Inner Demons Read online

  Inner Demons

  Amanda Strong

  Contents

  Also by Amanda Strong

  Content Disclosure

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Chapter 33

  Chapter 34

  Chapter 35

  Chapter 36

  Chapter 37

  Chapter 38

  Chapter 39

  Chapter 40

  Chapter 41

  Chapter 42

  Chapter 43

  Chapter 44

  Chapter 45

  Chapter 46

  Chapter 47

  Chapter 48

  Chapter 49

  Chapter 50

  Chapter 51

  Epilogue

  Acknowledgments

  About the Author

  Monsters Among Us

  Also by Amanda Strong

  THIS book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are the product of the authors' imagination or are used factiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental.

  * * *

  NO part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author's rights. Purchase only authorized editions.

  * * *

  Inner Demons

  Copyright ©2016 Amanda Strong

  All rights reserved.

  Cover Design by: Marya Heiman

  Typography by: Courtney Nuckels

  Editing by: Cynthia Shepp

  Also by Amanda Strong

  The Monsters Among Us Series

  Hidden Monster

  Inner Demons

  Monsters Among Us

  * * *

  The Watchers of Men Series

  The Awakener

  Holy and the Fallen

  * * *

  Anthology

  Twists in Time

  For more information about our content disclosure,

  please utilize the QR code above with your smart phone or visit us at www.CleanTeenPublishing.com.

  Chapter 1

  I dreamt of Sammy. Not every night, but often enough to leave dark rings under my eyes. Dreams of her haunted me, leaving me drenched in cold sweats. Were they really just random thoughts passing through my subconscious? Or could it be Sammy’s distant memories coming out when my mind was stilled? The nightmares were so vivid, so draining, that most mornings I struggled to even climb out of bed. My muscles protested, my body begging for more rest. My mom kept offering me sleeping pills. Apparently, my night terrors kept her up as well. Tempting as it was for even a few hours of dreamless sleep, I hadn’t tried them yet.

  Of course, I never mentioned any of this to Dr. Killian, who leaned back into her leather chair, her hazel eyes appraising me through thin-rimmed glasses.

  “So why don’t you walk me through the past few days?” Dr. Killian coaxed, crossing her long legs. “How have you been?”

  I stiffened, choosing to pick at the armrest of the faux leather couch next to the chair instead. Like usual, I’d sat in the opposite corner, sitting as far away from my new therapist as possible.

  Since I knew about Sammy now, my parents had swapped out my usual therapist for a psychologist. Guess they felt I needed a ‘doctor’ to figure me out. If they only knew how messed up I really am, they’d be sending me to every specialist they could get their hands on. It was why my decision not to tell them about the Dragon Fae world I was a part of was easy. Blake said Tonbo didn’t want the world to know about us, and that was good enough for me. I didn’t care to become a science-experiment freak show anyway.

  I’d never been a fan of my old therapist before. Honestly, she’d drove me bananas, always insisting my answers were in my subconscious. She could have just told me I had a split personality and that all the answers really were inside of me—inside Sammy.

  However, compared to how I felt about Dr. Killian, my old therapist seemed like a warm sunset at the beach with a lounge chair and book to enjoy. The woman in the button-up blouse, gray slacks, and tight chignon had so far been nothing but pleasant. She was willing to talk about whatever topic I chose. I eyed her warily from my usual spot.

  I don’t care if it doesn’t make sense… that woman makes my skin crawl. One thing I’d learned since becoming a damsel was to trust my instincts, and right now, they told me not to trust her.

  Dr. Killian gave me a reassuring smile, waiting for my response.

  I cleared my throat. “Nothing’s happened. No blackouts. No waking up in weird places.”

  “So you don’t think Sammy has been around?” she asked, tilting her head to the side.

  “Nope,” I said simply.

  She scrawled something into her notebook. I couldn’t imagine what it was. I hadn’t said anything groundbreaking, had I?

  “How have you been feeling lately?”

  “Great,” I lied. I wasn’t about to tell her how conflicted I felt. Or how utterly exhausted the nightmares left me.

  “How have things been with your family? Your mom, for starters?” she asked, breaking my line of thought.

  I stared at her. “Good, I guess. Just the same as last week.”

  “Mm,” she hummed, again writing something in her notebook. “You wouldn’t say it’s been a bit more strained over the past week?”

  My eyes narrowed. What’s she getting at? “No, why? Did she say something to you?”

  “Oh no, I wasn’t meaning to cause alarm, Samantha. Of course she hasn’t said anything to me. Our sessions are completely between you and me.” Dr. Killian smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes.

  “My mom and I are great. Sure, we disagree at times, but it has nothing to do with Sammy.”

  “Wonderful. So glad to hear that. And your dad? It’s much the same, I presume?”

  I wanted to shout, You should presume nothing. I don’t know why I’m even talking to you. But instead, I nodded.

  “How about your sisters? Jocelyn and Krista?”

