Drew scoffed. “I don’t think that’s quite accurate.”
His eyes narrowed. “You question my knowledge?” Andras asked in adangerous tone.
“I think you’re mistaken, yes,” Drew admitted. “Because Zach and I had known each other for less than twelve hours when he first spoke inside my mind.”
“That’s impossible. You’re lying,” Andras declared.
Sighing, Drew only shrugged. “Whatever, dude.”
There was a streak of movement in the alleyway, and then Noodle was back. He sat on his haunches in front of Drew, staring at Leila, who was still cradled in Drew’s arms.
Drew crouched down and tilted his head towards his torso. “There’s room on my shoulder if you want to be carried,” he said aloud.
Noodle didn’t look impressed.She’s been hogging you all day. Surelyshecan sit on your shoulder andIcan sit in your arms.
“Seriously?” he asked. “You’re grumpy that I’m already carrying Leila?”
So what if I am?Zach’s voice was definitely offended.
“How the fuck is this my life?” Drew muttered. He transferred Leila to his shoulder and then held out his arms, catching Noodle as he jumped up at him.
Noodle immediately purred, even whilst giving the familiar a smug look. Leila retaliated by pecking at his ear, which caused Zach to hiss at her, reaching out a paw with claws extended. Leila growled, that low rumble that was more menacing than anything Drew had ever expected to hear from a chicken.
“That’s enough!” he snapped, pushing Noodle’s paw away and then giving Leila a stern look. “I don’t understand why the two of you can’t get along.”
She started it,Zach grumbled.
Leilabokkedindignantly.
“I don’t mean to break up whatever the hell this is,” Andras interjected. “But if we could maybe continue escaping from the people who want to torture me, that would be great.”
“Fine by me,” Drew said. He looked down at Noodle. “Was that way clear?”
Zach didn’t reply, simply nodded, clearly put out and sulking.
Resigned to being surrounded by children, Drew turned towards the alleyway and began walking.
The landscape beyond the village was eerie. It was dark, with the dense atmosphere hiding any stars in the sky, though there was possibly a moon present, as there was a dull purple hue in the sky, which caused long shadows to paint the ground and obscure their steps. There was little vegetation, just a boundless plain before them that was broken by the occasional rocky outcrop. To their left, far off in the distance, was a red glow, which Zach explained was a lava lake.
Breaking the silence, there came the lonely cry of some sort of animal.
It had been relatively warm when they’d arrived in Hell, but it had grown cold now, and Drew rubbed at his bare arms to chase away the chill. Zach had transformed back into his human form once they’d left the village, and they walked three abreast. Drew was in the middle, and Andras stuck close to them, casting worried looks back towards the settlement every few moments. He’d hardly spoken over the past couple of hours as they’d put distance between themselves and the Shadow Blades, and the quiet unnerved Drew. Andras had been so cocky and even annoying since they’d met, so the sudden fearful silence from him spoke louder than any of his outlandish pronouncements ever could.
Drew couldn’t help but wonder what sort of horrible punishments the Shadow Blades doled out to instill this sort of terror in a higher demon. Even Zach had been wary of them, and his angelic magic was powerful.If their pursuers caught them, would the three of them be strong enough to fight them off? Drew wasn’t trained in combat and was still a magical novice. Would he be any help whatsoever? Or more of a burden? A crutch?
The mournful howl from before repeated, but sounded closer. Leila, who was still perched on Drew’s shoulder, growled again. She ruffled her feathers, the silky touch of them tickling Drew’s throat. They slowed to a stop, and he looked over at Zach only to find that he was looking at Andras. Drew swiveled his head and saw that Andras was even more pale than he had been, and his eyes were wide.
“What is it?” Drew asked, turning back to Zach. “What is that thing?”
“An urco,” Zach said, all business and his voice sharp with tension as his eyes scanned their surroundings.
Drew understood that Zach was preoccupied with keeping them safe, but he still found himself feeling annoyed that his response had been a bit of a non-answer. He decided to ask Andras for clarification. “And an urco would be what, exactly? Are they dangerous?”
“Have you heard the saying ‘up shit creek without a paddle?’” Andras asked.
“Yeah.”
“Well, if our boat had also sprung a leak and shit creek was infested with piranhas, the urco would be the very hungry piranhas, excited that their meal was being served. Because urco are massive hound-like creatures who feast on flesh, and that sound we can hear is the sound of the hunt.”
