Page 58 of Demonic Affliction

“We all do,” Nyx says. “But if we don’t do this, she might never be safe again.”

I nod, turning my attention back to my pack, double-checking I have everything Willow might need. Satisfied, I rise and head over to the others waiting near the cave's mouth.

“Time to head out.” Dagny’s voice carries clearly over the wind whipping through the cave. “When we get to the lair, we’ll all regroup in the main cavern. Do not travel deeper until we know what we’re dealing with.”

Vhalthor goes first, launching himself into the sky, wings snapping open with a loud crack. A powerful war-cry explodes from his throat, and his demon army bellows an answering chorus from down below. His soldiers rise after him in a dark wave, hundreds of wingbeats filling the air as they follow their king into the horizon.

Dagny goes next, launching off the edge before banking hard to the side and flying toward their lair. All six of her mates fall into formation behind her, their wings beating in perfect rhythm with hers.

Willow crouches down to give Kevin a few last scratches behind the ears. “Be good until we get back, okay?”

Kevin bleats sadly, nuzzling his head into her palm. Willow’s expression crumples at the sight, but we can’t wait around here forever. The young antethorpe has more than enough food here to last until we return, and the cave is as safe a shelter as we could find.

If we fail, and do not come home… Well, the world will have ended. So I suppose it won’t matter at that point.

I push the thought down before my panic takes over.

The flight to Dagny's lair is long, cold, and silent. Willow burrows deeper into my chest, her fingers curled tight into the fabric of my suit as a small whimper escapes her shivering lips. Wind cuts hard against my face, and I angle my body to shield Willow from the worst of it, but my efforts are no match for the raging storm.

Just a little longer, my heart. We are almost there.

When I spy Dagny’s lair, I let out a breath of relief—but the feeling doesn’t last long.

We file inside the tunnel and land at the bottom, wings folding tight in the cramped space. The heavy air is thick with wild magic, but something is different about it. A distinct rotting scent.

Something is very, very wrong.

Vhalthor's army is crowded in the large cavern, their faces grim and fists clenched tightly around their weapons. Even Vhalthor seems wary, eyes scanning the room over and over, ears perked for potential threats.

“We’ll catch our breath and keep moving,” Dagny says, feeling the same wrongness we all do. “I don’t want to stay in one spot for too long.”

True to her word, a few minutes later, Dagny rises and moves deeper into the tunnels of their home. The deeper we travel into the earth, the stronger the rotting smell grows, until our eyes sting and we have to breathe through our mouths. Eventually, the passage opens up, and all of us file into the horrible room with the pit.

Just like the last time I was here, the roots are spread out and crawling along the floors and walls. But they are neither a healthy blue nor an ominous shade of red.

The roots have blackened, the flesh mushy and rotting, sliding down the walls in clumps of disgusting sludge and squelching underfoot. The stench is heavier here than anywhere else, and I fight the need to retch as it clings to my throat.

Seemingly undeterred by the sight and smell, Vhalthor trudges onward toward the pit. “I’ll go first,” he offers. “I’m excited to see what challenges await me down there.”

Crazy bastard, I think as he plunges into the pit without a care in the world. His soldiers follow dutifully, one after another, their wings spread wide as they disappear into the dark of the gaping mouth.

As the last one jumps, Dagny looks at all her mates, sharing a silent conversation. Then, all at once, she and her mates launch off the edge, following Vhalthor into the depths.

Willow shakes like a leaf, but it’s clear she’s trying to be brave. Rhune reaches over, grabbing her hand in his, and for a second, nobody moves.

“Willow…” He turns to her, gazing deep into her red-ringed eyes. “I cannot lie to you this time. I am… I am terrified.”

Willow breathes a laugh, though it's shakier than normal. “That’s okay, Rhune.” She gazes toward the pit, swallowing hard. “I think we all are…”

I hold Willow tight to my chest, my heart thumping in my ears. “Are you ready?”

“No.” She looks at me, her jaw set. “But we have to go anyway.”

As always, my mate is right.

Nyx meets my eyes, and we nod in silent understanding. No matter what awaits us at the bottom, no matter how unprepared we are, we will trust in our mate and jump.

With one last glance at my brothers, I tighten my grip on Willow and leap from the ledge. Allowing the shadows to swallow us whole.