Page 76 of Their Demon

I couldn’t move, fearing what might happen if he discovered me lurking inside the corridor. Panic filled my veins as I was blasted with thoughts of what it would be like if hedidfind me, the terror I would feel as he gave me an agonizing death of being burned or eaten.

Fuck me. I needed to calm myself down before I pissed my pants.

The stomping hadn’t started back up again, and that worried me. Was he waiting for me at the end of the hall? Mouth open wide and ready to eat me?

A thundering, angry roar filled the cave, and I took the chance to peek around the corner, the loud noise hiding my movements.

I saw the exit…

And one gigantic, black, scaly foot with terrifying blood-stained claws. Each of his toes had to be as big as I was, if not bigger. I’d never seen anything so enormous, almost not believing my own eyes.

I tucked myself back around the corner, pressing my back against the wall, and took a few slow, quiet breaths. The grenade in my hand felt heavy, and I looked at it as I gave myself a silent pep talk. I reminded myself of all the shit I’d already survived and that I’d been training for this, practicing day and night. Not only that, but I reminded myself of the smug look on the face of the man who’d orchestrated this whole thing, so cocky, so certain I’d perish during this trial. Then, I reminded myself of his sons, the men who’d saved me and given me a life I wanted to keep enjoying.

I held the grenade close to my chest, taking one more second to prepare myself before leaning around the corner, pulling out the pin, and throwing it as hard as I could. I didn’t stick around to watch where it landed or even if it made it all the way down the hall.

My hands came over my ears as protection, and I waited for a boom or explosion, but nothing happened. Instead, the floor quaked as the dragon moved around again, and then there was one big tremor before awhooshof air ripped through the hall.

I stilled, waiting for more movement or sound, but it was quiet. All I could hear was the dragon's deep, slow, steady breathing. Aridam was out.

It didn’t matter that he was fast asleep; he was the most terrifying thing I’d ever laid eyes on. The picture of a Hell Dragon Keir had shown me didnotdo this beast justice. Seeing him printed onto a small page made him much less intimidating, but looking at him now, I wasn’t sure his frightening aura could have been captured on a piece of paper anyway.

He was fucking gargantuan. He had to be the size of four two-story houses, at least. His head and tail were curled toward his body as he slept. Along with being enormous, he was menacing-looking, even in his sleep. Some of his blood-stained teeth were peeking out from below his lips.

I stepped toward the door to my left, no more than forty feet away, keeping my back to the wall and my eyes on Aridam. My eyes drifted up to the ceiling painted in a bright blue glow, and it seemed to sway like it was a living, breathing thing. It provided enough light to see everything, something I was beyond grateful for.

I studied the room, spotting the grenade that had traveled an impressive distance onto the floor near the dragon, still spewing dark pink smoke. The space was smaller than I would have thought a dragon his size would need. He had plenty of room to move around, and it was clear he’d been kept fed, considering the bones scattered around, but there was no way he could fly in here. For a second, I felt sorry for him, but then he stirred, his giant head shifting as he let out a breath, and I almost shit myself.

I froze and waited for him to stop moving, and once it was quiet again, I proceeded to step very carefully down the wall and into the treasure room.

The ‘treasure room’ was like a catch-all space for expensive, beautiful things. There were gold coins everywhere, piled up and spilling all over the floor. Intricately designed rugs and tapestries filled the walls and hung from the ceiling. Ornate boxes were stacked about, some tossed or shoved into the piles of coins. Various trinkets, dishes, crowns, and jewels were scattered among lots of other treasures.

It was as if someone threw it all in here and walked away.

I took my backpack off my shoulders and went to work, sifting through the valuables for the coins and jewels. As I filled the bag, I’d stop and hold it up, bouncing it around to get a good feel for the weight. I’d add more or take some out then repeat the process.

I wasn’t sure how much time had passed. Sweat formed on my forehead as I questioned myself over and over. This was nothing like practice. This was actual life or death, and that would be determined by whether I could do this… perfectly.

Clink. Clink.

My attention was pulled from my trial when I heard rustling somewhere in the room, coins hitting the stone floor. The scuffling continued, getting louder.

The only warning of danger I had was the fierce howl that bounced off the walls. I stood up quickly, dropping my bag on the floor and spilling its contents. I peeled the pockets on my thighs open and released my daggers, holding one in each hand and positioning myself for defense.

I’d sparred with Keir hundreds of times. I could do this. I could defend myself. I’d already proven myself capable.

I scanned the room carefully, looking for any indication of where the sounds were coming from, where my attacker might be lurking. I saw nothing, but the back of the room was darker than night, since the only light I had was the glowing substance on the ceiling that barely crawled into the treasure room, only lighting the front section. No telling how far back the room went nor how many prized possessions this cave truly held.

Clank.

The sounds came from the right of me, and I jerked in its direction, eyes scouring the darkness for whoever was there. I could see the outline of something, or someone, but it was moving strangely.

Whatever it was lunged at me, exposing itself to the light. I brought my daggers up to deflect the sword the green, bumpy-skinned creature swung at me. It was totally naked, a shriveled-up appendage between his legs, and totally unbothered by his lack of clothing. His hair was spindly, falling out of his head. He was hunched over, his legs bent more than I would think comfortable. He looked like a lower-level demon, but much more decrepit looking than the others I’d encountered.

“Stop!” I screamed, hoping he would quit attacking me long enough to allow me a chance to explain myself. Maybe he’d understand and just let me leave with what I needed.

He didn’t relent, though, continuing to push down against my daggers with his sword. My arms were starting to shake, but I wouldn’t give up. I pushed back with all my might, hoping to create distance between us.

Schwing.

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