The Veil: The Diabolical Series, #2

By Joan De La Haye

Jack's back, and this time, he's brought friends.

Sarah thought she'd finally outrun the demon Jack, but her romantic getaway becomes a bloodbath when he returns with a posse of nightmares in tow. This time, he's got unfinished business and an insatiable hunger for his idea of fun.

Carol, Jack's latest plaything and unwitting pawn, storms onto the scene demanding answers; Michael, too, is lured to the cabin, determined to save Sarah, but risks getting trapped in Jack's ever-expanding web of cruelty.

Will anyone escape the horrors unleashed by Jack and his demonic entourage?

The Veil, the chilling sequel to Shadows, will:

Plunge you into a heart-pounding descent into terror as Sarah faces unimaginable horrors.

Test the strength of Sarah, Michael, and her new love as they battle not just a demon horde but the darkness within themselves.

Keep you guessing until the very last page, where an explosive climax awaits.

Dare to lift the veil and face your deepest fears.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Joan De La Haye
• Release date: Jun 19, 2021
• ISBN: 9798223572183

Joan De La Haye

Joan De La Haye writes horror, dark fantasy and some very twisted thrillers. She invariably wakes up in the middle of the night because she's figured out yet another freaky way to mess with her already screwed-up characters. You can stalk Joan on her website: www.joandelahaye.com

Book preview

The Veil

The Diabolical Series

Book 2

By

Joan De La Haye

This is a work of fiction. All characters and events portrayed in this book are fictional, and any resemblance to real people or incidents is purely coincidental.

Copyright © 2021 by Joan De La Haye

All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise).

www. joandelahaye.com

Cover art by Tallulah Lucy

1st Edition June 2021

Also by Joan De La Haye

Stand-Alone Books:

Requiem in E Sharp

Fury

Oasis

Burning

The Diabolical Series

Shadows

The Oubliette

The Race Series:

The Race

Training Days

Besieged

Retribution

Consequence

The Patron

The Eternally Cursed Chronicles

Bound by Betrayal

Short Story Collections:

Sliced and Diced

Sliced and Diced 2

Sliced and Diced 3

Table of Contents

Title Page

Also by Joan De La Haye

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

Be a Freaky Darling

The Oubliette

Acknowledgements

About the Author

Fury

Requiem in E Sharp

Oasis

Burning

The Race

Sliced and Diced

Sliced and Diced 2

Sliced and Diced 3

Bound by Betrayal

1

F

rom the comfort of the resort’s slightly too soft bed, I watched a small deer make its way out of the mist and jump onto a rock close to our wooden deck. I'd opened the bedroom curtains an hour ago just as the dawn made its presence known. An icy mist surrounded our cabin on the cliff's edge, and the April air was fresh and crisp. Byron snored softly beside me; he slept like a log, but I still had difficulty sleeping in a new place. The nightmares didn't help much, and watching the mist and the animals venturing out while the humans slept was better than lying in the dark, pretending to sleep.

Byron stirred, grumbled about something unintelligible and snored happily again. Looking down at his face, snuggled deep into his pillow, memories came unbidden. I'd only been out of the institution a few weeks, shell-shocked from my encounter with Jack and Dr Lynche. I was also stuck in a wheelchair that doctors predicted I'd never escape. I sometimes wondered if they’d compared notes with Jack. Byron was sweet and energetic, everything Kevin hadn’t been. He was also the physiotherapist assigned to my case. I was an utter mess - physically and psychologically. I didn’t even realise he’d been flirting with me until he finally worked up the courage to ask me out. He waited until I took my first steps on my own. So, I guess the date was a celebration of sorts.

The memory awakened something inside me. It resembled hope, although hope for a happy future was not something I usually allowed for myself. But at that moment, lying in bed watching the deer and the mist and listening to Byron snoring, I let that fragile feeling of hope grow.

The deer jumped off the rock and scampered away out of sight. I snuggled further into the feather duvet, and a contented sigh escaped between my lips.

Then something all too familiar happened, something I'd prayed would never happen again. After that, all hope for the future disappeared.

The air crackled with electricity as Jack appeared. He sat on the edge of the bed with his usual grin. His teeth were still yellow, sharp and pointy. He hadn't changed in the last two years. He even wore the same black leather biker jacket.

What do you want, Jack? I whispered, trying not to wake Byron.

What? No ‘hello, Jack’? No ‘good to see you, Jack’, he said. What happened to the simple pleasantries?

What do you want, Jack? I pulled the duvet up to my chin.

Relax, darling. I missed you. That's all, he sighed. Aren't I allowed to visit my favourite pet?

For one thing, I'm not your pet, and for another, it’s only been two years.

Has it really been that long? He looked surprised. Time for us demons isn't quite the same thing as it is for you. It feels like just yesterday we were having such a great time together.

Thankfully, for me, it's been a while, but not nearly long enough.

Come on, sweetie. You don't honestly expect me to believe you haven't missed me just a little bit.

Actually, Jack, my life has been wonderful since you disappeared in a puff of smoke.

I don't believe you.

That's your problem, I said as I slid out from under the duvet. I need some coffee.

