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The closer to the cemetery we walked, the worse the terrain became. No longer were the thin vines draped, connecting overhead and between the trees, but giant thick thorns capable of impaling a man grew on black treelike branches that spiraled around one another to form a wicked tunnel. Such could have only been brought to life by the curse of a vindictive witch.
An oppressive cloud of misery overshadowed me, draining me of hope and driving me toward despair. Whispers taunted me, drawing me toward one of the sharpened thorns, trying to persuade me to ram my chest against it and pierce my heart. I resisted, but the mental image of one of these black thorns staked through my heart while a widening pool of blood spread beneath my suspended body looked terrifyingly realistic. I wanted to think of pleasant thoughts, memories, anything except such a grueling death, but my mind was frozen upon this depiction of an unpleasant fate.
After a few seconds, I took another step into the narrowing tunnel. The pattern of the interwoven branches, thorns, and the never-ending spiral was mesmerizing, making me dizzy. I shook my head, trying to steady my next step, hopeful that I didn’t fall against one of the sharp thorns. Because of the thickness of the coiled vines and the countless thorn tips, no alternate path existed. A small child couldn’t press through the sides of this deadly tunnel wall. It was either continue forward or turn back. But my mind pressed me to go forward. Chattering whispers buzzed near my ears, as annoying as mosquitoes seeking blood, and urged me to sacrifice my life’s blood, but offering no reason for such martyrdom.
Whatever sensation was pricking at my mind, was trying to overwhelm and control me, but a vampire wasn’t causing it, I was certain of that, since none had ever been able to compel me. This tunnel had been formed by magic. I detected it, and it was far darker than any spells I had encountered before. Once I realized what was beckoning me to end my life, I was better able to resist.
I reached into my pocket and found the blessed protective talisman Matilda had given me in London. I rubbed it between my thumb and forefinger. Energy tingled against my skin. The evil whispering chants lessened but didn’t completely dissolve.
A hand grabbed my elbow and tugged. I spun around.
Penelope stood, looking at me. “You feel the overpowering darkness, too?”
I nodded. The feeling was everywhere.
“Close your eyes,” she said.
I did. Sharp pellets struck my face and bounced off my leather hat like sleet. I opened my eyes. She held out a handful of the blessed salt.
“What are you doing?” I asked.
“The salt should break the oppressive spell that’s overshadowing us. Hold out your hand.” She poured some of the salt into my hand. “Eat it.”
I placed the salt on my tongue and let it dissolve. The uneasiness cocooned around me, and the whispers suddenly dispelled.
Penelope hurried to my father and placed salt on his tongue. After his eyes indicated he was aware of his surroundings, she returned to me. “Forrest, the cemetery isn’t haunted like the people have told the old man. They walked into this oppressive wall of anguish. But whoever placed the curse here didn’t do it to keep people out. It’s here to keep the vampire trapped inside the cemetery.”
“Even without the overpowering spell of gloom, I doubt he’d chance coming through these thorns. He could easily stake himself.”
“I think that’s the intent,” Father whispered. “Some of the dreadful thoughts that came to mind ... I’ve had better nightmares and drunken hallucinations.”
“I agree.” I glanced to each of them. “Are you ready to continue or should we turn back?”
Father sighed. “My head’s clear now. I’m ready.”
“You?” I asked her.
“Of course. I realized what was happening before either of you.”
I leaned toward her, pressed my cheek against hers, and whispered, “Thank you.”
She turned her face slightly and kissed my cheek. “You’re welcome. But we’re not in the cemetery yet. Who knows what else lies ahead.”
“Always the pessimist, aren’t you?” I said with an even smile.
“When it comes to vampires and demons, it’s better to be cautious than carefree.”
“That’s true.”
I turned back toward the path. Since the other Hunter had threatened my life, I couldn’t shake the feeling of the price I’d have to pay for keeping Varak alive. And with what had just happened, I feared this was only the beginning. I wanted to turn back, but we needed the bounty for this vampire. It would take weeks of menial labor to earn a fraction of the reward money. With plague demons after Thomas, and the Hunter or Hunters searching for me, we didn’t have time to sacrifice. We needed to reach Freiburg quickly.