Chapter Twenty

Tari

W e landed on the grassy knoll that had been transformed into a garden. Dozens of villagers were whistling while harvesting the bounty beneath the moonlight. I still couldn't believe what we'd just witnessed. We'd had Thorin in our crosshairs, but he was attacked by thousands of spiders with red eyes. They'd wrapped him in a cocoon and then the earth had swallowed them. Thorin had warned me about these spiders. He'd called them demonlings, but I'd thought he'd only told me the story to scare me away from the Werewood Forest.

My sister and I dismounted from Isa with Blaze's and Drae's help. We faced our mates and Radnor.

"Did everyone see what I saw?" Helian asked as he jumped from Radnor's back.

Ash shook his head as if to clear a fog. "Are we sure that's what we saw, or did the mind spinner trick us?"

"It seems too wonderous to believe, doesn't it?" Drae asked. "But most of us have been drinking the tea."

"I'm not convinced that tea works," Shiri grumbled.

"Those spiders are demonlings." A shudder stole up my spine, like thousands of tiny spiders were racing across my back. I prayed we never encountered them again. "They are controlled by the demon mistress."

Helian's jaw dropped as he crossed over to me, taking my hand in his. "W-what?"

"I remember Thorin telling me stories about them." I swallowed back bile, realizing those spiders could be beneath us this very moment. "They live under the earth and travel through a network of tunnels that span from the Fae lands to the human lands."

Shiri clutched her throat. "Elements."

Blaze ruffled his wings while looking behind him. Then Drae did the same. The dragons spun circles, checking their backs and tails.

"They're not here." Ash's nostrils flared. "I'd scent them."

Isa crouched like a cat about to pounce, her top lip pulled back in a snarl. So would I.

"So you think these spiders took Thorin back to the demon mistress?" Drae asked.

I wrapped my arms around myself, still feeling uneasy as a cool northern wind blew the hair off my neck. "Where else?"

"What does this mean?" Shiri asked me.

"Considering he's been evading her for two years," I said, grimacing, "I think this means Thorin's in very deep trouble." I almost felt sorry for Thorin. Almost. He had too much blood on his hands and deserved whatever cruel torture the demon mistress inflicted on him.

The wolf flashed in Ash's eyes as his voice dropped to a deep baritone. "Hopefully, we won't have to worry about him anymore."

"No, Ash, this is bad." I shook my head, my heart slowing to a painful thud. "This demon mistress can steal the powers of the witches she kills."

Ash's nose lengthened, and fur sprouted on his face as he let out a howl.

Helian and the others swore.

"Do you think the spiders already killed him?" Shiri asked me.

I shook my head. "I believe the mistress has to be the one to kill him, so she can take his powers."

We'll know when he dies, Isa answered grimly as she cut a sideways glare to Radnor. His curses will die with him, and the memories he stole will all come back.

Radnor let out a whimper. I don't recall him spinning my memories.

Then he still lives, Isa said, a profound sadness in her voice.

I wondered if that's what Isa had been waiting for before she forgave Radnor, for his memories to return. I'd already asked her to drink the Retinea tea, but she'd said those herbs didn't work on dragons.

I swallowed back my unease. "I'd rather face Thorin's mind-spinning than hers."

Fire flashed in Blaze's eyes. "Now what?"

"There's nothing much we can do," I answered, fear and sorrow weighing heavily upon my soul, "other than pray we don't confront her before we learn how to defeat her."

Arabella

THE LONG FLIGHT THROUGH the Periculian Mountains had been mortifying, and not just because the mountains reeked of decay and death, but because Arabella's uncle had grown more distant, refusing to let her wrap her arms around his neck while forcing her to keep her hands hidden.

Which meant she'd have nothing to hold on to if he decided to drop her.

Arabella couldn't get out her uncle's arms fast enough after they landed in the heart of the dark forest. The soft, mossy floor felt like wet sponges under her feet, and the tall trees that hovered over her reminded her of giant monsters with skeletal claws.

Her uncle produced twin flames while spinning a slow circle.

Arabella's blood turned to ice, her relief at having both feet firmly on the ground replaced by sheer terror, for there were dozens of strange eyes blinking at them from the darkened shadows. And was it her imagination, or were the trees and plants moving?

She jumped when she felt something slither over her foot and realized the plants were indeed moving. Dread crept up her spine as a dark green vine slithered past her.

