Fuck. He curled and pursued, but it was too late—the demon had slipped away.
The bloodlust stirred his veins. He yearned to hunt the fucker down and slash it into pieces. He sniffed the air. It was infested with demon odor. Tracking that particular one’s scent would be like trying to unravel a tangled web.
Would that help him find Larissa?
No. He needed to clear through the fog and think.
Maybe he could connect with her like he had in the past.
Larissa, can you hear me?
He waited for his mate’s reply. His heart pounded as he counted out the seconds— thirteen, fourteen, fifteen, sixteen.
He tried again. Nothing.
His gut emptied, bottoming out with loss. Where was she?
He reached out to the universe for a sign. No indication of her location, but somehow, he sensed she was still alive.
He would know, right? She was his mate, and if she was yanked from the universe, his heart and soul would be torn. As vividly as if a demon had reached into his chest and tore his heart out. The trickle of hope encouraged him. He had to keep searching.
But, where the fuck had the incubus taken Larissa? Roman would hunt through every hidden cavern of this desolate place to find his mate. He prayed he’d be able to detect her scent despite all the dark magic tainting the realm and interfering with his abilities. Her aroma was like flowers in the springtime after a long and bitter winter.
Still, he’d hunt every last corner of this desolate wasteland, pore over every inch of this hell until he found her.
Roman soared over the mountains and dipped in between them to the valleys below, searching for any signs of movement. What it revealed was more of the same—a barren land with shriveled up trees and vegetation with spindly, skeletal limbs.
Larissa?
Still, no reply.
“Larissa,” he shouted into the cave. “Larissa!”
Nothing. Despair threatened to smother him, but he had to keep searching.
“Roman!”
He turned on hearing Arto’s voice. His deputy carried Larissa’s fallen sword and shield, as well as his own. “Arto, how did you find me?”
“I saw you leave, chasing the demon after it had taken Larissa. As soon as I defeated the demon I was engaged with, I followed. I can’t communicate with you, though.”
“Right. Same here. Too much of their dark magic infiltrates this place.”
“Many of the demons fled after seeing others fall. I told the sentries to follow me after they finish off those creatures who remain.”
Roman nodded. “Good.” Neither mentioned the unspoken—if all the sentries survived.
Arto searched the bleak mountainous area beyond Roman. “Where are they?”
Roman’s jaw tightened. Good question. “I found a cave below, but no signs of them. I’m guessing there are more caves hidden in these mountains and I’ve been searching to find them.”
Arto patted him on the back. “Well, now you have another set of eyes.”
Roman nodded. That was a relief. Yet, it also left the other sentries on their own. They were capable, but he hated the party being separated. He didn’t mention that to Arto, though. The situation was dire enough as it was. No need to introduce more darkness into what would likely be a bleak outcome.
“Are the sentries all right?”
“They were when I left them. They’ll follow when they can break free.”
“Come. Let’s find Larissa.”
“And Janie,” Arto added.
Ah, right. He had to be experiencing the same sort of ache that Roman felt for Larissa.
“Of course,” Roman replied. “Let’s get them and bring them home.”
Arto gave him a half-smile, one full of relief.
They spent several minutes exploring cave after cave until they reached a dead end. Outside one, Roman scanned the rugged mountain terrain. Other caves must be hidden in the treacherous landscape, and Larissa had to be in one of them.
Roman tried to reach Larissa, again. He would fly over each decrepit inch of this wasteland until he found her. And, then they’d continue what they came for—rescuing Janie.
If you can hear me, please reach out. I know you can find a way to connect with me. We did so before. I must find you.
Even in his head, he heard the despair in his voice, a frantic edge of his plea for her to respond. He couldn’t give up on her. He’d do anything to find her. Sacrifice whatever was necessary. What he couldn’t do was leave this realm without her.
Roman!
Roman blinked. Had he actually heard her voice, or was he imagining it from wanting it too much?
