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I glanced at my watch. “But there isn’t enough time. We won’t make it.”
“We have to try,” he said just as an echoing squawk sounded high above us.
A chill crept into my bones as one of the giant flying demons sailed overhead, circling us. “We’ve been caught,” I whispered in terror. “They must’ve sent all those beasts out searching for us.”
Weirdly, Vas didn’t looked frightened when the demon landed before us, its weight causing an explosion of dirt to fly up into the air and spatter us in the face. It was a ferocious looking beast, part bird, part dragon, part something else entirely. Its dark, scaly skin had a shimmery gleam up close and I’d be entranced if I wasn’t so terrified. It also had massive, sharp, fanged teeth that did little to assuage my fear.
“She’s not a demon,” Vas said, distracting me, his eyes tracing the beast’s massive wings. “At least not entirely.”
I frowned at him. She? “What is she then?”
“Part demon, part gargoyle.” Vas motioned down to the claw-like feet that were adorned with…wait, were those shackles? “And just as much of a prisoner as all the other poor souls we left down in the mine.”
I blinked, a wave of sadness crashing over me. “Do you mean to tell me she’s enslaved, too?”
“The Dicteps and other High Demons control them. The clamps around their ankles contain the same trackers Red Armand implanted into me and Sven. They also give a painful electrical shock if they try to fly outside the bounds of the city.”
I returned my attention to the demon gargoyle, suddenly seeing her in a completely different light. She wasn’t a watcher prowling the skies for victims. She was a victim herself, forced to do the bidding of those who kept her captive.
Vas made a move to approach the beast but I grabbed his arm. “What are you doing?!”
“Trying something.” His voice was shockingly calm. I released my grip, heart racing as I watched him step closer. Vas turned his eyes away and held out his hand. The demon gargoyle reared back, her features drawn in suspicion. She threw up her beak, giving another loud squawk and I worried she was calling to the others, communicating that she’d found the escapees.
Vas continued to avert his gaze, holding his palm up and then the most unexpected thing occurred. The demon gargoyle lowered her head, warily eyeing Vas as she sniffed his hand. Slowly, Vas lay his hand upon the beast’s forehead and a strange vibration went through me. Some sixth sense told me they were communicating.
Finally, Vas withdrew his hand then bent to his knees to inspect the clamps. I watched, holding my breath as a whisper of magic swept through the air. Vas was casting a spell, a smaller, more manageable one than the sort required to teleport.
Suddenly, the clamps fell away from the beast’s ankles and she lowered her body, making a chirping sound as though in gratitude.
Vas turned to me, holding his hand out. “Come. She’s going to fly us to the portal.”
I gaped at him. “She’s what now?”
“I promised to remove her trackers in return for a short trip upon her back. It will take minutes where walking will be hours. Now come, before she changes her mind.”
Trembling, I allowed Vas to take my hand. He assisted me up onto the beast’s back before climbing on behind me. His strong arms encircled my waist, making me feel grounded while the beast flapped its wings and seconds later gracefully ascended into the air.
My breath caught as we rose high above the city, the wind in my hair. I turned my head, staring back at Treyu, the buildings getting smaller and smaller as we flew away.
One sentiment filled me then, not of relief to finally be away forever. No, I was filled with a determination to come back.
“I thought teleporting was a rush,” Vas said, his mouth at my ear. “But this is something else.”
He wasn’t wrong. If the Oreylian terrain below us wasn’t so hellish I’d almost describe this moment as magical.
A shiver tiptoed down my spine at his closeness, his scent surrounding me, and my mind returned to our kiss. It had taken me completely by surprise but I had to admit to myself that it wasn’t unwelcome. I’d enjoyed the kiss far more than I wished to contemplate.
A few minutes later we began our descent. In the distance I could see three small figures. As we got closer, I recognised Sven, Demi and Ren, all three of them gaping up at us like they couldn’t believe what they were seeing. I gripped Vas’ wrists when we finally landed. The demon gargoyle waited for us to climb off then flew away swiftly, eager to claim her newfound freedom.
We were in the very same spot where Ren and I had arrived five days ago. Our friends ran up to us, short of breath. “How did you convince that thing to fly you here?” Ren asked, eyes wide with amazement as he took in my outfit. “And where did you get that fabulous frock?”
