Chapter 25

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

The torchlights cast eerie shadows that danced across the ancient stone walls. A chill ran down my spine, and I broke out in goosebumps, my skin prickling with anticipation and dread.

I reached out, hovering before making contact with the cold stone the compass had pointed out. The instant my fingers touched the rough surface, strange sensations surged up my arm. It wasn't the pain and weariness I'd grown accustomed to. Instead, a wave of strength washed over me, revitalizing my tired body.

I shivered, but this time, it wasn't from exhaustion. Was it the dagger? The amulet had helped strengthen Justice. Maybe the dagger was doing the same for me.

Damon's eyes narrowed as he watched me, his posture tense. "Okay, Spidey, what's with the magic touch moment? Did you feel something, or are you really into old, moldy rocks?" His tone was light, but I heard the underlying concern.

I hesitated, not wanting to voice my suspicions in case I was wrong. "It's in there," I finally murmured. "I can feel it, but…" I trailed off, remembering what the mirror said. "The only way to dislodge the stone is blood. Our blood."

Damon's posture stiffened, his hand instinctively moving to the weapon at his side. "You know, when I signed up for this gig, I was thinking more Indiana Jones, less ‘The Shining' meets ‘Dungeons and Dragons.' So, what's the plan, sis? We all gonna play ‘pin the blood on the creepy rock' and hope for the best? Or is this more of a chosen-one situation where you get all the fun?"

The strength flowing through me seemed to pulse in time with my heartbeat, urging me forward. Whatever came next, I knew we were standing on the precipice of something big, something that would change everything.

I drew my blade, its cold metal glinting in the dim light. Taking a deep breath, I pressed the edge against my palm. A sharp sting, then warmth as blood welled up. I bit back a hiss of pain and smeared my blood across the stone. The surface dimmed as if absorbing the offering.

Justice's eyes met mine. Without hesitation, he raised his wrist to his mouth. His fangs punctured the skin with a sickening pop. Dark, rich blood dripped onto the floor, the metallic scent filling the air. He pressed his bleeding wrist to the stone.

Damon stepped forward, his face a mask of grim resolve. "Do it," he insisted, holding out his palm. I swallowed hard, then quickly sliced across his skin. He didn't flinch, only wiped his blood on the stone with a determined set to his shoulders.

Lisa and Zara followed, their faces pale but resolute. Each smeared their blood on the stone, leaving crimson streaks that seemed to shimmer in the low light. The stone rippled, its solid surface moving like water.

"Brody." Damon moved to stand beside him. He tilted his head, a silent challenge in his eyes. "Your turn."

Brody's gaze hardened, scanning the room warily. "They'll attack," he warned.

"I know," Damon replied. "But we need you."

With a curt nod, Brody backed into the cell. "Spread out," he ordered, his voice tight. "They're coming." In one fluid motion, he drew his sword and sliced his palm. Blood welled as he pressed it against the stone.

A blinding light erupted, forcing us to shield our eyes. When it faded, the stone had dissolved, revealing a jeweled blade. My heart raced as I reached for it and wrapped my fingers around the hilt. Power surged through me, electric and intoxicating, making my hair stand on end.

The air shimmered like heat waves on a scorching summer day, and Maci materialized in the doorway. Her presence hit us like a physical force, an oppressive aura that seemed to suck the oxygen from the room. My chest tightened, each breath becoming a struggle. Her cold, calculating eyes locked onto the dagger, and I could almost feel the heat of her gaze.

"Give the blade to me," she demanded, each word sharp enough to cut. "Or you'll all die."

As if summoned by her threat, a horde of demons appeared behind her. My stomach churned at the sight. Unlike the demons we'd encountered before, these were grotesquely disfigured. Empty eye sockets gaped at us, black voids that somehow still managed to convey a terrible hunger. Their mouths, filled with rows of razor-sharp teeth, gnashed and slavered. Their bodies, red and bumpy like hardened lava, seemed to pulse with an unholy energy.

I forced myself to focus on Maci and her demonic army, fighting the primal urge to run. My palm stretched out behind me, fingers splayed. "Brody," I stated, my voice steadier than I felt. "Give me the amulet."

"Now," Maci hissed, her composure briefly cracking. I caught it immediately. The slight tremor in her voice, the flash of fear in her eyes. She had made a mistake, revealing her uncertainty.

The cool metal of the amulet pressed into my palm as Brody handed it over. The contact sent a jolt of energy up my arm, mingling with the power of the blade.

Maci's face contorted with rage. "Attack!" she screamed.

The demons surged forward, their screeches filling the air with a cacophony that made my ears ring. The stench of sulfur and decay hit us in a wave.

