Page 89 of Clash of Kingdoms

Kingsnake took the first step forward. “We’re about to find out.”

We made the long journey downward, moving closer toward the center of the earth, the air growing progressively staler as we traveled. We could see in the dark, so we didn’t need to light torches to guide our way. The path seemed to go on forever, and with every passing hour, we grew more demoralized.

Then the path ended, opening into a giant chasm that was dimly lit by the various crystals that were embedded in different surfaces. It was a different kind of quiet, different from falling snow on a winter night, different from a quiet bedchamber at midnight. In a place like this, every sound echoed, and the fact that there was no sound at all…meant there was nothing at all.

“Now what?” Cobra asked.

“We wait for Beast,” I said. “She said she would check the passage once a day for our presence.”

“Then we should rest,” Kingsnake said. “Put a few vampires on guard while the rest of us sleep.”

I was dead tired, so that sounded like a great plan. A few vampires volunteered, while the rest of us tried to find flat surfaces so we wouldn’t roll off over the edge. I unrolled my cot against the wall and got inside, so tired I fell asleep the second my head hit the small pillow. It’d been several nights of no sleep, and I didn’t realize how much I needed rest until I finally got to have it.

I woke up to someone shaking me. “She’s here.” It was Cobra’s voice.

My eyes snapped open, and I immediately sat up. “How long’s it been?”

“About ten hours.”

I blinked several times, my mind feeling sharp instead of dull. I got out of the cot and packed my things, but then realized it made no sense to take my pack any farther than this. I couldn’t take unnecessary weight into battle. I left it where it lay and approached the entrance to the chasm.

Beast dipped her head to come close to me, her bright yellow eyes burning into mine with interest. Her head was as big as the chasm opening, her sharp fangs the size of boulders. You’ve returned.

So have you.

Do you have a plan?

Yes.

What isss it?

We’ve made explosives to destroy the crystal.

Explosssivesss?

It was hard to describe, especially to a snake. It’s basically a concentrated ball of energy, and once it hits something hard, all that energy releases at once. It’s like an earthquake.

Fassscinating.

What information can you share with us?

They sssussspect you’re coming. Vine is very angry that you made a fool of him.

He didn’t leave me any choice.

The Demon Lordsss are prepared.

What are their abilities?

Magic.

Such as?

I’ve never witnesssed their powersss, but I know they can wield the elementsss…like fire and ice.

I hoped fifty vampires would be enough.

If you fail, it’ll be the death of my hatchlingsss. She brought her face closer. You. Can’t. Fail.