Page 97 of Princess Avenged

He nods. “Fucker is tamped down tight.”

Ember glances toward Crusher, who nods.

“As soon as I open the portal, I’ll release the magic constraining Phil.” Ember looks at me, fear in her eyes, and then turns to Crusher. “Ana should enter first, to make sure Phil follows?—”

“I’d follow her anywhere,” Phil says, as if Ember suggested otherwise.

Ember keeps her focus on Crusher. “You follow directly behind Phil. Understand?”

He nods stiffly, and I suddenly sense that the two of them discussed more last night than Crusher let on. But it’s too late to ask questions now, and I’m not even sure I want to know the answers. If Ember told Crusher more details about what we’re about to face, I’m glad one of us knows.

Crusher’s body is tense, like he’s preparing for battle, and nerves scramble inside me, threatening to paralyze my muscles. I shake them off, letting strength and courage banish my fear. I have no time for fear now. I must save the world. I must save Phil.

Turning away from Phil, I touch the dagger under my sleeve. Based on what Ember told me, it’s possible that the demon can sense the weapon is nearby. But if Phil sees me touching my arm, the demon might guess its location.

“Ready?” Ember asks.

We all nod.

She flicks her wrist, and Phil stumbles forward. His gaze shifts toward me, and my heart nearly breaks from the pain and longing I see in his eyes.

“Can I hold you?” he asks. “Just for a second, before…” He turns toward Ember. “It’s me. I have it under control.”

Ember shakes her head, clearly hating the idea, but I dash toward Phil, and we fall into each other’s arms.

“Ana, no!” Crusher yells.

But love and desire explode inside me at once as Phil’s strength wraps around me like a massive, heavy blanket, making me feel safe, making me feel like I’m home.

Maybe we don’t need to do this. Maybe Phil’s okay like this. Maybe he has figured out how to control this demon. Maybe he’s banished him all on his own.

Phil’s body tenses. A growl builds up in his chest, one so visceral I feel it rising.

“Finally,” he growls in my ear. “Finally, you are mine.” His voice sounds unnatural.

I try to push away, but his hold is too tight.

Phil screams in anguish. His arms drop from my body, and he staggers back.

“Open it!” He screams. “Now!”

Ember closes her eyes, mouths an incantation I can’t comprehend, and then swirls her wrist. A hole appears in the ground in front of the statue, with a ladder leading into abject blackness.

I stare agape.

“Go.” She grabs my hand. “Quickly. And come back. Come back, no matter what happens.”

Nodding. I head for the ladder and start to descend.

Chapter

Forty-One

Ana

Idescend the first two dozen or so rungs of the ladder, moving so rapidly I fear I’ll lose hold, but when I feel the vibrations of Phil following, I slow slightly, keeping pace with him as we go down. I can no longer see any hint of the hole we came through. I can’t even see Phil’s silhouette above me. The metal rungs are cold against my hands, but I can’t see them either. It’s like I’ve been swallowed by a black hole.

I will my night vision to click in, something that should occur automatically, but nothing happens. Clearly vampiric night vision doesn’t work in this long tunnel that’s darker than anything I’ve ever experienced before.

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