by Tara West
Aedan yanked out his sword, turning it into a blowtorch as a breeze blew into the cavern, followed by the rustling of millions of little legs. Mar screamed, Boner whinnied, and Jack barked loud enough to rattle my eardrums as we were surrounded by Mother’s demonlings.
“Call them back,” Aedan commanded as he blasted the floor with his torch, sending squealing spiders scattering. “Or I swear they will all burn.”
I splayed my fingers, feeling the charge in my hands as the creatures came within inches from my toes. Boy, what a way to die… again. Well, I sure as hell wasn’t going down without a fight. I planned on zapping as many of those little shits as I could, but first, I’d start with their leader. Electricity jumped off my palms as I prepared for the mother of all thunderbolts. This bitch was about to take petrified spider to a whole new level.
“Mother!” a voice echoed from behind the spider demon. “Callum is not in his chamber.”
I held my fire when Mother spun around. A pretty African woman was looking up at her with a slack jaw. She motioned to Mother. “What is happening? Why are the demonlings attacking these souls?”
“Leave us, Cara,” Mother hissed.
“Ask your Mother what she did with Callum,” Aedan boomed at the girl.
“Are you his friends?” she asked.
“Yes.” Aedan pointed his torch at Mother. “And she is telling us the dragon ate him.”
Cara screamed.
The spider jabbed the girl in the chest with a long leg. “Cara, go. Now!”
Cara stumbled back but regained her footing. “Was Callum eaten, Mother?”
The spider sighed before uncorking a small silver vial that hung from her neck. “You will not let it rest, will you, girl? You’re as bad as them.” She blew on the vial, spraying a blue mist at Cara. The girl’s eyes rolled into the back of her head before she fell over, landing on a pile of spiders. “Take her,” Mother said before Cara’s motionless body seemed to slither out of the cavern.
Mother turned to us with a frown. “You’ve turned my most loyal priestess against me. What other mischief will you cause before I rid myself of you?”
She held up the bottle of mist, and I zapped it out of her claw, careful not to hit the claw that held the scythe.
The spider hissed, shaking her smoking leg before looking at me with contempt.
Oh, boy. Here comes the retaliation.
What was she expecting me to do? Stand there while she put us all to sleep? As crazy as it sounded, I’d rather stay awake while being eaten by millions of poisonous spiders.
Instead of waiting to find out what other trick the spider had up her sleeve, I decided playtime was over. I knew her demonlings would avenge her annihilation, but it’s not like we had other options.
“Do it, Ash!” Aedan hollered as he torched hissing spiders.
Before I could let off a charge, Goliath hit Mother with a blast, knocking her through the web of light as the scythe flew out of her claw and over our heads. I ducked as the giant’s magic bounced off her shimmery abdomen and hit the ceiling. The web fell to the floor, still intact, amid a pile of rubble. Holy shit! Her armor must have reflected the magic. Goliath was lucky he didn’t get turned to stone, and I was lucky I didn’t zap her or I would have been a char-grilled Ash fillet.
Aedan burned the spiders that raced above our heads, Mar scared the others away by rippling the ground around us, and I electrified the ones they missed while trying not to topple over. Goliath created a path of stone spiders as we slowly backed out of the cave. One landed in Mar’s hair, and she nearly broke the ground beneath us with her meltdown before I zapped it off her head.
We were almost to the tunnel when another wave of spiders rushed us from the cavern. I had no idea where they’d come from, but I swear they appeared to have hatched from the spider’s huge abdomen.
“Plug noses!” Boar rumbled, and then he lifted up his toga and bent over, aiming his big grey ass toward the spiders. He let out a fart that sounded like a tornado, causing the spiders to fall on their backs and curl up as if they’d been poisoned.
I plugged my nose and breathed through a wheeze just before a wave of heat hit me. Gross. It was like a hundred dead skunks, a thousand pounds of fish guts, and a colonoscopy bag landfill all rolled into one. The smell was so bad, my eyes burned and watered, and my tank-top stuck to my skin. Ewww. I was never going to get that stench out of my clothes.
A roar sounded above us, so dark and powerful, it was like a nuclear blast of sound that shook me to my core. Icy shards of fear sliced through my veins when another roar was followed by a deafening crack.
