The train ground to a halt with a metallic screech. I gently untangled myself from her grasp.
Dark wind coiled around me as I launched from the train toward the mountainside. Each leap carried me farther, my goddess strength turning me into a blur against the volcanic rock.
I could feel the Underworld’s power thrumming beneath my feet, ancient, vast, and endless. Here, I could drink deep without fear of draining the realm dry.
Heat intensified with every foot I climbed, riding my dark wind upward. My skin blistered, healed as I siphoned power from the land, then blistered again. Sweat evaporated the moment it formed. I clenched my teeth and endured.
I soared toward the crater, and the volcano seemed to pause its eruption, as if holding its breath just for me.
The air shimmered with heat, and from the distortion emerged two demons, each over nine feet tall, guarding the crater’s entrance.
Great. Just the welcome party I needed.
It’s not great,Sy cut in, fanning herself mentally.It’s shit. Let me out so I can give our new friends a slap on the wrist.
I know you’re eager to come out and play, Sy, but you know the first three seconds of shifting leave us vulnerable enough for these demons to thank you for the free shot.
The demons glared down at me, horns long, fangs sharp, faces monstrous. Their scaled limbs were thicker than my waist. To make matters worse, hellfire pulsed beneath their skin.
Ignoring my ruined, smoldering gown, I landed a dozen feet away. As I blinked away the sweat beading on my lashes, I realized one of them was a demoness—scaled breasts and all.
“My, my,” I greeted. “What kind of sweet things are you?”
“We are the Guardians of Heaven’s Arrow!” the demon boomed. “We arenotsweet things!”
“Fine. But you’re a demon and a demoness, yes?” I arched a sweaty brow.
“What’s your point?” the demoness hissed, smoke curling from her nostrils.
“Let’s be real—honest people are hard to come by these days,” I said, wiping sweat from my brow. “You’re unholy. No offense. I’m not exactly angelic myself. But doesn’t it strike you as downright stupid that you’re guarding a holy relic from Heaven?”
The two exchanged a confused glance. I doubted anyone had ever questioned their purpose or made it this far up the mountain still bold enough to stand here and talk. A flicker of respect held them back from attacking outright.
“It is our honor—” the demoness began.
“You’ve been deceived, my demonic friends,” I cut in, channeling that old saying about the supreme art of war: subdue the enemy without getting your hands bloody. “I applaud your dedication, but this long-hours, underpaid gig—does it even come with dental insurance? Look at your teeth, man. You’re being taken advantage of.”
The demon and demoness traded another baffled look. Good. My strategy was working. I flashed them an encouraging grin, despite the sweat dripping into my eyes. “I get it,amigos. I’ve been in your position. Stuck serving cocky princes in a cutthroat academy. I’d love to chat more, but this heat is cooking me.” I eyed them with envy as flames licked harmlessly over theirscaled skin. “Long story short? I broke my chains. And today, I’m here to break yours.”
“Enough, intruder!” the demon barked. “You are not welcome here.”
“And we are notamigos!” the demoness snarled.
“You could’ve said so earlier,” I sighed. “Not everyone wants to be saved.”
“We’ve been expecting you!” the demon said. “They warned us you were rude, a real pain in the ass!”
I scowled. “Who badmouthed me?”
“Your mean streak ends here,” the demoness added, chest puffed with pride.
Her companion nodded. “You’ll never get past us!”
“We’ll devour you until not even bones remain!” the demoness hissed. “Kneel and beg if you want a quick death.”
“I’m shaking in my boots,” I deadpanned.
You’re not wearing boots,Sy cut in.You’re in dress heels, another expensive gift from Killian. Guess you don’t need me earning diamonds from my sugar anymore.
