The Bite of Vengeance Read Free Page A

his wife again, kicked open the door and ran into the churchyard. Roconn wrenched open the gate which led to the now deserted village. Feeling sick with pain, he paused, lowering Maria on the grass.
    â€˜I need to get Charlotte and Benjamin. I’ll be right back, I promise. Don’t let go.’ Whether she was awake or not, he could not tell.
    A few minutes later, Charlotte and Benjamin were set down beside the gate. He thought it best not to lay them next to Maria; he knew it would traumatize her to see their lifeless bodies. Roconn bent over his children, gazing at their faces as tears poured from his eyes. He refused to believe they were gone. They couldn’t be dead, he thought. This couldn’t be happening! He shook his daughter in a desperate attempt to wake her. But Charlotte would never wake. Her head lolled to one side when he finally let go. He turned to Maria.
    â€˜Roconn, I’m going to die,’ she whispered, her breath rattling.
    â€˜No!’ Roconn pleaded. Whatever it took, he would not lose his wife.
    â€˜Don’t be a fool. Before I die, I want you to know that I love you.’
    â€˜I love you too Maria, and I am not going to let you die!’
    Roconn glanced up the street, hoping for inspiration. How was he going to save her? But what he saw next was not something that convinced him Maria was going to live, quite the contrary. As the day turned to night, familiar, red eyes were staring at him, and it was as though they could see in to his very soul. They belonged to a creature with long, curved horns and a scarred face. In between the horns, a ball of fire hovered, as though held by some unseen force. The muscular creature walked towards Roconn and Maria, its long, midnight-black cloak billowing behind.
    Seconds passed as Roconn stood, paralysed by fear. Above, the moon shone brightly. He forced himself to look at Maria; she was unconscious, her shallow breathing, the only indicator she was still alive. Roconn looked back to see the Devil was kneeling in front of him.
    â€˜She is going to die.’ The Devil spoke with a deep, intimidating growl.
    As he spoke, Roconn noticed his razor-sharp teeth.
    â€˜I have for seen this moment in the pits of despair, I knew this day would come. Your God has forsaken you. He has taken your children and will soon claim your wife.’
    â€˜No, you’re lying; she can’t, she will not die!” Roconn exclaimed.
    â€˜Your God gave you nothing, whereas I can give you anything you desire, though I cannot save your children, for they have already been taken by God. But I can save your wife. You could be with her for an eternity, and no one would be able to take her from you. Neither of you would ever become sick, nor would you age. You could be powerful. You could live together, forever. All I ask in return is that you serve me as your God.’
    Roconn looked down at his dying wife.
    â€˜No, I will never join you. I cannot forsake Maria’s soul. You shall not have her,’ he whispered.
    â€˜Look into her eyes, you can see she is leaving you, you will never look upon her face again, nor feel the warmth of her breath, her life now lies in your hands. Time is running out, make your choice, once she is dead, nothing can bring her back.’ His voice was sympathetic, yet Roconn could hear the yearning in his voice, he knew of the Devil’s trickery, how he would entice mortal with tempting pacts, which they would later come to regret.
    â€˜I cannot lose her. I know this would mean the forsaking of not only my soul, but that of Maria’s. I can’t lose her; I know what needs to be done.’ Roconn thought this through quickly. He gave a nod to the beast, and looked into Maria’s eyes.
    The Devil leant over Maria and sliced his wrist with one, sharp talon. Thick, blue blood poured from the wound. He held his bloody wrist over her pale lips.
    â€˜Drink and you shall live forever.’
    Maria awoke