Ash felt like she'd been crushed under a ton of weight. A persistent beep she couldn't place kept going off next to her bed. Was that her alarm clock? Her mouth tasted of dried sandpaper. Yet, a hint of something metallic lay underneath the dryness. She opened her eyes and cringed at hospital lights humming above her.

"What the hell?" Her voice was hoarse and scratchy. "Wher - " The demon. Ned! Was it too late to save him? She rose, but a wave of nausea sent her back to the ...