Page 19 of Demonic Affliction

I need to find Willow and my brothers.

Cin and I pick up our pace, and it isn't long before I spot the tunnel mouth Rhune described. It’s nothing more than a black gash in the ice, and it would be easy to miss unless you're looking for it.

We lower to the ground, landing just outside the entrance. Before we can step inside, a voice cuts through the wind behind us, freezing us in place.

“Nice of you two to finally show up.”

We whip around to find a red demon and a purple demon standing off to the side with their arms crossed, clearly not surprised to find us near their home.

A growl builds in my chest as I size up the large purple one. We’re similar in size, but I’m taller, and he’s brawnier—which means slower.

I step forward, ready to tear through them to get to his mate. The purple one reacts first, growling back, his wings flaring wide and twitching with restrained rage.

The red one lays a hand flat against the purple one's chest. “Easy, Roark. Dagny told us not to harm them. They’re our… guests.” He says the last word like it tastes bad in his mouth.

Once he’s sure Roark won’t attack, he turns to me with a feline smile. “My name is Malice. You can call me M for short, if you’d like. The big guy behind me is Roark.”

I nod, watching them with wary eyes. “My name is Dravik. This is Cin.”

Malice tilts his head, taking in the mask covering Cin’s jaw. “What’s wrong with his face?”

Cin releases a hissing snarl, his slitted eyes brightening as he takes a menacing step toward Malice, clearly ready for a fight.

“Okay!” I step between them, holding my palms up. “Let’s all start again.” I attempt to keep my anger in check. “It’s nice to meet you both. Now… can you please take us to our brothers and Willow?”

Malice nods, keeping his eyes on Cin. “Sure thing. Follow me.”

Malice leads us into the tunnel, leaving Roark up top to stand guard. I fall into step beside him, close enough to watch his hands, but far enough back to react if he tries anything. Behind me, Cin's footsteps fall into rhythm with mine, but he moves so quietly, I start to forget he’s there at all.

The passage narrows, the ice-rock walls curving in until we're single file. Other tunnels branch off on either side, each one covered by a hide draped over the opening, but Malice doesn't slow down. He doesn't bother to explain where they lead.

The deeper we go, the colder the air gets. The tunnel curves twice more before it opens into a wider stretch lined with doors on either side. Malice stops in front of the first one, raising his fist to knock.

“Special delivery!”

A female voice speaks up from within, its light, tinkling quality causing my heart to stutter. Willow.

Malice pushes the door open, revealing Rhune, Nyx, and Willow piled together on the bed. For a second, I just stand in the doorway and look at her.

Whole. Unhurt. Real.

Willow looks up from the pile, and my heart does a backflip as her lips spread into the most beautiful of smiles.

Then I remember what's in my hand.

I swallow hard and shift the plant behind my back, out of sight. For some reason, I’m embarrassed by it now—worried that it is not good enough for her. If she hates it, I don’t want to give it to her in front of everyone and put her in an awkward situation.

Later. Later, when we are alone, I will give it to her.

“Dravik! Cin!” Willow jumps off the bed, crosses the room, and throws her arms around my waist. I grunt, my heart beating wildly as the little human embraces me. Carefully, I curl one arm around her, returning the hug while keeping my gift safely hidden behind my back.

She pulls away and turns to Cin next, arms already reaching for him. Instead of accepting, he steps back out of range, shaking his head, eyes wide and wild.

“I-I’m sorry,” he croaks. “I don’t want to risk it.”

Before anyone can say anything, he's out the door. Willow's face falls, her arms dropping back to her sides as she stares at where Cin used to be. Then she looks back at me, and her expression brightens again.

“I’m so happy you’re back! I was so worried about you two!”