Aedan turned to me with panic in his eyes. “Run!”
No need to tell me twice. We bolted through the tunnel, crunching and blasting spiders before ducking under the Nephilims’ arms. What were they doing? Why weren’t they running? I glanced over my shoulder, stumbling as Aedan pulled at me. And that’s when I saw the widening crack in the ceiling. Wait? What? Holy buckets! The giants were holding it up!
“Goliath! Anak! Boar!” I screamed. “Run!”
The giants’ long arms shook as the ceiling began to buckle. Just as Mar, Boner, and Jack raced through, the cavern behind us collapsed in a plume of smoke and dust.
Aedan O’Connor
I coughed into the crook of my arm, choking on fumes and dust as I helped Ash climb out of the shallow pit, all that was left of the spider’s tunnel. I had no idea where we were, save that the cavern was dark and airy, illuminated by a torch at the opposite end of the shiny marble floors. I wished for a light and shined it above me. The smooth stone walls were swallowed by a dark hole, reminding me of the black abyss above the Nephilim’s underground river. A slight breeze ruffled my toga. I angled the light across the walls, revealing velvet tapestries embellished with gold and silver threads. I turned a slow circle, pointing my beam at each one that told a story of knights, kings, and queens. And then there were several disconcerting images depicting a black dragon eating all of them. Good God, we were in Zahaka’s lair. Where she was, I did not know, for my beam did not reveal any other inhabitants. One thing I did know: we had to leave—and fast. She would not be pleased with the mess we’d made of her lair. The marble floors were now covered with debris, her tapestries marred with soot.
I wondered if the giants had survived the cave-in, but I heard not a sound coming from the other side of the stone avalanche. As much as I wanted to try to dig them out, I feared the dragon would soon find us. “Go check the perimeter, boy,” I said to Jack. “See if there’s a way out, and be careful,” I added solemnly. “The dragon may be near.”
Jack answered with a soft whimper and then trotted away, his two heads sniffing the cavern floor.
I’d never been so terrified in all my existence. I’d almost lost Ash back there to those spiders. I cursed myself for being eternity’s biggest fool for bringing her down here. I should have talked King Og into sending an army with me. Now the Nephilim were buried, and we were in the dragon’s God-forsaken hole.
Boner and I led the girls to a large marble slab that seemed to be a bench, then Boner returned to the cave-in, kicking loose rocks with his hooves. He was looking for a way in, but I knew it was hopeless. Some of the boulders that covered the entrance were the size of Jack. There was no way we were getting inside. The only way the giants were escaping was if they did it themselves. Maybe Boar could blast their way out with his gas. In which case, we definitely needed to get out of here.
Ash looked up at me, twin pools of fear in her eyes. Lacerations covered her arms, and she had a big bruise on her cheek. “What about the giants?”
“We’ll need to find another way in.” I nodded behind me, toward the cascade of rocks that spread several yards onto the shiny marble floor. “The hole is sealed.” I didn’t dare mention my fear of the dragon and risk setting everyone into a panic.
Katherine was starting to wake up, groaning atop Boner. I could tell he was getting tired of carrying her as h
is back was starting to sag, but as he examined the rubble, he made no complaints. Maybe I’d pegged the guy all wrong. Maybe he was good for Mar.
I caught a glimpse of Mar, whose face was ashen and covered with grime. She was slumped in a daze, her wings wrapped protectively around her. She’d held up fairly well considering she’d been used to the luxuries of Heaven for the past century. Still, damnation was starting to wear her down. Dark circles framed her eyes as she coughed up soot.
Boner clomped over to her and nuzzled her neck. “Mar, are you sick?”
She waved him away. “I’m fine.” She stared straight ahead, swatting the empty space. “These darn flies won’t leave me alone.”
“Flies?” Ash said. “What flies?”
“They know I’m sick.” She leaned against Ash’s shoulder. “They sense my death is near.”
“Your death?” I asked. “Mar, you’re not making any sense.”
Mar rolled into Ash’s lap, draping a hand across her brow. “Aedan, you must promise me you will look after Katherine when I’m gone.”
