Dead End Road: Road To Nowhere, #5

By S. K. Gregory

Trapped in Nowhere by a mysterious force field, Nissa prepares to face a powerful ancient demon. 

 

Nissa faces her biggest threat yet, as an ancient demon is about to be unleashed from the hell dimension. As the last wizard, she is the only one with the power to stop it. Though she would love to run away, that's impossible now that the residents are all trapped, in preparation for the demon to snack on them when he rises. 

Teaming up with Jax, Nissa is in denial over her growing feelings for him. She might not even survive long enough to act on them. With no one else willing to help her, they will need to work together to stop the enemy, but is Nissa strong enough?  

 

When the clock runs out, right as Nissa turns twenty-seven, she receives a massive power boost, but will it be enough to defeat the demon? Or will Nowhere fall? 

 

Fans of Midnight, Texas, and Wynonna Earp will love this urban fantasy series.  

 

Book 5 in the Road To Nowhere Series 

• Language: English
• Publisher: SKG Author Services
• Release date: Jun 1, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223000884

S. K. Gregory

S. K. Gregory is the author of the Daemon Persuasion series and a collection of urban fantasy and paranormal romance novels. In her spare time she love to read and offers reviews for indie authors through her site.

Book preview

Dead End Road

Road To Nowhere

Book 5

––––––––

S. K. Gregory

Copyright ©️ 2023 S. K. Gregory

All Rights Reserved

Cover Design By: Taurus Colosseum

Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty-One

Chapter Twenty-Two

Chapter Twenty-Three

Chapter Twenty-Four

Epilogue

Chapter One

Watching from the window of M’s apartment, I couldn’t help but wonder how some of the residents still continued to act like everything was normal. Going to work, opening their businesses. We were days away from the Old One rising and a huge barrier had appeared over the town of Nowhere, stopping any of us from leaving. Now seemed like the perfect time to let those things slide.

I guess it stops them from losing their minds.

That and the Council had downplayed everything from what I’d heard. Probably in a bid to stop people from hounding them for answers.

They released the information about Jeremiah’s death, but not the reason why he died. Or the how.  Everyone knew about the barrier, but Terrence and Veronica kept assuring everyone that they were taking care of it. Though as more time passed, I’m sure no one wanted to hear their excuses. Yes, most of the residents here had no intention of leaving, most couldn’t, but at least before they had the option. It also meant that no one who needed a place to go could come in either.

I’m sure they’d give this place a wide berth if they knew what we were facing.

How long had it been since Jeremiah died and yet they continued to but their bullshit and still no one had turned on the Council. No one questioned them or demanded answers. Were the people in this town really that dense? Or did they just not want to know the truth.

I expected it was the latter. They wanted to bury their heads in the sand and pretend things were normal. I’d love to do that myself, but I had to face reality. We were facing the end of the world because one nut job wanted to become all powerful. Why did that sound so familiar?

What are you looking at? M asked in my ear, making me jump.

Nothing, I replied, moving away from the window and back to the couch.

I’d spent a lot of time on it this past week. M let me crash here after Jeremiah and the incident at the Council buildings. I didn’t want to be alone. Plus, everyone knew where to find me at my apartment and I didn’t need people beating down the door for answers from me.

M took a look outside for herself, before facing me. Are you planning on hiding in here for the whole day again?

Crossing my arms, I looked away. I’m not hiding.

Where was there for me to go anyway?

No? Then why don’t you go back to your place.

I glared at her. If you want me to leave, just say so.

She sighed. I don’t want you to leave, I want you to do something. Why haven’t the Council come looking for you? It couldn’t be too hard to figure out that you’re here.

I’m sure they’re busy trying to get the barrier down.

I wondered why they hadn’t come looking too, but at the same time, I didn’t want them to. After Jeremiah died at my hand, I’m not sure how they would react. They hated him and I don’t think they cared much that he was dead, but I didn’t do it in time to stop the ritual. The Old One would rise in a few days and I had no idea how to stop it. If they planned on blaming me for that, then I didn’t want to see them.

M shook her head and headed into the kitchen. I remained on the couch, still angry at everything. For the first few days, I stayed here because I couldn’t get my head around what happened. I killed someone. Again. Yes, he deserved it and yes, he did screw us all over, but that didn’t make it any easier.

Once the shock wore off though, I knew that I’d screwed myself over. If I left here, everyone would be on me, trying to find out what happened. What was I supposed to say to them? Sorry I managed to get us all killed? No, thanks.

Then there was the revelation from Jeremiah about my parents. My father dead at Jeremiah’s hands, my mother possessed. Jax was right. Living around here is like being in a soap opera. I couldn’t bring myself to even go and see my mother and ask her for myself.

A fucking demon raised me.

Well, not really, but it was in her head, poisoning her. Why didn’t anyone do anything? Didn’t anyone think it might be a good idea to take me off her as a child? How many people knew the truth?

I looked over at M. Did she know? She lived here for a long time, even if she didn’t know for sure, she probably heard rumors. This town was famous for that and she did work in a bar.

Did you know? I asked breaking the silence.