Yes, Roman, I heard you.
Oh, sweet skies. The musical sound of her voice echoed in his ears. She was alive. Alive!
Larissa, where are you?
I’m in a cave in the mountains. With Janie. The demon brought me here.
Are you all right? Is Janie?
Yes.
I’m nearby. I followed you to the mountains but lost you. Can you get to the entrance of the cave, so I can see you?
No, we’re restrained to a wall.
That bastard. Roman swallowed his rage.
Can you tell me anything about the mountains? Were you surrounded on all sides or facing them? What level the cave is at? Any detail will help us.
I was distracted by this asshole incubus, but I’ll try. It wasn’t the side we flew in, but beyond it—and to the left. We sank maybe a third of the way from the top. The cave was set in a bit. It wasn’t a glaringly obvious entrance or anything like that.
That helps a great deal. It gives us a general area to narrow our search.
Be careful.
I’ll find you, Larissa. I promise you that.
After ending their connection, Roman cursed. Anger pulsed through him with an increasing rhythm. An overwhelming need for vengeance stirred in his veins. When he found the demon, he would destroy it. Tear it apart and send it to hell for eternity.
“What is it, Roman?” Arto asked on hearing Roman’s tirade.
Roman slowed his breath to calm his rage. He forced himself to uncurl his hands from fists, ready to pummel any demons in flying vicinity.
“I communicated with Larissa.”
Arto cocked his head. “You can do so?”
“Yes, she’s my mate. Our connection will grow with time,” Roman replied. “A demon has them both—Larissa and Janie.” His voice quaked with anger. “They’re restrained in one of these caves.”
“Ah, shit,” Arto replied. His features hardened. “At least, it means they’re still alive.”
Arto was right. Roman was letting the anger blind him. He had to think coolly. He was a commander. He had to think about the steps necessary for victory rather than focus on his need to avenge.
Roman focused on releasing the fury with each exhale while he calculated their best option. With their party divided, the first thing he had to do was get them back together. They could work better as a cohesive unit rather than individual warriors or small groups searching these caves.
But, he didn’t have that much time. He tried to communicate with the sentries again, but still nothing. Yet he’d been able to communicate with Larissa. That was a sign he was getting close to her. Whatever dark magic polluted this realm had a limited reach.
Their mission was to come here and retrieve Janie. That’s what they had to stick to.
Roman relayed what Larissa had told him. He gazed over the mountain peaks and pointed. “I think somewhere in that direction over to the other side of those peaks. That’s where we’ll start.”
Roman and Arto flew over the tops of the mountains and descended on the other side. He tried to keep it about one-third of the way down the way Larissa had described as he searched the mountainside for some indication of where a cave might be hidden.
Although flight enabled them to cover a greater distance than they would have on foot, the search stretched on. Minutes
ticked by with no signs of progress.
Wait. Arto communicated silently. Something is moving in there.
Roman and Arto took cover behind rocks and sparse trees. Fortunately, they could communicate again. Whatever dark magic had prevented them earlier didn’t interfere here in the mountainous range.
Over the next ten minutes, small, cat-sized demons flew into a depression in the rocks. Something had to be in there.
Roman communicated, We’re heading in to investigate. Get your weapon ready.
He spread his wings and ascended into the sky. Then he pointed his body diagonally toward the opening.
Ah, yes. A narrow entrance was hidden in the shadows ahead, one that could be easily overlooked. He turned to Arto and nodded. They were going in.
Roman had to bring his wings in tight around him and pull his sword to his body before squeezing into the entrance. Arto followed. Once past the narrow cave opening, he was able to stand. The dank smell of earth and demon penetrated his nostrils, and they flared. A hint of Larissa’s scent reached him. Or, was he imagining it out of his desperate ache to be near her again?
It took a moment to adjust to the darkness. And once he did, he sank back toward the cave mouth.
Glowing red orbs pierced the darkness overhead. Eyes opening.
