Page 92 of The Prince of Demons

The second time I saw her, she was neck-deep in an ogre twice her size. I should get away from hiding before she turned her fangs on me next.

“If you get a view from above, you might select one you can handle,”Gaksi said.“If you’re far enough away from others, you can even practice your shadow work.”

“Good idea.”I made my way to the clock tower and started climbing the fire escape. The ladder shook and creaked, slowing my progress when I checked to see if anything heard me, but otherwise, it was mercifully quiet.

When I reached the rooftop, I surveyed the campus.

The few demons I saw were engaged in battle with upperclassmen. Fae House was on top on the leaderboard, with Vamp House close behind. On the Diamond, a few freshmen meandered from place to place, looking distraught at how empty it was.

Thank heavens. They were struggling to be productive too. I didn’t realize how… useless we were when the upperclassmen showed up.

“There’s nothing out here! If I can’t kill any demons today, maybe I should just start with you motley crew!”

No.I stopped breathing. I knew that voice.

Hunter.

Hunter and his crew of demon hunters were here.

I flattened against the clock tower on my stomach, hoping I could crush myself enough that they wouldn’t spot me. The tower was ten stories tall, so unless they were craning their necks straight up, they shouldn’t.

“Where is she?” Zain said in a voice devoid of emotion. “If we don’t get that thing she always totes around, we aren’t getting any real kills in tonight.”

“And where she goes, that psycho prince follows,” Brayden added.

Bloodlust dripped from their voices. With Gaksi and Reaper on my side, they’d just identified me as their next target.

“Bring out your shadows,”Gaksi advised.

“I’m on the clock tower! In the middle of campus! Everyone will see me if I fight them that way up here!”

I checked my clothes. From my chest down, I only had five daggers on me.

I’d taken them once, with the element of surprise on my side. Could I do it again?

“WHERE IS SHE?” Zain shouted. His screech contorted, and I counted three voices around him. Wait, three?

“Answer, red!” Hunter roared.

Red.Cordelia.

I heard sobbing and had the overwhelming premonition that my next choice might be the death of me.

That wouldn’t stop me. I knew what I had to do.

“Stay away from Cordelia!”

I jumped up, feet clanging against the metal surface. “And if you want me and Gaksi, come and get us!”

Hoots and hollers vocalized from the boys as they spotted me. To my horror, Zain grabbed Cordelia by the braid and towed her up the stairs with them. Two stories up, I flung my first dagger.

“Witch!” Zain hissed, hand sliced clean open by my blade.

Cordelia shot me a grateful, tear-stricken look, then ran back down the stairs.

Good. I’d be less worried about hitting her when she was gone.

“Forget her!” Hunter commanded. “How many points do you think a goblin is worth, huh?” He cackled maniacally.

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