  “Krista and I are great,” I answered without thinking. It came easily because it was the truth. I felt my face flush, realizing my blunder.

  She cocked an eyebrow at me. “Oh? Are things not good between you and Jocelyn?”

  Darn. I berated myself for not simply lumping my sisters together. I hated to admit it… to this doctor especially, that I hardly saw Jocelyn lately, and when I did, there was tension between us. I wondered if it had always been there, and I was just more sensitive to it now. At times, I’d catch her staring at me with disdain in her expression. Like she’d tasted something sour. Was she ashamed of me? She’d always known about Sammy; why would me knowing change that?

  It brought me to the conclusion that maybe something had happened. And if I have no memory of it, it means someone else does. Sammy. I hadn’t lied to Dr. Killian when I�
��d said I hadn’t blacked out in a while. I had to fudge a bit when I retold the last time I thought Sammy had taken over. I wasn’t about to tell her I’d been sitting in Tonbo’s theater, watching a production put on by flying dragons and damsels. I’d awoken in Jaxon’s cave after that.

  That lapse in memory tormented me. What had Sammy done? I hoped to ask Jaxon since he’d been the one to capture Sammy and throw her, or me, into his cave. But Blake didn’t want me anywhere near his brother, which I could understand. Last time we’d been together, things had gotten pretty hairy. Blake had questioned Jaxon for me, but got little other than he’d found me not far from my own house. For some reason, that was enough for Blake. It wasn’t for me. All it did was solidify my hunch that something might have happened between Sammy and Jocelyn.

  There were two others who might have answers—Kory and Mack. However, no one could find Kory, not even Blake, and it wasn’t for lack of trying. He’d gone off grid, moving his ‘bug’ operations underground. A terrifying thought in and of itself. The other option filled my heart with a sad longing.

  I missed Mack, more than I cared to admit. The last time Blake had come back from the island, he said he’d discovered Mack in one of Tonbo’s holding cells. There were rules about changing someone against their will, and since Tonbo could hardly hold Sammy, my other half, accountable, Kate and Mack were the ones being punished. Blake had told me that even though Mack’s trial was over, and Tonbo had granted him pardon for his part, Mack still refused to leave his prison cell.

  My eyes pricked at the thought that my friend could hold himself so personally accountable for what Sammy had put him up to. That’s going to change, I decided. I can do something about Mack. I’m not a helpless bystander anymore.

  A soft cough reminded me I wasn’t alone at the moment. I turned and stared at the woman still waiting for a response.

  “Jocelyn and I are even better,” I said firmly, knowing we both saw straight through my fabrication. What happened between my sister and me is none of your dang business, lady, so stop smiling at me like it is.

  Forty minutes later, I left my session with a feeling of resolution. I knew what I needed to do. I grimaced, hating to admit Dr. Killian’s questions today might have helped clear my head. A little bit.

  Chapter 2

  “Did you miss me?” Blake asked, wrapping me up in his arms for a quick hug as soon as he was through the door. We weren’t alone. My dad sat on the couch in the front room, feigning interest in a book. Since I knew he wasn’t really a reader, I wondered what he was up to.

  “Maybe a little,” I teased. “Glad you’re back early this time.” My heart ached, catching the scent of his skin. Knowing our words were being listened to, I asked, “How’s your grandpa doing? Any better?”

  With my family accepting Blake as my boyfriend, we had to come up with some plausible reason for why he traveled back to “California” so often. At first, it was Christmas break. No one asked questions. Then, as January started and with it, school, they needed some kind of cover as to why he left almost every weekend. The easiest one turned out to not be too far from the truth. Blake’s grandpa was nearing ninety, and his health was deteriorating. He had always been close to his grandfather, so going to see him before he passed away made sense. Of course, my parents didn’t need to know that Blake didn’t visit with him long. They just thought the Knightleys were both thoughtful and very free with their money. Besides, Grandpa was a great code word for Jaxon.

  “Grandpa’s going to survive another week.” Blake glanced over at my dad. “How are you doing, Mr. Campbell?”

  My dad set his book aside and grinned. “Couldn’t be better. I was wondering if you might lend me a hand today, Blake.”

  I cocked an eyebrow at my dad. Knew there was a reason he parked himself on the couch. Five minutes after he’d overheard me on the phone telling Blake I’d see him in a few minutes.

  “Sure, be happy to.”

  “Great.” My dad stood up, tossing the book aside. I caught a glimpse of the cover. Wuthering Heights? Really, Dad?

  Still, I had to grin at the way Blake fidgeted with my hand as we followed my dad through the entry toward the garage door. It wasn’t that Blake didn’t get along with my family. He did, but there was always an underlying fear that my dad would one day forbid me from seeing him. I’d thought Blake had been joking about it before, but it turned out that he was quite serious. Not seeing me again terrorized him. I grappled with the fact Blake could love me so completely.