"Uncle," she whispered, fighting the urge to grab his arm. "I don't like this place."

"Do not fret, darling," he said, his voice laced with disgust as he tossed his long, silvery braid over his shoulder. "You are the scariest thing here."

Her terror forgotten, that ice in her veins turned to molten fire. "Do not say that." Her voice took on a dark and gravelly edge that frightened her. She curled her hands into fists, loathing the demon inside her for refusing to crawl back into her hole.

"It's true." Back stiffening, he refused to look at her. "Have you forgotten it was just last week you used Empusa to summon an indus worm and create a cyclone?"

She cringed when he called her demon name. "Don't remind me."

He had the nerve to laugh. "I'll build us a fire."

Her heart felt like it had dropped out of her chest when he walked away.

She lurched for him with a strangled cry. "Please don't leave!" She grabbed his wingtip, her knobby fingers clutching a fistful of feathers.

He shook her off with a snarl as if her very touch was poisonous. "I'm just going to collect some wood." His eyes flared with anger when she reached for him again. "I won't be far."

Arabella tried to keep her teeth from chattering as he walked away, leaving her in darkness.

Call to your magic , the demon whispered inside her.

Shut up! she hissed back.

After several tense minutes, her shoulders sagged in relief when she spied a solitary flame returning to her, cutting through the darkness like a beacon on a stormy sea.

Her uncle clutched a few sticks in one hand while he lit the way with the other. He dropped the sticks by her feet, then hit them with his flames.

They both jumped back when a conflagration flew into the air like a flaming geyser. Arabella thought she was going mad, for she heard the wood screaming.

Her uncle found an old log wide enough for only one person and placed it beside the fire. Then he sat on it, leaving her there to fend for herself. She made do with sitting on her cloak opposite him, making sure to tuck her hideous hands beneath her. Though she was tempted to walk around the fire and sit beside him, let him wrap his wing around her shoulders and promise he'd keep her safe, she feared he'd turn her away.

He pulled a canteen from beneath his cloak and took several gulps, a vacant expression in his eyes while he stared at the fire.

It was obvious he wasn't going to offer her a drink or hunt for food. She licked her parched lips and ignored that churning in her gut while resisting the urge to itch the leathery skin that now crept past her elbows. "How long before we reach the witch?" she finally asked, tired of the deafening silence that stretched between them, leaving only the crackling fire to fill the void.

"We're not far," he answered, his voice devoid of inflection as the flame's shadows danced across his hollowed cheeks. "We should find her by tomorrow."

She was growing ever tired of his aloofness. He had not once tried to kiss or pet her since they'd left Peloponese. He had offered her no reassurances, not even a kind word. "And then what?"

His gaze snapped to hers, his eyes flaring with rage, stealing the breath from her lungs. She'd seen that look before, the night in Peloponese he'd forced himself into her bed. Though she knew he wouldn't force her to lie with him now, she feared what else he might do as she eyed the sword strapped to his hip.

He took another long sip from his flask before wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. "And then I demand she change you back."

Her throat tightened as her eyes watered. "What if she refuses?"

His features hardened. "She won't."

"How do you know?" she pressed. She couldn't help it, for she feared his plan was doomed to fail.

"Because she's a feeble, simple-minded witch." He waved away her concern with a sneer. "She will do as I command."

The witch inside her let out a mad cackle, and she feared her uncle was making a terrible mistake.

He patted his breast pocket with a wicked gleam. "Plus, I have her book."

"Book?" she asked.

He nodded. "I stole it when last we visited just in case I ever needed leverage over her. It is supposedly the book of demon names." He pulled out a book with dull, brown leather bindings that fit inside his hand. "I can't decipher it, but she kept it in her pocket, so I'm sure it meant something to her."

He made no sense. "If you can't decipher it, how did you know my demon name?"

His eyes flared with memories as a forked tongue darted out and licked his lips. "I extracted it from you when you were just a tot. You may not remember, but I used a combination of torture and truth serum on you, and now I have the power to control not just you, but the demon inside you."

Torture? When she was a tot? What a monster! "Then why can't you send her back?" Arabella held up her hideous hands. "And get rid of these?"

He jerked back, scowling at the bloated sausages extending from her arms. "I don't know, but the striga will."

