Page 40 of Wolf Trap

Anthony heldhis hand before it. “It’s not something I wear. I had it in Hell. It seems this light-fingered bunch stole it. I can get it back though, and I can now use their power against them. But you’d all better brace yourselves. This magic is linked to the Dukes, the lesser kings and princes of Hell. Many of which are not malevolent. Well,” his eyes widened, “not evil. Perhaps a bit grey.”

Nervously, I glanced around and found myself staring at the statues on either side of the altar.

“We should wedge the doors open.” I scurried to them. Lycaon joined me, but Hakon causally strolled over and placed the Spear of Destiny between the doors.

“If that doesn’t hold them open, then I’ll doubt its authenticity.”

I nodded. “Which is great, but won’t help us if Anthony unleashes some godforsaken spirits in here!”

He turned and said, “Hey, I know my magic!”

Shaking my head I responded, “I don’t doubt you, but this place is used by Adara.”

Tilting his head, he shrugged. “Fair do’s. But we need a way home. Unless you want to see what night time brings here?”

I cringed. Hakon frowned.

Turning back to the altar, Anthony scooped up the ring and placed it on his index finger whilst chanting in Latin.

As he started, wind whisked the sandy ground outside into the temple. The doors shook from their foundations. I gripped Lycaon’s hand. Hell magic, the Key of Solomon was not magic I was versed in, and I didn’t want to be.

The altar juddered. Anthony’s voice rose higher against the noise as a storm whipped up, now blowing inside the temple, smashing the doors back, artefacts strewn in its wake.

Wide eyed, Anthony turned to us. “Quickly, step behind me!”

I didn’t want to.I could see that as the altar moved, its gilded wooden frame snaking back, musty air blew through beneath it and a whirlwind formed before Anthony. He craned back his lithe body, but still he chanted, spitting short, angry words, his arms waving above him as he did so.

It seemed to make it worse. A plume of sooty smoke bellowed from an opening in the floor. Stone grated as a door appeared where the altar had sat, but Anthony was undeterred.

Lycaon gripped my hand, Hakon stood beside us, grumbling, “Bloody Hell… well, I guess he knows what he’s doing!”

There was a tightness in my chest. Here we go again, as a flurry of creatures spewed out from the opening. Unable to breathe, I unlocked my hand from Lycaon, wiggling my fingers. I did not want to interfere with these… whatever they were, but also, I didn’t want to die.

And what had both Anthony and Hakon repeated to me?

Never trust a vampire.

Oh my God! I mean, I was pretty sure that both of them meant well, but I was less confident in Anthony’s ability to wield magic that would match Adara.

Was this all an elaborate trap?

Anthony took a step forward. In the din, I could see his feet were right on the edge of the opening in the floor. Now heat gushed out and cast a dull amber lighting around him.

All around us, strange creatures that were an amalgamation of animals and humans stood, waiting, watching…

The ground had stopped shaking; the wind stood still. A thin layer of dust hovered, sparkling gold as it caught the fading light of the sun outside.

I took a breath, trying to ease the tightness in my chest. Lycaon squeezed my shoulder.

Appearingfrom the gateway on the floor in front of Anthony, a human sized owl, its legs long and spindly, wearing a crown.

Another creature came through behind it. It had a man’s torso with a horse’s head and legs and stood eyeing Anthony. Stepping slowly forward, Anthony nodded to a huge wolf with gryphon wings and a snake for a tale. Anthony edged back a little as more of these creatures poured through.

I could feel the heat radiating from Lycaon, like a furnace, and I knew he was in conflict. His energy was tangible, like electricity in the air. Ready to morph into the wolf. A sharp glance, Hakon’s fingers had changed into the vampire clawed hands. He raised his chin in defiance, ready to spring into action.

But no one moved. The creatures, all their eyes on Anthony, as he turned around slowly, eyeing every one of them before speaking calmly.

“Marchosias, Orobas, Stolas. Why in hell’s name are you working for Adara?”

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