Page 109 of The Death King

I closed my eyes while I clung desperately to his scales, knowing if I looked down, I would let go and plummet. The wind rippled through my hair and made it smack against my chest. My fingers were slippery and barely hanging on.

Inferno turned on his axis, making me lie flat against him. CRAWL AND I’LL TURN. He began to turn back over as he glided, and I pulled myself forward and moved to his back as he turned parallel to the ground. I grabbed on to one of his front spikes and held on for dear life. I can’t believe that just happened.

IT’S NOT OVER.

A jet of fire came from behind, so hot it felt like a reddened coal right at the back of my neck. I instinctively ducked, but there was nowhere for me to go. It was up to Inferno to get us out of there.

Khazmuda appeared at my side in the dark, Talon on his back, his cape billowing behind him, looking like the king that he was. His eyes were on me, his face livid. You think you can run from me?

IGNORE HIM.

I can’t do that.

CLOSE YOUR MIND. PRETEND HE’S A CAVE AND YOU’RE SEALING IT WITH A BOULDER.

Land. I want to talk about this?—

I didn’t want to hear his voice, so I clenched my entire body and cut him off.

It must have worked because I didn’t hear his voice, and he looked pissed.

Khazmuda suddenly lunged, hitting Inferno in the side and knocking him off-balance.

“Roooaaarrrrr.” Inferno turned his body directly into Khazmuda’s path, knocking him so hard he disappeared.

Don’t hurt them.

YOU REALLY THINK THEY WOULD SHOW US THAT MERCY?

I think we’d be dead right now if they didn’t.

YOU UNDERESTIMATE ME.

It’s not you. He’s a necromancer. I’d never witnessed the full potential of his powers, but I’d heard the stories. I knew he was capable of so much more.

HE MAY CONTROL THE DEAD, BUT I CONTROL FIRE. He flew hard into the darkness, the wind in my hair the only measurement of speed. We flew faster than I’d ever experienced, far faster than Khazmuda had ever taken me.

Then something hit us, hit us hard. The collision was so powerful, I was nearly knocked off the spike and sent into the darkness, my body spinning uncontrollably, my vision a blur until I hit the ground and was dead.

But then enormous talons encircled me and caught me in midair. My body stopped spinning. I searched for Inferno, but it was too dark. Inferno? Are you okay?

No response.

Inferno!

I felt us descend lower toward the earth, the talons so strong they were like iron bars from a cell. I knew it was Khazmuda who had me, that he would get me to safety and not drop me.

I’M HERE.

My heart almost burst in relief. I’m so glad you’re okay.

BUT THEY WON’T BE SOON ENOUGH.

Stop. I don’t want anyone to get hurt.

Inferno didn’t answer.

Inferno?

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