“Quickly,” he says. “Gabreal has sent demons after us.”
He picks up the bags containing his treasures—and I hope some clothing for himself—slinging some over his back and filling his arms with the others. He runs into the center of the field, drops the bags, and quickly transforms.
I follow as quickly as my still shaky body allows. Holding onto one of the bumps on his wing bone, I pause for a moment. The bags of treasure are under him, out of my reach. I’m not sure how I can get them atop him. Perhaps using ropes to pull them up.
His head turns toward me, and the facets of his eyes shift. He’s telling me to leave the treasures behind. I feel sure of it. I still haven’t detected whomever or whatever is following us, but Zogar’s hearing and sight are far superior to mine.
I climb up as quickly as I can, then slide back, allowing his pommel to slip between my mounting flaps. The moment he’s inside, his knot expands and he rises.
Forgive my haste, my love. Our enemies approach.
As soon as we’re in flight, and I’m again sharing his senses, I see what’s coming. Between us and the city, the air is thick with wings. What are they?
Mostly demons. Some wyvern. They can’t cross Lymbo.
I sense some uncertainty.
Fear not, my love. You won’t come to harm. I will not allow it.
CHAPTER 35
Zogar
If I drop the bags, I could fly faster, but I can’t risk a return to the Darkness, given that infernal demon’s curse upon Rosomon, and I must have some means to provide for my wife. To provide for the family I hope we’ll create.
Even burdened, I can outpace a swarm of wyvern, but I know less about the abilities of the demons chasing us.
I keep those thoughts to myself as I beat my wings, flying as fast as I can while weighed down. Given their weight, even if she were at full strength, it would have taken Rosomon a great deal of time to secure all these bags across my back. Stashed there, the load would be nothing for me, but clutched in my talons, the burden alters my wind resistance, slowing our progress.
We just need to reach the shield. The wyvern won’t cross into Lymbo. I feel certain of that. The air is too still and thick for their wings. But I’m less certain about the demons. Lymbo was created so that only dragons could cross, but clearly the minions found a way, and I’m less familiar with the many new demon species that have contaminated the population here. I know littleof the realm from which they were expelled—some place called earth—and some of the most powerful demons may be able to access their magic in hostile environments.
No, I reassure myself. If they could have crossed, they would have invaded the Light already. I only wish I was certain.
My breath can exterminate a legion of minions, but I don’t want to go into any kind of battle carrying a still fragile Rosomon. She’s suffered too much. Far too much. I’ll never forgive myself for that.
The swarm is gaining, but I tuck up my legs as best I can. I’ll drop the gold if I have to.
Burning an opening in the black shield, I quickly fly through and reseal it quickly. I traverse a league or more, before looping around to get a full view of everything behind us.
No creatures followed. None I can detect, and I almost drop the bags, in my shock-infused relief.
“Are we safe?” Rosomon asks.
Yes, my love. No demons or wyvern crossed through, and I will carry you to safety.
Her thoughts fill with images of the Light—of Saxon and Tynan, of her father and brothers whom I have yet to meet.
I cloak my thoughts from her, as I consider my choices. Icouldfly us directly back through the veil—that’s what she expects—but we don’t know what awaits us. We don’t even know how much time has passed. Plus, she is weakened and tired.
I almost lost her today, and I can’t wait another moment to tell her I love her, even if she doesn’t love me back.
I could tell her while we’re in flight, but I want the moment to be special—both for her and for me. Swerving, I head for the plateau.
CHAPTER 36
Rosomon
My heart won’t stop racing, and I’m so lightheaded it takes a few moments to realize Zogar’s no longer headed toward the veil.
