Page 91 of Witch Queen

“I’m sorry. I’m sorry it’s taken me so long to get here, my love!”

Ran Soyun’s chin trembled as she drifted down to where her husband crouched. “Don’t, Az. It wasn’t your fault.”

They reached for one another, only to flinch when Barquiel’s powers sparked against their fingers. Azazel scowled and castNegate. It barely did anything to the barrier.

The demon turned to Nikolai, desperation darkening his crimson gaze. “Your magic! It might work on?—!”

“It won’t,” Ran Soyun interrupted miserably. “I’ve already used all the spells I’ve mastered.”

Nikolai’s pulse quickened. “Then, it’s time to try something else.”

Azazel and Ran Soyun gave him a confused look.

The sound of distant fighting made them stiffen.

Barquiel was drawing closer.

Nikolai’s heart thundered in his chest. He closed the distance to the dome and crouched before Barquiel’s barrier. The suspicion that had been growing inside him ever since Vozgan flew over the lake that had brought them here solidified into a shocking certainty when he put his hands on the ground. He squeezed his eyes shut, relief lightening his chest.

Yes!I was right!

“Nikolai?” Azazel said.

He opened his eyes and gave the puzzled demon and first Witch Queen a hard smile. “Did you know Hell has a nexus?”

Azazel and Ran Soyun startled.

“What?!” Ran Soyun mumbled.

“I believe it’s under the lake we had to cross to get here,” Nikolai told a stunned Azazel. “It was resonating with Ran Soyun’s magic, which is why I picked up on it. The only reason I’m sure of it now is that there’s a ley line under this mountain and it connects to that nexus.” His pulse raced as his gaze shifted to Ran Soyun. “I’m sorry I wasn’t in a fit state to make that out the first time I came here. I think the reason you can’t sense it is because you’ve been trapped inside that barrier for so long.” He paused. “Azazel had never been to this part of Hell before, so I gather neither had you.”

Ran Soyun hesitated before nodding. “You’re right. When my soul was roused after the war, I was already here.” She faltered. “I retain the faintest connection to the nexuses on Earth, which is how I’ve been able to communicate with Mae. I never imagined Hell would have one too.”

Alicia’s curses echoed dimly in the corridor outside the cave. Azazel rose, spear in hand and face set in grim lines.

“Do what you need to do,” he told Nikolai harshly. “I will make sure Barquiel doesn’t stop you!”

Nikolai’s stomach tightened. “You ready, Al?”

Alastair clicked his beak.

Nikolai took a deep breath before reaching for the bright cord dancing far beneath the ground. He knew he was risking his and Alastair’s cores by tapping into what was effectively a demonic ley line. But it wasn’t as if there was an alternative option. He frowned.

Besides, we harbor a power that can hopefully protect us from harm.

He unleashed an aura of Hellfire Magic around them before grasping the ley line and following it to Hell’s nexus. Fire filled his blood as he drew upon the incandescent power within it.

It burned his veins. Scorched his mind. Blinded his vision.

A tortured grunt left Nikolai’s throat as his body struggled to keep up with the dazzling blaze. Alastair trembled and swayed on his shoulder.

Ran Soyun’s voice reached him dimly through the ringing in his ears. “Stop!It’s going to kill you!”

Sweat poured down Nikolai’s face. He clenched his jaw.

“It won’t,” he ground out. “I won’t let it!” He bared his teeth. “Besides, I made a promise to your daughter. I told her I would see her again. And I meant it, with every breath I have in me and every inch of my heart!”

Ran Soyun’s eyes flared.

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