by L. L. McNeil
Seila was certain he had vertical slit pupils.
‘Welcome to my home, Phantom. Elementals.’ He dipped his head to them, the epitome of politeness. ‘You may call me Sekki.’
‘You’re a demon,’ Seila blurted out. She wanted to get away from this man. This demon. Whatever he was.
Sekki’s smile broadened further, beyond what it should have been able, the corners of his lips disappearing around the side of his face, splitting it in two. Dread filled Seila’s chest at the grotesqueness of that simple motion. This creature behaved like something that had seen a human once, perhaps from a distance, but struggled to mimic them.
He took a step forward, awkward and ungainly, and Seila saw he was barefoot. ‘I am. And I shall become the Demon King, too. But not tonight. Tonight, they need to feed.’ He gestured to the Lesser Demons gathered, who hissed loudly in response, their claws rippling over one another, their stink filling the cavern.
There were too many of them. Far too many. A handful, she could deal with. But dozens upon dozens? And the Prowler.
And Sekki.
Seila swallowed, trembling as she tried to back away but couldn’t move under Sekki’s piercing stare. Her body went rigid as she fought, and the cold dread seeped from her chest into her limbs.
‘Seila. We should run,’ Amber whispered.
‘I know. I can’t,’ she whispered back, unable to wrench her gaze from the Elite Demon.
She’d been expecting a huge monster. A creature like the one who had taken her soul from her, who had ripped it from her body, played with it, and left her to die. Her memories of that day, however long ago it had been, were hazy at best. But if it had been Sekki, there was no way on Earth she’d ever forget that.
‘It isn’t often I get to see a Phantom. You’re all in such a rush, eager to attack the next demon. Slaughtering my brethren.’ Sekki’s cold eyes grew colder still, his voice the opposite of his appearance. ‘And rarer still is it that you bring friends. What’s the matter, Phantom? Do you grow weak? Do you need the aid of others, now?’
Rage boiled in her, flushing away the terror. How dare he say she was weak! Her lip curled, but she didn’t trust herself to answer.
Sekki continued, regardless. ‘The all-powerful Phantoms, reduced to food. How pitiful.’
Seila pulled away, but her feet had been locked into place. She couldn’t move. ‘I won’t stop until I’ve killed every last one of you!’
The Elite Demon laughed, the noise echoing over the gathered demon’s snarls and hisses. ‘You’re all bluster and bravado. Sorry, but you won’t have that chance. I’m going to be the next Demon King. I just need a little more, and you damned Kouzlo will be wiped from this dimension along with everything else!’
The pack of demons crept towards them, tongues darting out like lizards, their hissing turning into growls of hunger and desire.
‘Get away while you can. I’ll hold them off.’ Seila tightened her fist around her Sieken Blade. It was the least she could do. Go down fighting.
‘But my demons are hungry. I wouldn’t be much of a king if I let them starve, would I? Good to meet you, Phantom. I thank you for the energy you’ll give my followers.’ The demons attacked the moment Sekki stopped speaking. Some lunged low, others leapt high. All extended claws and opened jaws, ready to kill.
Amber flicked her wrist and sent a stream of fire rippling into the nearest demon—an overzealous Toxic Fang that fell to the ground aflame. She widened her stance and sent out another flame into the demons nearest to her, sending them scattering in all directions.
It was enough to distract Sekki, and Seila jumped into the air—released from whatever power he’d trapped her with. Relieved, and elated, she brandished her sword and flew straight towards the Prowler at the back of the cavern. If she killed it, she’d absorb its power. It might not be much, but it would be enough to help in this fight.
Now she knew an Elite Demon had her soul. She had to focus on that.
All the Lesser Demons were just power boosts and sustenance. Nothing else.
Like she was nothing to Sekki.
Swathes of Dragora scattered in her wake, screeching their fury and filling the air with the flurry of their beating bat-like wings. Seila swooped past Sekki, who’s smile hadn’t faded, and slashed at the Prowler.
