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CHAPTER13
Riley and Colton coalesced just inside the entrance of the mine. She glanced at the planks that boarded up the entrance, inhaling the smell of rot and stale water. “Are these mines attached to the wolf caves?”
Colton touched the surface of the damp rock. “This mine was built hundred years before the mine was inhabited by the wolves. I believe there was a cave-in, and the tunnels were deemed unsafe. They moved to the opposite side of the mountain and started excavation. That doesn’t alter the fact that this property is owned by Raine. He inherited Maddock’s property, and this location is owned by the parent company of both mines.”
Riley glanced through the rotting planks barring the entrance. “Should we wait for Ferguson?”
Colton focused on the tunnel. “I can’t hear anything, but Ferguson would have ensured we entered away from the demons so they weren’t alerted to our presence when we arrived.”
Riley sucked in a breath as Ferguson coalesced beside her. “Dammit! I swear I’m going to put a bell around his neck.”
“My apologies,” Ferguson said. “There were no demons on the other side of the mountain. There is an inner chamber. Let’s walk toward it and see how close we can get before we encounter the enemy.”
Ferguson went first with Colton and Riley following behind him. Thick wooden beams stained with tar bracketed the inner rock walls, but they were cracked and rotting. Dirt dropped from the ceiling as they walked and roots hung low, causing them to move them with their hands as they passed.
Riley stepped over the broken pick handle and several bits of chain before they skirted around a broken handcart. Dirt had settled over the old rails. Had she not kicked some loose gravel to expose the rail beneath, she would not have realized it was still there.
The ceiling was much lower in this cave than that in the wolves. Both Colton and Ferguson had to stoop down in order to traverse the tunnel. Their boots echoed as they shuffled along, scattering loose earth in their wake. She focused on the muffled staccato until realizing it was a slow drip of water. They neared a section immersed in water and were forced to wade to their knees where the tunnel had eroded before emerging on the other side.
“Why would the demons pick such a precarious location? This place looks like it could collapse at any moment,” Riley asked.
Ferguson glanced back at her. “The mine was closed for that very reason. The inner cavern is stable. I believe the demons are in that location.”
They all stopped when they heard the echo of a scream. Ferguson put his finger to his lips, crouching lower as he moved forward quietly. She and Colton followed his lead.
As they neared the rock wall, she realized the cavern was two levels down. They were on the upper floor, overlooking of rock room full of demons.
Ferguson pointed at the two demons carrying a woman’s body from the center of the room. Deruthel had set up another mock throne. This time it was far less elaborate. A single chair with stones in a circle around it.
Deruthel motioned to a female who knelt outside the circle of stones. Other demons ran their hands over her body in obvious appreciation. Despite their lustful growls and wandering hands, her eyes remained on Deruthel.
“Come to me, Sienna,” Deruthel said.
The demon woman scrambled toward him eagerly. She nuzzled his hand eagerly as he petted her.
Deruthel turned when Halak approached him. “She is the only one to last the week. Are you optimistic about her survival?”
Halak put his hand out to Sienna. Riley put her hand over her mouth as she watched the woman lick it. “She has shown no signs of rejection so far. Even if she dies, we are close to a permanent solution.”
“Excellent, I...”
Halak’s body contorted and shook before he straightened. His voice boomed with that of a being far more powerful. “Have your tests born fruit?”
Deruthel stood. “We are close my king.”
The demons in the cavern went to their knees, bowing before the demon possessing Halak’s body.
Deruthel pointed at Sienna. “This one appears stable. We will wait to see if she remains so and then administer the serum to several more females.”
The king flicked his fingers, and Sienna stood before him. He ran his hands over her breasts. “She appears fertile. Breed her immediately.”
Deruthel’s eyes hardened. “I have chosen another to bear my first, Ashkara. Halak is my second; I will have him take her unless you wish to carry out that honor.”
The king’s eyes flared. “You may have any I do not choose and pass the rest onto your men.” He held up his hand and Deruthel dropped to his knees with his hands around his neck. “Do not forget your place. I have allowed you to have far more power than any before you.”
“I live to serve you, mighty Ashkara. All beings in this world are yours by right. I misspoke. I meant to say I have two women chosen and will take that which you do not.”
Halak dropped his hand, and Deruthel took a long breath. “I have chosen. You may have the other.”
