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Otis snarled, his wings halfway closed shuddering. “What else are you hiding from us?”
“Ssi-bal.” Tank grabbed Gorgo’s tunic and lifted him up. “You should have told us that from the beginning. I don’t trust you, demon.”
“Put him down,” I commanded. “We don’t have time to argue. We need to find Eva and figure out what this treasure is and what it does. Asmodeus cannot have it. Whatever it is, it won’t be good for anyone but himself if he gets it.”
Tank dropped Gorgo and cursed under his breath.
Gorgo glared at Tank and straightened his shirt. “Actually, I know why he wants it. The treasure he seeks is the Gate Key to open the portal to the Netherworld, but first one must pass the protector.”
“Who is the keeper?” I asked.
“The golden drakon. People say the drakon is a serpent-like creature, but only those it wishes to show itself to can see it. The gateway was created when the demons escaped, so when the time comes, they will be transported there and be locked away forever.”
“I’ve heard of drakon,” a little boy’s voice said.
Kyle had snuck up behind me. Sneaky little one.
“What are you doing here?” I lowered to him and dusted dirt and ashes off his cheeks. “Your mother okay?”
He nodded. “I wanted to thank you again. That’s all. But I heard you talk about the drakon. Stories say the drakon is the most powerful Seraphim who is a shape-shifter. If the Seraphim is so powerful, then why didn’t it come save us?”
My heart hurt for him, who had been through so much. Abagail rested a hand on his shoulder. Gorgo, Asher, Sam, Tank, and Otis stopped their conversation and looked at the boy with sympathy.
“I don’t know, Kyle,” I said. “Perhaps being a gatekeeper means that is their job and nothing else.”
Kyle lowered his head and his lips turned downward, then his eyes beamed. “When I get bigger, I’m going to protect the children.”
“You’re going to be a great warrior.” I ruffled his hair and more ashes floated off him. “How about I give you your first assignment. Can you do me a favor and look after my sister?”
Kyle peered up and smiled at Abagail, then turned to me with a fist to his heart. “I promise … uh, you are …?”
“Michael. That’s my name.”
Chapter Thirty-Five
Drakon
Evangeline
I flew alone across the sunny sky and landed on a precipice halfway up Mount Skulls. I pushed aside a curtain of vines. Some brushed against the black leather uniform Asmodeus forced me to wear.
Mount Skulls looked like any other mountain, but the name seemed appropriate. Vines with thorns and thin branches intertwined along the tunnel wall of the cave entrance, and mounds of skulls lined the dirt path.
An eerie chill ran through my veins, sending goosebumps along my arms. No torchlight or lanterns, but the massive cavern opened up into an expansive body of water glistening in rainbow colors, and large rocks and boulders bordered the walls.
Sunrays shone down from the crevices of the uneven jagged ceiling to the flat stones aligned as a makeshift bridge. The bridge had no end at the other side of the cavern. The weight of the divine sword and the dagger gave me comfort as my boots ground the pebbles underneath.
Water trickling down the cavern walls filled me with serenity, until I spotted a pile of skulls and bones as high as twelve feet tall near the far back wall to the left of me.
Mice scurried through the eye sockets and some scrambled away behind the pile. Every animal reminded me of Snow and I wondered if she was searching for me.
Saving Grace. So many have come to claim the treasure. Would this be my fate?
I halted when my plumes shuddered. Shuffling footsteps and voices filled the cave. I pressed my back against the stone and peeked out from the darkness. Three demons in human form, dressed in commoner clothing of plain tunics and pants, stood near the streambed with swords raised.
“You go first, Tom.” The dark haired guy with big muscles like Tank nudged the shorter one toward the stone bridge.
Tom stumbled and glared at him. “I’m not stepping on anything.”
