Keys to the Demon Prison (Fablehaven #5)(144)

"Who got the artifacts?" Seth asked sluggishly.


Peredor dove through the rift in the dome, and a moment later they were gliding over the battlefield toward the shrine. With Seth in his arms, rather than fight, Peredor spent his whole energy dodging adversaries. Above the army of demons, Peredor employed dizzying acrobatics to keep away from enemies, but Seth experienced the maneuvers numbly, as if from a great distance.


"You still with me?" Peredor asked. They were nearing the shrine.


"Still with you," Seth slurred. In his hand, the glow of Vasilis had grown faint.



"Silvestrus got to the artifacts, and he passed them to Targoron as he fell," Peredor explained. "Targoron brought them to the Sphinx. They tried to get to you, but too many demons were attacking. Our mission succeeded. Hopefully this will help restore some of our honor."


"Your honor?"


"Targoron, Silvestrus, and I rebelled against the Fairy Queen after she transformed us into weaklings and banished us. Her consort had fallen to Gorgrog, and yes, as a body, the Knights of the Dawn had failed, but some of us found her punishment excessive. No betrayal was committed. Certain knights relaxed their vigilance, and Gorgrog got to our king in a surprise attack. Some of us felt she was assigning the blame deserved by some to all. To our everlasting shame, six of us renounced her. Three of us only recently returned, answering her call. We have much to prove. Bracken generously offered us an opportunity."


"You did well," Seth said. "Thanks."


"Save your gratitude! We succeeded because of you. Seth, I have never seen a sword thrown with such ability. For that matter, who would dare to throw such a sword? I am still in disbelief."


Seth smiled. He looked down at the shrine. The fighting looked fierce in front of it. "Is the shrine falling?"


"Our foes are hitting it hard," Peredor said grimly. "Without intervention, it will fall shortly. Our ranks have grown disorderly. Bracken has taken to the battlefield."


"Kendra?"


"We'll find her. And we'll find you a unicorn."


Chapter 28 The Demon King


Kendra hated watching her brother vanish with the Sphinx into the unseen heart of the demon horde. She felt angry at Bracken for allowing Seth to endanger himself. But she did not directly intervene to prevent Seth's departure. After all, their situation was desperate, and she had a feeling none of them would see the end of the day without facing extreme hardship. Assuming any of them reached the end of the day alive.


As the demons had fanned outward from the rift, the skirmishes had grown fiercer and closer. A small team of astrids lured Brogo away toward the far side of the island, taunting the gigantic demon while he swatted at them like pesky insects. Others managed to injure some of the demons who had been reclining on litters. When Gorgrog moved aggressively forward, guiding a large portion of his host toward the shrine, Bracken departed to join the fight, along with Vanessa, Warren, and several astrids.


Bracken warned Kendra to stay near the shrine until the obvious moment, and then to flee. He did not explain what would make the moment obvious.


Currently, Kendra stood between Trask and Hugo as the demons pressed back the astrids and fairies guarding the shrine. Any moment the demons could break through, and Kendra would join the fight. Or perhaps when the demons broke through, it would be time to run away.


"This could be it," Newel said from behind Kendra.


"What a way to go," Doren said with relish. "Look at them. Sure, we've got plenty of lesser demons milling about, but I see many greater demons among them, including most of the demonic nobility."


"We'll go out in style," Newel agreed. "Killed by the best."


"I wish I had a decent sword," Doren sighed. "I know the feeling," Trask added. "At least we each have a guardian astrid," Newel said optimistically.


"I think my astrid could take yours," Doren muttered to Newel.


"Keep dreaming," Newel chuckled. "Mine looks like he could break yours in half with his bare hands."


"He'd have to catch him first," Doren countered. "Mine looks quick and wiry."


"Neither of us should get too cocky," Newel replied. "I'll wager Kendra has the best ones."


"No doubt," Doren huffed. "She has connections."


Kendra glanced back at the two astrids assigned to her. Surly warriors heavily armed, Crelang and Rostimus looked impatient to join the combat. By the appearance of the battle, they and the other astrid bodyguards would not have long to wait. The massive press of demons relentlessly forced back the defending lines of fairies and astrids.


A tall, burly demon with bulky claws like a lobster rammed through the defenders, allowing several other demons to trail through the gap. Hugo rushed forward, hacking the crustaceous demon to pieces with his hefty sword. The astrid bodyguards entered the fray and drove back the other demons who had broken through.


The small victory was short-lived.


An astrid and a stunning orange fairy fell to a trio of four-armed women with spider bodies. The demonic women held a sword or knife in each hand, and turned to widen the gap they had created as other demons rushed through. Another fairy fell, and suddenly the line of defenders collapsed into disarray.