  “Where are we going, Dad?” I asked as he opened the door and flicked the garage light on. “Don’t forget it’s freezing out there.”

  “I know. I think it’s high time we put some of Blake’s muscles to work.” My dad patted Blake’s shoulder before jogging down the three steps into the garage.

  Blake visibly relaxed. “Sure. What do you have in mind?”

  “Last night’s storm left a few driveways and sidewalks in rough shape,” he said, grabbing his winter coat off the power tool he’d strewn it on, probably when he got home from work last night.

  One thing I’d always admired about my dad was the fact that he looked out for others. Every winter, he spent most of his Saturdays shoveling our neighbors’ drives.

  “You’ve got a warm coat on. Have any gloves?” my dad asked him.

  Blake shook his head, and my dad tossed him a pair. “How about boots?” he asked, eyeing Blake’s footwear.

  “Got them on, sir,” Blake said, holding up a foot. Sure enough, Blake wore a warm pair of hiking boots.

  Sir? I wanted to ask Blake, catching eyes with him. Laying it on a bit thick, don’t you think?

  Blake grinned, ignoring the funny face I made at him, and grabbed a shovel from my dad. I glanced down at my bare feet and rubbed my arms with my hands.

  “I’ll be right back,” I said, making a dash back to the door.

  “Where do you think you’re going, young lady?” my dad asked. “Blake and I got this. You go inside and keep warm.”

  “But Dad,” I protested. “I’ve always shoveled walks with you.”

  “Yeah, I know, but I think it’s time I find out what kind of stuff Blake’s made of.”

  Dragonfly guts, I wanted to blurt. Instead, I met my dad’s gaze. In other words, you want to get to know the young man dating your daughter. “Okay, I’ll stay put, but if you aren’t back by sundown, I’m coming to find you.”

  “Worried he’ll turn into a vampire if we aren’t, Samantha?” my dad asked, laughing at his own joke. Blake blanched, and I choked on my spit.

  “No,” I sputtered, “It’s just that Blake’s not usually here on Saturdays. I wouldn’t mind going out tonight, that’s all.”

  My dad chuckled, oblivious to our reactions. I mean, it’s not like we’re vampires, exactly. Just half dragonfly, half human. No biggie.

  My dad waved his hand at me. “Sure, sure. Hey Samantha, mind hitting the garage door opener on your way in?”

  I smacked the rectangular button and glanced over my shoulder as the door creaked to life, the pulley shifting into gear. I caught Blake’s eye long enough to give him a reassuring grin. Dad ushered him out of the garage, both of them holding large shovels.

  * * *

  -------------------------------

  * * *

  Four hours later, I had gone from amused, to slightly frustrated, to worried. Where the heck are they? They weren’t answering their phones, and as tempted as I was to drive around to the usual houses we hit, I decided to wait. I’ll give them thirty more minutes, and then I’m hitting the road. Or the skies…

  I’d plopped myself on the family room couch, tucked in a warm blanket. Ironically, the book my dad had dropped earlier was the one I’d snatched up. Wonder whose this is anyway? My sisters weren’t huge readers as far as I knew, and I’d only lately discovered the joys of getting lost in a make-believe world. Ever since the cabin, I needed things to help me sleep at night.

  I felt my face
flush thinking of what lulled me to sleep more often than not now. If my dad knew how many times Blake stole away to my room, tucking himself next to me and stroking my hair back until I’d fallen asleep, he’d wig out. Blake didn’t stay all night though, as much as I wanted him to. I’d wake up in the morning alone, always wondering at what point in the night he’d left me. The smell of autumn mornings still lingered on my pillow.

  The sound of someone walking toward the room had me glancing up from the book I hadn’t really been reading. I could tell the footfall was too light for Blake or Dad. Krista was out with her boyfriend of the week and Mom had gone shopping… that left only one other person. I locked eyes with her as she entered the living room.

  “Hey Jocelyn,” I said, forcing a cheery tone.

  She narrowed her eyes a tiny bit before she gave me one curt nod. Ugh. What is it with her?

  Her gaze dropped to my lap. “Oh. There it is,” she said as she walked over to me, her hand outstretched. “Hand it over, Samantha. It’s mine.”

  I glanced down, a bit bewildered until I saw the book. “What? This?” I held it up to her. “Sorry, I didn’t know whose it was. Here.”

  She snatched it quickly, pressing it against her chest.

  “I didn’t realize it meant so much to you,” I said, not sure how else to take her reaction.

  “It was a gift,” she said before she bit down on her lip.

  “Oh really? From who?” I untucked my leg, staring up from the couch. Jocelyn gave me the feeling she was about to bolt from the room. Realizing how tight my muscles had become, I almost laughed, knowing I was getting ready to chase after her. This is my sister, not a damsel, I reminded myself. If I’m not careful, my wings will bust out.

  Jocelyn shrugged. “No one, never mind. You wouldn’t understand.”

  “Try me. I’d love to know why that means something…”