Damon sprang into action beside me, his sword singing through the air. It connected with the nearest demon, the blade slicing through its grotesque form with a sickening squelch. The creature collapsed into a pile of viscous goo, which hissed and bubbled as it sank into the stone floor.

The area erupted into chaos, the clash of weapons and inhuman shrieks creating a nightmarish symphony. I gripped the blade and amulet tighter, their combined power thrumming through me.

Suddenly, it was as if something alien took control of my body. My muscles tensed involuntarily, my back arching so sharply I feared my spine might snap. A surge of hot, electric energy raced through my veins, setting every nerve ending alight. My vision blurred, the world around me fading into a haze of white.

Without warning, a blinding light erupted from within me, exploding outward in a dazzling nova. It was brighter than the sun, searing my retinas. An otherworldly radiance bathed the area.

The demons' reaction was instantaneous and horrifying. Their screeches rose to a deafening crescendo. The piercing sound felt like needles driving into my eardrums. White flames engulfed their grotesque forms. The stench of burning sulfur and rotting flesh filled the air, making my stomach heave.

Through the chaos, I caught sight of Maci. Her face contorted with rage and disbelief as she raced toward me, her hands outstretched like claws. Before she reached me, an invisible force slammed into her like a giant, unseen hand swatting her away. She flew back, her body twisting like a rag doll before crashing into the far wall with a sickening thud.

For a moment, she lay there, dazed. Then, with a grace that belied her recent impact, she rose to her feet. Her eyes burned with hatred and something that looked unsettlingly like fear. Then, she stepped back, melting into the shadows beyond the light's edge.

The light faded, leaving us in a sudden, oppressive darkness. My ears rang in the abrupt silence, my body trembling from the aftermath of whatever power had surged through me. I blinked rapidly, trying to adjust my vision, every shadow a potential hiding place for our adversary.

"Where is she?" I whispered.

No one answered immediately. Maci could have fled, or she could be watching us from the shadows.

Damon whistled, scanning the shadows warily. "Well, that was one hell of a magic light show. Remind me to bring sunglasses next time we decide to go all Close Encounters on demon-ville."

He took a few cautious steps forward, his weapon still at the ready, and poked at the shadows. "As for our friendly neighborhood psycho-dragon? My money's on her pulling a Houdini. She's probably licking her wounds and plotting revenge as we speak."

His voice dropped, taking on a more serious tone. "But let's not kid ourselves, folks. Evil Queen Barbie doesn't strike me as the ‘quit while you're ahead' type. She could be anywhere, watching us, waiting for round two."

He turned to the group, a grim smile on his face. "So, what do you say we blow this creepy popsicle stand before she decides to bring more of her friends to the party? I don't know about you, but I've had my fill of demonic ugly for one day."

"I think that's the best idea I've heard all day," I murmured. My chest heaved as I struggled to catch my breath. The surge of power had left me as quickly as it had come, leaving me drained and weak-kneed. Still, a flicker of relief rushed through me. This exhaustion, while intense, wasn't as debilitating as what I'd experienced at the Grove of Whispers. It was more how I felt after a five-mile run.

My hands trembled as I grasped the vibrating blade. Without hesitation, driven by an instinct I couldn't quite name, I placed it in Justice's hand.

Justice's head snapped back, his spine arching at an unnatural angle. His body shook violently, and muscles spasmed beneath his skin. A strangled sound escaped his throat, somewhere between a growl and a moan.

"Oh, shit!" Panic surged through me. My heart leaped into my throat as I jerked the blade away from him, my movements frantic and uncoordinated. The metal scorched my palm, but I barely registered the pain.

As soon as the blade left his grasp, Justice's convulsions ceased. He slumped forward, his chest heaving. For a moment that stretched like an eternity, he remained still, and my stomach twisted with fear.

Then, slowly, he raised his head. My breath caught in my throat as our eyes met. The change was striking. His skin, which had been pale and sickly, now had a healthy flush. His eyes, previously dulled by exhaustion and illness, now shone with an intensity that made my heart skip a beat.

"I'm getting stronger." Wonder and relief filled his voice. He flexed his hands, staring at them as if seeing them for the first time. "It's working."

A bundle of conflicting emotions bubbled over me like a pot threatening to boil over. My legs wobbled treacherously, and I had to lean against the cold stone wall to keep from collapsing. The rough surface bit into me, a stark contrast to the blade that pulsed warmly in my other hand, almost as if it had a heartbeat of its own.

I stared at the weapon, mesmerized by its gleaming surface and the power thrumming through it. "I can see why Maci wants this," I muttered.

The thought of her ruthlessness, combined with the raw power of these artifacts, painted a terrifying picture of what she could be plotting.

She wasn't the only one who was desperate. I would do anything to protect the people I loved, even if it was a fight to the death.