Fuck.
Dozens of the cat-sized demons hung by their feet in a bat-like position. In the next moment, they detached from the ceiling of the cave and screeched as they flew down at them, mouths open and tiny vampire-like fangs extended.
“Watch out!” he shouted at Arto.
They both raised their swords to counter the demon attack. But, the damn beings were too fast, like a shadowy horde. They bit and scratched, penetrating tough gargoyle hide.
Roman swung his sword through the air, striking into the dark, thick maelstrom of evil. Dozens of demons attacked in a vicious raid of sharp talons and tiny teeth. Roman slashed into the mass of miniature monsters, yet didn’t inflict much impact. There were too many of them. The increasing misses stirred his frustration and he swung blindly into the swarm.
He had to focus and aim. After taking deep breaths, he adjusted his strategy to target one at a time. When his sword met a tiny mass of demon flesh, he flung the being to the earth and rejoiced at the small victory. He pulled his sword out and hacked into another one, slicing it into two parts.
Through the incessant attack on his gargoyle hide, he struck down demon after demon. As the body count rose, the surviving ones flew with high shrieks out of the mouth of the cave. After several minutes, or maybe days, all were gone.
Roman’s chest heaved with each breath. His body was damp with perspiration and covered with thin slashes where the demons had reached him.
“Those little fuckers bite,” Arto said. “Like determined mosquitos created in demon hell.”
A rough laugh escaped Roman. “If there’s such a place, I think we’re venturing deeper inside to the bowels of it.” He panted from the exertion and took a moment to regroup. “Cover my back. We’re heading in.”
He stepped over a demon corpse like it was a dead rat in a subway tunnel. The horrid description fit the decrepit passageway, filled with the vile stench of demon excrement. At least, torches lit the darkness—not that he was looking forward to discovering what else lived inside this cave. He clutched his sword tightly as he advanced, heart hammering hard enough to practically echo off the narrow cave walls.
“Argh!” Arto exclaimed. He hit something with his sword.
Roman turned back. “What is it?”
Arto flung what looked like two halves of a black snake with fiery orange markings to opposite sides of the passageway. “Just a slimy bastard sliding around my leg.”
Demon snakes. Roman resisted a groan. Their situation got better with each turn.
“Roman!” A woman’s voice rang out from deeper within the cave. “Is that you?”
It was Larissa! “Yes.” Roman’s heart quickened at the sound of his mate’s voice. It strummed a song in his soul.
“Be careful,” she warned. “There’s a fuckwad incubus in here with me. It thinks it’s the king of demons or some shit.”
She cried out. The incubus must have hurt her. Tentacles of fury wrapped around Roman. He roared forward with his sword raised and rushed to reach his mate.
Chapter 11
Roman had found them. He was coming! Larissa stared at the passageway as a wave of exhilaration rushed through her.
But, would he be walking into a trap? And then become the third one restrained in this cave?
The incubus grabbed her by the throat. “You think you’re smart, warning your gargoyle lover.” It glowered at her with its red eyes.
It tightened the hold, constricting her airway. She struggled, trying to squirm out of his hold for a breath of oxygen.
“No, let her go!” Janie yelled.
“All you’ve done is lead him to his death.” The incubus leered at Larissa with a satisfied expression as she struggled to breathe. “You can’t win. You’re outnumbered. This is our realm.”
It released her and sprang out of the room. She dropped her head forward as she panted. She had to warn Roman.
“He’s coming after you,” she croaked in a strangled voice.
“Watch out!” Janie shouted. She faced Larissa. “Shit. Are you okay?”
Although Larissa’s lungs felt like they’d had barbed wire installed, at least, oxygen flowed into them. “Yes,” she managed to say.
“What can we do to help them?”
Larissa’s heart echoed in her ear as she strained to hear Roman. “We have to get out of these first.” She struggled with the restraints on her arms, but nothing budged.
