Page 44 of Into the Abyss
Olgon’s lips flattened into a thin line.“That matters not.”
“But it does!” I insisted. “You’reinfuriated at a varcolac and demons who don’t exist anymore! You’refighting the same battles that got you placed behind the seal inthe first place!”
Closing my eyes, I took a deep breath tosteady myself. If I were out of control, I would never get Olgon tolisten to me. And if I failed in that, then Magnus could diehere.
• • •
Magnus
I had to get Amalia away from this man, her unshi.It had been years since I’d heard the demon word for uncle, butthen most of the demons I knew didn’t have any living family.
“Now, Amalia,” Olgon said. “Because of yourFault, we understand why you feel you have to help these creatures,but you must understand you’re going against your kind by doingso.”
“No, Unshi!” she cried.
When she stepped toward him, I seized herarm. If she got too close to him, hewouldtake her fromhere, and I would be trapped here without her, at the mercy ofthese creatures. No matter how many illusions I weaved, or how muchI fought, they would eventually destroy me if I didn’t somehow,miraculously, find a way out.
But even knowing that, I was more worriedabout Amalia than me.
If she went to him, they would succeed indestroyingher. I didn’t think they would kill her, notoutright. I believed her when she said they cared for each other.But being with them and watching them rain down the destructionthey so easily unleashed would eventually tear her apart.
I wouldnotlet that happen. Claspingher elbow, I drew her protectively against my side. I cared for myfriends, I would die for my king, but I’d never wanted to sheltersomeone the way I did Amalia. Nothing would hurt her while I lived,and that included her fucked-up family member.
“Come with me, Amalia,” Olgon said,extending his hand toward her.
The power emanating from the ancientcreature slid over my skin, but Olgon wasn’t stronger than Kobal orRaphael. In a fight, I could take this jinni.
As soon as I thought it, movement caused theshadows to shift, and more jinn emerged from behind Olgon. Most ofthe taciturn faces were set in nearly identical expressions ofdisapproval. Many of the jinn were dark-haired, but a few werefair, and one had hair the color of blood. They all worefloor-length black robes.
Locking them behind the seals preservedtheir numbers I realized. If they’d been allowed to remain free,they would have caused a lot of destruction in Hell, but they alsowould have been steadily annihilated as so many other types ofdemons were over the years.
“Amalia,” another male jinni said harshly.“Come with us now.”
“Paupi.” Amalia said the demon word forfather in a broken voice.
I stared at the jinni who had spoken, herfather. He looked so much like Olgon it was clear they werebrothers. The only difference between them was her father’s eyeswere the sun yellow I’d seen Amalia’s become and his black hair,unhindered by a braid, flowed to his waist.
At his side stood a petite woman with orangestreaks flowing through her pale blonde hair. Slender andbeautiful, her eyes were the pretty coral shade Amalia’s couldturn. With their similar, delicate features, there was no denyingAmalia was her child.
“Amalia.” The woman’s tone was far kinder,but her eyes were like ice when they met mine. “Come away fromhim.”
Amalia stared at her parents before herochre eyes met mine. I didn’t want her to choose the jinn and havethem crush her spirit, but I couldn’t keep her from her family.
Reluctantly, I released her arm. This washer choice to make, but I found myself willing her to chooseme.
“Mohara, please listen to me,” she beggedher mother.
“Amalia,” her mother said more brusquely.“Come to us,now.”
“Mohara, Paupi, Unshi,” she spread her handsbefore her as she spoke, “the people and demons you have trappedhere didnothingto us. You know what it is like to becaged. Set them free!” she pleaded. “I only brought Magnus here totry to save his friends.”
“Magnus, is it?” her father murmured.“You’re one of the king’s men. One of those who helped keep usimprisoned.”
“He wasn’t alive when you were locked away,and neither was the king!” Amalia cried.
“Silence!” Olgon barked, and Amalia’s mouthshut.
The low rumble reverberating through mychest caused some of the jinn to exchange glances. Family or not,noone would talk to her like that. When I got the chance togo after Olgon without risking Amalia, I’d tear his tongue out andshove it down his throat before unburdening him of his heart.