Arabella was about to ask the significance of the book, but she jumped with a shriek when something poked her backside. She ran to her uncle as he stumbled to his feet, pocketing the book and unsheathing his sword.

"Uncle!" She grabbed his arm. "There's something moving out there!"

He shook her off as if she had the plague. "Don't touch me!" he roared, raising his sword.

She flinched, backing away, her heart shattering at the look of disgust in his eyes. Then she and her uncle froze when a distinct sound echoed through the forest, like a million raindrops striking slate.

They spun around, and her stomach hurled into her throat at the sight, thousands of little glowing red eyes blinking at them. They were everywhere, on the ground, on the tree trunks, even hanging from the limbs, their bodies obscured by the night.

Her uncle shone his flame on them, then hollered and jumped into the air, leaving her defenseless on the ground.

"Uncle!" she shrieked as the creatures surrounded her. She lurched for her uncle, grabbing onto his ankle, but he kicked her away with a snarl.

No! He can't do this to me! He said he loved me!

But then her uncle pumped his wings, putting more distance between them. The red-eyed creatures moved as if one body, completely surrounding her. She sucked in a scream when she saw them, thousands of black, hairy spiders with red distended abdomens and glowing eyes.

Demonlings, her witch hissed with glee.

She thought she'd die from fright when the creatures raced up her legs, spinning a sticky substance around her. She tried to fight them, her heart pounding in her ears when they landed on her head, tangling in her hair, but they had trapped her hands to her sides with sticky film as strong as iron.

No! No! No! "Uncle!" she pleaded, turning her gaze to the sky.

His eyes were wide with horror as he gaped down at her, his wings slowly flapping. A vine slapped his leg like a whip, curling around his ankle and snatching him downward. He shifted into a dragon creature, a burst of flame erupting from his throat, though he was no match for the power of the vines as dozens more encircled him. His terrified screams were muffled as vines folded him in two like he was made of nothing more than stitching and straw. The loud snapping of his bones cut through the stagnant air before his cries were silenced. She watched with an odd mixture of fascination and horror as a giant, flowery plant rose up from the forest floor like a ghoul emerging from a crypt. It opened its fanged maw, a long green tongue unfurling and snatching his lifeless body, swallowing him down in one gulp.

The last thing she saw was a spider crawling across her face before she collapsed and surrendered to the darkness.

Tari

I WRAPPED MY ARMS AROUND myself as I sat at the edge of the bed, facing the stone hearth, letting the fire's warmth seep into my bones and dry my wet hair. After I'd grown enough food for the town to last through the winter, the innkeeper had given us the same room Helian and I had shared last time. Shiri and her mates had retired to another room on the other side of the inn. My mates and I had just finished bathing after eating a repast of fish stew and warm, buttery bread. My head was slightly swimming from all the magic I'd used in combination with the memory tea. Healing Torund had taken longer than expected. His rotten teeth were easy, but his head wound was old, and the skin had grown around the axe. Luckily, the cyclops had a thick skull, and the axe hadn't penetrated the brain. He'd been so relieved to finally have it out that he sobbed like a baby while his wife, a small human woman, held his head in her lap, mouthing her thanks as we left.

The townspeople were so in awe of the garden that they'd offered us all kinds of gifts, from silky new cloaks and new soles for Shiri and me, to shiny new blades for our mates. Many had asked me to heal their ailments, but I was far too exhausted and promised I'd do so early morning. Truthfully, I wasn't looking forward to it.

By the time we'd reached our room, so many thoughts swirled around in my head, from missing the girls and Finn, to the impossible task of defeating a demon who possessed a spider army and would soon have mind-spinning powers.

I was still in shock over what we'd witnessed today. There was no way Thorin would survive an encounter with this mistress. I didn't think, even with his cunning, he could fool her into releasing him, which meant the man who'd been pretending to be my father the past two years would soon be dead, if he wasn't already. I still wasn't sure how I felt about that or how to begin processing it.

Dressed in nothing but a loose-fitting robe, Helian sat beside me, brushing his lips across my shoulder. Are you okay?

"Yeah," I blurted, not wanting my mates to fuss over me.

"You sure?" Ash asked as he sat on my other side, taking my hand in his.

Unable to speak through a constricted throat, I answered them through thought. He defied her for two years. He was supposed to bring me to her. Now she will make him pay.