“Can you use some of your witchy powers?” Janie asked.
Larissa pursed her lips. “I’m new to this, but I’ll try.” She took a steadying breath and exhaled, attempting to project energy to her hands—something that she could use to break through the restraints or something.
Nothing happened. Not even a spark. Damn it. She tried again. “I can’t. I don’t know if it’s me, or something’s preventing it.” She stared at the restraints. Those demon fuckers probably cursed it or something like that to inhibit her from using magic.
She squeezed her uncooperative hand into a fist, cursing under her breath. She’d resisted working with her magic after those previous terrifying encounters, but now she so desperately wished she could draw on it. How could she help anyone if she was this inept? And, with the gargoyles facing demons in this unfamiliar terrain, the situation grew bleaker.
“It’s my fault you’re here,” Janie said with a resigned note.
Larissa snapped upright. “Don’t say that. It was my choice to come.” And unfortunately, I brought others with me.
“But, you’re always saving me. I’d be dead already if it wasn’t for you.”
Larissa shook her head. “Relationships are two-way streets. You’ve saved me, as well—in a different way.”
“How?” Janie tilted her head.
“You’ve always been there for me. From when we were kids. Everyone thought I was a freak. You didn’t care what they said. You were my friend. My only friend.”
Janie shrugged. “Who wants more normal people in their lives?”
Larissa’s lips curved into a grateful smile. “Well, I’ve had my share of weirdness to make things interesting.” She bit her lip. “I might never have believed I had any magic without you. When I told you Roman called me a witch, you didn’t shun me. You thought it was kind of cool.”
“What can I say? Ordinary is boring.” Janie winked.
“Funny. And I’ve been resisting working with magic since I woke you from the coma. But now, I desperately wish I could.”
“There’s got to be a way, Larissa. From what Arto told me, you’re more powerful than you realize.”
She’d been hearing that from Roman, from her grandmother, and now Janie. Could it possibly be true?
A scuffle in the entrance to the chamber caught Larissa’s attention. When the demon backed into the room, a strangled sound escaped her. Her heart clenched and then tumbled over itself. Was this it—the end?
Where was Roman? An ache gnawed inside her. If something had happened to him…
The tip of a sword broke through the darkness of the opening. She followed the line as it moved in. Someone was holding it, aiming it at the demon’s throat. As it backed into the room, Roman entered.
Her soul sang in sweet joy. He was alive. “Roman!”
Although he was in gargoyle form, he’d never appeared more enthralling. A brave warrior with fierce intensity in his eyes, ready to slice down those who would cause harm.
Yet, he was covered in bloody scratches, as if a hundred small claws had lashed at him.
“You’re hurt!” she said.
“Lesser demons.” He scowled at the incubus before him. “They tickle.” He kept his eyes on the incubus king, sword tip pointed at his neck. “On your knees.”
The demon sank to the ground and raised his arms in surrender.
“Did he hurt you?” he jerked his chin toward Larissa without taking his eyes off the demon.
“I’m okay.”
Arto followed into the room in gargoyle form, armed with multiple weapons. “Janie!”
He rushed over to her and dropped some weapons. Raising a sword, he smashed through Janie’s restraints.
Once free, she gaped at him. “Oh my God. It’s you, Arto.” She raised her hand to his face but then paused.
He took her hand and placed it on his cheek. “Yes, it’s me.”
Despite the tense situation, Larissa smiled at the tender moment. Never in a thousand years would she have guessed she’d see Janie captivated by a gargoyle. Not that Larissa ever would have envisioned herself doing so either.
After a moment, she said, “I hate to interrupt, but…”
Arto appeared flustered and rushed over to Larissa. “Ah, right. Sorry.” He hacked off the restraints from her wrists and ankles.
“Secure him,” Roman commanded Arto and nodded at the incubus.
Captivated by the Gargoyle: Stone Sentries 3 Page 10