Prologue

Blood. Crashing rivers of it erupted from the corners of her mind.

The shimmering steel blade ripped and retreated again and again. Crimson waves of pain pierced her. Dripping life’s blood…

Death tugged at her, greedy and demanding, dragging her into the victim’s world, toward the cold, the dark.

Not yet…She had to see the face. The killer’s face.

A voice rose, taunting, but she couldn’t see, couldn’t understand the muffled words. Then a moment of clarity, just before death claimed its victim. Thank God. The monster came closer, hovered over her. His name formed in her mind and she filed it away in the part of her brain that was still sane. Still hers. He laughed as he wiped his bloodied blade across his victim’s blouse. Arrogant bastard. A moment later he shoved it into his pocket before he walked away. The door squeaked open, clicked shut.

The pain in her skull became unbearable. There wasn’t room inside her for them both. No more. No more. She couldn’t do this anymore.

A silent scream tore through her. Go away, she pleaded. Release me. You’re finished now. I’m dying, too.

Blinding light flashed as a tunnel formed. The pressure eased as the spirit gradually moved beyond her and into the light.