I clung to Dantalion's scent, making my way back through the grove. Vine, Druitte, Halphas and Sitri kept close, crunching leaves under their feet and chatting every twist and turn of the trail toward home. When we got to the oak at the end of the path, we could see the front door wide open from across the street. It was months since I'd been home, and something told me not to go inside.
"Do not worry Laurel, we're right behind you," Druitte gestured for us to go in.
Vine sensed something off, and he and Halphas darted up the stairs. I fixed my gaze on the ransacked living room and fireplace blazing out of control. Sitri grabbed my hand and reluctantly we made our way upstairs. As we hit the second floor, we stared at a circle etched in blood on the floor, broken shards from the stained glass window above scattered throughout the room. Sulfur permeated the air and in the center of the circle, crimson and indigo demon brands glowed like the ones on my arms, triggering the possession. The words 'The Tomb' were inscribed above the brands on the floor.
"This isn't what I call a homecoming," I jetted out of the room and plunged my burning arms under cold running water. The others followed close behind me.
The new Brotherhood had found me, just like they said. Everyone I knew and everyone I loved would soon answer to them. I wished at this moment Rowan hadn't let me go. I would have felt safer with him. Each of us had to face our own demons, only mine were embedded into my flesh.
"They've got you trapped Laurel, Master Rowan didn't foresee how quickly the possession would take hold… he said you had friends to get back to here," Vine confirmed.
I could hear his words fading in and out, and felt I was slipping into unconsciousness.
"Erin and Lucia….they're numbers are downstairs by the phone," I barely got the words out.
"She's going into shock!" Sitri yelled. "Laurel… focus on my eyes…."
Flashes came and went… images of Dantalion's face. Sitri leaned closer to the others in a whisper.
"It's happening. Feeding to survive mode is taking hold… Halphas… you and Vine call her friends. Get them over here now!" Sitri remembered his promise to keep me safe. "Laurel…. Stay with us….what do you see?"
"Dan…talion… I see Dantalion."
I felt a warm glow floating, filtering through my body, a strange presence that I felt once before when death was near.