M looked up from cleaning the kitchen counter. Huh?

Did you know about my mother?

Her brow furrowed. What about her?

Sighing heavily, I didn’t reply. What was the point? If she knew then she lied to me and if she didn’t, well, what did it matter? M didn’t come into my life in time to save me from the worst of it.

Nissa, what is going on? M asked.

Grabbing a pillow, I lay down on the couch, the conversation over. I’d rather sit in silence than go through all of it again. It already played on a loop in my head.

Despite the circumstances, M’s place made me feel safe, just like it did when I was a kid. A way to shut out the rest of the world until I felt ready to face it again.

Should only be a year or two before I’m ready to do that.

A soft knock came at the door, and I sat up quickly, my back tensed. M hurried to answer it. As she stood back, Jax came inside, carrying some supplies. He had stopped by a few times in the last couple of days, mostly to update us on what was happening outside. I barely spoke to him, too consumed by my own guilt to do so.

M took the bag from him and headed into the kitchen again. Did you have any issues getting this?

Yeah, actually. People are going a little nuts buying up supplies. A lot of the shelves are already empty, Jax said.

I pointedly avoided his stare. I’m not sure where we’d get new supplies if we ran out of food. Some food was grown locally, but it wouldn’t cover everything, and we would soon run out.

How long before some of the supernaturals start eating each other?

Oh crap, I didn’t think of that. What about the vampires? They had blood bags delivered, but when they ran out, we were all in danger. And it’s not like the rest of them would react well to being caged up like this.

He sat down opposite me in an armchair. Nis, there’s something you should know. There’s something you both should know, he said, glancing toward the door where M had reappeared.

What is it? M asked.

They’re not admitting it, but I’m pretty sure that Erica is dead.

What? M cried.

How? I asked. Erica too? Well, at least I knew I didn’t kill her, unlike Jeremiah. But two Council members dead couldn’t be a coincidence.

Jax shrugged. I don’t know. But I heard a few guards talking about it. The others are trying to hide it, so people don’t panic more than they already are.

With Erica dead too, there’s no way they have the power to bring the barrier down. If they even did to begin with.

Why haven’t they come for me? I asked. Surely, they’d need my power. They were desperate for it before now, so why stay away?

Jax stared at me for a moment. I don’t think they trust you to do what they want. For now, they seem content to try and fix things themselves.

That made me angry. For weeks they kept telling me that they needed me, that I was the only one who could save the town and now they didn’t want to know.

Idiots. Well, let them sit with their heads up their asses. I don’t want to help them anyway.

Nissa, I think that maybe it’s time you took control, tried to establish order, Jax said.

What? Of the town? I asked, raising an eyebrow

What the hell is he talking about?

Yes. They will listen to you and it’s clear that Terrence and Veronica don’t have the answers.

I snorted. I don’t think so. No one wanted me out there, making things worse.

Jax glanced at M. Had they discussed this? They know how powerful you are. They’ll listen to you.

Bullshit. I caused this. If I hadn’t killed Jeremiah, the ritual never would have been completed.

Jax sighed. Well, maybe don’t tell them that part.

Getting to my feet, I crossed the room back to the window. I’m not doing it.

Jax followed me. This is an opportunity, Nissa, to...

Why are you still here? I asked, interrupting him. Why are you even still in town? I didn’t need him preaching to me.

His brow furrowed. Uh, giant forcefield? Remember?

Turning back to the window, I ignored him. I didn’t need him trying to guilt me into doing something I didn’t want to do. This town was on the brink of a living nightmare, they didn’t need me making it worse.

Jax moved to the door, pausing to look at me. Don’t worry, I can tell when I’m not wanted. I’ll get out of your hair as soon as its down. But until then, I’d like to try and be helpful.

Opening the door, he stepped outside and closed it behind him.

So he will leave as soon as its down. Big surprise.

I don’t know why I expected anything else. Other than the fact that he walked through a forcefield to get into the Council buildings to help me. But who knows, maybe he didn’t think it would harm him. Or maybe he’s just fucking stupid.

Nissa...

Don’t you start, I snapped at M.

Enough, Nissa.

I looked over at her, surprised at the tone she used. M rarely got really mad at me. Frustrated, sure, but not mad.

We have been tiptoeing around you for days and I’ve had enough. Like it or not, you are the only one who can stop this thing. So stop feeling sorry for yourself and get out there and fix things.

Her words cut deep. I opened my mouth, then closed it again. She had no idea how hard this was. I wanted to help, but I still doubted my ability to make the right choices.

What if I fuck it up?

She moved closer, placing a hand on her hip. I recognize the stance. It was the ‘don’t mess with me’ stance she used a lot when I was a teenager.

There’s a giant demon coming to kill us all and we are all trapped in here like rats. I really don’t think there is a worse. And you won’t know until you try.

Sighing, I said, Fine. But I’m telling you, they aren’t going to listen to me. They all hate me.

That’s why Jax and I will come as back up.

Scoffing, I said, I think Jax is long gone.

No doubt off to pack his bags and get ready to go as soon as the forcefield dropped.

M reached out and opened the door to reveal him