Page 34 of Clash of Kingdoms
Rancor took the lead, while Huntley and I trailed behind. The world was quiet, so quiet that the flames were audible as we drew close. The space didn’t appear to be guarded until we came closer, until we approached the ring that was impossible to cross.
Then one of the demons stepped across the line of fire, and instantly, that section of the ring was snuffed out. The ground beneath it was charred and black, no sign of the red hue visible. Seven feet tall with veins of liquid fire on his muscular arms, he was built like the others, but also familiar…
It only took a few seconds for me to realize who he was. He’d led the charge against Delacroix—and burned Ivory’s throat. I’d killed him myself, knew his body had been burned in the pyre on the field, but he was there again—as lively as the last time our paths had crossed.
I hoped he wouldn’t recognize me—because then Huntley would try to kill him.
But he seemed more interested in Rancor. “He’s expecting you.” He gave a slight gesture with his arm, telling Rancor to move ahead.
Rancor passed over the line.
When Huntley tried, the demon held his hand to his chest. “And you are?”
Huntley said nothing, but there was a flourish of rage, probably because he wasn’t used to being spoken to that way. And he wasn’t used to holding his tongue either.
“He’s with me,” Rancor said. “My first general.”
“What do you need a general for?” The demon turned to him. “You don’t trust us?” Then he grinned—like we definitely shouldn’t trust them.
Rancor shifted his gaze to Huntley in a subtle panic, but then he found his footing. “I’d rather not waste my time repeating the plan when they can hear it themselves. I brought my generals before, and it was no issue.”
“But those were different Teeth.” He looked at Huntley again. “This one looks strange…” He came closer, invading Huntley’s space unnecessarily to examine him.
Huntley stepped into him, pushing against his chest to force him back. “Get a good enough look?”
The demon stayed back, but he grinned like this was all a game. Then his eyes flicked to me.
I kept my face hard, gave no hint of a reaction.
He continued his stare.
His emotions were quiet, so I was unable to determine his thoughts in that moment. If he recognized me but couldn’t place me, he would feel confused, but that confusion wasn’t deep enough for me to feel.
He finally moved to where Rancor stood. “Let’s go, boys.”
I closed my eyes in relief, knowing that could have been the end for all of us.
Stairs carved out of the earth took us deep underground. It was in a spiral that hugged the walls, taking us deeper and deeper beneath the surface, away from the flames that continued to burn on at the top.
It made me uneasy, because regardless of how fit Huntley and I were, there was no way we would be able to run up these stairs and evade our enemies if it came to that. I remained in the rear, and not a word was said as we approached the bottom.
There was a wall made of solid gold, and in the center were double doors constructed out of chrome. Sconces burned on either side, burning without a source of fuel just like above. These beings seemed to have the ability to control and manipulate fire, in addition to their reincarnation.
Every man claimed he was unafraid to die, but that wasn’t true.
With the exception of these guys.
And that made them the most formidable opponents I’d ever encountered.
The demon pounded his fist against the chrome door, which had to be at least fifty feet tall, and solid, based on the way his fist sounded.
A second later, both doors swung inward, revealing a grand hallway lined with gold. Sconces were mounted down the walls, the fire making the golden color even brighter, like it was being struck with sunshine.
The demon led the way, his passing making the sconces flicker slightly.
In a single line behind Rancor, we passed through the hallway and into a large archway.
I nearly stopped at the sight of it.