Page 85 of Wings of Destiny

How are they sneaking down here without us sensing them?

“Anything else? Why were they following her?”

“Why do you think? The Demons think she’s this ‘Key’. They saw the opportunity and tried to take it. They were weaker ones, weirdly enough. They probably thought if they captured her, that piece of shit Erebus would grant them some sort of reprieve or praise or some shit.”

If they were weak, Erebus probably sent them after her as a warning.

“You’re probably right. But if that were the case, how did they get past you?” Something didn’t sit right, my stomach turned.

The weight of the world sat on both our shoulders. Air whooshed from Derik’s lungs. “I don’t know, Seth, but we need to figure that out asap. And in case Erin really is this ‘Key’ they’re looking for, we might want to up the ante on her training. Fighting and her powers.”

And keeping her as far away from Erebus’s grimy hands as possible.

Josh walked in at that moment, towel slung over his shoulders. “I can help with that.”

Of course.

Chapter twenty-nine

Erin

“Erin. You are beginning to run out of time.”

“I’m trying here. What more do you want from me?” I reigned in the defensiveness in my voice.

The man from my nightmares appeared in front of me. His hair flowed behind him, cascading down his back. Shimmering outlines sprouted from behind him. Black nothingness encapsulated us. No skies or valleys to be seen. Everything had been striped away, only the two of us remained.

“You must try harder. Look closer at the things around you. Your powers, they must be strengthened. There are beings coming. Things you are not yet prepared for. I’d thought our previous encounter would’ve given you more incentive.”

I blew out a breath. “Okay, mystery man. What exactly do I need to do? I’m training daily. I run to work, I’m sparring and fighting with Seth and Derik. I’ve mastered the fire and sparks. What more do I need to do?”

“You must train harder. The information you’ve been gathering on the Demons, you must dive deeper.”

“What am I missing?”

“That is not for me to disclose, Erin. You must discover it on your own, as you did with your fire. Look within.”

“You’ve got to give me more than that.”

“Dive deeper, Miss Snow.”

And then he was gone.

I awoke to a light thumping on the bedroom door. I groaned as I rolled over, attempting to drown it out. Libby was still asleep next to me, her breathing heavy, indicating that she remained in a deep sleep.

Lucky.

The rasping continued and I hissed under my breath as I dragged myself out of the warmth of my blanket. I peaked in the mirror on the dresser, wrinkling my nose at the mop of tangled hair, strands poked out every which way, mascara smudged under my eyes, baggy shirt doused in pizza grease stains and chip dust from the night before.

Talk about a mess and a half.

I sighed as I silently opened the door and stepped out. It clicked behind me, and I looked up to find myself nearly face-to-chest with Josh.

Jeez, warn a girl, could ya?

“Good morning, Miss Erin. Did you sleep well?” Josh asked, his voice husky.

I hissed under my breath. Then poked him in the chest. “Okay, first of all, personal space please,” I half-whispered. “Second of all, it’s rude to wake someone up before dawn. Borderline criminal offense in my opinion.”

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