Ex Libris

I chant as I burn a lock of my beloved's hair, "Et cor eius solum meum." The flame flares and burns a deep crimson.

I found the book on the return shelving cart. I'd never dabbled in witchcraft, but the love spell called to my lonely heart. I'd watched him for years, too shy to utter a single word. Pathetic.

The spell promised to change that.

A wind encircles me, growing fierce. The book, glowing scarlet, lifts out of my hands. My hair flies loose, blinding me as a deafening boom sounds. The force throws me back.

A dark shadow fills the room. Ebon wings reach wall-to-wall. A sneering visage full of teeth chortles maliciously.

"Thank you for freeing me. Any last words?"

I'm too stunned to even scream. A clawed hand reaches for my neck as a blinding flash emanates from the open book.

The demon shrieks in pain, vanishing as quickly as he appeared.

The light from the book glows gently. A placid voice speaks, "Poor, foolish child, you have released a great evil. Malephar will sow chaos upon the earth until you return him to his prison."

I'm oddly calm, all things considered. "How am I supposed to stop a demon?"

"The book that is his past and future prison still contains some power."

Torn pages litter the floor. One levitates, an illustration of a winged monkey featured prominently.

"Place the page in the book. It will come to your aid with an incantation of your choosing."

I gently take the page and place it in the tome. It seals into place. I take a deep breath and cry out, "Ex libris!"

Smoke rises. When it dissipates, a winged monkey hovers before me, expectantly awaiting my instructions.

I guess I've got my work cut out for me.

~

Author's Note: Life conspired against me, and I missed the deadline for the Epic Beginnings challenge. I had already started this one, though, so I decided to go ahead and finish it and publish. The story itself hits at exactly 300 words according to Vocal's word count. Hope you enjoy!