Yes.
Take down the barrier around their heads. That will allow the insects to leave and give both dragons the opportunity to slay those attacking them if we time it perfectly.
That meant complete coordination between the two dragons. She didn’t want the insects smashing themselves on the barrier, so she sent another signal to them, giving them the exact route to get out of the trap they were in.
Tora brought down the front of the shield, and the insects poured out in a black cloud, rising fast to escape back to the meadow. Peony and Lily swung around, vengeful, furious, sweeping a circle of intense, steady fire around them, igniting the demons that had been trying to kill them.
Instantly, Silke felt the mage’s fury. His voice swelled in a summoning chant. The demons joined with him, raising their voices to call. Her heart dropped. This was going to be bad. Of course Lilith had a contingency plan should anything go wrong. Between the two dragons all but about fifteen of the demons were gone. That last sweep had ignited most of those in the yard.
He is summoning something from the underworld,Tora said.
Silke didn’t need to be told. The ground was consecrated. Nocreature could use it to come through. That meant whatever the mage had summoned was coming from a distance.
Hurry, Tora, we have to try to get to the ones on the roof before their help arrives.
She needed to get back inside the mage’s mind quickly and find out exactly what they were about to face. She was already tired, both mentally and physically. She knew both Lily and Peony were. Tora rarely showed signs of fatigue, but even she had to be on the brink of exhaustion. They had been fighting off the demons for far too long.
She made her way back to the mage’s mind, careful to enter slowly. Her energy was low, and it helped that she really felt drained. There were only fifteen demons left. Six had remained on the roof, still taunting her. She was certain they were bait to draw her in. At first, she thought the mage would be one of the six. On the roof, one had a clear view of the yard. It was the porch roof, so not as high as the main roof.
That gave her pause. Wouldn’t the mage want the best view? The best view wouldn’t be the porch roof, it would be much higher. Much, much higher. The roof was covered in moss and greenery. There were many places to conceal oneself—but the plants were used to Silke and Fenja. They guarded the house along with the stones and mythical creatures.
Deliberately, Silke expanded her energy, sending it out searching for the mage. She had the pathway to his mind that she followed, but she also allowed her mind to encompass the roof. She wouldn’t see him, but she was part of the mycelium network. The plants growing on her home would inform her if there was an enemy hidden among them. She hadn’t checked with them because it seemed futile with so many replicas. But if one was isolated on the roof…
Lily, bring me close to the main roof, close enough that I can reach it. You’ll have to maneuver carefully. I know it isn’t easy. I’ll watch out for the demons trying to attack you.
The armor was still around Lily, but they would have to shed it soon. She couldn’t fly properly. Tora was having trouble getting Peony around to sweep fire across the porch roof. She kept the pressure on, giving Silke the time that she needed to examine the mage’s memories. As she did, Lily tried to get in close to the roof to allow Silke to touch the plants. Silke couldn’t do both at once. It was impossible. She needed all of her concentration to follow the path to the memory without getting caught.
The moment she saw their adversary in his mind, the one he had summoned and who no doubt was streaking toward them, her breath caught in her lungs. It took every ounce of discipline not to allow her heart to accelerate and give her away.
Tora, we’re in trouble. He’s summoned a winged serpent from the underworld. I have only heard of them from one ancestor. Only one. It has fangs and drips venom. Even a drop on you or our dragons could kill. That’s how dangerous they are.
Dragon fire? Will that kill it?
No, they are impervious to dragon fire. As far as I know, they are the only creatures who are naturally resistant.
We will have to send the dragons away from here.Tora was practical.How did your ancestor defeat it?
Silke was silent, reluctant to give the bad news.The serpent ended her life.
Lily had to go, and she had to leave fast. Already, Silke could feel the triumph in the mage. That same euphoria spread to the remaining demons. They were certain they could kill the demon slayer. Lilith would be delighted with them. The shouting swelled in volume. Spears rained down on the dragons.
Get us low, Lily,Silke ordered.The moment Tora removes the shield, go away from here. You can’t take the chance of staying close. The serpent may be able to find you. I know they’re connected to dragons.
Lily obediently, if reluctantly, dropped to the garden floor some distance from the house. Tora removed the shields, and both dragonstook to the air, flying toward the ancient forest. Tora and Silke dove into one of the many depressions secreted between the rows of shrubs.
Can you send it back, Silke? Reverse the summons?
No. He had a fail-safe built in. When he called for the serpent, the other demons joined with him. I would have to know which ones and duplicate their voices. Some are already dead.
If you can see the spell, perhaps I can reverse it,Tora ventured.
The wind blew through the yard, a fierce gust, not cold as it should have been, but so hot it scorched the tops of the shrubbery. The plants shrank lower. All flowers closed into tight buds. The earth shuddered. The incessant drone of insects stopped abruptly until there was absolute silence. Even the demons ceased to shriek. No one moved.
Silke found herself holding her breath and forced air through her lungs to relax. She would have one chance to kill the serpent. If she didn’t, all would be lost. Tora, her mother, Benedek. This was her fight. Her battle. She hadn’t expected to face a serpent of hell, but then, as a slayer, she had to expect the unexpected.
It didn’t occur to her to call out to Benedek. He had his own problems, likely as crucial as hers. She was the slayer. This was her duty. She’d been born for this task. It was also very terrifying. The serpent was huge and foul. He was fast and venomous. He could spit. He could use his wicked fangs. Or his tail like a whip.
You can do this, Silke,Tora assured her.You were born for this moment.
