Liam reached out to seize control of the creatures surrounding them. Left to their own devices, they’d gladly devour him or anyone else who crossed their paths, but if he could seize on their energy, he could manipulate them. But there were so many—and the figure was fighting back, trying to control them for himself.

Liam’s grasp slipped, and the roars and hisses rose around him. Wings thrummed overhead as a shadow fell across them. The fear-eater’s senses tickled at the back of his mind, trying to probe his thoughts for new horrors to feast on. If he looked at it, it wouldn’t have to dig far at all.

He couldn’t fight this. Their only option was to run—head back to their world—even if it was full of Nazis, fire, worse. But the silvery outlines of their world’s shapes were almost gone. He could barely make out the ghostly wisps of soldiers, the military trucks, the fire. He had no choice. He had to trust that they were far enough away from the church. He had to trust—

Something swooped down from above with a brittle shriek. Talons sank into the collar of his shirt and wrenched him forward, his feet dragging through mud, until he was brought face-to-face with darkness, with eyes deep as hell, with teeth turned needly and long. You will pay, the figure seethed. The words were all around them, in his lungs and in his blood. You will pay for everything you’ve done to me.

“What I’ve done to you?” Liam cried. “How is this my doing—”

“Liam!” Daniel called, then stumbled forward, dagger drawn. Liam tried to twist toward him and opened his mouth to cry out, but the talons dug in deeper as a fist of mud reached up to clench around Daniel. His mouth rounded with fear, but only for a second; then he was the boy that Liam knew once more. Fierce. Fighting back, even as the mud squeezed around him.

“Let him go,” Liam said. He pushed back, grasped for more and more darkness to control. But every time he thought he’d grabbed enough, it was ripped from him again.

The figure snarled, This world obeys me. They are mine to command now. Violet flames licked up the figure’s palms and wrapped around his arm. And when the darkness consumes you, I’ll command you, too.

“You can’t have me just yet.”