Page 33 of Into the Abyss
“There was nothing out there when we camein.”
“I’ll go make sure it’s clear.” Caim shiftedinto raven form and took flight from the cave.
“Let’s hope no one saw him,” I muttered.
A few minutes later, in which Chet continuedhis awkward stepping, Caim returned to the entrance of the cave andshifted out of his raven form. “It’s all clear for at least a mileradius around here; if Chet goes any further, I will searchagain.”
Amalia’s appalled gaze met mine when Ireleased Chet and he goose-stepped out of the cave. Taking herelbow, I kept her against my side as we traversed through the treeswhile staying parallel with Chet. Amalia’s scent tickled my nose asher supple flesh warmed my palm. I’d destroy anything that camenear her.
I searched for a threat moving into ourarea, but all I detected were the birds watching us from theirperches. The subtle trickle of water flowing over rocks penetratedthe air as we approached a stream in the trees. Sparkling bluewater came into view, and then Chet stopped at the edge of thestream.
Amalia’s hair tickled my arm when she leanedforward to study him. I searched the other side of the stream butsaw only the shifting shadows of the swaying trees as they dancedacross the leaf-strewn ground.
Raphael and Caim spread out to stand oneither side of us as Chet remained unmoving. His gaze was fixedacross the stream, but he didn’t seem to see anything over there.The birds stopped singing as even they appeared to wait to see whathe would do now.
“Stay here,” I whispered to Amalia.
Releasing her arm, I pushed aside thebranches of a tree and walked toward him. I was almost to his sidewhen his head tipped back and a gurgling sound issued from histhroat.
“What the fuck?” I murmured as he startedswaying back and forth while making that awful sound.
Then, his body jerked as if a hundred roundsof gunfire were hitting it. Lunging forward, I grabbed hisshoulders before he could hurt himself, but the spasms jolted hisslender body beneath my grasp. His eyes rolled back, and when bloodsprayed from his mouth, I realized that’s what was clogging histhroat.
I shook him roughly, but it was already toolate to wake him as his eyes rolled back in his head and his bodybecame a dead weight in my grasp. When I released him, he hit theground.
I stood and gazed down at him as the bloodoozing from his mouth seeped into the water, turning it pink beforebeing washed away. Then, the birds started singing again.
Bending, I scooped up some water and used itto wash Chet’s blood from my face and hair before rising.
“Why?” Amalia moaned.
She clasped her head with her hands asanguish shook her slender frame. Consumed by the urge to protecther, I strode over and swept her into my arms. She didn’t fight meas she curled up against my chest and buried her face in myneck.
I ignored the allure of her breasts pressingagainst my chest as I turned to the angels. Raphael’s face remainedimpassive, but sadness shone in his violet eyes. Caim’s attentionwas riveted on Chet’s body; his face mirrored the confusion in hiseyes.
“What do they do to them in the Abyss?” Caimmurmured.
“Nothing good,” I said. “Gather his body. Wecan’t leave him here.”
Caim didn’t tear his gaze away from Chet’sbody as he spoke. “Why did he walk around before dying while theothers die in their sleep, or whatever state they’re in?”
“I think the jinn gave him control of hisbody,” Amalia whispered, “to unnerve you and keep you on yourtoes.”
“They’re playing with us,” Raphaelstated.
Amalia bowed her head. I didn’t wait to hearany more before I turned and started back to the cave with Amalianestled safely in my arms.
• • •
Magnus
When we returned to the cave, I stood at the frontof it while I weaved the illusion of a wall over the entrance. Noone passing by here would ever know the entry existed.
When the last rock settled into place, Iturned to find Amalia watching me. Her eyes were such a sad shadeof orange I wondered if she could return to the Abyss. Knowing whatI did about her, this constant sway of different emotions must bebattering her. The empath ability was a powerful tool as well as ahighly destructive one to whoever possessed it.
“How did you do that?” she inquired.
“I am the last demon of illusions.”
