Page 55 of A Serenade To The Elf Queen
“I’m fine but Ragnar…” I can’t find it in me to finish the words.
His face hardens with silent rage. “In any case, let’s get you out—”
The pile of stones stirs and Svenn emerges from the fragments, cracking his neck. My heart leaps into a furious beat the moment his piercing eyes fall on me. His gaze leaps between Kheirall and me several times. A low rumble escapes his throat and the look he gives to the demon is downright lethal.
The air suddenly filters with the sound of skin separating as his shoulders contort at an abnormal angle. A pair of dark wings unfurls behind his back, spanning even wider than Kheirall’s. They arch with grace and beauty, blending well into the night. My gaze focuses on the tips, sharpened and curved with horns.
“What the fuck are you?” Kheirall mutters underneath his breath, staring at Svenn—the monster’s shifting form.
He snarls at the Demon Lord, his elongated canines glinting in the red moonlight. I can’t believe I let that mouth anywhere near my throat and kissed him with passion. There is no trace of the man I saved in that monster.
“Get out of here,” Kheirall rasps, his wings stretching wide in defense. “I’ll hold him for as long as I can.”
I nod, finally finding myself able to move again. But the Demon Lord’s words stun me.
Kheirall means to stall him.
Not even a Keeper of the Hollow is confident he can defeat whatever I’ve awoken in that crypt. In the split of a second, the creature slams into Kheirall, launching them both to the sky. I feel the rippling shockwave from every punch and strike. It’s like watching two hurricanes collide.
I leave them in their aerial fistfight and silently crawl towards the faint heartbeat.
Ragnar.
The bear berserker has shifted into his human form. I pray to Astraea that it’s not too late to help him. He is breathing, but just barely. I flip him over carefully once I’ve secured his spine. Dark tribal ink swathes most of his naked body.
“You have to live. Kheirall is here to help us,” I whisper some hope into his ear.
Ragnar is teetering close to Death’s door. Sometimes, I wish I took a little more effort to complete my studies at the Anastarros temple. No use regretting that now. The only thing I can do to pull him back from the brink is to give some of my own life essence.
Is it worth it to put yourself in such danger to help him?the Un asks, incredulous and a little curious. They always found me an oddball.
Yes. I have no choice.
My blood thrums as I draw from the pool of blessings I gathered in Astefar. It takes an insane amount of energy to even open that door. A tremor shudders through my body as I creep in to pluck some of that power, a single thread, thinner than a strand of hair. It burns my skin like an invisible flame, leeching my strength rapidly. No matter how drained I am, I force my eyes to remain open.
I offer a silent prayer to Thanatos as I lift that string and place it in the demon’s chest. Death had always been a good friend in the forest, he spared me many times. I hope he will grant me another favor to save Ragnar. Nothing happens at first but after several heavy long seconds, his breathing stabilizes into a more regular rhythm.
I don’t bother heaving in relief as I scan the sky. The Demon Lord and Svenn are still engaged in a brutal battle for dominance.
It’s madness.
Another spiral of fear goes through me when Kheirall crashes to the earth like a fallen star. He punches a key to the ground to open a door to the Hollow. This seems like a desperate act. One last resort.
“Servants of Hel, rise in the name of my father and his father before him,” the demon commands. A black mist slips through the gate, coalescing into vicious jackals. Svenn barely pays attention to the threat, his gaze shifting to me again.
I wither underneath the stare of those dark, depthless eyes.
“Leave no trace of him!” Kheirall’s howling hellhounds storm towards him, teeth snapping. Halfway before reaching Svenn, the dogs suddenly stop and return to the demon whimpering in fear.
The Demon Lord looks almost as confused as I am. I barely inhale my next breath when Svenn charges and tackles him tothe ground. He plants his foot in between Kheirall’s shoulder blades. There’s a deranged look on his face as he attempts to rip the demon’s wings. All hell will break loose if the Demon Lord is dead.
This lawless beast is definitely going to kill him. I summon the traces of courage and energy I have left to scream. “Stop!”
His head snaps in my direction.
I hold that deadly crimson glare until he releases the demon. There’s a spark of familiarity in his eyes. At that moment, I see the man who comforted me in the dark.
“Svenn?” I offer to the night. His rough features soften, melting into something warm. He reaches out a hand to me.
