“Wait! Where are you guys going? Oh, fucking hell.” Sloan’s voice echoes as we take off down one of the unoccupied tunnels. A low threatening growl follows making my legs pump even faster. Sloan better hurry the fuck up so he doesn’t get eaten by that thing.
The hell hound releases a howl as it bounds after us. “Got any magic tricks up your sleeve, Skye?” Lukas asks, making sure she’s in the middle of us both.
“I'm working on it.”
Light begins to filter in illuminating the tunnel. We must be getting close to the gaping hole that lets out on the beach. Sloan trails behind panting with effort to catch up. Sweat clings to my back plastering my shirt to my skin. Having the extra weight of the backpack slows me down, but I press on. I have no plans to die here today. Not today, Satan.
We finally reach the crumpled rocks that spill out onto the beach. The ocean laps steadily along the shore, oblivious to all the chaos descending upon it. In the daylight, the veil shines even brighter. The demon inside my chest roils at the sight of it, urging me to get the fuck off this beach. Sloan stumbles out of the tunnel blinking against the harsh sunlight.
“What took you so long?” Skye asks, running up to him. “And where are your clothes?”
“I didn't have time to grab anything. I barely made it out of the kitchen before I was attacked by your friend, Javelynn.”
Skye’s face goes ashen. “Please tell me they're OK.”
“I didn't hurt them, I promise.”
Skye’s shoulders sink as she takes a steadying breath. “We have to get out of here. The hound is still chasing us.”
“Too late.” Lukas says backing up as the hound prowls out of the tunnel sniffing the air and setting its sights on us. There's nowhere to go. Nowhere, but through the veil.
CHAPTER30
Chapter Thirty
SALEM
SONG: IT’S BEEN AWHILE BY STAINED
We reach the top in a heap of sweat and dirt. My legs are jelly and there’s a blinding stitch in my side. Placing my hands on the tops of my legs, I attempt to catch my breath. Blinking through my heavy lashes my eyes snag on a shimmering carved out in the side of the mountain. We’re close to the staggering stalactites that line the top, like a cavernous ceiling that we’re stuck under.
“I recognize this place.”
I walk closer to the jagged rocks that line the wall noting how the shimmering intensifies. A shape begins to form that looks almost human.
“Salem! Back up. Something is coming through!” Walker grabs my arm just before Skye comes tumbling through the veil. Hair standing on end at the nape of my neck, I rush over to her helping her off the floor.
“Oh my god, Salem.” She shrieks, throwing her arms around my neck. Tears stain her face and her body shakes in mine. As we clutch each other, I see Lukas, Graham, and Sloan come tumbling through behind her. Their demons ripped clean from their bodies.
“Holy shit.” I stare gaping at them. The demons shriek, curled up in a fetal position. The guys look dazed.
“Where the hell are your clothes, Sloan?” Garrison asks, helping the underwear clad Sloan up from his crouched position on the floor.
“Didn’t have time to grab them.”
Lukas rushes over to his brother and they clasp each other in an embrace. “Jesus fucking Christ, I thought you were dead, you asshole.”
“We better get moving. That fucking hell hound was right on our tail.”
“Can they come through the veil?”
Before the question fully leaves my mouth, the veil shimmers again, showing the large outline of the hell hound.
“Satan!” The hound rushes straight towards me, dropping his head and wagging his large tail, clipping a few of the guys with each swing. I let out a giggle and pat his head. “Such a good puppy.”
“That thing was about to eat us and you’re sitting there giving it praise?” Lukas looks aghast, but I roll my eyes.
“He just needs a little love. Did you miss your Mommy? Did you?”
