Page 31 of Warrior Unraveled

She stared at Wesley who finally met her gaze. He shrugged, then pulled her back into the tunnel, not too far so they could still see the round cave, but far enough so they could whisper to each other without being overheard by the demon.

“Are you sure that’s the exit the map’s pointing to?” she asked.

“I’m certain.”

“Maybe you got turned around.”

He glared at her. “I know how to read maps.”

“But there’s no exit, nothing that shows us a way out. Just more tunnels.”

“But there’s a demon.”

“So?”

“He’s standing sentry.”

Wes paused, and suddenly a light switched on in her mind.

“He’s guarding something,” she murmured.

“Exactly. There must be a door or something. We’ll just have to look for it.”

Virginia picked up a sound. “We’d better make it quick. I think they just discovered our ruse.” Somewhere in the distance, a dog was barking.

“Fuck,” Wesley suddenly hissed. “More demons.”

She snapped her head back toward the circle. A second demon was coming from another tunnel.

“State your business,” the demon who stood sentry suddenly demanded.

“Going up top on Vintoq’s orders,” the other demon replied.

She exchanged a quick look with Wes. “Up top,” she murmured.

They started moving at the same time, hurrying toward the circle.

“Go ahead,” the guard said and made a note on a clipboard.

The demon raised a hand and made a swirling motion, and just as Virginia and Wesley reached the edge of the circular cave, a vortex of dark fog and wind opened up and took over the middle of the cave. The noise accompanying it drowned out everything else.

This was it, the way out. That’s why the map had pointed to this place. It was like one of the Stealth Guardians’ portals, a way of traveling to and from the Underworld that only a demon could access.

Virginia locked eyes with Wes and murmured, “We have to piggyback.” She was certain of it now. It was their only chance.

“Piggyback?”

“Trust me!”

Holding on to Wesley’s hand, she dragged him toward the vortex. His eyes went wide, and his lips moved, though no words came out. Fuck me, he mouthed, but stayed with her.

The moment she saw the demon jump into the vortex, she followed with Wesley. They were still invisible, and the noise of the swirling wind would drown out any other noise she and Wesley made.

Inside the vortex, gray mist engulfed them, but she could see the demon clearly. With her free hand, she reached for him, careful to grab a hold of his coattail only, so he wouldn’t be able to feel her. Yet she would still be connected to him. She had to assume that the vortex operated in the same way the portals did: a physical connection between the demon and any passenger was required, or he’d leave them behind.

Just then, Virginia felt herself lifted into the air and knew they were traveling. She didn’t care where to, as long as it was the human world. Once there, they’d find their way.

Vintoq’s an idiot. It’s a stupid idea!