Ash knelt in front of me, naked with the exception of a tight pair of shorts, and squeezed my hands. Water drops clung to his wet, golden skin, making him glisten beneath the candlelight. "He didn't keep you to protect you. He kept you to use you. He's evil and deserves what he has coming."

Helian voiced his agreement.

"I know." My shoulders fell with the admission. So why did I still feel terrible about it?

Ash arched a brow. "But?"

"I can't explain." I pulled free of Ash and covered my face with my hands. I know he doesn't deserve my pity, I projected to my mates. He took me from my children. He tried to rape me. But for two years I thought of him as family, my father.

What was wrong with me that I felt sorry for my abuser? Did that mean Thorin still had control over me?

Helian pulled me to his side, kissing my forehead. "What can we do?"

I lowered my hands and blinked at him through a hazy sheen of tears. "Just be here for me," I rasped.

He kissed me again. "Always."

Ash rested his chin on my thigh while whimpering like a puppy. His large feral eyes that narrowed to wolf slits did something strange to my insides, and even though the timing was probably wrong, I wanted nothing more than for my mates to make love to me, so I could sink into oblivion in their arms.

I cupped Ash's face, pulling him toward me, and then I turned into Helian, taking him by surprise with a kiss, forcing him to open his mouth to me while I tugged on his robe.

Are you sure? Helian projected to me.

Yes, please, I begged. I need you both.

Ash let out a growl of approval, pushing me onto the bed while spreading my legs. I know just what you need, he said in a dark rumble while fur sprouted on his face.

My sex instantly swelled and dripped with desire when Ash licked his lips. I fell back on the bed, spreading my legs while letting my wolf devour me. He dug his clawed fingers into my thighs, his thick tongue slurping up my sex and making me writhe beneath him. But then Helian was there, tenderly kissing me while pushing open my robe, his calloused fingers roving across my breasts and pinching my nipples. I sank into the mattress with a groan, surrendering my body to them as magic pulsed through my veins.

I practically flew off the bed when Ash dragged his tongue up my slit, making that heartbeat pulse deep inside me. He licked again and again before the tip of his tongue swirled around that magical spot at the top of my sex. When he drove a finger into me, pumping with deep, bruising thrusts, I thought I'd go mad with desire. I latched onto Helian's scalp, coursing my hands through his silky hair.

I continued to writhe beneath Ash, desperate for release. Just as I was about to climax, I groaned into Helian's mouth when Ash pulled back. But then Ash flipped me onto my stomach, and I scrambled to my knees, grabbing onto Helian's hips and protruding my bottom in the air to give Ash easier access.

Ash slid inside me while I took Helian in my mouth. We collectively groaned, thrusting and slurping until we found an unstoppable rhythm. Helian laid back against the pillows, folding his arms behind his head, desire swirling in his eyes while he watched me devour him. I massaged saliva into his balls, slurping down as much of his thick shaft as I could manage. Ash was brutal when he thrust into me, but it was just what I needed, that heartbeat deep inside my dripping sex expanding with each stroke. Helian tossed back his head with a curse, his sack tightening beneath my hands, and I knew his release was imminent. I focused on his pleasure, sucking down his seed when he thrust his hips with a roar, his cock twitching in my mouth. I devoured every drop while Ash dug his claws into my ass, fucking me so hard, the headboard hit the wall with each thrust.

And then Helian slipped beneath me, swirling his fingertip across my swollen pearl, intensifying my pleasure immensely. I couldn't breathe through the exquisite thrall as my mates tormented and pleasured me all at once. The orgasm hit just as Ash stilled with a roar, while my muscles clenched and milked his seed. Helian kept swirling a finger over that spot, and I orgasmed and orgasmed again, my muscles tightening and magic pulsing through me with each burst of euphoria. I finally sucked in a gasp, falling onto the bed as waves of pleasure continued to rock through me.

Helian scooped me into his arms. This Fae who didn't want to share with his brother settled between my thighs and thrust into my sex, his gaze locked with mine.

I ran my hands through his hair, loving how it cascaded through my fingers like falling water. Well, how did you like sharing? I projected to him, and only him, choosing to focus on just Helian during this intimacy while Ash scooted off to the side, wiping himself with a towel.

He flashed his teeth while thrusting into me. I enjoyed watching you get fucked.

Oh. My eyelids fluttered shut as a shiver of lust coursed through me, my sex swelling and dripping.

