By Fairy Means or Foul: A Starfig Investigations Novel(65)

“You really think such a puny fairy can tame a Red Fury? Dad would be laughing himself silly right now. No wonder I’m the favorite.” Yep, low blow.

And very effective.

Nyx whipped around in my direction, his eyes glittering. “Once the demon is under my command, I’m going to turn it loose on you. I’ll have it kill you slowly. But don’t worry, I’ll keep your little wizard friend. Between a Red Fury and a wizard, our father’s time on the Elder is coming to a close. And so is yours.”

Quinn who’d gone limp in my arms, raised his head with effort. “I’ll never be your wizard. I belong to Twig.” His voice sounded reedy, but a note of certainty ran through it. He meant every word. If we weren’t in such dire circumstances, I’d kiss him senseless.

“You’ll do as I say, wizard. I’ll break you, just like I’m going to break this big brute.”

“Pshht. You can try, Tiny.” Quinn wheezed, but managed to smirk.

Nyx approached the bars. “Watch your mouth, slave. For that disrespect, I’ll let Twig watch as I break you, then you can watch Twig get torn apart by my new pet.”

I lunged at the bars, swiping at Nyx, coming within inches of the bastard. But not near enough. He sprang backward.

The moment I touched the cage my body lit up with pain so intense I howled. Quinn yanked me back and we sprawled on the floor, my muscles spasming painfully. We lay there in a pathetic heap. I don’t know where Quinn found the strength to pull me away. He lay still, his eyelids fluttering, his energy spent.

“That’s what you get!” Nyx shouted. “Hahaha! You’ll never best me, Twig. Our father was a fool to favor you.”

I lunged toward the bars again—making sure not to touch them—and snarled. Nyx squeaked and stumbled back before realizing he was a hairsbreadth from stepping on the pentagram. His arms cart wheeled in a comical fashion as he fought to keep his balance. I held my breath hoping he’d fall over the line and sever the magic holding the demon. No such luck.

When he regained his balance, the fucker smirked at me as he crossed his arms over his chest. Enraged, I blew out my breath in a harsh stream knocking him backward from the force.

Unfortunately for him, his heel crossed over one of the pentagram’s lines and the demon seeing opportunity hurled itself at the weakened boundary. Nyx squealed as it crashed through. Before Nyx even thought to flee, he was hefted in a meaty fist and tossed into the Red Fury’s gaping maw. The sounds of crunching bones and Nyx’s screams made me cringe a bit. Though not too much. After all, he was a dick and had it coming.

The demon’s throat convulsed as it swallowed Nyx. A large belch followed. Then it turned its glowing eyes on us. Made me glad we were behind the life-sucking bars. I had no idea how we were getting out, but I was glad we were inside and it was outside.

The demon glared at the bars and bared his teeth. I inched back, moving closer to Quinn. The demon gave me the creeps. I’d also never come face to face with a predator—other than another dragon—that could be a real threat to me. But this thing was.

It reached out a black claw that had to be longer than my hand and lightly touched the bars. A shock raced up its arm until it yanked its hand away and roared.

I crouched low over Quinn, all my instincts telling me to protect my mate. Maybe the shock was enough to discourage it? Or maybe it would keep trying and the bars would drain its life force? One could only hope, because I knew for a fact if we tangled, it might not come out alive, but I definitely wouldn’t. Though if that was what it took to keep Quinn safe, I would attack the horrid creature.

The demon seemed to be studying the bars, which surprised me. Were Red Furies even able to reason? All I’d ever heard about them was that they were killing machines. Even other demons feared them, and it was whispered they had no soul.

Usually I would growl at anything threatening me. Except I knew it would accept the challenge. I just wanted it to go back where it came from. We’d have to wait it out, hope it grew bored.

Rushing the bars again, the demon threw its whole body weight against the cage. The bars shuddered and my teeth and claws automatically extended in preparation. Not enough room in the tower to shift into my dragon form, but if I had to I’d try. Maybe I could launch us in the air before it got hold of us.

The bars repelled the demon once more and I smelled charred flesh. It snarled and launched itself in another attempt. This time the bars flickered before throwing the demon back. Large steaming black welts rose on the demon’s red skin. It refused to quit. Two more tries and the bars gave way, disappearing much like the pentagram did once the magic was broken. I rose, facing the demon, needing to time this just right. If I could break through the ceiling. . . .

The Red Fury tilted its head to the side like it was waiting. It tapped its grotesque foot. “Well, aren’t you going to say thank you? Those bars hurt, you know,” the demon said in a petulant rumble.





23





“You talk.” My mouth popped open, forming an O of astonishment.

“I didn’t realize dragons were masters of the obvious. I’ll have to put it in my notes.” The demon smiled and its teeth flashed.

“Your notes?”

“Yes, I like to record my observations about other life forms.” It took a step toward me and I growled. It rolled its bloodshot eyes. “I’m not going to hurt you or your mate. You saved me. I appreciate it.”