The Devil's Daughter by Clifford Beck - HTML preview

Chapter 35

Night arrived with the usual bite in the air as Nelu, having instructed Anca to keep the doors locked, made his way to the barn, where the village's few sheep were kept. However, he did not go alone and accompanying him were six of the village's hunters. Over time, they had each developed highly keen senses and could hear a twig snap at a quarter of a mile. But knowing how quickly the creature moved, they felt at a disadvantage, in spite of their skills. Once they arrived at the barn, they stood examining the small flock, deciding which of the sheep would be sacrificed for the good of the village. After a few moments of discussion, it was decided that the oldest of the flock would be used as bait. A rope was thrown around its neck, and it was walked through the barn, and out into the evening air. But as soon as it was exposed to the approaching night, the animal panicked and had to be dragged out, towards the tree line.

Bellowing at the top of its lungs, the elderly sheep was forced to the top of a grassy slope, just before the woods and as the men hurriedly tied it to the closest tree, a distant scream drifted through the dusky air. They paused and looked at each other with panicked eyes. “We have to hurry,” Nelu began. “Is the rope tight?”

One of the men nodded as the others cautiously searched the woods, fearing what they knew was on its way down from the mountains.

“Alright,” he continued. “Go home. I'll see you in the morning.”

At this, Nelu turned and ran to the safety of home, where Anca anxiously waited. By this time, Alina lay fast asleep, leaving Anca to stand at the window watching for his return.

To avoid being seen, Nelu put out his oil lamp, returning home by the swath of moonlight that now blanketed the village. Moving quickly, he tripped over his own feet and went careening to the ground. Another, not so distant scream, prompted him to his feet as he continued running. It wasn't until he grasped the doorknob that he looked back to where the loudly bleating sheep still remained, tied close to the tree-line. Once inside, Nelu retrieved his rifle, along with a box of shells and turning back to the door, was stopped by Anca.

“Where are you going?” she asked. “You can't go back out there! I just heard that thing scream.” Nelu turned to her with a reassuring voice. “Anca,” he began. “Someone has to shoot this creature, but I won't be out in the open. I'm going to the priest's quarters in the church. I'll be able to see it from there. It's the only way.”

Stepping forward, Anca threw her arms around him and whispered a few cautionary words to him. “Please be careful.”

Kissing her gently on the lips, Nelu continued towards the door and opening it, disappeared into the night. By intent, he left his lamp behind so as not to be seen by the creature, even though he, like many others, knew it could move in near-complete darkness. But this illusion of safety was not enough and he ran quickly to the church, avoiding a confrontation with the creature that had made its home in the woods of Gura Haith.