She had the element of surprise on her side. By the time the demon realised it was under attack, Seila was already upon him—she drove her sword deep into its flank, her momentum strengthening her attack. Blood streamed from the wound and she adjusted her grip, wrenching it free and tearing a gaping hole in its hide. A mortal wound for almost any creature, but she knew it wouldn’t be enough to finish the Prowler.
She heard the whoosh of flame behind her as Amber and Damon defended themselves against the horde of demons, and she knew she needed to hurry back. There were just too many demons to defend against in such an enclosed space.
The Prowler gave a half-hearted lunge, but with its back covered in blood, it had lost most of its strength from earlier. Whirling in the air, Seila shot towards it again—this time, she went for its head.
Her aim was true, and her Sieken Blade sliced into the Prowler’s neck. Seila tingled with the sudden rush of energy that streamed into her, flooding her veins. The demon’s essence funneled from the blade and into her, and she gasped with the surge of power.
She glowed, lighting the cavern from the boost of energy. ‘Amber! Damon!’ There was nothing to stop her, now.
Seila flew towards them, carving lines in the demons as she strafed up and down their ranks. They darted away as she approached, but she was too fast for many. Two fell to her blade. Three. Five. Ten.
They screamed in terror and rage, leapt out of the way, leapt towards her, leapt to the safety of Sekki.
More fell to her blade, her wings carrying her swiftly from one side of the cavern to the other, hacking at the demons with every strafe.
She didn’t even feel their claws upon her skin, she was bursting with newfound strength.
Seila pulled up, looked to Amber and Damon, then attacked again. While they held the demons at bay, she attacked as many as she could. Every demon slain was another boost to her power.
But it wasn’t enough.
For every demon she killed, three more took its place. Those that would have fled in terror remained in the cavern—no doubt due to Sekki’s control—and doubled back to swarm her, or try their luck against the Elementals.
She looked to Sekki, who glowered. She didn’t know why he wasn’t attacking, but didn’t question it. So long as the Elite stayed out of battle, she had a chance of surviving.
Amber and Damon had created a circle of fire around them, through which the demons were unwilling—or unable—to pass. Both sweated and panted heavily, and Seila narrowed her eyes. They might have had great Elemental power, but they weren’t fighters.
She slashed into another Toxic Fang, sent a Soul Eater flying. She landed close to the line of fire, and span with her sword outstretched, cutting into any demons who were too near.
‘Seila! There’s too many!’ Amber called, her voice weakening.
Seila knew there were too many. She didn’t need Amber telling her that.
And Sekki hadn’t moved. He watched proceedings idly. Even if they managed to kill every single demon here, it still left the Elite.
‘He wants his demons to feed,’ Seila said. She took a shuddering breath. The scent of bonfires burning filled her nose, made her dizzy. Tar-like blood covered the floor, turned it sticky and reflective. The Prowler hadn’t been enough.
Hadn’t been near enough.
She took in the surroundings, tried to count the demons approaching with lowered heads and snarling fangs. Too many.
‘That’s right, Phantom. There’s no escape from this. Even that Enchantress can’t save you.’
Something on her face must have given away her shock, because Sekki continued, ‘She’s been a thorn in my side for far too l
ong, now. Once I get rid of you three, rid myself of the Kouzlo, nothing will stop me! I shall ascend and take over this dimension!’
He grasped one of the armlets, the light from the jewels glowing between his fingers. When he spoke, his voice filled every inch of the cave, and Seila’s mind. ‘Come to me. Now.’
Seila swallowed as claws and footsteps scrabbled along the tunnel behind her, and more demons answered the call of their master.
15
Seila flew into Amber and Damon’s circle of fire. All three of them pressed their backs to one another and faced the approaching demon horde. Seila could see the tunnel out of the corner of her eye—more Leeches and Stingers.
And two more Prowlers.
Sekki had to have summoned every demon for a hundred miles!
She tried not to wince, tried to keep her stance firm, her sword up and ready.
‘It was an entertaining show, Phantom,’ Sekki said. ‘You fought valiantly.’
A creature as tainted as he was did not deserve to have such a lovely, smooth voice.
Amber threw out another ball of fire, and the bolder demons jumped out of the way. ‘I can’t keep this up much longer, I’m exhausted.’
