Nothing worked to free herself.
I’m dead!
She closed her eyes as the death stroke neared her.
But then, just as it would have come, the demons went flying up and around her as if thrown by a hurricane. They screamed out in agony and half of them erupted into a geyser of entrails.
Stunned by the force of this unseen attack, she looked up to stare into dual-colored eyes that reminded her of a demonic hawk. One a glowing celestial blue and the other a fiery burst of orange surrounding vibrant green. A smile curved her lips as she focused on Kalder’s handsome, grim expression.
“You’re a little late to the party, love.”
He quirked a charming grin at her. “Better late than never.”
She wouldn’t argue that. Especially right now, when she was so incredibly glad to see him.
His breathing heavy, he paused in front of her to lift her up, into his arms. In spite of her wings, he cradled her against his chest, as if daring anyone to try and threaten her.
The demons rose to surround them.
“You can’t keep her, Kalderan! Her blood is tainted. Surrender her now, or else I’ll take you both.”
Kalder glared at Muerig as the scars returned to his face. The flesh around his eyes darkened, making them appear to sink into his skull. “I’ll kill whatever fool tries to take her from me. Step up, brother, and you’ll be me first sacrifice to the blood gods. Go on. I dare you!”
Muerig rose before them. No longer a Myrcian, he now appeared in the body of a vicious, multi-armed sea serpent. His face was twisted and bore scars similar to Kalder’s Cyphnian form.
As Muerig attacked, Cameron felt her powers waning. It took her a moment to realize that Kalder was siphoning off her abilities.
More than that, he was draining energy from everyone around them. Everyone. Including Mara and Devyl.
Her jaw dropped as she became aware of the full extent of Kalder’s powers.
Holy mother of God…
He was a lightning rod for the paranormal. One that could draw, collect, and then channel all the power for his own use!
Muerig dove at them.
Just as he would have reached them, Kalder raised his hand that had been tucked under her knees, and a great vortex shot up with a blinding intensity that made a mockery of the one that had broughtthem down to his city. A deafening screech rang out. Cameron felt herself being yanked by an unseen force.
One second they were in Wyñeria, and the next…
Sunlight blinded her. The sounds of surf and seagulls filled her ears. Sea salt stung her nose as she smelled the fresh, open, crisp air.
Cameron stumbled about on the sands of a white, secluded beach. And she wasn’t the only one.
Their entire crew was there.
Except for Janice. Cameron could hear her calling to them from the depths of a cave not that far away.
“We’re here, Mistress Smith!” Captain Bane assured her as he helped his wife and sister sit on a fallen palm tree that strangely bore the shape of a crocodile. “Are you safe, lass?”
“Aye, Captain. I’m away from the daylight.”
“Then stay there until nightfall.”
Elf held her hand up to her brow as she glanced about the turquoise horizon. It was beautiful here. Perfect.
Except that they had no way to leave it. And they were missing one other vital thing.
