Page 85 of Spellbound
“In the mountains,” I whispered. “There’s a barrier around the forest so none of you can leave. It’s made from your bloodline. This was all a trap. I’m so sorry.”
She pinched her eyes shut, her expression pained as she gripped onto the tree. After a few seconds, she let out a gasp.
My eyebrows knitted together. “What happened?”
“It’s the demons.” Her deathly pale skin was illuminated by the moonlight hitting her armor. “They have come with him. They are everywhere. Their presence brings death. Everything is dying.” She plucked a rotting leaf from a low-hanging branch. “Lucius was a fool to bring them to find us. They now have access to the world. Although I am certain Father believes he can control them, one or two always slip through.”
I gulped. “That’s why it’s so cold?”
“Yes.” She lowered her voice again. “You must leave this place. You do not want to be here for the fight.”
“But Raiden—”
“Will be fine,” she said, interrupting. “Your being here will only see to distract Raiden from focusing on Lucius. He’ll be worried about you. You must run east. There are fewer demons there. I will run north, and they will chase me there.”
“I can’t just leave. Freya said he wants you all dead. He means to replace you.”
Her expression hardened, from what I could tell under the slight white light. “We will send him back to the underworld. There are three of us,” she said but didn’t look convinced. “I will tell my brother you were concerned about him. He will appreciate it.”
I shook her words off. “Is everyone okay back home? Freya didn’t hurt them, did she?” The tingles from the magic quills told me they were all okay, but I had to make sure. “Naomi is with Aziel.”
My brain faltered. “I’m sorry. Did you say Naomi is with Aziel? Like, the god Aziel?”
“She agreed to come with us to help find you.”
My eyes widened. “Next time, lead with that.” I ran my fingers down my face, dragging the skin under my eyes. “I need to find her.”
Thalia’s expression softened. “Her illusory magic will be useful in stopping Lucius.”
I would have laughed at the ridiculousness of it all if I thought it were a joke, but her face told me it wasn’t. “Naomi will die,” I stated.
“She understood the price when she insisted on coming with us.”
“She knows you’re gods then?”
“Yes, as do the rest of your coven, who also wanted to come to find you. Raiden, unfortunately, stopped them before they could aid us.”
I breathed relief. “At least he had some sense.”
“They could have helped us with Lucius.”
I shook my head. “Why did he let Naomi come?”
A hint of a smile played on her lips. “She used her magic to dupe him, then asked me and Aziel to take her. He was upset.”
My heart softened. “I didn’t know he cared for the coven so much.”
She smiled knowingly. “I don’t believe he cares for themthatmuch.”
“Then why would he—”
Thalia placed her finger against my lips, stopping my next question. A twig snapped nearby.
“They’re here,” she whispered and stepped in front of me. I wondered why she was protecting me. If she cared so much for mortals, then why was she disappointed the coven couldn’t come to help? Or stop Naomi from going with them? How did they even find out about Lucius?
Shock rooted me to the spot. As I peered around Thalia, my scream caught in my throat, my next breath stopping behind my lips. Deep crimson eyes found us in the night. With fur so black, the hounds managed to appear as moving shadows. Their long, yellow canines dripped saliva as they pawed the ground, growling toward us slowly. Thalia poised to attack. There were two of them, twice the size of any normal dog, and I didn’t stand a chance. Around their necks were thick chains, broken off at the bottom. The stench of singed fur and ash accompanied them as they grew closer.
Thalia backed away slowly, as they were in lunging distance. I moved backward with her. I hated how helpless I was. My magic was next to useless in this scenario. If only I had my dagger or pistol... although I didn’t think they’d be much help against the hounds.