Seila cursed. Amber would still be recovering from the Soul Eater, too. Throwing her into the middle of this demon mess had not been a good idea. If she survived, she’d be sure to tell Fallow what a stupid decision she’d made by sending two novices with her.
Then again, without Damon and Amber, she’d probably have been overwhelmed by now. She was caught between a rock and a hard place.
The two new Prowlers split and circled them, one on each side. Perhaps if she brought another one down, it would give her enough of a boost to take on the rest of Sekki’s demons.
Perhaps.
It would mean defeating a fresh Prowler alone, which was hard enough. But it would also leave Amber and Damon undefended. Amber was weak, and Damon had little control. Even now, she saw him sway on his feet, flames leaping back at them as much as at the demons.
Seila didn’t much fancy their chances.
She’d have better luck by staying with them, protected by a wall of fire, uncontrolled as it was. Several demons were already providing enough fuel—they did burn very easily—so there was no point in leaving it.
But even if they kept themselves safe from the demons, Sekki was another matter entirely. And Seila had no idea what he could or couldn’t do with his incredible power.
‘All right, you’ve had your fun!’ Damon said, fists balled, flames licking up his arms and crackling loudly. ‘Just let us leave, and we won’t kill no more of your demons!’
Seila couldn’t believe it. Bargain with a demon? Who’d ever heard of such a thing?
Sekki apparently found the notion funny. He laughed, deep from his belly. It sent shivers up Seila’s spine. ‘You are quite amusing, young Elemental. I should keep you around for my personal entertainment.’
Damon glowered at the insult. The flames licked higher along his arms. Seila knew he had about as much control of that as anyone did of a wildfire. Sweat rolled down his forehead. His shirt had darkened, and stuck to his skin. ‘Keep me then. Let the others go.’
Sekki stopped laughing abruptly and raised an eyebrow. ‘You would sacrifice yourself?’
Damon nodded, holding up both hands where Sekki could see. He closed his eyes and exhaled, and his flames extinguished, leaving him trembling. ‘Give me your word you’ll let them go.’
‘Damon, what are you talking about? Don’t be stupid!’ Amber yelled. Her own flames inched higher, raging through the demons that still tried to attack them.
Seila thought it was an excellent idea. Any action that resulted in staying alive had to be considered.
‘I could just kill the other two and keep you, anyway,’ Sekki said. ‘Though I’ll give you credit for your courage, if not cleverness.’
Damon swallowed, his face reddening. He balled his fists and took a breath, struggled to keep new flames from igniting. ‘Please.’
Sekki laughed immediately. ‘And you’re begging, too? What a worthless little rat you are.’ He shook his head, then grasped his armlet again. ‘Kill them. Feed, now.’
That was it. Time was up. Seila tensed, ready to take down as many demons as she could.
Amber drew in a gasping breath and then screamed, forcing more and more fire from her hands, spreading it in all directions and widening their circle of protection. Doubled it. Tripled it. Blew rolling flames across the cavern floor and walls, scattering the demons.
Taken aback by her ferocity, Seila watched the blaze grow around them. Smoke plumed into the cavern, filling it up to the ceiling and masking many of the demons from view.
‘Run!’ Amber yelled.
Seila didn’t need telling twice. She whirled around and flapped her wings to speed her along. The tunnel entrance wasn’t too far away. If she just hurried—
The Prowler was on her in an instant, its strike perfectly timed. It grappled her to the floor, jaws snapping as it tried to bite down on her neck or chest. Seila brought up her sword to deflect its fangs, while its massive talons dug in, pinning her to the floor underneath its weight. ‘Get off!’ She spat, but the Prowler didn’t care.
It had her right where it wanted her.
‘Seila!’ Damon roared, but he was too far away to do anything.
Seila held the sword’s hilt with one hand, the tip flat against her other, and used it like a stick to hold the demon’s fangs back. The sword trembled under the strength of the demon’s jaws, and Seila worried it would shatter in her hands. She couldn’t move, couldn’t wriggle away, couldn’t get her wings out.
