Page 139 of Lore of the Wicked Wood
“Who?” Caedian demanded. “Who’s hunting them?”
Belladonna ducked her head, and a curtain of curls shielded her face. “The spawn of the one they call?—”
The walls trembled and glass shattered as the tray of crystal spheres Belladonna was holding smashed to the ground. Overhead, the lights flickered, and the earth beneath their feet started to quake.
Belladonna grabbed Atlas’s shoulder, her nails digging into the layers of his coat.
“Run, my prince.” Her eyes widened as the towers of books fell and the tinkling of bells was suddenly silenced. “Run.”
Atlas grabbed Everinne’s hand and hauled her out of Belladonna’s shop into the pitch of the rumbling tunnels. Every lantern had been snuffed out and the stench of rotten, foul magic was more pronounced than before. He blinked, furiously trying to see into the endless swath of darkness, but it was like losing his sight completely, leaving every other sense fully alert and heightened.
The pounding of Everinne’s heart beat in time with his own, their labored breathing echoing into the vast nothingness. Wisps of her hair tickled his cheek as she stumbled forward blindly, tumbling into him. He caught what he hoped was her waist, the layers of winter clothing making it difficult to keep a firm grip on her.
“Atlas?” Her voice danced past his ear, and he turned toward the sound, hauling her closer, letting her familiar scent consume him.
“I’m right here.” His eyes slowly adjusted, and he could just barely see the outline of the side of her face. He reached out, carefully, until the tips of his fingers grazed her cheek. “I won’t let anything happen to you.”
That was one promise he would die trying to keep.
“Let’s go.” Veros’s stern voice bounced off the tunnel’s arching walls and Atlas couldn’t pinpoint the direction. Whether the Lord of Time was in front of him or behind him, he couldn’t be sure. “We have to get out of here.”
There was a grunt of agreement that sounded from everywhere all at once.
“I can’t see shit,” Caedian grumbled, but it was the unsettling stillness following his complaint that set Atlas on edge.
The ground ceased its relentless trembling, yet the dismal light of the floating lanterns had not returned. If anything, the surrounding darkness seemed to thicken. The hairs along the back of Atlas’s neck stood on end, and in the gaping mouth of the tunnel, there was scraping noise that sent a shiver of unease racing down his spine, like that of nails being dragged across a surface of rough stone. Everinne shuddered into him, and he held her closer, one hand reaching for his sword because this time, he’d sworn to be prepared.
In the distance, further into the Marzena, a set of fiery red eyes appeared.
Atlas shoved Everinne behind him and drew his weapon, the hiss of metal sliding against the sheath reverberating through the passage.
“On your guard,” he warned as another set of angry red eyes appeared.
Then another.
And another.
There were so many now, Atlas lost count. A chilling, chittering noise flooded the Marzena, like the skittering of a thousand beetles, and only as the flaring crimson eyes edged closer did Atlas realize what they were truly about to face.
“What the—” Caedian’s question died as Veros’s shout of warning split through impregnable darkness.
“Demons!”
The foul stench of ash and brimstone slammed into Atlas as dozens of creatures descended upon them. Necrotic energy snapped through the air as the demons scoured the walls and crawled along the ceiling. They were no taller than a small child, but their skin was black like tar and fire burned in their eyes. Long, shiny claws protruded from their hands and feet, their faces were smashed and flattened, as though they’d been beaten, and rows of pointy white teeth gleamed like vampire fangs.
At once, the Marzena erupted with the clash of battle—roars, growls, and the squelching sound of swords meeting demonic flesh.
“Stay with me!” Atlas called over his shoulder to Everinne. “No matter what, don’t let go!”
He grabbed her hand, fending off a swarm of demons with the other. They slashed at him, their dagger-like claws shredding through the thick layers of fur and wool, yet never sinking deep enough to reach his skin. The glint of his blade cut through the dark, piercing them with ease, but even as he struck one down, another took its place.
They were vastly outnumbered.
“Atlas!” The fear in Everinne’s voice sent a spear of panic into his heart.
If she unleashed her magic now, if she lost control, it could kill them all.
“Where the fuck did they come from?” Caedian boomed as a howl of agony splintered through the air. “There’s too many of them!”
