CHAPTER X

 

Anna stood at a second floor window, staring down at the head of Sharlette. What
had Sharlette meant by "safe haven", she wondered. Anna knew by now that
Sharlette's sould had left her body before the blade touched her throat.
Sharlette's spirit roamed free still.

She ran down the stairs, and stood at the front door with her hand on placed
firmly on the door. If she pushed, and went out the door, would Sargatanis feel
her? Would she be in danger again? If she went out that door, and he felt her,
he would know his hold over Sharlette wasn't as strong as he thought it was. He
would realize he had been fooled.

She had to know though, what those two words meant. She stepped cautiously onto
the porch. She sniffed the night air, and searched the darkness with her cat-like
eyes. She wouldn't go to Sargatanis without a fight.

The night was quiet, not even night sounds filled the air. She stared at the
head, and shivered. Sharlette's eyes glistened in the starless night. Could her
spirit still be there, Anna wondered?

"Anna..." A voice sighed in the night.

"Sharlette?" Anna asked, as she felt a cool breeze surround her. "I will not let
you in, I will not be your host!" Anna said, as she felt the cool breeze tug at
her.

"Safe haven..." The voice groaned.

Anna closed her eyes. She could feel Sharlette trying to gain control of her.

The voice groaned and then whispered, "Rachel..."

Anna opened her eyes, and stared at the severed head. "NO!"
She screamed, not caring who heard her anymore.

Her scream was met with silence. The eyes on the severed head were now lifeless
as well. Anna covered her mouth, and stepped quietly back into the house.

-----------

Sargatanis stared out the window into the still night. He had heard her voice.
Anna was not dead. Sharlette had lied to him! He pounded a fist into his palm.
Sharlette said she was rotting with Chester! Anna's presence was strong now, how
come he couldn't feel her before?? Anna must die, he thought.

He turned away from the window, to stare at the shell he had taken. It lay in
the bed, barely breathing. Pretty soon Bryce would no longer function without
him. He had to find a new shell. He entered the shell once more, sighing as
breath filled lungs once more.
--

Cold lips touched Rachel's cheek, causing her to wake. He smiled at her, as if
he loved her dearly. Then he began to frown, her fear was replaced with hatred.
Her eyes burned bright with power.

"You left the body again. Your lips are cold, and you smell of death."Rachel
said, as she rolled off her side of the bed. She stared at him, and threw the
blankets over him. "Here, keep warm." She said with a small laugh.

He looked back at her, and blinked as if being hit with a bright light. For the
first time he felt a little less in control of the situation. This could not
happen. He couldn't let her see that this bothered him.

Rachel sat on the edge of the bed, careful not to touch the cold body. She came
inches from his face, whispering to him, " Leaving his body one more time will
be the end of you. You reek of death. You are falling apart." She smiled, and
moved away from him. Looking at him made her want to gag.

"What about your own shell? While you play wife here..."Sargatanis said, and
watched as she turned her attention to him again.

She started to laugh, and then cry. "The end of you next time you leave his
body. Without you, he is helpless." She replied, pointing at him. "To count the
ways I could end his life." She said with a smile.

Sargatanis felt as if he were shrinking. Rachel was gaining power, and she
didn't even realize it. Soon she would be stronger than he. He wouldn't have to
worry about that once she became with child. All power from her would be sucked
dry.

-----

Chester sat next to Rachel's bed watching the lights, and listening to the many
beeps from the machines. A small movement from the bed caught his attention. Her
hand moved slowly, and then stopped.

"Rachel?" he asked, as he moved closer to her. Her hand started to twich again
at the sound of his voice. She's only dreaming, he thought, as he sat back in
his chair.



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