The Prowler’s fangs inched closer to her, snarling all the while, its strength overpowering hers. A glob of saliva fell from its gums onto her chest and she tilted her face away, hissing in disgust.
Seila heard Sekki laughing in the distance, heard the roar of Amber’s fires as they burned, heard the growls and screams of demons as they fought and died. Her arms shook with the effort of holding the demon back, elbows bending as they gave way to the Prowler’s strength.
She kicked up with knees and boots, hard as she could, but the demon didn’t budge, barely felt the blows. She winced, pressed the back of her head against the tunnel floor, as far from the demon’s gaping jaws as she could.
Still, it was too strong. It inched ever closer, the sword almost rattling under the stress from both the demon and Seila.
Its wet fangs brushed her cheek.
Terror gripped her like a vice. This was it. This was her end.
The Prowler was too strong. She cursed herself for not realising. It was only a matter of time before she bit off more than she could chew. She should never have come down here.
And now it was over.
‘No!’ Seila screamed.
Purple smoke clouded her vision and she inhaled sharply, then coughed, taken by surprise.
A moment later, a violent explosion rippled through the cavern, the blast throwing the Prowler off her and smashing it into the wall. Seila forced herself to stand, sword held up, but everywhere she looked, demons lay dead or dying. Those still alive fled, many were on fire. The Prowler lay dead against the cave wall, killed by the force of the impact.
Cursing herself at the chance of another power boost lost, Seila ran back to the cavern on unsteady legs. Amber’s fire had extinguished, and she and Damon clutched one another, both panting heavily, and stared at a new figure.
‘Delgo!’ Seila could hardly believe it.
Purple smoke oozed around the Djinni as he stood firm in the centre of the cavern, demons dead at his feet, the smell of their blood thick in the air. He still wore his three piece suit, immaculate despite the blood, ash, and dirt of the cavern. His hat had tilted slightly to one side, and he straightened it. He rolled up his sleeves halfway to his elbows, revealing twin gold bands around his wrists, and he glared at Sekki with a murderous intent that Seila was most appreciativ
e not being on the receiving end of. ‘You’re next, demon.’
Sekki cowered.
Seila flicked her wings and pointed her sword at the Elite Demon. She knew he wasn’t scared of her, but she wanted Sekki to know for damn sure that she stood on the same side as Delgo. He was an ally worth having.
Delgo’s gold bands glowed, filling the cavern with light and blasting away the remnants of smoke from Amber and Damon’s fire. He widened his stance, brought his fists close to his chest, his eyes flickering as he built up his magic.
A pressure filled the cave, and the air thinned. Seila struggled to breathe as Delgo focussed on Sekki. The air around the Djinni rippled, blurred, seemed to shimmer in and out of focus.
Sekki glanced from Delgo to Seila, and then to Damon and Amber. With curled lip and a low hiss, he jumped backwards, the same dark smoke from before enveloping him, and then he was gone.
‘Coward.’ Delgo spat at the floor, relaxing his stance and releasing his magic. His golden eyes glittered against his dark skin as the pressure in the cave returned to normal. ‘I should have killed him first. We’ve been trying to get him for far too long.’
‘Why are you here? I thought you were at Caramond House?’ Seila asked.
‘Fallow needs to be there. She’s too weak. Needs her enchantments.’
Danger over, Amber collapsed. Damon managed to grab her before she hit the floor, and he held her upright. ‘Help me!’
Seila darted over to Amber’s other side. She looped the woman’s arm over her shoulder and nudged her chin. ‘You can rest soon, Amber. We need to get out of here, first. They might come back.’
Damon looked to Delgo, his eyes glassy. ‘How did you know? How did you know we were here? How to find us?’
‘Sierra,’ Delgo replied. ‘Fallow’s weakening, but I have a link with her, and therefore a link with her Familiars. She needed to return, and you needed back up.’
Damon gasped, suddenly remembering. ‘Tej! Did you see him? Is he okay?’
Delgo shrugged and straightened his lapels with both thumbs, smoothing out the creases. ‘I came straight here. Where is he?’
