Dante’s not alone. About forty shifters surround him, all in different stages. Some resemble large hounds. Some are half-formed, with bone and fur pushing through skin. They’re all pacing, or digging their claws into the ground. Jaws are snapping at nothing. The ones I made would ripanyone’s face off in a second. It didn’t matter who you were. Why are these ones holding back?
The figure next to him is massive, broader than any demon I’ve ever seen. The cloak strains across his shoulders like it belongs to someone smaller. He doesn’t move, doesn’t even sway. Something about that stillness makes my skin crawl.
Macen steps forward, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. “This ground isn’t yours. Leave.”
Dante places a hand on his chest like he’s been shot. “You wound me. I’m the reason you’re all gathered here to begin with.” He stops long enough to wink at Macen then goes on. “I’m here for the one you call theRealm Eater. Hand her over and I’ll be on my way.”
Zarreth’s hands morph into flames as Macen unsheathes his sword. “There is no Realm Eater here, and we won’t be handing anyone over.”
Dante strolls closer, hands in his pockets proving he’s clearly not intimidated. “I’ll guess I’ll retrieve her myself.”
The shifters crouch into position as Macen points his sword to the sky. “Noctar Zhul!” he yells.
Chaos erupts. Shifters slam forward. Steel flashes as warriors meet them head on. Bodies crash together as the fighting explodes around us.
Zarreth steps forward, heat rolling off him hard enough to sting my cheeks. His muscles bulge and skin splits in bright cracks as flames climb up his arms.The Emberlord.
His eyes catch mine, silently begging me to step into the shield. “Frankie.”
I nod and step closer to Graven as a shifter charges at me. Zarreth hits it, flames slamming it sideways into the stones.
Another one lunges from the left and I meet it with steel. My blade cuts clean through and the body drops at my feet.
I stumble into Graven’s shield as Ronan flashes beside me, a bloody head in his fist. “Elbows in, Frances. You’re wide open like that.” Then he disappears, on to the next target.
I glance toward the ridge where Dante stood a moment ago, but the space is empty. I catch movement slipping between tents.
Zarreth looks over to make sure I’m in the shield, then spreads his wings. “Stay alive for me, little mate.”
Sparks fall from his skin when he launches upward. His shadow sweeps over the cluster of tents, hunting for Dante. Get him, Zarreth…but come back to me.
Children are running toward us, clinging to Jess and me when they finally get to safety. Graven stands behind us, his eyes black, ripples spreading out from his fingers. The shield wavers. Graven braces against it, focus razor-sharp, holding the entire thing together through sheer will.
I lean in, lowering my voice so the children don’t hear. “Are you okay?”
His eyes flick to mine. “It shouldn’t be draining me this fast,” he grits out. His hands stay locked in place, but I can see how much it’s pulling at him.
Jess notices too. She quickly hides the worry on her face. Her fingers tremble as she snaps them at the young demons.“Ninety-nine bottles of beer on the wall,”she sings, voice cracking as they join her.‘Ninety-nine bottles of beer.”
Think. What can I do to help? Something pulses at my neck, dragging my attention to the stone. Darkness swirls inside it, tugging hard, fightingto get out. The shield flickers again, this time in rhythm with my necklace.Shit! It’s me.
I try ripping it off, ready to launch it across the damn village, but its magic won’t let me.Fuck!I close my eyes and pray to all the Gods that I can gather enough magic to do something, because I won’t stay inside the shield and risk everyone’s safety. I flex my fingers, waiting for the darkness to run through my veins.Dammit! Fucking shit! It’s not working.The one fucking time I need my dark magic, it fails me. Why the fuck can’t I remove this necklace?
The hellhounds are starting to jump through the fire barricade, so now we’re really outnumbered.
I look at Graven. “How much longer can you hold it?”
Sweat is forming on his hairline. “Ten minutes, tops,” he grits out.
I’ll give myself two minutes. If I can’t summon my magic by then, I’m stepping out. I just need to breathe, focus. With each inhale, I imagine a smoky cloud floating through my veins, and soon it’s there. It’s not heavy or greasy, but it makes my skin crawl. It’s eerie. My hands buzz as smoke dances along my fingertips. Yes! It’s not much, but it’s better than nothing.
I step out of the shield, searching for Dante.Where the fuck is he?
“I’ve been waiting for you. I figured you wouldn’t sit with the weak for too long.” He steps out of a shadow, the cloaked being by his side.
I don’t waste any time. I dig deeper, reach further for the dark, but the stone holds it tight. I drag what little I can through my veins, forcing it into my hands, but the black smoke is thin, broken. I push harder and harder until my chest aches. Nothing.
Dante stands there, smiling, like he’s watching a toddler.
