Page 98 of Dancing With Demons

“Not a secret to you.” Radu jerked his head, indicating for us to follow him. “When those fools took you, they brought you through the passage. They were just running too fast for you to notice.”

“But I was in the middle of the demon class wing when they did that. Does the passage let out there?”

We trailed behind him, weaving through the stacks as he shook his head no. “It’s a web of interconnecting tunnels. That passage was hidden near the lecture halls. This one lets out right beside the southern gate.”

“How long to get to Pomaris?” I blinked. “Wait. I just realized I never asked what kind of transportation you’ve got down here.”

“There are cars, but they run on dark magic and only demons use them,” he explained. “Because fae fly, werewolves travel in wolf form, and vampires—”

“Run,” I finished. “Of course.”

He tossed me a knowing look over his shoulder. “If you want to get to Pomaris quickly and safely, we’ll have to run too. Word is already out about the mortal woman in Abaddon Academy. There’s a long line of enemies just waiting for you to leave the gates.”

I shivered. “I understand. I’ll be puking for a week after, but it’s fine. Just take Dora first.”

“I’ll be taking you both at the same time, Charlotte.” Santino suddenly veered left and disappeared between two stacks. “Even running, it’ll take three hours to get there and back. I’m not leaving you on your own for that long.”

Running up to him, I grabbed his hand.

He paused, confused, until he saw my face.

“Thank you,” I whispered—taking his hand with both of mine and pulling him close. “I can’t thank you enough, Santino.”

“Santino, huh?” A smile tugged his lips. “And a thank-you? Sure you don’t want to follow that up with a screw you, asshole?”

I giggled. “There’s still time for that.”

Radu drew me closer, resting his forehead on mine. “You have no need of thank-yous. I told you, you are the goddess I worship. You need only ask for my heart, and I’d tear it from my chest and impale it on your altar.”

I heated up like a lava lamp. That didn’t sound sexual, but I knew it was.

Reaching over, Radu traced strange symbols on the wall between the tomes. Before my eyes, part of the stone melted away—revealing a chest-high entrance. Peering into it, all I saw was darkness, and in that darkness, the fog cleared... and I made up my mind.

I’m going with Dora. I’m going to meet with Lucifer face-to-face, and lay out the ground rules. I’ll do what he wants, but he has to protect Dora in Pomaris, and if he threatens or hurts her even once, he’ll have to find another living Avos witch to jerk around.

With Dora safe, I can stay here with Ronin, Tristan, and Santino. I nodded to myself. Yes, this is what I’m doing. I’m getting Dora out, but I’m staying here... with them.

“I’ll guide you.” Radu’s lantern eyes pierced me, drawing my attention back. “But, it’ll be dangerous.”

“It will?”

“Oh yes,” he breathed, voice grave. “A dark, twisty, and perilous journey through these winding tunnels, followed by an arduous trek through burning plains, all while shouldering two full-grown women. If I’m going to do all of that...” I finally saw the grin tugging on the corner of his mouth. “I’ll need to be at full strength.”

My eyes narrowed to slits. “Are you angling for my blood? Now of all times.”

He was full-blown grinning like a loon now. “I’d love your blood, honey, but I’ll actually need something a little sweeter this time.”

“Wha—?”

Santino swooped down and captured my lips. His kiss was rough, wild, and insistent—

—for the second it lasted.

“Argh!”

All of a sudden, Santino ripped away from me. My eyes snapped open in time to see Ronin heft him up and throw him into the secret entrance.

I didn’t have a chance to cry out—to stop him.