I slipped my feet into fluffy black slippers and slowly made my way towards the kitchen. Byron didn't need to be involved with this. I'd hoped my past with Jack wouldn't interfere with my present and possible future with Byron, but I realised now that was wishful thinking. The past always comes back to bite you in the arse.

So, you're drinking coffee now? Jack asked as he followed me out of the bedroom. What happened to the green tea?

I never acquired the taste. I put the kettle on. Plus, no more job and no more you means no more bleeding ulcer. So I can drink as much coffee as I like.

Coffee's bad for you.

So are you, and yet, here you are. I put a heaped spoonful of coffee in a plain white mug that resorts such as Crystal Springs seemed to favour. Byron had booked us a cabin in the luxury mountain resort as a surprise.

I also want a cup, Jack said, leaning against the kitchen counter.  

What happened to coffee is bad for you?

I'm a demon, honey, Jack said. I can eat and drink anything without having any problems.

Fine. I took another mug from the cupboard and put a spoonful of coffee in it for Jack. Sugar?

Three, please. He smiled.

My hand shook as I put the sugar in his cup. I hated myself for that sign of weakness. I took a deep breath and held it while putting two spoons of sugar in my own coffee.

Don't worry, darling, Jack said, sounding strangely sincere. I wasn't given back to you. I'm here of my own accord. I wasn't lying when I said I missed you. Besides, did you really believe it would be that easy to get rid of me?

I exhaled as I poured the boiling water into our cups. 

A girl can dream. Milk? I asked, opening the fridge door.

No, thanks. I like my coffee as black as my little heart.

I didn't know you had a heart, I said as I poured milk into my coffee. I took my time stirring the coffee. I needed to slow my thoughts down. I needed to think. How could I have been so stupid? I'd been so proud of myself for giving him the slip two years ago, but now I realised I hadn't outsmarted him. I hadn't evaded the curse that was Jack. I was stuck with him forever. I wanted to cry, but the tears wouldn't come. I thought about throwing the mug at him, but it wouldn't do any good. I would just end up having to clean up the mess.

He clicked his fingers, and once again, my world was turned upside down.

I found myself sitting in a leather wing-backed chair. The smell of cigar smoke clung to the air. Jack and I were back in the same room where he'd told me the story of my father’s death. I'd sat in the same chair a little over two years before. I wanted to scream, but I bit my tongue and waited.

The room hadn't changed much. It still had the same leather chairs, the same coffee table between the two chairs and the same bookcases lined the walls. The books were old. They looked like they belonged in a museum, and I could smell the mustiness of the old paper. My hands itched to pick them up one by one and devour the pages with my eyes.

What do you think about what I've done with the place? Jack asked, looking around the room with pride.

Isn't it a little manly for you?

There's no need to be bitchy, Sarah, Jack said, taking a seat in the chair opposite me.

Fine, but it looks the same to me.

What do you mean it still looks the same? he sounded hurt. I had these chairs redone. He ran his hands over the arms of his chair. And I've expanded my collection. He gestured towards the books.

What do you want, Jack? I asked again.

You haven't changed, have you? It's still one question after the next with you. Can't I just pop in for a visit and a chat?

No. I crossed my arms and waited.

So, who's the new boy in the bed? Jack asked while tapping his fingers on the armrest of his chair.

His name's Byron. I couldn't help the smile that crept across my lips as I said his name.

You know he has to go, right?

Excuse me? I hadn't expected that. Fear for Byron's safety turned my guts inside out.

You heard me.

I'm going to pretend I didn't and change the subject. My heart pounded, and my skin crawled.  So, how's Carol?

Ah, yes. That. He paused for a beat too long. How about we discuss her later? He smiled. I have a surprise for you.

He clicked his fingers, and the air sizzled. 

Get them off me. Kevin, my cheating ex-boyfriend and Jack's last victim stood screaming in the middle of the room. His arms flailed around him. I saw the scar on his shoulder where I'd stabbed him with my carving knife. The shock of seeing him after so long brought tears to my eyes. Guilt stung the edges of my mind. I tried to choke back the sob escaping my mouth. Jack would take any sign of emotion as a victory. Blood gushed from the self-inflicted wound at his throat. I couldn't imagine what it must have been like to slit his own throat.

Kevin, Jack shouted and snapped his fingers in front of Kevin’s eyes. Focus.

Kevin's eyes opened wide. He looked around as though he expected something to jump out at him.

Remember what we discussed? Jack asked.

Kevin nodded.

What are you waiting for? Jack asked. Go on, do it.

Kevin looked at me. It took a few seconds for his eyes to focus. I saw a flash of anger cross his once-handsome face, which was quickly overcome by fear.

Sarah, Kevin said, his voice barely above a whisper, I'm sorry for mistreating you and for cheating on you with Denise. I didn't deserve you.

The last sentence was probably the only part of his speech that was sincere, and he didn't mean it in a good way. I was, after all, the reason for his current predicament. I'd given Jack to him like a demonic STD. But, no matter what he'd done to me, no one deserved Jack.

Good boy, Jack said. Now, back to the torture chamber you go. Jack was about to click his fingers when Kevin interrupted.