Page 5 of Mystery of Magic

Kaine picked up a broken piece of ceramic. It looked like it may have belonged to a vase. “Does it have to be a god? Couldn’t the artifact belong to the demon king?”

Lochlan rubbed his chin. “There are many artifacts of demon origin, but he would have had to come here.”

Indy took a deep breath. “Unless he had some way to allow another to use his artifacts. He was able to transfer power before.”

“Maybe,” Lochlan said, but he didn’t sound convinced. “I do not think the demons who were left over from the war are powerful enough to slip past our wards.”

Daryn huffed. “The king has been able to send limited numbers through the weaker gates. The breach map alerts us, and most have been tracked down and killed soon after they arrive, but it is possible.”

Indy nodded. “We never got true numbers on how many demons were left topside. Maybe there were more than we originally figured. Perhaps even one of his more powerful subjects.”

Daryn rubbed the stubble at his chin. “The breaches are infrequent, but those left from the war have learned to stay at the edges of the map where the link is the weakest. Magnus may even have provided them with a means to shroud themselves. He was acquiring artifacts for years.”

I pursed my lips. “Maybe Magnus found something that the demons could use against our wards.”

Kaine dropped the piece of ceramic he had been looking at. “If that were true, they would have attacked the base.”

Daryn shook his head. “Not necessarily. They likely have too few numbers for an open attack on us. The perpetrators were after something. They may have destroyed the entire museum to cover the theft of one item.”

Lochlan stared at the mounds of debris. “We can theorize for days on their intentions, but the only way to discover if anythingwas taken is to sift through the entire lot. The only thing I can say is we need to track those demons down now. We made the mistake of thinking we were making a dent in their numbers and concentrated on rebuilding. Extermination needs to be our focus.”

Daryn sighed. “I agree. The missing demons take priority.”

CHAPTER 3

Iput my hand over my mouth before coughing. The acrid air burned my lungs as Daryn crouched down and picked up a charred longsword.

The once-majestic weapon, a symbol of strength and valor, was now twisted and blackened by the merciless flames that had ravaged the museum.

The hilt, once adorned with intricate designs and symbols of a bygone era, was now barely recognizable. The blade, which had seen countless battles and told stories of heroism, had been reduced to a shadow of its former glory. It was a poignant reminder of the destruction that had befallen this sacred place.

Daryn’s fingers carefully traced the contours of the blade, his touch gentle yet filled with reverence. He knew the significance of this weapon, the history it held, and the sacrifices made in its name. I could see the memories flicker in his eyes as he inspected the charred remains, a mixture of sadness and anger welling up within him.

A profound sense of empathy washed over me. The sword represented more than just a piece of metal; it was a symbol of courage, of the battles fought and won by past hunters, and of theunyielding spirit of those who had wielded it. It was a connection to our past, a tangible link to the heroes who had come before us.

Daryn finally met my gaze. There was a silent understanding between us, a shared acknowledgment of the pain and loss that this destruction had wrought. Yet, there was also a glimmer of determination in his eyes, a resolve to rebuild and preserve the legacy that the sword represented.

I knew that we would not let this devastation define us. We were hunters, warriors who had faced adversity before, and we would face it again. Together, we would uncover the truth behind this attack and ensure that the memories and stories preserved within the museum lived on.

Daryn placed the charred sword on a ravaged shelf. “The demon attacks are strange. Since the incursion, the demons have avoided humans. It’s as if they are waiting for something.”

“Or someone,” Indy said.

Daryn nodded. “It could be. But they are curbing their natural thirst for blood, and I didn’t think even the king could control that.”

Kaine crossed his arms. “They assumed they would win the last war. They had no need for subterfuge. Perhaps they are aware the gate is safe, and they are on borrowed time. Still, they haven’t been attacking humans, so what are they feeding on?”

Daryn touched his neck. “Cipher, I need to know about animals’ deaths. Have there been any unusual activity in recent months?”

“Just a second.” I heard typing through the hunter link.

Indy grunted. “You think they are snacking on wildlife?”

Cipher’s typing stopped. “There have been hundreds of unexplained deer, bears, and various other carcasses found in the mountains. Park Rangers are investigating.”

Kaine took out his phone and typed into it. “There was an article in the paper about a herd of cattle slaughtered a few townsover. They attributed it to wolves, and I didn’t think anything of it at the time. How much do you want to bet our demon friends have acquired the taste for beef?”

Indy grunted. “If those demon dicks mess with my double cheeseburger supply, I will head down to the underworld and cut the king’s balls off.”

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