Silently, Sebastian prayed someone from the expedition would hear the maniacal noise and come to his rescue, but he somehow knew they wouldn’t or couldn’t. They were probably under the same spell he was. Sebastian was trapped and felt the darkness enveloping him.

Suddenly, the Anasazi stepped back and moved into the shadows. Sebastian felt his heart rate begin to slow, and he thought the worst was over, only to see a beautiful young woman striding over to his prone body. His gaze fell upon the scantily clad figure, with long black hair cascading down over her shoulders. Their eyes met and he was at once both terrified and filled with an indescribable desire at the sight of her exceptional green eyes that glowed with a light from somewhere deep within. It was at that very moment he felt his heart begin to thud in his chest once again. This time it began to race.

The young woman looked down at Sebastian and smiled, her teeth white and gleaming in the moonlight. “You have been chosen,” she said in perfect Spanish.

Noticing a subtle change in the air, Sebastian struggled on the hard ground, trying to say something, his mind screaming in fear and confusion. His lips were closed firmly and he was unable to move them.

“You will not speak now. It is time for you to create and be created.” The woman closed her eyes as if in meditation. She tilted her head back and opened her mouth, showing sharp incisors. She moaned loudly and looked back down at Sebastian, slowly licking her lips. Her gaze was that of a predator, ready to strike.

Beyond terror, Sebastian’s eyes darted around to all of the villagers who were continuing to chant in some sort of altered state. No one looked directly at him. Please, Mother of God, help me! His mind was clear, yet he was trapped in a body that couldn’t move or speak.

All at once, the young woman screamed out, and at her voice, the villagers all began to make a horrifying keening sound. With one sweep of her hand, she commanded quiet. There was a steady hum in the night air as her attention focused once again on Sebastian.