Chapter 27

Selene felt lost as Sam charged into the fray. Don't leave me! But she was alone only for a second before Brunie swooped in front of her. Before they could speak, a wooden table came skidding toward them. Another Harpy with black wings appeared and tugged Selene to the floor. Pointing to the table, she shouted, "Get under there. Now!"

Selene dropped to her knees and crawled under, gripping the thick table legs. She then watched as Brunie grabbed one of the hall's heavy wooden chairs and shot toward the ceiling with it. She swung the chair over her head to bang against one of the enormous porthole windows set into the brick. A second Harpy grabbed another chair to help. It took them four tries before a shower of glass rained down from above. Although Selene was safe under the table, the shards of glass pebbling the floor around her made her cover her head defensively.

Seconds later, Brunie was in front of Selene, pulling her out to stand. "Watch your step! Are you afraid of heights, dear?" she asked. Before Selene could answer, a vampire lunged at Brunie on the right. Selene scrambled back, muffling her scream when the vampire came so close, she could see blood dripping from his fangs.

"Hello again," the vampire snarled as one hand reached for her, his other hand clenched around a white scrap of fabric.

Selene stumbled, certain this was it—she was about to die. But Brunie was too quick. Using her powerful wings, she launched herself into the air, and with an ear-piercing shriek, clawed through the vampire's gut. Rotted organs tumbled to the ground, the smell making Selene gag. The vampire dropped to his knees, then lifted the white fabric to his nose, huffing it like a drug. He met Selene's eyes and she blinked in recognition. It was the vampire that had lapped up the Lycah's blood in Iriswood. When she realized what he held in his hand, horror rose. It looked just like the napkin she had used to wipe blood from her hands at the tavern.

Brunie tugged Selene's shoulder, pulling her attention away from the vampire as it writhed in the throes of death. Extending her arms out into the shape of a T, Brunie said, "Hold your arms out like this, and we'll be off. Quick now."

Selene was too numb to ask why, so she did. Brunie hovered above her, then something sharp and strong curled under Selene"s arms before her feet lifted off the ground. The feeling made her stomach bottom out, and instinctively, she reached up to grab something stable. Her fingers wrapped around Brunie's ankles, still sticky with vampire blood.

"I've got you!" Brunie called, her talons tightening around Selene's arms. As they continued to rise, another Harpy flew alongside them.

Selene tried to be grateful for her rescue instead of dwelling on how she dangled mid-air. One of the white slippers Hollen packed slipped off her foot, and as she watched it fall, she took in the battle below. Eldridge was sparring near the stage, a pile of dead vampires littering the ground near him. Other Harpies continued to use their talons to maim their attackers. A Malkina man was smashing furniture, tossing stakes to anyone nearby, and a group of Lycah was circling a trio of vampires.

In the middle of the room, she saw Sam. He looked different, larger and scarier than she had ever seen him before. More like a storybook demon with massive S-shaped horns, deep red skin, and an incredibly powerful build. He towered over everyone else in the room. Figures surrounded him, but he fought quickly and efficiently—beheading or staking every vampire that came near. His strength was staggering, and the grace he exuded when eliminating each threat was oddly beautiful.

Frightened as she was, a strange feeling rose inside her. It wasn't terror or panic. It was awe. Admiration. There was something deeply satisfying about watching him move. Seeing him ruthlessly defeat every enemy he encountered. Punishing those who wished to hurt her and others. Exacting vengeance, just as he was born to do.

Powerful. Mythic. Glorious.

My demon.

Selene's attention was pulled away by a blast of cold air. She looked up to see the smashed porthole window, and Brunie's destination became clear. The edges were jagged with broken glass, but the window was big enough to accommodate them both. With a puff of effort, Brunie propelled them forward. Selene's body swayed mid-air as they flew through the window, while the black-winged Harpy followed behind.

Selene's eyes watered against the rushing wind. The sounds of battle faded as they flew, replaced by the steady whap and whoosh of Harpy wings. She tightened her grip on Brunie's ankles, feeling like a mouse carried by a friendly hawk. She was not afraid of heights, but this experience was far different from the hot air balloon ride she had taken once at the fair.

They passed over the lights of Snowmelt, then a handful of farms and meadows. The Harpy flying behind them darted in front, her gray hair streaming out behind her. "Almost home!"

Relief flooded her when she saw the familiar blue barn and cottage of Brunie and Eldridge's farm below. As they neared the ground, Brunie's wings slowed. She hovered in the air until Selene's feet touched the grass. When Brunie released her talons, Selene fell to her knees. The Harpy with the black wings was at her side, helping her to stand.

"You did well, girl!" she boomed, clapping her on the back. "Not many can endure a Harpy's flight, but you seemed to enjoy it! Care for another go in the daylight?"

"Definitely not," Selene muttered.

Brunie embraced her fiercely. "Selene, I'm proud of you. Now, go inside into the attic. Shut the door and stay quiet."

Selene spoke against Brunie's shoulder, "You're leaving me here? Alone?" The farm was eerily calm.

"Yes," Brunie said. "We're going back to finish off anything Samael and the others haven't."

"But… what if—"

"They won't find you here. Eldridge hired an enchantress to make the attic a safe room when he built this house," Brunie said. "Samael has probably killed all the vampires by now anyway."

Selene's chin began to tremble. Don't cry, don't cry. "I'm so scared for him. Do you think he's all right?"

Brunie laughed. "Oh, yes. Worried for you, I'd imagine, but not in any danger. You couldn't have a more devoted protector. Now run along."

"Yes. All right."

"Don't be frightened," Brunie said. "Go on."

The other Harpy stopped rearranging her feathers to give Selene an appraising look. "Where is your anger, girl?"

Selene didn't respond, not sure if she was asking a trick question.

The Harpy placed her hands on her hips. "Vampires were just trying to drain you! They wished to steal your blood and defile your flesh. You should be outraged, not fearful!"

"Be kind, Deryn," Brunie urged.

"I-I thought I was going to die," Selene answered.

"So?" Deryn thumped a fist to her own chest, then tossed her head back to let out a screech that caused lightning to flash in the sky. "Remember your anger, sweet one! There is nothing more powerful than a female's fury. Feel it, use it!"

Brunie shook her wings impatiently. "Yes, yes, our anger is as commanding as it is infinite. Now let the girl be." She nudged Selene's shoulder. "Give us a wave from the window, and we'll be off."

"Ah, I love a battle!" Deryn said jovially. "Let's call a storm once it's over!"

"Wonderful idea! Once you hear our thunder, Selene, you'll know everything's fine," Brunie said.

Selene rushed into the house. Her joints ached when she rushed up the stairs, and it took most of her strength to open the attic's big metal door. Once inside, Selene crossed the wooden floor to one of the windows. She waved down to the Harpies, and they waved back before launching themselves in the air, singing a melody that sounded like a battle march.

She watched until they were out of sight then looked around the room. It was clear why Sam stayed in the attic during visits. The space was huge. An enormous bed dominated the space, while shelves of cooking equipment lined the walls. A small sink stood in the corner.

Like a zombie, she began to wash her hands. With a nearby washcloth, she scrubbed off the Nereid cream and vampire blood splattering her skin. She tried not to think about all the dead bodies she had just seen. Why would vampires come to a little place like Snowmelt?

Yet again, she was reminded that there was so much of Aurelia she didn't understand. But for the first time since she arrived, the thought of escaping its strangeness wasn't a comfort. Because going home meant leaving Sam.