Page 58 of The Blood Crown

An impossible task—but so was trying to stay alive underneath the giant beacon of burning pines above their heads. The demons would continue to flood into this clearing so long as the evidence of her magick was here.

Ven tossed his dagger to Tanis, which seemed to shake the human from her daze as they began to fight their way through the horde.

Claws and teeth met them at every turn. Valea cleared a path ahead, picking off demons as Aurelia and the others sliced through the ones that attacked their flank. They could see the edge of the crowd . . . close enough that if they broke through it, they would only have to outrun the creatures until daybreak.

Only a glimmer of a chance—

A low growl ripped through the forest.

The haze of grey ash had just cleared when Aurelia caught the monstrous shadow in the distance. Dread washed over her as she realized what was coming toward them.

The ground shook as the death hound closed the distance—too fast for them to possibly outrun. Its green eyes tracked her, drenching Aurelia with fresh panic as it cut through the line of demons.

Valea began to nock her arrows with an efficiency that only could have come from centuries of practice, frantically trying to clear their path as the Fengul charged toward them—only to grasp at air as she reached behind her shoulder. Slinging the bow across her back, she pulled the blade from her hip, gripping its hilt.

Karro rolled out of its path, barely dodging its sharp teeth, earning a snarl of rage from the beast.

The demon circled, growling as it prowled closer. Its glowing eyes searched for Aurelia. She knew its task now—the command that the King of the Void had given his death hounds. To track her—not to kill her.

She glanced between Karro and Ven, hoping that they understood as she detached herself from Valea and Tanis, drawing the wolf-like demon away.

Green eyes tracked her slow, measured steps.

Massive claws dug into the frozen ground and the Fengul lunged—

Exploding into a cloud of black ash above her.

Ven hit the ground beside her, hauling her back to her feet as she wiped the soot from her eyes.

They were surrounded, the circle of demons tightening as a hush fell over the forest. Every demon stilled at whatever else stalked amongst them. And a singular sound echoed through the pines, trailing icy claws over her skin. Something heavy dragged across the frozen earth . . .

A silhouette cut through the horde of demons like a blade. Unhurried. Purposeful.

And in the quiet, a voice slithered through the night air.

I offered your lives in exchange for the female once before. I will not be so benevolent again.

A green haze glowed in the distance.

Maloch’s face appeared in the night, hauntingly perfect save for the crude stitches that sewed his mouth shut, eyes luminescent against the glossy ebony of his skin. His powerfully muscled arms ended in black bands inked upon his wrists. And had he not been a prince of the Void, she would have thought them shackles. Beside him, his heavy scythe drug across the ground, clawing at the earth with every step.

And beside the dark shadow of a male, another figure. White against the backdrop of night.

Chapter 30

Aurelia froze at the familiar face that gazed at her now. Through her. Milky white eyes focused on everything and nothing at once. Asmodeous’ mouth curved into a cruel smile as he took his place beside his brother, the two males like the opposing chess pieces.

The same black bands that adorned Maloch’s wrists were etched into Asmodeous’ as well. No weapon in his hand—as if he himself was a much greater threat than any blade.

“Are you so eager to see your companions die?” Asmodeous asked, the words giving voice to Aurelia's greatest fear. “Come with us and they will be spared.” He offered, revealing gleaming, perfect teeth, somehow worse than his brother’s disfigured mouth. “I am more—forgivingthan my brother,” he purred with a tilt of his head toward Maloch.

The offer was tempting. So tempting . . .

They’d been running for so damned long that she nearly wondered what relief might taste like if she simply . . . stopped.

“Don’t listen to him,” Ven murmured from beside her, adjusting his grip on his sword, “cast him out of your mind.”

And she realized he didn’t just mean the words the white prince spoke as she shook her head, feeling a weight slither out of her thoughts as Asmodeous gave a self-satisfied chuckle.

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