It was so dark out here. No streetlights to guide me, just the light of the full moon. The concrete was rough beneath my feet, and I cursed as I stepped on a sharp stone.
I somehow picked up my speed as his voice grew louder. He’d counted up to the seventies, and something told me he wouldn’t count further than one hundred.
I’d never before used my power without full concentration, but I searched for the nearest phone.
I could feel one, but it was too far for me to pinpoint. I could sense its direction, though. Northeast.
Vas would know I was gone, but I needed to tell him where I was. It was my only hope.
Redcaps were not only vicious, but they also pickpocketed their dead. As long as that phone had enough battery left for me to use, I had a shot. The phone was farther than I’d ever attempted, but I was under no illusions as to my ability to fight Daimonion. No combat magic meant the moment he got tired of hunting me, I was dead. My only chance was to get reinforcements.
I charged down Junction Road, my chest so tight I could barely draw in a deep breath.
Laughter sounded to my left, from what had once been a recycling plant. More laughter echoed to my right, past the old train tracks. They were here. The evil little fuckers known as redcaps. Just like me, they didn’t have a hope against a high demon, let alone one who’d spent centuries as an assassin.
But they could distract him.
They could buy me just a little time.
Daimonion was running now. If I lived through this, I swore I’d work out every single fucking day.
“Thisisfun,” Daimonion called after me, and a sob caught in my throat. No, I wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of hearing me cry. My side burned with a dull stitch, and my chest was so tight I was close to hyperventilating.
Something shoved me in the back, and I fell off the edge of the road, hitting the ground with a yelp.
My shirt was on fire. Daimonion laughed.
I ripped off my shirt, leaving me in my sports bra. Then I got to my feet, falling back into a limping run. My wrist screamed at me, and I attempted to ignore the pain. My foot was wet with blood. Something had sliced it open when I’d fallen.
Movement out the corner of my eye. I somehow increased my speed, attempting not to think about the blood dripping from my foot. That blood told the redcapsIwas prey.
I could feel the phone now, close to a mile away.
I glanced behind me and used my telekinesis to shove a fallen tree branch off the side of the road and beneath Daimonion’s feet.
He screamed as he stumbled to his knees.
“Cheating! That’s cheating!”
I felt heat at my back. I wouldn’t survive if he hit me again. I careened around the corner onto Pervis Road, lifting my knees higher in a bid to get more speed. A fireball whooshed past me, close enough that I felt the heat on the side of my face as I turned.
I bolted across the train tracks. The laughter was getting closer now, and I imagined I could smell old blood, dried on the redcaps’ disgusting little hats.
For the hundredth time, I wished my telekinesis were stronger. Tripping Daimonion had cost me. I was as woozy as if I’d had several drinks.
A flash of red out of the corner of my eye.
I ducked, but the creature darted across the narrow road in front of me. Redcaps hunted in packs. They were likely gathering, ready to attack. Sprinting through redcap territory might be the biggest mistake of my life. A mistake that could get me killed before the crazed demon assassin even got his hands on me. Danica had barely made it out of here once, and she was highly trained.
I tore down the street, shoving the thought out of my mind. If I was going down, I was taking Daimonion with me.
If I managed to send that message, I’d be a sitting duck. I’d used too much power in such a short time, and I was guaranteed to be useless afterward. I couldn’t run and use my power at the same time. I was too tired. My only option was to hide.
I had to trust Vas. Had to trust that he’d find me.
My heart ached. If I died, Vas would be alone once more. I’dpromisedhim I’d stay safe. He’d blame himself for this.
I dodged around a pothole. I had to get off the road. It was risky, but I needed just a few moments where he couldn’t see me.
