CHAPTER 8

So these were the demons that made the twisted creatures in the wood. Since they looked like the kind of thing you'd find in the back of an ice chest after two years of moldering, it fit.

When his eyes opened, he beheld me again. "You are quite young. Prettier than most. Softer. I'll have to be a bit more delicate with you so it lasts longer."

The first officer made a signal with his hand and turned, walking toward the far wall.

Four red-robed minions who hadn't been there a second ago stepped out from the sides. It was like they'd appeared from thin air. Literally. They didn't move forward, just waited and stared, letting us know they were there. Two of the other four yanked me forward, forcing me to step on my bad ankle before I could get the other in front of me. I limped, but the pain didn't vibrate like before, thank the goddess.

"I would like to get my hands on Reno," the first officer murmured as we walked, Jandry hauled up and all but dragged with us. "I would like to torture him to death. The guards' bodies make the best creatures. I will watch with glee as he transforms into a hideous little creature that the dragon king could kill in his sleep."

So apparently they used dead people to make their creatures. No wonder no one had cared much about Luru's fate. He'd still be useful down here, even in death.

I glanced around with raised eyebrows. The minions didn't seem to be listening. Was this for my benefit?

"They are all so stupid." The first officer reached a set of wide stone stairs that curved down into the darkness. He trailed his fingers along the wall as he descended. "You must've seen that, dragon."

Ah. For my sake, then.

"And stupid demons do stupid things and get in all kinds of trouble. Do enough stupid things, and the demon king will be happy to hand them over to me. Most of them are worth more as building blocks for my creations than they are as guards, surely."

We kept spiraling down at the next landing, and the stairwell slimmed down until the gangly minion to my right had to escort me solo. The stairs stopped at the third sub-level, the ceiling hanging low and dampness soaking the stone walls around us. There was no grandiosity down here. No columns or impressive stonework. It was exactly the kind of dungeon I'd envisioned.

The first officer stopped at the bottom of the steps and pushed his finger against the stone at his side. A click preceded a flood of light. It turned on with a loud buzz, raining down from the ceiling.

I couldn't help smiling. I was very young when the lights essentially went out in my kingdom. This felt like…a present. This place hadn't been trapped by a curse and cut off from the world. Even though very few modern conveniences could be found in this shitshow dungeon, the demons had access to them.

I didn't, of course. Not down here. Old stone and caked dirt covered the surfaces, and the bars were attached to the walls with metal contraptions that looked centuries old. Rustic old keys were clearly used in the large keyholes at the side of each cell.

The first officer turned to me with a smile that didn't need an explanation, and the minion at my side shoved me, forcing me to stumble down two steps and brace myself against the rough wall. The minion was on me in a moment, grabbing me and flinging me farther into the room. Lights and stone swirled in my vision as I stubbed my toe and went down, skidding my palms against the floor.

I knew from being in Neff's castle that demons fed off their victims—off their fear or desire or sadness. The first officer had mentioned power. He was probably trying to get a rise out of me. Maybe he even wanted me to fight back. Hell, maybe he was just being a bully. Whatever the reason, the end result was the same.

I had to take it.

There was no point in fighting back. Not here. Not on my first day when I had zero knowledge of this place. They had weapons they were capable of using, larger numbers, and they were blocking the exits. They'd stacked the odds, and only a fool wouldn't realize it.

Thuds and a grunt caught my attention, and I looked back over my shoulder to see Jandry had been dropped off the last step. He lay crumpled on the ground, groaning and slowly flailing like a turtle on its back. I doubted it was a very pleasant way to wake up.

"Hmm," the first officer said, stepping in front of Jandry and watching me. "Most unusual for a dragon."

He'd amplified his voice, and it boomed unpleasantly across the space.

Movement in front of me caught my eye. Thick forearms reached through the bars about halfway down the cell row. The hands came together and the fingers entwined, as though the owner was waiting patiently.

More limbs or hands or fingers threaded through the bars of the cells lining each side. Still, I didn't see any faces pressed against the metal. No noses peeked out, trying to see what was happening. The lack of curiosity suggested this wasn't an abnormal occurrence. That or maybe they had learned the art of patience in this miserable place. Maybe both.

A crack sounded right before a blinding white light of pain exploded in one single point against my back.

"Holy..... What the fuck!" I skittered forward as the pain seemed to drip down into my body and set my blood to vibrating uncomfortably. Standing, I turned on my good leg and watched the world crystallize around me as my survival reflex kicked in.

One of the minions stood in the center of the space, whip handle in hand. My other escort stood behind the first with a polished red club.

The others stood back, watching. Waiting. Ready to step in if need be. Jandry lay forgotten at their feet.

I wondered if there were more at the top of the stairs, waiting out of sight—and if they had other magic that would help them if I got through their little friends.

I wondered if I could get through them all.

Rush them, my dragon urged. Fire bled through me. Take that fucking whip and strangle him with it.

Fuck, I wanted to. I wanted to so badly.

Then what? I asked myself as well as my dragon. Hell, I'd ask the invisible audience if they'd actually answer. They know what they're doing, these demons. It's obvious. They didn't mess with me upstairs, they did it down here, where I don't have as much space. Where the exit's not accessible. I'll get through a couple, but they'll inevitably take me down, and then they'll be on their guard around me.

Are you blind or something? Look at them. They are already on their guard around you. Give them something to fear.