Watch me while I'm fucking you. His command rang in my head like a gong.

Oh! My eyes flew open, and I watched with a mixture of awe and excitement as Helian rolled his hips into me.

I lifted my legs higher, wrapping them around his hips, my heels digging into his round buttocks as he took me higher and higher toward that pinnacle. I coursed my hands across his broad chest and shoulders, unable to get enough of him as our bodies slapped together with undulating thrusts.

He stared at me with adoration while continuing to rock into me, the silver in his eyes reflecting like moonlight. Elements, I love you more than life.

Magic pooled in my fingertips. And I love you, my darling prince.

He kissed me then, so tenderly and lovingly, he transported me to heaven in his arms. With his powerful declaration of love, he chased away my fears. I never wanted this night to end.

Helian must've sensed what I needed, because he slowed his tempo, gently rocking into me with easy strokes, alternating between kissing and petting me while worshipping my body in only a way Helian could. I was completely and reverently adored, a goddess. He prolonged our loving until we could scarcely breathe from need. We fell apart in each other's arms, soaring through the heavens together, and then gently floating back down. He fell onto his side with a groan, taking me with him. I clung to him, staring into his eyes while brushing his silvery hair out of his face.

I flattened my hand against his chest, feeling his pounding heart beneath. Now that you've made me fall hopelessly in love with you, I projected to him, I need you to promise me one thing.

He arched a brow while taking my hand in his. What?

I swallowed back my fears, angry with myself for letting dark thoughts invade our little slice of bliss. I couldn't help it, not after what I'd witnessed today. Don't die.

He kissed my palm, his dazzling eyes locked with mine, before he pressed both our hands to my womb. I don't plan on it. I have too much to live for.

Just when I didn't think I could love him more.

Good. Emotion threatened to shatter my tender heart. Because one lifetime with you won't be enough.

Ash helped me from the bed shortly after. He'd been thoughtful enough to add a cauldron of hot water to the bath. We sat in the large tub together, alternating between drinking (juice for me and wine for him) and washing each other with a soapy sponge.

I bade him turn around while I washed his broad back. Thank you for sharing.

He looked over his shoulder at me, smiling. Of course.

I motioned toward Helian lying on the bed. Are you okay with this?

Ash turned toward me, taking my hand in his. I love my brothers, and I love you. They're the only other Fae I'd share you with.

My heart swelled near to bursting . I love you, Ash. I leaned into him, brushing my lips across his. Thank you for being my loyal protector.

He answered with a wolfish growl. Always.

He nudged my knees, and I gladly spread my legs as he cleaned between my thighs. He flashed a devious grin, his sharp canines extending when he teased my clit. When he hovered over me, feasting on my neck, I laid my head back with a moan as delightful shivers coursed through me. He deftly stroked me with his thumb, easily coaxing another orgasm out of me.

I bade him to stand, and then I sucked him with reckless abandon, relishing his groans of pleasure until his balls tightened and his cock twitched, flooding my mouth.

I washed out my mouth with more juice. Then he dried me off, ripped sex vines from the ceiling, and helped me to bed, where I fell asleep content in my mates' arms.

Megaera

Demon sorceress

most revered and feared of the Lamashtu Clan

MEGAERA HAD JUST FINISHED feasting on a feeble old man, his blood leaving a rancid taste in her mouth, when her demonlings brought her a present: a large sarcophagus with what appeared to be a woman underneath the webbing.

"What have you brought me?" she cooed.

She gave her demonlings a pod of mannus syrup as a reward. They swarmed it like ants to a discarded fruit.

She dragged the body away and motioned to a demon mage to place it on her wooden butchering table, stained red from the blood of so many others before her. She ripped open the shroud with a long talon, laughing with glee when she revealed the beautiful Fae beneath.

Eager to enjoy a fresh meal, she shredded the Fae's restraints then stepped back, inwardly smiling when the girl let out a moan, her hand flying to her eyes.

She gave the girl a good shove. "Sit up!" she hissed. "Let me see you."

Megaera salivated at the sight. The young woman had creamy olive skin, thick, dark hair, tapered Fae ears, impossibly long eyelashes, the most perfect pouty lips, large breasts made for feasting, a narrow waist, and long, lean legs. Megaera wanted to devour every inch of her, dismembering her slowly to savor the juiciest parts like her breasts and eyes while the girl still lived.

