Page 43 of Not Today, Satan
Aquarum glows from here. It’s the first city we’ll encounter that isn’t lit with torchlight. Instead, three blazing orange balls circle the sky, lighting the scarlet waters of Lake Sanguis below.
Like Lapis, each of the lots is housed on an island. But unlike the pepper-black cliffs and gray waters we’ve spent weeks traversing, Aquarum consists of a massive dark-red lake and muddy shores. Tall, twisted trees surround each lot, their branches straining against the sky as though they’re screaming along with the prisoners.
“It’s like the worst beach ever,” Nate breathes.
“Pretty much.” I lean back on my palms and stretch my spine. “And the only way around—other than that bare shore with no cover—is by bridge or boat. I’d prefer to take what bridges we can, as they’re faster. But Father will likely have guards posted at all of them. We’ll have to play it by ear.”
My words sound more confident than I feel.
Leaving Lapis means leaving what last bit of comfort I’ve had. I grew up with stone. I learned how to harden myself to fit in with my surroundings. Granite won’t change or surprise you. Water, on the other hand, is as difficult to control as fire. It’s constantly moving and shifting, dragging you under when you least suspect.
“We’ve gotten good at that,” Nate murmurs. “Being a team.”
I don’t give him the satisfaction of a reply, but he’s not wrong. We’ve spent ages together, and I haven’t considered ditching him once. If anything, his presence provides a comfort I wasn’t aware I was lacking. I’m almost going to feel bad when I turn him in to Father after all of this.
Standing, I brush the dirt off my dress and give one last glance to Lapis before heading down the ramp. When we reach the bottom and the crimson lake looms into view, I shudder and wrap my arms around myself.
Water isn’t something I’ve had much experience with. Partly because I’ve only flown around in Father’s chariot, and partly because the stories he’s told me about what lurks in these waters are scarier than the monsters in the books I’ve read.
“Dev, stop.” Nate yanks me behind one of the poles marking the bridge entrance and points. “Look.”
I follow his gaze. Two souldiers flank the end of the bridge, each clutching a long spear. Upon their backs, they carry steel bows and sacks of arrows.
“Damn,” I whisper. “Souldiers aren’t usually armed like that.”
“That means your dad’s scared, right?” Nate’s breath prickles my ear, sending shivers down my spine. “He can’t beat us without better weapons.”
I face him, my mouth a tight line. “Father doesn’t get scared. All of this is a game to him. He’s playing with us. I’m pretty sure part of the reason we’ve made it this long is because he’s letting me get as far as possible and believe I’ve beaten him, only to take it away.” I sink against the pole. “Maybe we should give up.”
“After all this? No way.” Nate places his hands on my shoulders and stares into my eyes, his gaze unwavering. “If there’s one thing I’ve learned in the last few days, it’s that you’re strong as hell—pun not intended. I believe in you.” My face heats, and I drop my gaze to the ground as he continues, “There’s only two of them. We’ve beaten more than that before.”
“That’s not all of them.” I gesture to the ledge on the other side of the bridge, where metal glints as the light catches it. “There are more up there. And they’re armed with arrows as well. The moment we move from here, they’ll start shooting.”
“You’re immortal and I’m dead. They can’t hurt us.”
I study the backs of the souldiers on the bridge. The metal tips of the arrows gleam red and silver as they march in front of the door. “Those aren’t regular arrows. They’re made with demon blood, like my sword. They may not be able to kill us, but they can bring us down and arrest us. Then Father can kill us.”
“Only if you let him.”
I stare at him through narrowed eyes. “I hate when you do that.”
“Do what?” His lips curve into a sly grin.
“Know me enough to know I hate losing,” I grumble, then blow out a stream of air and scout the area. “Okay, so the bridge is the easiest way across the lake, but it’s not the only one. We’ll have to take that.”
Nate follows my gaze and raises an eyebrow. “Are you sure?”
I scrutinize the dinghy secured to the dock by a rope.
It may have once been a burnt orange, but time has eaten the paint to a deep bronze. It could fall apart the moment we set foot in it.
And it’s our best option.
“It’ll have to do.” I calculate the gap between us and the vehicle and grimace. “I don’t know how we’re going to get there without the souldiers seeing us. There’s no cover.”
“What if we make them think we’re somewhere else?”
I wrinkle my forehead. “How would we do that?”
