, too?"

"Oh, yeah," Liam muttered. "And Calder's one of the worst."

Avery clenched her fists. "Then we find him."

"You're serious?" Liam arched a brow. "You just barely survived that cult attack, and now you're ready to chase down a warlock?"

Avery's gaze hardened. "I'm not going to sit here and wait for them to find me again."

Liam studied her for a long moment, then gave a small smile. "You're tougher than you look."

"I have to be," Avery said.

Liam stood up and grabbed his jacket. "All right," he said. "Let's go find Calder Price."

Across Town — The Cult's Lair

In a shadowy room lined with candles, the masked cultist knelt before a stone altar. The demon's twisted form flickered above the glowing sigil, its burning eyes narrowed.

"She escaped," the masked man said bitterly. "But the mark is set."

The demon's voice rumbled like thunder.

"The girl's soul belongs to me now. She cannot run far... and when the blood moon rises... the gate will open."

The masked man bowed his head. "We will find her," he promised. "And when we do... she'll beg to fulfill her destiny."

The demon's burning gaze flickered with dark amusement.

"Soon... very soon..."

The night air clung to Avery's skin as she and Liam stepped out of his apartment building. The city's lights glittered in the distance, but the fog rolling in from the bay swallowed much of the skyline. The streets felt quieter than usual — too quiet — and every flicker of movement made Avery's nerves tighten.

"I don't like this," she muttered, scanning the darkened sidewalk.

"You're not alone," Liam said, his hand hovering near the silver dagger tucked inside his jacket. "They're out there... watching."

"Do you think they know where I live?"

"Probably," Liam said grimly. "But they won't attack here — not yet."

"Why not?"

"Because they're smart," Liam explained. "They know you're scared. They'll wait until your guard is down... and that's when they'll strike."

Avery swallowed hard. "Great. So I just have to stay terrified?"

Liam gave a faint smile. "Fear's not the worst thing. It keeps you sharp."

"That's not exactly comforting," Avery muttered.

They reached Liam's car — an old black Jeep with dents and scratches that hinted at years of rough encounters. He unlocked the doors, and Avery climbed inside.

"Where exactly are we going?" she asked as he started the engine.

"Calder Price's last known address," Liam replied. "An old bookshop in North Beach — but don't let the cozy vibe fool you. Price is bad news."

Avery fastened her seatbelt. "If he's so dangerous, why didn't you deal with him before?"

"I tried," Liam muttered. "The guy's slippery. He's been in hiding for years."

"And you think he still has the Heartstone?"

"He better," Liam said darkly.

The Bookshop – North Beach

The street was empty when they arrived. The old bookstore sat wedged between a closed café and a boarded-up antique shop. Its windows were dark, and a faded wooden sign above the door read "Page & Quill."

"Looks abandoned," Avery murmured.

"Don't let that fool you," Liam warned. "Price knows how to stay hidden."

They approached the door. A rusted "Closed" sign hung on the inside, but the faint glow of a lantern flickered from deep within the shop.

"He's here," Liam said quietly.

"What if he doesn't want to talk?" Avery asked.

"He won't," Liam said grimly. "That's why we're not going to ask nicely."

Before Avery could reply, Liam reached for the doorknob — but the moment his fingers touched it, the air crackled with energy. A sudden snap of blue sparks shot from the handle, forcing Liam back.

"Damn it," he growled, shaking his hand.

"Are you okay?" Avery gasped.

"I'm fine," Liam muttered. "It's a ward — Price's way of keeping out unwanted guests."

"Well, that's working great," Avery said dryly.

"Not for long." Liam knelt by the door and reached into his pocket, pulling out a small leather pouch. He sprinkled a fine silver powder over the handle, muttering under his breath. The air seemed to ripple — and then the ward shattered with a faint crack.

"That should do it," Liam said, pushing the door open.

The scent of old paper and dust filled Avery's nose as they stepped inside. The narrow aisles were crammed with books — stacked on shelves, tables, and even the floor. Shadows danced in the flickering lantern light.

"Stay close," Liam whispered.

They moved deeper into the shop. The silence felt heavy, and Avery swore the shadows shifted whenever she turned her head. Her pulse pounded in her ears.

Suddenly, a low voice spoke from the darkness.

"You're trespassing."

Avery jumped, her hand flying to her chest. Liam spun, pulling his dagger from his belt.

A man stepped into view from behind a towering bookshelf. He wore a dark brown coat with frayed cuffs, and his long, graying hair hung loosely around his face. His sharp eyes gleamed in the dim light.

"Put that away," the man sneered, eyeing Liam's blade. "You wouldn't dare use it here."

"Where's the Heartstone, Price?" Liam demanded.

Calder Price chuckled dryly. "I knew you'd come looking for it eventually." His gaze shifted to Avery. "But I didn't expect her."

Avery stiffened. "How do you know who I am?"

"I know what you've become," Price said with a cold smile. "The demon marked you, didn't it?"

Avery's stomach turned. "How do you know that?"

"I've seen it before," Price replied, stepping closer. "The Devourer doesn't leave its prey alone for long." His gaze darkened. "That mark is a death sentence — unless you do exactly what I tell you."

"We're not here for your advice," Liam snapped. "We need the Heartstone."

Calder's lips twisted into a smirk. "You think I'd just hand it over?"

"You don't have a choice," Liam growled.

Price's smile faded. "Don't threaten me, Kane," he warned. "I know more about the Devourer than you ever will."

"Then prove it," Avery said suddenly. "If you know how dangerous this is, help us."

Price's gaze lingered on her for a long moment. Then, with a reluctant sigh, he turned and walked toward a bookshelf. He reached behind a row of dusty tomes and pulled out a small, velvet pouch.

"This is what you want," Price said, tossing it to Liam.

Liam caught it and opened the pouch. Inside lay a smooth, crimson stone — no larger than a marble — glowing faintly like a coal.

"The Heartstone," Price confirmed. "That will sever your connection to the Devourer — if you use it correctly."

"If?" Avery repeated.

"The stone doesn't work on its own," Price warned. "You'll need to perform a cleansing ritual... and you'll need someone strong enough to guide you through it." His gaze turned serious. "And if you fail? The Devourer will claim you — body and soul."

A cold shiver ran down Avery's spine.

"I won't fail," she said firmly.

"I hope not," Price murmured. "Because if you do... there won't be anything left of you to save."

Later That Night — Back at Liam's Apartment

Avery stared at the Heartstone resting on Liam's kitchen table. The faint red glow pulsed steadily, like a heartbeat.

"You sure this will work?" she asked quietly.

"I wouldn't trust Price with my life," Liam admitted. "But the Heartstone? It's your best shot."

Avery rubbed her arms. The icy ache in her chest had grown worse since their encounter with the cult. The demon's presence felt stronger... closer.

"You'll be with me during the ritual, right?" Avery asked.

Liam's gaze softened. "I'm not going anywhere," he promised.

Avery let out a shaky breath. "Good," she whispered. "Because I don't think I can do this alone."

"You won't have to," Liam said firmly.

But as Avery stared at the glowing Heartstone, she couldn't shake the feeling that the worst was yet to come.