AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be.” She jerked away, desperate to avoid his touch. “Let’s get this over with.”
He lowered his hand, his expression impossible to read. “Fine.” He folded his arms over his chest. “Obviously you’re as stubborn as your king, but if you wish to survive, you’ll listen to me once we’re in the labyrinth. It’s the only way both of us will return.”
“Agreed,” she said without hesitation. This male was the only one who supposedly entered the labyrinth and lived to tell the tale. She would have to depend on him to survive. That still didn’t mean that she trusted him. She narrowed her eyes. “But I promise that if you try to escape or lead me into a snare, you’ll regret it.”
The sensual scent of amber drenched the air as the dark gaze moved slowly down the length of her body.
“One thing you should know about jinn, Sofie, is that we are captivated by a challenge.”
Her fingers tightened on the hilt of the dagger. “Get this straight, Ryshi. I am not a challenge.”
“Too late.” His fingers brushed her cheek. A caress as light as the sweep of a butterfly wing and yet it seared her as if he’d used a branding iron. “Stay close.”
He turned to disappear through the portal and Sofie grudgingly forced herself to follow.
“Like I have a choice?”
Chapter 5
Ryshi came to a halt as soon as he was through the portal, glancing cautiously from side to side. There was a blast of icy power as Sofie entered the labyrinth and stood at his side. Her eyes widened as she took in the sunny meadow surrounded by a frame of thick cedar trees.
It wasn’t the daylight that brought the confusion to her face. It was easy to detect it was magic, not the real sun that would have turned her to a pile of ash. Or even the bucolic village across the field that was circled by cottages with thatched roofs and freshly scrubbed windows.
Her confusion was clearly directed at the sight of the numerous demons who were gathered in the center of the village, eating at the long wooden tables. Ryshi understood her bewilderment. The place appeared to be the perfect setting for a tribe of fey creatures, but there were more than fairies and imps among the large group. There were at least three orcs, a couple of trolls, and even a few goblins. There was also a vampire standing alone in the shadow of a large oak tree.
Sofie shook her head. “This isn’t what I was expecting.”
“Don’t be fooled,” Ryshi murmured, leading her through a thick patch of wildflowers. There were no pathways leading to the village. As if encouraging any trespasser to head in the opposite direction. “The moment they detect an intruder they’ll attack.”
She gave a sharp nod, staying close to his side as they walked forward. She wasn’t afraid. Her scent would have revealed her fear. But she was wisely cautious as they approached the gathering.
“Where is the opening?”
Ryshi shrugged. “I have to look for it.”
She sent him a sharp glance. “Don’t you remember?”
“The illusions are never exactly the same. Sometimes they change while you’re still in them.” He wrinkled his nose. “Sometimes they disappear altogether. That’s when you better hope you’re close to an exit.”
“Great. So we just wander around until you manage to find it?”
“Pretty much. Oh, and try not to die.” Ryshi came to a halt, turning to face her. “Speaking of which.” He waved his hand over her, close enough to feel her biting chill without actually touching her skin.
She stiffened. “What are you doing?”
Ryshi watched as his power floated and swirled through the air before coating the vampire in a layer of magic.
“Hiding you in my essence,” he told his companion. “You should be able to pass through the magic without being detected.”
She glanced down, as if unable to sense the masking spell. “I’m invisible?”
His lips twitched. “Not quite. But it will hopefully prevent the minotaur spell from recognizing you as an intruder. At least until we can find the exit.”
He turned to continue toward the village, feeling Sofie hesitate before hurrying to catch up with his long strides.
“Why are we going toward the demons? Wouldn’t it make more sense to start at the edge of the meadow and work your way in?”