The Fae sat up, rubbing the webbing from her eyes. "I need water," she cried. "Please."

Megaera had no water to offer, but she handed her a goblet of blood wine. The Fae took a sip then spit it out with a cry, throwing the goblet across the room.

Megaera should've cut off the ungrateful cow's tongue for that, but then she noticed the Fae's hands, wrinkly and large like rotten sausages. Her nostrils flared as she inhaled the familiar scent of her sister, like fermented eggs and rotten corpses. How did she not realize this delectable creature was Empusa? Perhaps because she'd been too distracted by the Fae's delicious body.

Megaera bent over the Fae, cupping her smooth cheek. "Ahh, such a pretty face." She licked her lips, her stomach rumbling for fresh blood. "Those beautiful eyes would make such fine treats, battered and fried."

"Don't touch me!" The Fae shrieked, swatting Megaera away.

"Such a strong-willed Fae you have found for yourself, sister." Megaera laughed. "Do not worry, Fae. I will not harm you so long as my sister resides beneath your skin."

The girl gaped at her. "Empusa is your sister?"

Megaera jerked back with a hiss before looking over her shoulder. "Do not speak her familiar name again!"

The girl shuddered. "I didn't know I wasn't supposed to say it."

"You will call her Gaea, her unfamiliar name. A demon's familiar name is sacred." She raised her talons, tempted to slash open the Fae's chest and feast on her beating heart. "Who told you her demon name?"

The girl flinched. "My uncle."

"Ahh, yes, your uncle." Megaera tapped her furry chin with a long talon. "A foolish young duke if my memory serves me." She leaned toward the girl, dragging a talon down her long, pretty neck, pleased when she cowered. "How did he get my sister's name? Did he find a way to translate the book he stole from me?"

She shook her head. "He said he tortured me when I was a baby until she revealed her name."

She let out an angry growl to know her sister had been harmed by that ridiculous nobleman. "He and his sister paid me a great deal in blood and coin to make you. Tell me, do you have the book he stole?"

Her bottom lip quavered. "One of those demon plants ate it when it ate my uncle."

"That is a shame." Megaera laughed. "Oh well. The book was no use to me anyway. I could never figure out how to unlock its curse." Though she mourned the loss of the uncle, for she was so looking forward to devouring him. "Why have you come here after your failure at Peloponese?"

"Failure? You knew?"

Megaera snickered. "I know everything."

The Fae held up her hands, frowning. "To-to heal my hands."

Megaera let out a low, deep bellow. "What's wrong with your hands?"

Eyes hardening, the girl waved those bloated sausages in her face. "Look at them!"

"Ahh, so the transformation has begun." Megaera tapped her chin with a smile. She was almost sorry to see the Fae go, for how badly she wanted to eat her. "Can you hear me, Gaea?" Megaera called.

A sibilant hiss came out of the Fae as her eyes turned deep crimson. "Yess!"

The Fae shrank back, a horrified look in her eyes as they shifted back to a pretty blue lined with lavender. "What is happening?"

"My sister is taking over," Megaera taunted in a sing-song voice, "mind and body."

"No!" the Fae shrieked like a berchta, her large, luminous eyes filling with tears. "I will throw myself off a cliff before that happens!"

"In that case, I'm glad you have come." Megaera rubbed her hands together. "I've been waiting centuries for my sister to join me. You will not take her from me now." She motioned toward her demonlings as they finished gorging on their mannus. "Put her in a cell."

The spiders crawled off the pod, their red eyes glowing even more with fuel in their bodies as they advanced toward the table.

"No! No!" The Fae scrambled off the table, holding out her hands. "Please!"

Megaera clucked her tongue. "Do you think your pathetic cries will sway me? I butcher mothers and feed their babies poisoned milk. My demon heart cares nothing for humans or Fae," she said with a sneer. "You are food to me, nothing more."

The girl continued to back away as the demonlings advanced. Then her eyes widened when she spied Megaera's butchering blade hanging from the slate wall. She lunged for it, but Megaera was faster, blasting it away with her magic. She struck the Fae with another blast, inwardly smiling when her head made a loud crack as it banged against the slate. She let out a moan and crumpled to the ground like a ragdoll. The demonlings swarmed her, carrying her toward the cell.

"Soon, sister," she whispered while rubbing her talons together. "And we will finally be together."