Page 53 of Deranged Demons

“But how?” Prince Callan questions, his gaze fixated on the shadows.

I can’t imagine what deal Dad’s made with Queen Krosia, the ruler of the shadow realm, for her to open such a large gateway here, and I shudder as I think of the last time I’d been in her realm. “Let’s just say Dad has connections,” I reply.

There’s a series of obstacles around the room that can be used to travel across the open floor toward the portal to Seral. There are levitating stones,thick steel beams, and even some suspended netting. It wouldn’t be impossible to jump from obstacle to obstacle, but it’d be difficult.

“I’m guessin’ going back aint an option?” Nate says as he assesses the room in front of us.

“Not if you want to get out of Perstalia,” I answer. “Knowing the king, this is our only way out of this.”

“What about the other alphas?” Prince Callan asks, and I wonder if he’s thinking about Saphis and the other archangels.

“This isn’t meant for them,” I reply, my gaze flicking to the last levitating stone before the gateway to Seral where a familiar-looking dagger is resting on its side.Unbelievable.It’s the same dagger I retrieved from the shadow realm for the king not too long ago. “This has been left here for me and my mates. It’s the final test. Once it’s complete and we’re back in Seral, we can organize the retrieval of everyone else.”

Prince Callan stretches out his wings. “Shall we fly this time?”

I peer at Nate and Alaric, and this time neither of them protest at the idea of being carried.

“Flying would be the fastest way across,” I say, “but this will only work if we can keep the shadows out of our minds. The shadow creatures that guard the gateways of the shadow realm feed on fear, and once they’re in your head, they’ll try to break you. I hope your hesitancy to let us carry you before was because of pride and not fear, because if you let the creaturesdrag you to the shadow realm you might not ever make it out.”

Dante stares down at the curl of shadow reaching for his ankle. “Then I think we’d best keep our wits about us,” he comments with a tight smile.

“Blake, I don’t like this,”Shade whispers, her voice wobbling.

“We’ll be fine, just stick close to me,”I reassure her.“We’ll be back in Seral before you know it.”

Nate blows out a breath.

“All right, Prince Callan, if you take Dante,” I say, “I’ll take Nate. Then I’ll come back for Alaric.” With my strength power, I could probably carry two of my mates at the same time, but I don’t want to risk accidentally dropping one of them.

“Let me come back for the assassin,” Prince Callan says, but I shake my head.

“I don’t trust you not to drop him,” I say.

I can tell Prince Callan wants to protest further, but he only nods in resignation like him dropping the assassin was entirely possible.

“Huh. Guess the prince finally hates someone more than me,” Nate comments with a grin.

Prince Callan scowls at the shifter. “I wouldn’t go that far, Nine Lives.”

I lift my hands. “Okay, everyone needs to calm down if we’re going to get through this in one piece.”

“I’ll wait here with the giant,”Shade says, landing on the ground near Alaric’s feet.

I purse my lips. I know she’s just trying to delayher trip across, and I’d rather her fly with me now, but I don’t push it.

Dante gives me a devilish grin. “Time to get out of here,” he says, and he grabs onto Prince Callan who’s still scowling. The archangel doesn’t look impressed, but he wraps his arms around the demon.

Nate smiles at me. “Shall we, gorgeous?”

Before I can respond, he jumps into my arms, and I catch him, cradling him like a baby.Well, this isn’t weird at all.

“Mmmm, you smell so good,” Nate comments as he tucks his head against my neck, nuzzling in close.

I bite my bottom lip, fighting against the need that races through my body. “Okay, here we go,” I say to Prince Callan, and I stretch out my wings and lead the way.

~ Alaric ~

I glower at the shifter as he cozies up to the demon princess, taking advantage of the situation as she carries him across. Below them, the shadows swirl like they’ve been upset by a gust of wind as they pass, but all of them make it to the levitating platform on the other side of the room without incident. When they set down, Nate climbs from the princess’s arms, andshe picks up a jeweled dagger that’s been left at their feet and tucks it into her belt. She whispers something to the others, and then she’s heading back my way.

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