His wolf growled, unhappy being so far from their pregnant mate. But Sally had insisted they go. This mission was too important.
“Remember what’s at stake,” Decebel rumbled, no doubt picking up on Costin’s demeanor and ever perceptive of Costin’s turmoil about being separated from Sally. “If the enemy gains control of the book, the consequences would be severe.”
Costin nodded grimly. The Nushtonia contained sinister power—the knowledge to open portals between worlds and to raise and control the dead if legends were true. It could not remain in the hands of the dark sprite who had stolen it.
* * *
Celise clutchedthe Nushtonia to her chest, glaring out at the shadows where she knew the wolves lurked. Did they truly think her such a fool? She was no mere sprite now. The book’s dark power thrummed through her veins, enhancing her senses.
These so-called allies of Andora, the sprite queen, meant to ambush her and steal back the glorious knowledge she’d claimed. They would fail.
Tracing a claw-like nail over the ancient runes embossed on the cover, Celise summoned the book’s might.
“You will serve me,” she intoned. “Open the way so I may smite those who oppose my will.”
The air hummed with gathering power. Celise’s lips peeled back in a feral smile as a small rent tore in the fabric of reality before her.
Beyond the wavering portal, fire and endless night awaited. Hell would answer her call.
With an otherworldly shriek, misshapen forms hurtled through the breach, claws outstretched. The demons were small and weak, but they would distract her enemies long enough for her to escape.
As the first creatures crossed into the physical plane, Celise wrapped herself in shadows and slipped unseen from the building.
* * *
Jen’s headjerked up at the bone-chilling screeches splitting the air. Seconds later, the glass door they’d been watching shattered under the force of clawed, writhing bodies.
“What in the seven hells are those?” She yelped, scrambling away from the creatures now spilling across the parking lot right toward them.
Decebel shoved her safely behind him, already beginning to shift to wolf form. “Hellspawn,” he bit out grimly.
“Note to self, stop calling Thia spawn of hell. She’s nowhere close to these creepy psychos.” Jen let her wolf phase just enough for her claws to come out to play. Her eyesight sharpened to that of her wolf’s, and her sense of smell enhanced. Which wasnota good thing, since the little demons reeked of sulfur. “Well, at least we’re not bored anymore.”
As her mate and the other wolves charged to intercept the creatures, magic exploded outward in blinding bursts from the hands of Elle, Adam, and Cyn. The three fae were brutal in their ferocity as they hit demon after demon.
Jen leapt forward with Jacque, calling on her wolf’s power that flowed so fiercely within her. Together, they attacked the first demon that reached them.The creature’s skeletal body was hunched and angular, with knobby protrusions jutting out at painful angles. Its flesh was blackened and charred, as though it had been badly burned. Long, spindly arms ended in claws that looked sharp enough to gut a man with one swipe. Its head was oversized and oblong, with a large snarling mouth filled with pointed fangs. Beady red eyes glowed with malevolence above a smashed looking nose.
Overall, its mismatched proportions and charred flesh gave it a twisted, almost pitiable appearance, if not for the aura of undiluted malice radiating from it. This was a being formed of darkness, rage, and pain, bent only on destroying anything it encountered. Its hellish shrieks and snarls inspired instinctive horror and revulsion.
“We’re honestly doing these guys a favor by putting them out of their misery.” Jen swiped out a clawed hand.
“Can’t disagree with you, bestie.” Jacque dropped to one knee and slammed her fist into an oncoming beast’s chest, wrenching out its heart. It fell to the ground immediately and then burst into flames.
Jen paused, looking at where the ashes lay. “Dramatic ending.” She smiled. “I like it.”
“Of course you do,” Crina added dryly.
The male pack members formed a defensive circle around the females. Which was ridiculous, but seeing as how they still had demons barreling toward them, Jen let it lie for now. Crina had fully phased into her wolf form. Sorin was only partially phased, his legs bent at an odd angle as he stood up looking much like the werewolves depicted in human fiction. Thalion, the elf king, had a bow at the ready with an arrow nocked. He let it soar, and Jen watched as the arrow hit its mark, the demon erupting into flames with a high-pitched screech.
“I’m taking care of the noise.” Cyn tried to shove her way around Thalion, her mate.
For an endless minute, the parking lot was pure chaos. Wolves snarled, steel sang out from the fae that had pulled their blades, and bursts of power flared from Lilly, as well as the free hands of the fae. Jen was shocked by the single-minded fury with which the demons fought. But thank the Great Luna, they were outmatched. At some point, the onslaught receded. Whatever portal allowed their entry must’ve finally closed.
One by one, their twisted forms collapsed and dissolved back to ash. As the last beast fell, an eerie quiet descended, broken only by heavy breathing. Jen slumped forward, resting her hands on her knees as she sucked in large gulps of air. Decebel knelt so that he was eye to eye with her.
His amber eyes searched her face. “You good?”
She nodded and reached up to pat his cheek. “No worries, B. I’m pretty hard to kill.”
