Page 31 of Chillingham Castle

A hand struck out, sending Trunk crashing into a wall. He hit hard and slid down, senseless.

Dive clawed at the hand holding him as Suga attacked again, ducking below the blow La Llorona aimed at him. La Llorona shook Dive violently and threw him aside. He landed opposite Trunk, clearly dazed.

Glowing, red, hate-filled eyes gazed upon Suga as La Llorona bore down on him. He desperately prayed, and we could hear him as he held his cross high.

“Fuck!” Reaver shouted as a clawed hand swiped at him. Suga ducked, rolled, and came up in a crouch. I checked where Haunt was and saw our prez racing through the corridors to reach them.

La Llorona turned around to Dive and made to pick him up.

“Over here, you crazy fuckin’ bitch!” Suga yelled and tapped his cross on the floor.

We couldn’t see it, but we sensed her sneer as she faced Suga.

“Southron,” she hissed.

“You ain’t so bad,” Suga taunted, drawing her attention.

She bore down on him in a fury, hands outstretched, and Suga closed his eyes. Seconds later, a bright light filled the corridor.

“Get back, you fuckin’ psychotic bitch!” Haunt roared. We couldn’t see much in the harsh shine, but Lynnie gasped and pointed.

“There!” On her screen, it looked like Lich was carrying Dive while Lucky had Trunk slung over his shoulders. They were hurrying.

The glare kept up, driving La Llorona back, and moments later Haunt appeared with Suga. The cameras took a second to adjust from the blinding light, but we saw La Llorona appear again, and she gave chase.

“She’s going to catch them!” Jayna cried, alarmed.

“They’re not moving as fast,” I agreed. Carrying those two heavy sons of bitches, they wouldn’t be.

Outside, John Sage’s head seemed to track her movement.

“Savage!” The word tore from his mouth, and La Llorona paused.

She stopped and turned towards the courtyard as if she could see through walls.

“Southron!” she shrieked. La Llorona broke off her attack and rushed the walls. She passed through them and floated down to the ground. Without batting an eyelid, she flew at Sage, who caught her and threw her away from him.

“Where I burned you, heathen!” Sage taunted.

“Christ, is he saying he’s standing where the bonfire was?” Jayna muttered.

“I think so,” I replied, horrified. I checked the monitors. Haunt and the others were now in the Great Hall, rushing back toward us. They needed to go through the chapel and down the stairs.

Moments later, La Llorona came through the walls, hurled there by Sage. Haunt and the others skidded to a stop as her eyes focused on them. She rushed towards them, murderous intent clear, and Sage barrelled into her. La Llorona grabbed him around the neck and flung him over the wooden table. He went barrelling over it, and La Llorona leapt up and chased him.

“Run!” I muttered. Haunt, and the others didn’t wait. They began running again and disappeared into the chapel.

“Kill you!” La Llorona shrieked so loudly we could hear her here. They clashed once more, making the chairs rattle and fall over as they struggled. Haunt flung open the tearoom doors, and the rest followed through.

“Put me the fuck down,” Trunk demanded.

Lucky didn’t pause but dropped him on his ass without another word. “Asshole,” Trunk complained.

“Dive?” Haunt asked as Lich lowered him.

“I’m good, just a brain rattle, and my throat’s sore. But holy shit!” he gasped, watching the monitor.

Everyone crowded round as La Llorona and Sage went at it, tearing up the Great Hall.