Behind her ear, Selena started reciting quickly and fervently in the Godstongue.
If the witch attacks me in any way, I will throw her to the armies and splatter her on the ground below,the dragon said, sounding unconcerned.But for now, I will condescend to carry three.
They ascended, climbing farther into the sky and away from the castle. Elizabeth gripped her against the dragon’s hide, grimacing as her scales shredded her already sore thighs. The dragon lurched forward as she accelerated, her wingsbeating furiously, and she had to focus on keeping herself and Caspian in the crook of the dragon’s shoulder without skewering them on the sharp neck spikes.
Asmodeus!she cried, with both mind and voice, as they passed over their armies.
Where do we go? Where is safe?!
Enemy demons aimed bows at the dragon’s underbelly.
Arrows loosed. She watched in horror as unavoidable black shafts flew straight at them.
She cried out in terror as a black arrow came straight for her chest. Unable to move, she recoiled, bracing for impact.
Chapter 57
Hellscapes
Elizabeth cringed as the black arrow sped towards her. Suddenly, it stopped an inch away from her, trembling in midair before simply dropping out of the sky.
The rest of the arrows halted three feet from them, and then fell, one by one, tumbling like rain—as if losing all motivation to fly.
Behind her, the old woman was muttering furiously under her breath. To still have this much power after such a long imprisonment meant that the woman must be a powerful witch indeed.
Elizabeth made a mental note to ask Risna what kind of spell could stop twenty arrows aimed directly at her.
Elizabeth gripped the dragon’s hide with her knees and peered over the dragon’s side at the demons drawing more arrows.
The dragon snarled and blew an inferno towards the armies as she flew out of range. She circled high overhead, irritation radiating through their mental link.
Chainbreaker, tell me where to go, or I will decide for us.
Elizabeth sought Asmodeus’s consciousness.ASMODEUS! HELP US!
Asmodeus broke from the fray and circled below them.
Where is it safe?
Go north, towards the seventh circle.Asmodeus sent a mental picture which she relayed to the dragon.
Only too happy to leave, the dragon snapped her wings out and fell into a glide.
On the ground, enemy demons manifested wings to follow them, but their allies rose to meet them. She turned to see Lucifer and the other demon princes signal their forces to attack. The two sides collided in midair, the clang of weapons echoing.
Soon, Asmodeus joined her, his wings beating furiously to match the dragon’s pace.
Elizabeth? Where did you learn mind speech?Asmodeus asked weakly.
Now is not the time. Where are we going? Where can we set him down safely?
A torrent of images flooded her mind, which she shared with the dragon.
My barnacle must come off soon. With her, we are heavier than I would like for such a long flight.
Barnacle? I’m impressed you know of creatures not borne of flesh and fire.
A dragon knows all,came the haughty reply.
