Page 19 of Cage Me

“We're pinned down behind an outcropping of rocks, but that's all I can tell you.”

“I'm coming. I'm getting close.” The glow from the shard was brighter than ever before.

Azy also thought she heard the screeches of demon dragons and the clang of a metal sword on rocks up ahead. Yes, she did.

“This is not the way I imagined first hearing those words from your mouth.”

Seriously? He was bringing up sex now?

She grinned despite herself. No, no. There would be no liking this man just because he could keep a sense of humor in a rough situation. She would not let his good looks go to her head. She needed her head if she was going to make it through the rest of this day alive.

“Keep it in your pants there, buddy. I wouldn't want you to lose any important bits before we get a chance to use them.”

That was not what she meant to say. Not out loud.

Stupid head. Hadn't she just decided there would be no flirting? Besides, only a crazy person would get their flirt on in the middle of a battle with demon dragons. She needed to stay sane here.

“Oh, I plan to use it, not lose it.” Cage said that at the same time as swinging his sword and running through a demon dragon who had dropped into his hiding place.

Jesus, that was close.

Azy saw where the tunnel she'd been following opened up. It was a steep climb to that cavern. Some pseudo-stairs had been carved into the incline. There was barely enough room for her toes to get a grip as she climbed. There were fresh scratch marks all along the floor, and it seemed that this was the same path the demon dragons had used.

This was a new area to her. She thought she had explored almost all of the bottom level of the caldera, but the route the shard had taken her on she never would have found on her own.

Her instincts told her they were much closer to the surface than the level she normally spent her time on.

At the top of the steep staircase, she peeked over the ledge and into the ensuing battle. Two Annunaki demons had their great feathered wings out and were divebombing a black dragon, tearing at his scales with their beaks, beating it with their fists, like some kind of dark demonic angels. Demon dragons were surrounding it. But, each time one would try to join in the attack Cage, with his golden sword, would pop up from behind the rocks and chop off its head, or slice it open, turning dozens of them to ash.

Azy recognized the black dragon. He had brought her food and water when she had first been kidnapped. She had thought he was just a more intelligent or more developed demon. She'd never gotten a good look at him like this before and hadn't realize that he was significantly more than those pawns.

“They've got to be coming from somewhere. Find it, get out. I can't hold them back much longer.”

Cage’s head popped up again and quickly surveyed the small cavern. The place had many dark alcoves where demon dragons were manifesting. No wonder she hadn't seen any in the tunnels, they were all here, or on their way here. That had to mean Kur-Jara wasn't far behind.

“The bastards are coming from everywhere.”

“I know there is a side tunnel in here somewhere. Fucking find it.”

That was Azy's cue. She climbed out of the tunnel and raise the sword over her head, She-Ra Princess of power style. Her shard lit up the room as if the sun was suddenly shining underground, and a warmth and power seeped into her, giving her strength. Demon dragons shrank back and whined at the power of the light.

Okay, now what?

Cage had sunk to one knee, both he and the black dragon looked over at her. In fact, every eye in the room was on her. Out of the side of her mouth she stage-whispered to the two of them. “Come on.”

One of the demon dragons shook off the effects of the bright light and screeched out at her. “Mate. Get mate. AllFather want.”

The room erupted into answering screeches, and en masse they moved toward her.

“Shit.” She extended the sword out in front of her, because that was going to do anything. “Bring it on, mother fuckers.”

The black dragon jumped in front of her and spread his wings wide, blowing a swath of fire, eviscerating the front row of demons. “Go, go, go.”

Cage barreled out from behind the outcropping of rocks and crashed into Azy, taking them both tumbling down the steps and into the tunnel.

They landed with an oomph at the bottom, him on top of her, but cradled in his arms so she’d barely felt a thing. He’d taken the brunt of the fall, but didn’t seem hurt by it.

He rolled so he wasn’t crushing her, but she ended up straddling him.

---