“Mar, you’re not dying.” I wanted to add she was already dead, but she should have known that, shouldn’t she? Or was Mar experiencing some sort of waking hallucination? Perhaps the perils of Hell had finally driven her mad.
“Just promise me, Aedan. Please,” Mar begged.
“I promise, but you’re not dying.” I jumped at the sound of a falling rock behind us. “We need to leave this place.”
Mar stretched out on Ash’s lap, looking up at her with tears in her eyes. “Mom, I’m sorry I wasn’t a better daughter.”
Ash froze. “Uhhh, what?”
Boner nervously clomped beside her. “She’s hallucinating.”
Mar smiled up at Ash. “Thank you for being such a wonderful mom and for loving Katherine so much. Please keep her safe.”
Ash brushed back Mar’s hair, pointing to a huge welt behind her ear. “Look at this thing, Aedan. It’s huge. That spider must have bitten her.” She smoothed a hand across Mar’s brow. “She’s burning up.”
Boner’s lower lip trembled as he bent down and nuzzled Mar’s hair. “What going to happen to her?”
Ash scooted out from under Mar, gently laying her head on the slab. She pointed to Katherine, who was still slumped over Boner. “She has an anti-venom. Release her.”
I cut Katherine’s bonds, pulling her onto the slab beside Mar, scowling as she looked up at me with a smile.
“Cut her gag,” Ash said.
I was reluctant to do so, for the gag also held her snake. I cut it, then quickly grabbed hold of the flailing serpent, holding it tight at the base of Katherine’s skull.
Mar had gone eerily silent now, and all color had drained from her face.
Ash pointed to the welt on Mar’s neck before narrowing her eyes at Katherine. “Spit in her wound.”
Katherine shrugged. “Why should I?”
“Why?” Ash screeched. “She’s your mom, and she loves you. Why do you think she risked her soul to come save your sorry ass?”
Katherine’s mouth fell open. “She’s my mom?”
I heaved a sigh as I slowly loosed my grip on the snake. “Yes, Katherine. Her nettle was your father’s image. He abandoned her, and your grandparents pretended to be your parents. You can’t let your mom get knocked down, Katherine. There’s no telling how many levels she’ll drop.”
She frowned, swatting my hand. “I can’t reach her. Let me go.”
I looked at Ash and Boner, who both slowly nodded. I was taking a huge risk in letting her go. Much to my relief and amazement, Katherine leaned over, spitting in her mother’s wound. I watched with awe as the blister festered and then healed.
Mar’s eyes fluttered open. She smiled up at Katherine, stroking her cheek. “I knew there was goodness in you.”
Katherine smiled back, covering Mar’s hand with her own. “Thanks for believing in me.”
Ash sniffled, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand. I never thought I’d see the day when Katherine actually showed feelings for anyone save herself. Maybe Mar was right. Maybe she was redeemable.
Boner said not a word as he galloped toward the avalanche. He climbed up the slope of rocks toward the top where a torn tapestry had fallen. He bent down, pulling out a shiny metal rod. At first I thought the rod had been used to hold up the tapestry, but I did a double take when I recognized the compact bronze handle. My scythe!
Boner puffed up his chest, jutting the scythe above his head. “Found it!” He clomped back down the slope and handed it to me.
I couldn’t believe our good fortune as I clutched the rod, running my thumb down its familiar smooth surface. “How did it get here?”
His grin nearly stretching ear-to-ear. “I caught it when Goliath hit the spider. I thought I’d lost it.”
I didn’t remember seeing him catch it during the confrontation, but I had been preoccupied with deflecting a horde of venomous spiders. It suddenly dawned on me how useful Boner had become on this mission, and not just as a means to transport our demon hostage.
“It seems I’ve misjudged you.” I slapped him on the back. “Nice work, man.”
If it was at all possible, Boner’s grin stretched wider. “Thanks.”
I had the answer to our worries in my hands, and I wasn’t going to waste any more time.
“Get Mar and Katherine,” I said to Boner, but the girls were already lining up beside him.
I hit the button on the bottom, extending the scythe to its full length before banging it on the floor, the sound echoing across the cavern, extending up the walls and into the black abyss.
