Page 59 of Monster Lover

“I’m going in there by myself and I’m going to get my friends out!”

“You go, girl!” said Malkieth. “I’ll be here if you need me.”

She frowned at him, but his wide grin couldn’t help but make her smile at the last. “Thank you. I hope you can help my friend.”

“Who?”

“Ribbit,” said Harlin.

“Oh. Of course, I will,” he said, nodding rapidly.

Daemona gritted her teeth and then she was off, porting toward Ghul Tark Manor like lightning unleashed.

***

Ghul Lykos raged against the bars of his prison. He was fully transformed into his massive wolf form and his incredible strength was bending the rusted bars, but they would not break. Ghul Tark had Ivy in his arms.

She struggled in vain against the vampire lord but despite all her protests, she could no sooner break free of the vampire’s hold than Ghul Lykos could the steel bars.

Ghul Tark moved toward her neck with those long fangs.

The doors to the chamber suddenly burst open and a pair of ghouls that had stood guard outside were thrown through the air only to crumple in a heap atop some of the skeletal warriors.

“Who dares!” questioned Ghul Tark.

“I’ll find out, my master,” answered a hunchbacked chimera of a ghoul. He waddled up the short flight of steps to investigate and disappeared behind the threshold. He let out a gurgled cry of alarm and then went silent.

“It’s about time a real hero got here,” muttered Sykaryn.

Ghul Tark didn’t release his hold on Ivy but peered curiously at this daring intruder.

It was Daemona.

Sykaryn gasped, but Esmerelda shouted, “I knew you would come back.”

“Stop!” yelled Daemona. “Let Ivy go, now!”

Ghul Tark looked at Daemona and then to Ivy and said, “No.” He then opened his mouth wide, leaned down and bit Ivy on the neck. She swooned and went still.

Ghul Lykos howled with rage.

“No!” Daemona rushed at Ghul Tark and his minions. She ported all around the room, bashing her foes. She was a one-man army batting aside skeletons, zombies, and ghouls, but even her great attempt was not enough against the vampire lord himself.

Daemona ported around the room crushing skulls and laying the foul things of the Swamp low. Ghul Tark suddenly had her about the neck. Her energy was drained and she couldn’t escape his grasp. No amount of trying to port away worked.

“You dare to betray me? How very foolish of you. And then you come into my home alone and think you can defeat me? Ha!” He opened wide, ready to bite her as he had Ivy, who lay crumpled upon the floor, still as death.

“She’s not alone,” yelled the royal huntsman.

“Harlin!” shouted Daemona, a tear of joy escaping her eye.

He was restored and in the doorway.

“You! Impossible! My witches cursed you!” declared Ghul Tark.

Harlin raised his crossbow and pulled the trigger, striking Ghul Tark squarely in the heart.

The surprised vampire lord staggered back, releasing his grip on Daemona. She ported away and took the keys for the dungeon and hurriedly unlocked the door. “Hurry,” called Harlin as he drew his sword to fight the throng of skeletons charging toward him.

---