Page 78 of Queen of the Underworld

Time the scaly, horned black creature didn’t give her. It continued its charge, lowering its large head, shifting it into a position where the two horns that protruded forwards from its bony brow and the one that jutted from above its nostrils were pointed right at her.

She hit a hard right that had her bouncing off a tree and pirouetted around it and kicked off again, another shriek bursting from her when the creature slammed into the tree behind her, smashing it to pieces.

A swift prayer to the Moirai left her lips as she ran, struggling to keep hold of the heavy branch she had foolishly thought to use as a weapon. The pointed tip of it had looked like a perfect spear for stabbing the beast, until she had seen it possessed seven spears of its own. Two more protruded from its head on each side, the lowest pair jutting backwards over its broad shoulders and the middle pair sticking upwards. If she tried to stab it from the front, it would catch her with one of its own weapons. Not only that, but a thick bony plate covered its forehead and travelled down its long muzzle.

Her spear would break on it.

Her only chance was getting behind the beast, which was easier said than done given its speed. It matched hers despite the fact it was twice her size and had to weigh several hundred pounds.

She clenched her hands around her weapon, refusing to give up. She would just have to slow it down. It was larger than she was, and she doubted it could smash its way through every tree in the forest without the impacts taking a toll on it. Eventually, it would tire and an opening would present itself.

Persephone hit another hard right and then an immediate left, placing another tree between her and the beast and weaving deeper into the heart of the forest. Her breath sawed from her lips. Of course, she would also tire if she kept running like this.

She cursed Hades. If he had given her food she could trust, she wouldn’t be in this position. She would be stronger.

If he hadn’t sealed her powers, she would have been even better off, able to use them to protect herself and maybe even fight.

She cursed Nyx too, sure now that the goddess had dropped her in this valley on purpose and had been aware of the hungry creatures that called it home. Nyx didn’t just want her gone from the Underworld.

She wanted her dead.

Persephone grunted as the beast barged through another tree and a chunk of it caught her in the back, knocking the breath from her. It also knocked the creature off course, so it missed her with its horns.

And shot past her.

She unleashed a war cry as she thrust her spear at it, not wasting a second, part of her stunned by how quickly she had reacted to take advantage of the opening. The point of her weapon struck home, lancing the black beast’s flank, and a pained bellow burst from it.

It kicked off, escaping her, and her heart lodged in her throat as it turned towards her and halted a short distance away.

Blood spilled over its rough skin as it stared her down, its midnight eyes giving nothing away.

Persephone readied her weapon again, steeling and steadying herself, preparing for their next clash.

Seconds ticked past, each one fraying her courage.

And then the beast turned tail and ran.

Her shoulders sagged, the tip of her spear falling to strike the ground as her strength and the tension flooded from her, followed by an incredible sensation that made her feel invincible. Was this what victory felt like?

She could certainly see why many gods and some goddesses enjoyed a good battle. It had been frightening, but exhilarating, and now she was buzzing.

If only Nyx or Hades could have seen her. Neither of them would have doubted her courage and strength anymore. Still, she sighed, she had shown the most important person that she could fight and could be brave, and face whatever life threw at her.

She had shown it to herself.

She frowned and angled her head to her left.

The strange sound she had heard during her fight against the beast was louder now.

Clearer.

Like thumping.

Whooshing?

She frowned and turned this way and that, seeking the source of the noise as it grew louder still, the heavy beat becoming the only thing she knew. Her stomach clenched as something hit her.

It was coming from above.

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