“Aedan,” Ash asked. “What are you doing?”
“I’m getting you the hell out of here.” I pulled her as the walls began to tremble. We moved out of the way as a gleaming red elevator large enough to fit Jack and the others came crashing to the floor. Pressing a hand on Ash’s back, I pushed her forward. “Go, sweetheart.” I threw a glance at Boner. “Take the girls. Alert the Nephilim their kin are trapped.”
Ash planted her fists on her hips. “I’m not leaving without you.”
“Like hell you’re not.” I grabbed her by the wrist as the doors slid open with a hiss. We had no time to argue. The dragon could return home any moment.
Jack raced up to us, barking wildly, skidding to a halt in front of Ash.
“Go!” I yelled as I pushed her forward. Jack blocked her path right before a gust of wind threw us to the ground, knocking the scythe out of my hand. Jack yelped as the elevator crashed down on top of him.
“Jack!” Ash screamed, but I jerked her to the floor, providing a full-body shield just as a plume of fire hit us. I heard Mar scream and the clomping of Boner’s hooves somewhere in the distance as an enormous black shadow landed beside us.
“Mmm. A feast for Zahaka,” a dark voice rumbled.
Ash sat up and crawled behind me as the dragon’s jowls came dangerously close to the top of my head.
The monster breathed in deeply before exhaling a plume of smoke. “You smell like him, but you are not a hatchling. What are you?” She breathed in again, inhaling my hair into her wide nostril. “Wait. Don’t tell me.” Her fanged jowls broke into a devious grin. “You are an angel.”
I eyed her warily, unable to respond. A fear like I’d never known made me unable to utter a sound, for deep within the well of her pupil I saw the shadowy soul of Sergeant Sanchez pounding against the reflective surface of her eye, begging me to free him.
Dear God in Heaven.
The beast passed over my head, a deep chuckle resounding from her thick, scaly chest. “This one is frightened for you. She must be your mate.”
“Leave her be!” I struggled to stand as the dragon’s serpentine neck coiled around us.
“Do not worry.” She purred like an ominous feline. “You shall both be joined in my belly.”
I looked over my shoulder to see the elevator resting on top of Jack’s prone body. The door was still
open. If I distracted the dragon long enough, Ash could get inside.
I nodded at the elevator. “Run!” I screamed.
Ash clutched my arm, crying against my back. “I’m not leaving you.”
What was wrong with her? Didn’t she know she’d perish if she stayed?
A dark thought came over me that the woman I loved would forever be locked in a pit of despair. I couldn’t let that happen. I transformed my shield into a silver sword and drove it against the dragon’s neck with all my might, but it scraped down her thick scales, barely leaving a scratch.
The beast turned on me with a snarl, holding up a silver talon twice as thick as my sword. “Do you think Zahaka is afraid of your little toy?”
I made another wish, though it was so grand I didn’t know if the star would grant it. My skin rippled like waves as my bones expanded, and I shot up like a backward bolt of lightning. It had worked! I was at least triple the height of a Nephilim. I breathed a sigh of relief as Ash screamed before flying to the elevator. The dragon rose up to full height, and our eyes locked for one eternal heartbeat.
“How about now?” I asked, slicing off her head with one fluid thrust.
Her head splattered against the tapestry depicting the dragon eating a knight and rolled to the ground with the tapestry wrapped around it. The dragon’s body fell with a bone-jarring thud, and blood and souls spilled out onto the marble floor.
I raised my sword as a horde of winged creatures fell from the ceiling. I did a double take when I realized my brother was at the helm, followed by the Nephilim army.
Callum landed on my shoulder. “Brother, you’ve grown.” He waved a hand. “I suppose you don’t need my reinforcements.”
“Yes, we need them.” I pointed to the mouth of the tunnel. “The giants are trapped.”
King Og flew down to the ground. “We will save kin.”
The others followed, landing with thuds that weren’t quite as powerful as I remembered. It was odd looking down at the Nephilim, who now resembled winged toddlers.
I crooked my neck, peering down at Callum who still sat on my shoulder, chest heaving as his wings drooped. “You found a way to the top?”
