The Shadow Howlers

Psyche watched her sisters in the courtyard outside her window. Everything was coming to a head, and it was time to act. They had taken too much from people all their lives. She wished she had seen them for what they were a long time ago. If she had, she would have killed them.

Jameson was with her. He knew Psyche was ready to stop them before they got to Selena and the others, but he was nervous. Aglaura and Cidippe had people working for them. Even if they killed the sisters, the ones they hired may not stop attacking.

“Can you mindlink Andrew?” Psyche asked him as they continued watching the two women below.

“Yes, what do you want to tell him?” Jameson asked. Psyche looked at him and smiled sadly.

“Tell him my sisters won’t be a problem much longer. I’m going to take care of them myself. It may cost me my life, but if it saves Selena, then it’s worth the sacrifice.” She said, turning back to the window.

“What’s your plan?” He asked.

“They want to poison everyone, so let’s see how they react when they’re the ones being poisoned. I need you to summon Sabnac.” Psyche said slowly. Jameson gasped in horror.

“Sabnac is a ruthless killer. He hates everyone from our realm. He will only help you kill them, so he can kill you, too. Why would you go to him?” He asked anxiously. He didn’t understand why out of all those who had poisons she would go to Sabnac.

“He owes me. I know I may die, and I’m prepared for it, but I have to stop them. It’s my fault that they’ve been able to do as much damage as they’ve already done. Please mindlink Andrew and reach out to Sabnac. I want you to leave before he comes. I will not allow you to be killed, too.” Psyche said. Jameson had been her only ally in all the years she’d been away from Eros and Selena. She wanted to protect him.

“I will leave, but only to help keep Selena safe. I hope you get your happy ending, Psyche. Eros will be devastated if you don’t make it.” She patted his hand and smiled.

“All we can do is hope for the best. Thank you, Jameson. Not only for helping me now but for being a friend to me over the years.” He leaned down to hug her gently.

“It was a pleasure,” Jameson said before leaving the room. As he walked away he mindlinked Andrew.

“Andrew, can you hear me?”

“Yes, what’s wrong?” Andrew asked when he heard Jameson’s voice. He could tell right away that he was upset about something.

“Psyche asked me to mindlink you. She said you’re not going to have to worry about her sisters much longer, she’s going to take care of them.” Jameson’s heart ached when he thought about what she was going to do.

“How exactly is she going to take care of them?” Andrew asked cautiously.

“She’s having me call Sabnac to poison them. She said she may die if he decides to kill her too, but apparently, he owes her.” Jameson went to his room and began packing his things.

“I can’t believe she thinks there’s no other option than to call that beast,” Andrew replied. He didn’t want to be the one to tell Eros that Psyche died at the hands of Sabnac. If that happenedthen there would be a war of the gods, and Earth would be stuck in the middle.

“I know, but unfortunately she may be right. I don’t like her sacrificing herself, but she said she’d do whatever was necessary to protect Selena.” Jameson closed his suitcase and looked around.

“What are you doing now?” Andrew asked.

“I’m coming to Earth to help you. The least I can do is help protect Selena if Psyche dies for her.” He replied as he walked out of his room and headed toward the side door. He didn’t want the sisters to see him leave.

“If you come here you won’t be able to go back,” Andrew said.

“I know, and that’s fine. It’s time for a change. I’ll see you soon.” Jameson closed the mindlink and headed toward the portal. He would mindlink Sabnac right before he jumped through. That way he would be sure to be gone before he came. When he reached it he stopped and took a deep breath.

“Sabnac, can you hear me?”

“What do you what parasite?” The demon replied. Jameson took a deep breath.

“Psyche asked to me call you. She wants you to come to her Agluara and Cidippe’s house and help her kill them.” Jameson replied. Sabnac stopped walking and smiled.

“She’s asking me to go to her realm and kill some of the high and mighty goddesses? Why would she ask me? You know I may not be able to control myself once I’m there. Is she willing to die?” Sabnac asked as he went to his office to get what he needed. There were only a few poisons he had that could kill goddesses in the other realm, and he had them all.

“She’s prepared, but please try to spare her. She’s doing this to protect her daughter. Her sisters want to kill her. Psyche should not die because of them.” Jameson pleaded with the demon. Sabnac groaned. The truth was he actually liked Psyche. She didn’t judge him because of his dark ways. She was the only one from the realm who appreciated his talents. However, once he was in her realm and his poisons were released anything could happen.

“I won’t make any promises, but I’ll do my best to keep her alive.” Sabnac closed the mindlink and rubbed his hands together. He couldn’t wait to kill the two goddesses.

“Psyche, I have mindlinked Andrew and Sabnac’s on his way. I’m going to Earth to help keep Selena safe. Take care of yourself.” Jameson mindlinked her.

“I will. Be safe down there. Tell my daughter I love her.” Psyche closed the mindlink as her sisters walked into the room. She turned to them and smiled.

“I’m glad to see you here.” They stopped and looked at each other in surprise. Psyche didn’t look depressed. Why was she smiling?

“Are you feeling better?” Aglaura asked, narrowing her eyes. What right did Psyche have to smile? They had tried to keep her in constant depression. Psyche stood up and walked toward them.

“I’m feeling much better. In fact, I’m feeling so well I have a surprise coming for you. Let’s go downstairs shall we?” Psyche asked, walking out of the room. Aglaura and Cidippe looked at each other in concern. Their sister hadn’t left her room since they brought her there. They followed her down the steps to the entry. Psyche threw open the doors and took a deep breath.

“Can’t you smell that? Fresh air and sunshine. Soak it in because it will be the last time you see it. You never know when someone may stab you in the back.” Psyche walked outside while the sisters looked behind them half expecting to see someone with knives.

“Psyche, you’re freaking us out a little. What’s going on?” Cidippe asked. Psyche’s smile grew as the sky above the house turned black, and the ground shook.

“I have a surprise for you, remember? Here he is now.” Psyche walked toward the enormous man all dressed in black. He had a long black beard that reached his stomach, coal-black eyes and a sickly smile.

“Who is this?” Aglaura asked carefully as she and Cidippe looked at the man with fear.

“Aglaura and Cidippe I’d like you to meet my good friend, Sabnac. You see, I know what you’ve been trying to do to Selena, and I know that you poisoned her friends. So now you’re going to get a taste of your own medicine. My dear sisters, Sabnac is here to kill you.” Psyche smiled at them sweetly, but they couldn’t take their eyes off the man standing next to her. He smiled and looked at them menacingly

“It’s nice to meet you goddesses. I promise to make this as painful as possible.”