One of the demons lunged with a bellow, reaching for the supplies I’d fastened to my horse’s haunches. They slid through her fingers withhalf a moment to spare. I batted away gnarled hands that sought to close around my clothes, my mare’s reins, any loose objects within their range. The shouts grew deafening, every cry making me flinch, drowning out my thoughts.
There was a way out. There had to be. And yet, each time I neared the city’s edges, its winding paths would corral me back toward the horde of demons. With each pass, they tore at my clothes, clawed at my steed and my legs, leaving stinging, crimson trails in their wake.
I’d nearly lost hope when I finally saw it—a small side road I’d overlooked before. I yanked on my horse’s reins with all my strength, leather slipping in my fingers as she veered to the right, summoning one last burst of speed. Dozens of hands reached for me, closing in as demon souls wailed their desperation. I squeezed my eyes shut and braced for pain—the pain of nails digging into my skin, rough hands yanking my hair, forcing me to the ground.
It never came.
All at once, the uproar faded, and clean wind whipped across my face. I opened my eyes. When I did, all I saw was darkness. I looked over my shoulder. The city’s demons clustered at its gates, shouting at one another. Some of them even threw punches at subordinates who failed to heed commands.
But they weren’t giving chase.
I had done it. I was free.
For the first time in days, I allowed myself to hope, savoring the warmth blooming in my chest. I rode out into Hell as a lone light in a sea of black. I couldn’t go back to Lantyca—I didn’t want to anyway, so there was no point dwelling on what I’d face if I tried.
The road ahead promised clarity, peace, sovereignty. If Zaleos had found me before, waited for me, and guided me, then maybe I would find him again. Even if I failed, I could walk the path we’d traveled alone. There was nothing left for me in the Kingdom of Lust and Lies. My future lay elsewhere, and at last, I had the means to chase it.
