The Two Devils Read Free

interrupted.
    "They're fangs. Wolves have fangs, whatever you are. They're not teeth, they're fangs. Even a dumb clod from Kansas knows that much."
    The form changed to a large raven shape, and fluttered down onto the large rock that was near the fire. “So, a wise fellow has come to teach me."
    I took a swing with the pickaxe. I struck nothing but air. The shape moved to the opposite side of the fire and changed back to a woman.
    "You don't love me anymore, Miles?” it mocked with Ruth's voice.
    "Love you? What the heck are you?"
    "I'm your beloved Ruth, Miles. Don't you remember me?” it taunted.
    My stubborn streak kicked in. “I don't know anyone named Ruth."
    It changed back to the bird silhouette. “But, you were with her two nights ago?"
    "So? I'm getting out of here."
    "Now Miles,” the bird said, “I cannot allow that."
    I picked up and hurled a small stone at it, but it missed.
    "Miles, Miles, Miles.” It changed back to the wolf form. “I'm predator. You're prey. It's that simple.” The wolf shape moved over toward the mouth of the cave. “I feast on souls. Ruth was delicious. She thought you were sweet, so I decided to try you, too."
    It seemed ridiculous. “My soul? You want my soul?"
    The entity was deadly serious. “Exactly, Miles, exactly. The rest ... it all sort of falls to pieces when I devour the core.” It pointed at the bed of coals. “Makes a nice fire, though."
    "That's evil."
    "Call it what you will.” It changed into a shadow snake and began to slither on the ground around me, just out of reach of the pickaxe. “I used to drink blood. Then, I was stuck in here from a cave-in. I didn't die, Miles.
    And the Indians found me. They thought I was a deity until I killed them all ... and the Spaniards. And soon, all these miners.” The snake form coiled up and its shadow-tongue stuck out then retreated five or six times.
    "Mmm ... I'm a lucky snake, Miles. Lucky snake.” Then it uncoiled and changed again.
    The wolf shape moved closer, then retreated when I readied the pickaxe. “But, I get so lonely here, waiting for a meal. The miners have been a windfall, but the gold is running out. I'll get so lonely when they're all gone.” It started laughing. “Sometimes I play with my food.” It laughed again. “Maybe we'll invite all the miners in here. Hell, they've broken through farther down the cave, maybe we'll have a cave-in and all get real chummy."
    "The gold's running out?” I blurted.
    "The Indians say gold is the yellow metal that makes white men crazy. Of course, I feed on Indians, too,” it said as its shadow tongue licked shadow cheeks. “The Spaniards wanted gold, but they didn't want to mine it, only to steal it.” It coiled up into snake form again. “Miles, the idiots Cortez sent me were way off course, and they were looking for an Indian city of gold. Can you believe that? Here? They came all the way here."
    "There's no such thing as a city of gold,” I responded.
    "Exactly. You're a clever fellow Miles. And they died. If they hadn't been so greedy, they'd have stayed in Spain, or at least over in Mexico.” It coiled up around the boulder. “They deserved to die, don't you think, Miles?"
    "I think you're nuts.” I swung the pickaxe suddenly, but missed again.
    "You deserve to die, Miles. You're a greedy miner trying to make a fast doubloon,” it said. “Plain old greed, Miles."
    "Money's called dollars now,” I corrected. “Not doubloons."
    "Forgive me.” It changed back to its wolf form. “I knew that. I knew that. Now Miles, this is fun.” The wolf shape moved near the cave entrance. “Lots of fun. But, all good things must end. This won't hurt a bit.” It opened its mouth wide. “Well, maybe a little."
    I lunged at it with all my strength. I struck something on impact that tore open my shoulder, but my momentum carried both of us out through the entrance. We landed outside the cave, on the little rocky plateau. The thing began squirming violently. I