Simone gave Diana a long look before complying, darting over to the other group, and snapping up Sam as if she weighed no more than a baby. I watched as Sam thrashed in Simone’s arms, but the vampire didn’t acknowledge it, as her and Francis spoke to the other champions.
Immediately, the shifters shifted, and the fae’s glamours disappeared to reveal wings. The wolves sprinted away, the fae flew to hide in the city, and the vampires retreated so fast, they were nothing but a blur. They were safe—for now.
I turned to Diana, Hunter, and Eva. “Go. Seriously. There’s nothing—”
“You’re going to try to close the Hellgate, aren’t you?” Diana interrupted me. “With him? Because he’s of Merlin’s blood?” She gestured to Alex, who groaned again.
I nodded, aware of how stupid it sounded.
Alex’s eyes weren’t even fully open. How was he going to help me do what we were meant to do?
“It’s not going to work,” Diana spoke my fears out loud. “Put a shield over him. I’ll help you.”
“Me too,” Hunter and Eva said in unison.
No . . .This wasn’t how I wanted this to end. “Guys, I—”
“Stop, Odie,” Eva commanded.She lifted a finger to tell me off, but acracksounded, and a roar filled the night air, swallowing her words.Eva’s jaw hardened at the interruption. “You’re not getting rid of us. Now help us make a shield over Alex before they stop grandstanding.”
There wasn’t time to argue, so I yielded, and fuchsia magic mixed with yellow, purple, and green. Our power wove together to create a shield around Alex.
“That will not keep us out,” a voice boomed the second the shield was in place. “You realize that, mortal?”
I sucked in a breath, and my eyes roved over my brave friends. “Distract them while I work,” I whispered before turning to face my nightmare.
Immediately, I jerked back. Ishtar and Lucifer were much closer than I’d thought, only twenty or so yards away. The prince and princesses of Hell stood flanking them, and the swarm of demons that had flown out of the Hellgate hovered over the riverwalk. In the center of the Thames, more devils poured out of Hell by the second, adding to the army of at least one hundred. Over one hundred to five. Those odds were not good.
But at least one thing was in our favor.
With the royals intensely focused on us, the Hellgate was practically wide open.
“Oh, she knows a little shield can’t stop us, Lucifer. This one is simply obstinate,” Ishtar said, her familiar voice lifting the hair on the nape of my neck. “But that stubborn pride will end tonight. I am here, and as I am her master, shewillbow to me.”
My mark began to burn hotter than ever before, and I gasped. Against my will, my torso bent toward the ground.
I tried to stop it, to force myself back up, but I couldn’t.I wasn’t strong enough. Not compared to the queen of Hell.
Ishtar boomed out a laugh that went on and on and on.
I gnashed my teeth together. The center stone on my necklace flared bright fuchsia and taking the hint, I grabbed for my totem.
Help me fight her.
The change was instantaneous. My spine slammed up straight and my breath came easier.Once again, I was in control of my body.
Rumbling growls rose up from the demons, and Ishtar stopped laughing and scowled. At her side, Lucifer grinned a dangerous grin.
Ishtar held up her hand, and instantly, the sound of howling demons stopped.
“No one move. These little witchlings areours.”
“I do love breaking the willful ones best.” Lucifer took a step closer, and from the corner of my eye, I caught motion.
Diana’s purple magic zinged across the expanse separating us from the demons, and slammed into Lucifer’s chest.
He tripped backward, and once again, the demons growled and roared.As if playing off their minions’ fury, Lucifer’s and Ishtar’s eyes began to glow a brilliant red.
My blood skittered in my veins.They’re going to possess us. We have to distract them.
