AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“What theory?”
“That female descendants of the priestess can successfully transition. We would be able to send the males out to look for these women. Ask them if they would like to join our world. Our fight to save humanity.”
Riley frowned. “Even if that’s true, that doesn’t guarantee these women will want to leave their friends and family to join the shadow world.”
“I know. There is already some dissension in the clans over this issue. We are concerned that some may not ask. That they will bite them, forcing the transition.”
Riley sucked in a breath. “That’s horrible. You can’t do that.”
Dannika held up a hand. “I can’t put protocols in place for something we have yet to confirm. Until we know exactly what creates a successful transition, no shadow will try to convert a woman. We never considered that a woman could transition from a demon bite. Right now, all of humanity is at risk. Even the reapers showed some restraint. Though accidents happened, they avoided women and children. The demons will annihilate anybody they come in contact with. Their hunger is insatiable.”
“And yet Halak, didn’t bite me until I refused to go with him. He wanted me alive,” Riley said.
“We have to confirm why they want you. Whatever it is, it’s not good for you or us.” Dannika clutched her chest, leaning over in her chair as Riley did the same. The women groaned in unison.
CHAPTER15
Pain seared Riley’s head before the darkness faded and an image began to take shape. She glanced down at the pressure on her right hand before realizing she wasn’t alone.
Dannika held their clasped hands up. “How are you here?”
Riley glanced around the hazy room as the rock formations took shape. “I don’t know. I’ve seen you in a vision but you were never with me before. This feels different.”
Dannika squeezed her hand. “Don’t let go. Whatever is here we are meant to see it.” The women turned back to the forming cavern. “It’s the cave where the portals opened.”
As if summoned, a large demon with black oily skin, and yellow serrated teeth entered the cavern. His large red eyes illuminated the darkness, accentuating his spiked horns. He was nimble despite his spindly legs and made his way to the smooth surface that had once been used to open a portal. He clutched the demon caller in his gnarled fingers, encasing the artifact with his gray claws.
“Deruthel,” Dannika whispered.
The demon turned his head, searching the darkness. “Priestess?”
Both women held their breath, squeezing each other’s hand.
When his inquiry brought no response, Deruthel placed the chalice on the ground. He took a glass vial from the bowl, then removed the cork and poured the crimson contents into the demon caller.
He picked up the chalice and swirled his hand in the blood before slapping it to the wall. “Anum caru. Anum candrae. Belifrite toleran solorin.”
A cracking sound echoed in the chamber before an orange light split the surface of the stone. Pebbles and dust fell from the ceiling, landing on Deruthel’s shoulders. While his body shook, his spindly legs appeared to absorb the shock, making it easier for him to remain upright as the cavern around him rumbled.
Small bits of stone sucked inward, creating an orange eye in the middle of the wall, before a voice boomed through.
“The portal is not stable.”
“No, my king. As per your arrangement, the Bokor left us with vials of blood, but we cannot create a stable portal. We can only use it to bring over as many soldiers as possible until we locate the vessel,” Deruthel said.
“The next batch of soldiers are ready. Find the vessel quickly,” the king said before a second crack echoed through the wall and the stone fell away. Black oily bodies squeezed through the tight opening, grunting as their skin was scraped by the jagged rocks.
Less than two minutes passed before the stones began to reform, closing the portal. Shrieks and growls echoed through the tunnels as larger demons were trapped on the other side, leaving only the rat like creatures’ passage. Dozens of tiny bodies swarmed through the small opening before it sealed and the light dimmed.
Deruthel picked up the chalice as a demon approached him. “Welcome Thankar.”
The soldier demon bowed to Deruthel. “The king is impatient. How do we stabilize the portal?”
“The blood is old and losing its potency. We must get the vessel before her blood is tainted,” Deruthel said.
“And you’re positive she exists?” Thankar asked.
“Yes, we are making arrangements to acquire her.” He placed the demon caller against his chest, cradling it with his clawed hand. “Join the others. I will be along shortly.” His subordinate left as he glanced around the cavern one more time.
