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“This is for my father, mother, and everyone that lost their lives here. You all go back to the void where you belong.”
I released my grip on the sacks. They tumbled into the fire, its bright flames curling around them. My muscles tensed then relaxed as I shot up like a freed arrow, my powerful wings moving with each beat.
Booms filled the cavern, lava splashing and nearly setting my wings on fire. Then another blast, another one, then finally the walls crumbled one section at a time. The demons climbing screamed and shrieked as they plummeted to their death.
The entire chasm shook with each impact until finally huge chunks of rock fell away. The mountain collapsed in on itself. Thick clouds of smoke billowed from the remnants of destruction as I flew away, satisfied with justice served.
Chapter Thirty-Four
Separate Ways
Michael
I soared high as smoke and ashes floated skyward. The mountain crumbled inward like Gorgo had said and sealed itself. All the prisoners were still climbing down the path, the path they used to climb up, but the smoke and ashes rained and the mountain continued to tremble.
A huge boulder cracked loose, teetered, and rolled down toward the fleeing humans. I soared downward with wings tucked to my side, reaching in time to kick the boulder before it crushed the men lagging behind.
I flew downward and back away from the edifice. Once I spotted my sister sprinting down the path with Gorgo, I joined Otis and Tank in midair.
“More rocks are tumbling down from there.” Otis pointed at the top where the smoke doubled in size.
“They’re not going to make it if we don’t do something.” Tank flapped his wings.
“We can’t save the day with Otis’s apples,” I said. “So let’s play hit ball. Follow my lead.”
Peter had taught me a game when I was barely old enough to hold a sword. I had to use the hammer to hit a ball made with fabric across the grass and into the buckets. My mother and sister joined us too. I pushed away the memories and dove toward where the rocks were tumbling.
Using my wings, I swatted at rocks, pebbles, and boulders. Otis and Tank did the same as we soared on all levels of the mountains.
The smoke billowed closer, clouding our vision and threatening our escape. Tank, Otis, and I joined together again and flapped our wings, creating a powerful gust of wind that swept the smoke and ashes toward a different direction.
Asher, Sam, and Gorgo’s soldiers guided the prisoners toward safety by the stream. Gorgo’s reinforcements were on their way and would escort them home.
“Michael!” Abagail sprinted toward me just as I landed beside Tank and Otis.
I hugged her tight and dusted ashes off her hair and face. “You okay?”
She nodded. “Are you?”
“You were brave back there. I’m proud of you.”
Abagail’s lips trembled as she smiled, then tears streamed down her face. “I’m so sorry about Mother. It’s my fault. She died saving me.” She clasped her hands together, her body trembling. “One of the demons got on top of me and Mother used her metal pick and stabbed his chest. He whacked her so hard she broke her neck when she hit the jagged wall. It was my fault, Michael.”
I shook my head and cupped her face. “No, Abagail. The situation was not in your control. You did nothing wrong. No man or demon has the right to take what’s yours without your permission. And Mother did what she did to protect you. She died a warrior.”
Stones filled my heart with loss and grief, but I couldn’t let them sink in too deep. My mission was to save my mother and sister, but now my goal had shifted. “I need you to keep moving forward with the others until Gorgo’s reinforcements come. They should be here soon. Understand?”
“What about you?” She squeezed my arm, her eyes filled with terror.
My gaze darted to Gorgo, Sam, Asher, Tank, and Otis before landing on my sister. “We have things to take care of.”
“You’re going to the castle, aren’t you?” She tightened her grip on my arms as if she never wanted to let go.
“Actually …” Gorgo said. “Sam and Asher will stay with the survivors, but Tank, Otis, Michael, and I will be going to Mount Skull.”
“Why the change of location?” I furrowed my brow. I’d heard of the mountain before, but I had no idea where it was or why it was important.
“My brother wants a treasure from there. He’s offered a generous number of coins to commoners. He even sent many of his soldiers to retrieve it and none of them came back. If Eva successfully convinced King Victus to take her to Asmodeus’s castle, then he would have bargained with her. He believes Evangeline can find it and come back alive.”
