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I had to say, I was impressed with her progress. She could now summon the darkfire and the dragon’s magic without much effort, and fight with both at the same time. I could see how it weighed on her. This new magic was killing her, and I started to think the more she used it, the faster it would happen.
Each time I thought about that, I went for a run. Better to burn my pent-up anger and frustration that way than to argue with her.
When the time came, we all got together at the entrance to DuMoir Castle. Though several of us were going, Lord Drake had ordered full lockdown on the castle and the village, with plenty of vampires serving as guards. He wanted to make sure everyone stayed safe while we were gone.
We teleported to the Florida gate. We arrived in a large clearing and all around us were trees with thick trunks—but two of them were bigger than the others, with their trunks even thicker and reaching higher. Their bark was darker, and their leaves barely moved whenever a breeze blew by.
“That’s the gate,” Thea said. “It’s hidden between the two trees.”
I stared at the trees, but didn’t see anything. So the gates didn’t look all the same? I had not known that.
As planned, we arrived early and met the others inside the portal in the underworld. I couldn’t help looking around as we waited. We seemed to be atop a mountain, right beside an endless cliff, but the skies were dark here, and in the distance, all we could see were the thin rivers of lava cutting through the landscape.
It was always tense with so many lords and queens and leaders among us, but Hadrian was in charge now. He divided us in several groups, and sent some of us back through the portal. Because Raika was important for this mission, we were assigned to the same group as Drake, Thea, Erin, Rey, and a bunch of trained demon hunters. Other powerful supernaturals would be close by.
Per Hadrian’s instructions, we hid beyond the trees that lined the clearing, and fae and witches created glamours over us. Even if Paimon tried, he wouldn’t be able to see or sense us here.
The demon hunters had been spreading rumors that the hunters would be moved and that the gate would be under-guarded for a few minutes. Supposedly, only a few people were knew this, but they made sure more supernaturals were informed.
I still had my doubts that Paimon would show up. I understood Hadrian’s logic, but if it was me, would I do it? If my enemy had Raika or Minsi or Tyren, I wouldn’t think twice about it. Even knowing it was a trap, I would walk into it.
And Paimon really wanted the underworld.
Raika and I stood with our group among the trees, west of the gate. The glamour over us made us invisible, and it covered most of our scent, but it did little for sounds. So we were all quiet as we waited.
Beside me, Raika’s hand shook, and she shifted her weight from side to side. I reached over, grasped her hand, and held it tight. She let out a long breath and rolled her neck and shoulders.
The plan was simple. If Paimon showed up with his demons, most of our fighters would focus on the demons, while a dozen of us went directly for Paimon. We would try to immobilize him while Raika killed him.
I had wanted to kill him myself, but I would be satisfied if Raika did it.
The time passed.
One hour.
Two hours.
We were told to hold on. If Paimon was coming, he could be playing with us, testing our patience.
He was really testing mine.
Three hours.
Four.
Finally, when we had been here for five hours and twenty minutes, sparks shot from the center of the clearing.
A green light appeared, spreading across the portal.
Raika stiffened and I squeezed her hand.
I held my breath, waiting for the demon army to descend upon us.
A minute ticked by. Then another.
We all looked at each other, wondering what to do.
“I’ll check it out,” Drake said, his voice low.
